In a move that’s stirring strong public and political reactions, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has officially implemented a new solid waste management user fee, dubbed the “garbage cess”, across the city from April 1. The new tax will be collected annually along with the property tax, and is aimed at improving waste collection and disposal infrastructure in India’s tech capital.
What Is the Garbage Cess?
Under this new policy, all residential, commercial, and hospitality establishments in Bengaluru will be subject to a monthly fee based on the size of their premises or the amount of waste generated.
For residential buildings, the cess is structured as follows:
- Up to 600 sq ft: ₹10/month
- 600–1000 sq ft: ₹50/month
- 1000–2000 sq ft: ₹100/month
- 2000–3000 sq ft: ₹150/month
- 3000–4000 sq ft: ₹200/month
- Above 4000 sq ft: ₹400/month
Hotels and commercial establishments face a steeper hike. Previously charged ₹5 per kg of garbage, hotels will now pay ₹12 per kg — more than doubling the cost.
The BBMP expects to raise ₹600 crore annually through the new cess, as part of a broader initiative to fund solid waste management and urban sanitation efforts in Bengaluru.
Political Backlash: BJP Slams Garbage Tax
The new tax has sparked fierce political backlash. Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA R Ashoka lashed out at the Congress-led state government, accusing it of monetizing basic municipal services under the guise of cleanliness.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ashoka said:
“The government, which failed to dispose of Bengaluru’s garbage and turned Silicon City into a garbage city @INCKarnataka, has now fixed fees for garbage collection as well. DCM @DKShivakumar Sir, they robbed in the name of Brand Bangalore, now they loot in the name of garbage too? Is this Bihar election expenditure or a bribe to get the CM’s chair?”
Why BBMP Is Enforcing This Cess
Officials from the BBMP argue that the cess is necessary to meet rising operational costs and ensure accountability in waste disposal services. Bengaluru generates nearly 5,000 tonnes of waste daily, and with increasing urban sprawl, the pressure on civic infrastructure has reached critical levels.
By monetizing waste management, the BBMP aims to promote better waste segregation, timely pickup services, and modernized recycling infrastructure.
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