Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jul 28: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has strongly opposed the decision of the Gurupura gram panchayat to increase the monthly garbage collection fee from Rs 100 to Rs 150.

A memorandum demanding the immediate withdrawal of the 50% hike was submitted to panchayat development officer (PDO) Pankaja by SDPI Gurupura gram committee president S B Abdul Sattar, former gram panchayat member Salam Golipadd, and Imtiyaz Bottikare on behalf of local residents.

Abdul Sattar said the decision to increase the garbage collection fee without adequate justification or wider public consultation was against public interest and could not be justified.

He pointed out that people are already facing financial pressure due to rising prices of essential commodities, electricity, water, and other living expenses. In such a situation, imposing an additional financial burden on residents is not appropriate, he said.

He also questioned the need for increasing the garbage collection fee when approximately Rs 8 lac has been allocated for solid waste management and garbage disposal under the 15th Finance Commission action plan for the 2026-27 financial year.

The administration should clarify to the public the purpose of the allocated funds, their utilisation, and the basis for increasing the garbage collection fee, Abdul Sattar demanded.

He said local bodies should function based on the principles of public interest, transparency, and accountability rather than merely focusing on increasing revenue. He also stressed that public opinion should be sought and proper discussions held through the gram sabha or relevant authorities before increasing any fee.

The SDPI urged the Gurupura gram panchayat administration and the PDO to immediately reconsider and withdraw the decision to increase the monthly garbage collection fee from Rs 100 to Rs 150 and avoid imposing an unnecessary financial burden on the public.