Karnataka: BJP demands rollback on solid waste management cess, halting ‘unviable’ mega projects

The Opposition BJP in Karnataka has demanded the rollback of the garbage tax (solid waste management cess) and "unviable", and "unrealistic" infrastructure projects costing crores of rupees in the name of Brand Bengaluru. The BJP leaders, in their memorandum to the BBMP administrator Tushar Girinath, stated that the state government has imposed hefty taxes on the citizens and mainstreamed corruption.

 

"If Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has succeeded in making Bengaluru City more expensive than even Dubai, deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar takes the credit for lining up ill-conceived and unscientific projects under Brand Bengaluru initiatives. Bengalureans are suffering under the Congress rule," stated the memorandum.

Also read | Bengaluru garbage tax review explained: Why cess formula may change

The saffron party which had also deferred the BBMP polls, when in power, claimed that the sole achievement of the Siddaramaiah government was the deferment of the civics body polls. “Now, they are all set to fragment the city built by Kempegowda into six pieces and unsettled the native Bengalureans," alleged the BJP.

 

Stating that the state has become financially bankrupt, the BJP accused the ruling Congress of imposing hefty taxes on citizens to replenish the coffers.

 

"The garbage cess is a government-sponsored loot and is being extorted by the citizens who are already paying a user fee for garbage disposal. The hike in SWM cess is between 500 per cent to 2,765 per cent. The cess on 30x40 houses increased from ₹120 to ₹ 720, apartment clubhouse - ₹ 1,800 to ₹ 18,800, mall - ₹ 3,600 to ₹ 52,5000, hospital - ₹ 9,600 to ₹ 2,75,000, single house (50x80) - ₹ 600 to ₹ 5,400 and vacant plots - ₹ 3,600 to ₹ 67,000. The poor garbage disposal system has turned every street into a dump yard,” slammed the BJP.

 

The Congress government in Karnataka has earned the disrepute of looting the citizens from birth till death in the form of various taxes, alleged BJP adding that there was no accountability for the beggary cess, education cess, library cess and garbage cess being collected from the common man.

 

Strongly opposing the multi-crore infrastructure projects in the state capital, the BJP accused the state government of turning big-budget projects into an ATM. "The white topping of roads and redevelopment of footpaths has only undergone delays and cost escalation and most projects that are completed are not usable due to poor quality and design. A new loot is the e-khata. The BBMP should take urgent measures to curb corruption and enhance transparency, " urged senior leaders from the BJP.

 

Incidentally, the white topping (overlaying of asphalt roads with concrete) of 150 km of roads across Bengaluru, meant to enhance road durability and reduce maintenance costs has met with stiff opposition from citizen groups, as they are known to cause traffic disruptions and congestion on arterial roads. Also, prolonged road work adversely impacts local businesses and reports of concrete roads leading to waterlogging and flooding due to reduced percolation of rainwater had made the project unpopular.

 

The ₹1,600 crore worth white topping project is planned to upgrade key roads such as MG Road, Residency Road, Tannery Road, Mosque Road, DJ Halli Main Road, Hennur 80ft Road, CBI Road, Dinnur Main Road, Malleswaram 8th Main Road, Holiday Village Road, Bull Temple Road and Sarjapur Road. But delays and unscientific and substandard works are a cause for concern.

 

Critics also argue roads such as MG Road, which are already in good condition do not require white-topping, suggesting misallocation of funds.

 

The Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project phase I (North-South Corridor) —a 16.7-km long underground corridor from Hebbal (Esteem Mall junction) to Central Silk Board junction, at an estimated cost of ₹17,780 crore approved by the cabinet recently is also being opposed by the opposition parties and the citizens alike. The total project costing ₹ 40,000 includes the 28-km-long East-West tunnel connecting KR Puram with Nayandahalli (Mysore- road), which is yet to be approved.

India