Residents specifically object to the user fee, arguing that vacant plots do not generate garbage.
DH FILE PHOTO
Bengaluru: Owners of vacant plots have voiced their opposition against the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's ‘garbage tax’ to collect household waste.
They specifically object to the user fee, arguing that vacant plots do not generate garbage, also asking what services the civic body provides in return for the fee.
According to the BBMP’s notification, vacant plots are now being charged a fee of 0.60 paisa per square foot annually as part of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) user fee. For instance, a vacant plot measuring 30x40 square feet would have to pay Rs 720 per year, starting from 2025–26.
Anil Nachappa, who owns a vacant plot in Byatarayanapura, said that he paid Rs 1,620 in property tax for 2024–25. “There is a nearly 96% increase in my revised tax, which has risen to Rs 3,312, including an SWM user fee of Rs 1,692. This defies logic, as the BBMP is collecting the fee without providing any service,” he said.
He also questioned whether the user fee would cover the cleaning of vacant plots by the BBMP.
Another resident, who paid Rs 720 tax for his vacant plot, said that he is unable to build a house since he is repaying the loan on the land.
Officials insist the fees are in line with solid waste management rules notified in June 2020. While the original byelaw prescribed 0.20 paisa/square foot — Rs 2.4 per square foot annually — they said they reduced it to 0.60 paisa per annum.
An official said the money will be used to clear blackspots in public areas and to clean vacant plots.