Mayor suspends ‘user charge’ for waste disposal

Responding to widespread objections from Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and civil society groups, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh on Tuesday announced the suspension of the “user charge” for waste disposal, which had been introduced in the 2025-26 Budget during the Aam Aadmi Party’s tenure in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The announcement followed a public meeting at the Delhi BJP office where Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and the Mayor interacted with RWAs and other community representatives.

Delhi BJP media head Praveen Shankar Kapoor, who conducted the session, presented a compilation of citizen feedback and objections to senior leaders and MCD officials.

Sachdeva criticised the former AAP-led MCD for implementing the user charge without any public consultation or legal backing under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957.

He also pointed out that the rules under the Solid Waste Management framework were not followed and the surcharge was imposed even in areas lacking basic sanitation services.

In response, Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh announced that no user charge will be collected in the current financial year. He said a private member resolution would be tabled in the upcoming MCD House meeting to ensure such levies are not introduced without proper consultation in the future.

The Mayor also introduced a House Tax Amnesty Scheme, allowing residents to clear their dues by paying property tax for the past five years only, waiving all interest and penalties. A no-objection certificate (NoC) will be issued upon payment.

He further assured that suggestions from RWAs will be incorporated, and zonal-level meetings would soon be held to ensure better coordination between citizens and the civic body.

Delhi