BMP yet to start collection of waste management cess

BMP yet to start collection of waste management cess

The Hindu

Health Inspectors not keen on doing the job

# BMP was expected to start collecting the cess from January 1
# Commissioner urged to ask Revenue Inspectors to do the job
# Property owners to be allowed to make annual payment

BANGALORE: Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BMP) plan to start collection of solid waste management (SWM) cess from owners and occupiers of residential and non-residential buildings in its limits from January 1 is yet to materialise because the Health Inspectors are reluctant to take up the work.

Sources in the BMP told The Hindu on Thursday that the collection is likely to be delayed.

This is because the Health Inspectors, who have been assigned with collecting the monthly cess from the doorsteps of residential and non-residential buildings, have urged Commissioner K. Jothiramalingam to ask the Revenue Inspectors to do the job.

The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Health Inspectors' Association recently submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner expressing the members' inability to collect the cess.

"Collection of any kind of cess is the job of Revenue Inspectors and it is better if they do it when they visit homes to collect property tax," the memorandum stated.

Although it was announced that the Revenue Inspectors will visit homes and collect the cess, it was decided to entrust the Health Inspectors with the job. The garbage contractors will be authorised to collect the cess after the new tenders come into force in the next few months.

While Mr. Jothiramalingam is yet to consider the plea made by the Health Inspectors, collection has not started so far. The BMP expects revenue of over Rs. 30 crores through this levy this year.

When a few opposition corporators raised the issue at the recent BMP Council meeting, the Commissioner said that the Health Inspectors are the best persons to collect the cess because "they will create a good rapport with the residents by going there once a month."

"This will help them know if garbage disposal and cleaning of the areas in their jurisdiction is done properly and address complaints. If a person is paying somebody for some service, he or she will definitely question the cess collector if the service is not up to the mark.

This is like questioning your cable operator if the connection is not clear when you pay him every month," the Commissioner said.

While the BMP has announced that the owners can remit the cess at the offices of the zonal health offices, officials said door-to-door collection is the best method initially.

Building owners can make a one-time payment for the year commencing in April. Those who pay in one instalment will get 5 per cent discount.

The Solid Waste Management cess rates are (monthly): less than 1,000 sq. ft.: Rs. 10 for residential buildings; Rs. 50 for commercial buildings; Rs. 100 for industrial buildings; Rs. 300 for hotels, marriage halls and nursing homes; between 1,001 to 3,000 sq. ft.: Rs. 30 for residential buildings; Rs. 100 for commercial buildings; Rs. 200 for industrial buildings; Rs. 500 for hotels and other buildings; above 3,001 sq. ft.: The monthly rate is Rs. 50 for residential buildings, Rs. 200 for commercial buildings, Rs. 300 for industrial buildings and Rs. 600 for hotels and other buildings