Bhubaneswar,Apr.10 (BNP): Public resentment is steadily growing in the city over the alleged collection of user fees by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) for garbage management services. Several citizen groups and organisations have strongly opposed the move, accusing the civic body of imposing an additional financial burden on residents despite already collecting sanitation charges through holding tax.
Residents argue that holding tax already includes provisions for cleanliness and waste disposal, making the introduction of a separate user fee unjustified. Concerns have also been raised regarding the legal and administrative rationale behind the move, particularly when questions persist over the structure and collection of holding tax itself.
Proposed User Fee Structure
Residential Categories:
- LIG (Low Income Group): ₹50 per month
- MIG (Middle Income Group): ₹75 per month
- HIG (High Income Group): ₹125 per month
Commercial Establishments:
- Small hotels & guesthouses: ₹500 – ₹1,000
- 3-star to 5-star hotels: ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 (based on category & size)
- Shopping malls: ₹100 – ₹500 (based on area)
Institutions & Events:
- Schools & colleges: ₹1,000 – ₹3,000, plus additional per-child charges
- Marriage halls & temporary event venues: ₹10,000 – ₹40,000 (depending on category/scale)
The proposed fee structure has triggered widespread criticism, with many questioning its fairness and transparency.
Former bureaucrat Prasanna Mishra expressed serious concerns, stating that while municipal laws provide for property tax, authorities continue to rely on holding tax while introducing additional charges. He questioned the rationale behind imposing user fees when sanitation costs are ostensibly already covered under existing taxation.
As opposition intensifies, residents are demanding greater clarity, legal justification, and a review of the policy to ensure that civic services are delivered without placing undue financial strain on the public.
