‘BBMP’s new garbage user fee proposal not well looked through’: Residents

Residents and activists have voiced their opinions against the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) latest proposal on levying a charge on garbage disposal. The BBMP and its solid waste management wing the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) have revised its proposal to levy user fees, in its reported aim to encash Rs. 600 crore a year. Last year, it proposed that fees be levied based on their electricity bills, which was shelved.

This proposal aims to link the solid waste management structure with the built-up area. For example, waste from a built-up area of less than 600 square feet(sq.ft) may only cost the user Rs. 20. It goes all the way up to Rs. 400 for built-up area of above 4000 sq.ft. Reports suggest that the state government is likely to accept this proposal after Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar was reportedly consulted. 

However, Rahman Qaudri, a resident near New Thippasandra, feels it is not scientific. “The garbage cannot be calculated based on built-up area, rather it should be based on the number of units in an area,” he stated and insisted that the authorities need to sort out its practices of garbage segregation at source. Sandeep Aniruddhan, convenor of Namma Whitefield, also echoed similar concerns. “From the looks of it, the policy does not aim to incentivise good behaviour. What if people living in places measuring below 600 square feet ruthlessly produce garbage and pay only a meagre amount?” he questioned.

The policy also is not well looked through, Aniruddhan added, amidst climate change increasing its hold on human life. “Garbage travelling to the landfills adds up so much carbon footprint. Segregation at source or reusing it for other purposes should be incentivised by the government, who have the power to do so but don’t seem to prioritise it,” he ended.