• BBMP introduces a new user fee for garbage collection, bundled with property tax.
• Aims to generate Rs 650–700 crore annually.
• Funds will go towards:
  • Building 27 transfer stations.
  • Setting up a material recovery facility with 1,226 MT/day capacity.

ISSUES IN FEE COLLECTION

• Several complaints about:
  • Incorrect fee amounts shown on the BBMP website.
  • Technical glitches in the online portal.
• Example: A resident named Ramesh mentions:
  • Apartment already pays Rs 5,000/year to a private contractor.
  • Now has to pay Rs 1,200 more due to BBMP’s new user fee.

EXEMPTIONS FOR BULK WASTE GENERATORS

• Conditional exemption granted to bulk waste generators not dependent on BBMP.
  • Subject to inspection and verification.
• Residents like Nandini Bhat raise concerns:
  • Inspection process can enable corruption.
  • No incentive left for individuals composting waste at home.
  • Suggests charging per kg of waste instead of a flat fee.

BBMP’S STAND ON EXEMPTIONS

• Only about 3,500 large establishments can be exempted.
• Not feasible to exempt small apartments or independent houses.
• Senior officials argue it’s impractical and prone to misuse.

CITIZENS’ CONCERNS ON POLICY DESIGN

• System fosters corruption and enforcement challenges.
• Use of built-up area for fee calculation is flawed.
• Suggests using household census count instead.
• Believes user fee is a repackaged version of the existing SWM cess.

LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK

• User fee aligns with:
  • SWM Rules, 2016: Mandate ULBs to collect fees from waste generators.
  • Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0: Emphasises enforcement of user charges.
  • Star Rating Protocol: Ties performance to collection efficiency.
• NGT-appointed committee also recommended imposing the fee.
• Other cities like Mumbai and New Delhi are implementing similar charges.

BUDGET ALLOCATION AND FINANCIAL CONCERNS

• BBMP’s SWM Budget for 2025–26: Rs 2,441 crore.
  • 30%: Administrative costs.
  • 60%: Grants to Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML).
• State government grants reduced drastically:
  • From Rs 330 crore (2022-23) to Rs 52 crore (2025-26).

Key Budget Allocations:

• Rs 850 crore for waste collection and transport.
• Rs 486 crore for developmental works.
• Rs 200 crore from Shubhra Bengaluru state project.
• Rs 70 crore for mechanical sweeping.

POURAKARMIKAS AND SALARY HIKE

• From May 1, 12,000 pourakarmikas made permanent.
• Salary under 7th Pay Commission:
  • Total cost to rise to Rs 550 crore/year.
• Budget updates:
  • Staff salary up from Rs 37.7 crore to Rs 365.48 crore.
  • Total salary allocation now Rs 654.61 crore.

CRITICISM OF IMPLEMENTATION

• Lack of citizen participation in decision-making.
• No elected council since 2020.
• Failure to implement decentralised waste management, as directed by the High Court in 2017.

ALTERNATIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

• Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants proposed as a sustainable option:
  • One 5 MT CBG plant can serve a ward for 10+ years.
  • Issues: Land acquisition, CA site unavailability, and public resistance.
• High-tech transfer points (Ejipura, Chamrajpet) recommended:
  • Reduce long-distance waste transport and air pollution.
• Biomining and leachate treatment cost concerns:
  • Nearly Rs 500 crore on leachate treatment.
  • Rs 75 crore planned for new landfill development.

BBMP’S JUSTIFICATION FOR THE USER FEE

• Intended to make BSWML self-sufficient.
• Will support:
  • Expansion of waste collection systems.
  • Introduction of new vehicles.
  • Setup of integrated SWM facilities across city zones.

MAINS QUESTION

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of the BBMP’s garbage collection fee in improving waste management in Bengaluru. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this policy?
2. Analyze the fairness of bundling the garbage collection fee with property tax. Should the fee be charged separately or based on usage?