A Surge in the property tax for both commercial and residential properties in the Capital with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) levying user charges for solid waste management has triggered criticism. MCD Mayor and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Mahesh Kumar Khichi has demanded the withdrawal of the charges. The charges are based on the Central Government’s Solid Waste Management Bye-Laws, 2017, which were enforced through three separate gazette notifications — one for each erstwhile municipal corporation — and published by the Delhi Government on January 15, 2018. Even as the notification had been approved, the MCD did not collect the fee in the last seven years.
A few days ago, when the MCD’s tax portal went live, the new fee was found to be added to the property tax. However, amid complaints of an “exorbitant increase” in the tax, the portal was temporarily discontinued. Officials said that a “glitch in the system is currently being fixed.”
Addressing the media on Monday, the Mayor slammed the move. “These charges, starting from April 1, are not suitable for Delhi and are against public interest. When our party (AAP) was in opposition, we were against this proposal from the beginning,” he said.
The Mayor also questioned the legitimacy of implementing the charges without any recent discussion in the corporation’s monthly assembly.
“MCD concessionaires are not fulfilling their duty of door-to-door garbage collection, forcing residents to rely on private operators and pay out of pocket. When the service does not exist, imposing user charges is blatantly wrong. If this was to be implemented, it should have been discussed in the House first. The proposal must be withdrawn without delay,” he added.
In his response to the letter by the Mayor, MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar said, “As per the said byelaws, a user fee is to be collected for providing services related to garbage collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste. The fee was uniform across all three erstwhile corporations and is currently being enforced.”
The row comes as MCD prepares to hold mayoral elections this month where the AAP, running the House in minority, is expected to be replaced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP is poised to take over the MCD leadership as it looks to strengthen its “double-engine” government in Delhi into a “triple-engine” one.
This step is likely to help the MCD reduce its financial burden as the BJP prepares to step into power.
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According to the Delhi Government’s 2018 Gazette, monthly user charges are to be levied based on the type and size of the property.
Residential properties have to be charged between Rs 50 to Rs 200 per month, depending on plot size. Street vendors are to be charged Rs 100 per month, while shops and eateries have to be charged Rs 500.
Guest houses, dharamshalas, hostels, and restaurants with seating capacities under 50 people will be charged Rs 2,000, while restaurants with over 50 seats will pay Rs 3,000. Hotels will be charged between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000, depending on their rating. Godowns and marriage or party halls will be charged Rs 5,000, and religious and charitable institutions will be charged Rs 2,000.
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