BJP urges BBMP to roll back garbage user fee in Bengaluru

The opposition BJP has urged the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to revoke its recent decision to impose a user fee for garbage disposal, citing concerns over the financial burden on citizens.

A delegation led by Leader of Opposition R. Ashok submitted a formal petition to the BBMP Chief Commissioner, challenging the government's move to levy a user fee in addition to the existing garbage cess.

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Speaking to the media following the submission, Ashok criticized the dual charges, stating that collecting both a cess and a user fee was unfair and excessive. “The government must choose one — either the user fee or the cess, not both,” he asserted.

He warned that the additional levy would lead to increased expenses across sectors. “This will raise house and commercial building rents, and drive up service charges at marriage halls, hospitals, schools, and hotels,” Ashok said.

The BBMP recently announced its plan to introduce a user fee aimed at improving solid waste management services across the city. However, the proposal has sparked criticism from various quarters, with concerns about its impact on the cost of living.

The BJP has called for an immediate withdrawal of the new fee, stressing the need for public-friendly policies amid growing urban expenses. The BBMP has yet to respond to the opposition's petition.