Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Jun 16: Mangaluru City Corporation administration has imposed a steep increase in the waste management cess and burdened the people at a time when they are devastated by the impact of coronavirus, alleged opposition leaders in the corporation.
Opposition leader Abdul Rauf made the allegation in a press meet held at the district Congress office here on Tuesday, June 16.
"The annual waste management cess of Rs 180 for 500 square feet that was imposed in the corporation during 2015-16 after a review has been increased to Rs 600. It amounts to an increase of 231 per cent. Financial activities have stopped due to the lockdown over coronavirus outbreak. The corporation which should have relaxed taxes and helped the people during difficulties is making a profit on the pretext of coronavirus. It is condemnable. Protests will be held if the corporation does not take remedial measures in this regard," he warned.
"Waste disposal cess was implemented in the corporation during 2013-14. The contract was assigned to Antony Waste Management company. As the payment to them was a burden to the corporation, waste management cess was introduced. Along with property tax for an area up to 500 square feet, an annual cess of Rs 360 was charged at the rate of Rs 30 per month in 2015-16. The cess was being collected at various rates for a property with an area beyond 500 sq ft. It is increased by mammoth proportions now during the coronavirus pandemic. The collection of the cess should be stopped forthwith. The amount paid already should be adjusted against future payment. Charges for water supply also are increased during this period. We urge the corporation to waive off the charges for three months,” he said.
To a question by reporters on why the Opposition is quiet regarding rates for water supply, senior corporator Lancelot Pinto said that the attention of corporation is drawn towards this situation. “The lapses in the bills used to be set right in the past during Adalats. Now, the Adalats are not being held on the pretext of coronavirus. They should be held as they are necessary,” he said.
Corporator Shashidhar Hegde, A C Vinayaraj, Praveen Chandra Alva, Bhasker K, Naveen D’Souza, Anil Kumar, Ashraf, Samshuddin, Zeenath and others were present.