Pune: Citizens oppose PMC's proposed hike in solid waste management user fees

PUNE: Representatives of several city based NGOs, environmental organizations, mass based movements and concerned citizens have protested the property tax hike for Solid Waste Management (SWM) that has been proposed by the SWM department and municipal administration, and is being considered by the PMC Standing Committee and the General Body of the Pune Municipal Corporation.

Among other reasons for the objection, representatives said that the civic administration has failed to mention any steps to reduce costs on SWM. “It is the responsibility of the administration to identify inefficiencies in the current system. There are various projects that have failed, yet more money is spent on these without any review of the same. There is gross underutilization of staff and equipment but there is no attempt by the administration to tackle this,” sources said.

Sources said that the administration has failed to mention any steps to increase recovery from defaulters and has attempted to pass on the entire burden to honest tax-payers. “As per the administration’s own admission, the tax recovery rate for the last three years is 74% and there is no increase in this for three years. By increasing the recovery rate by 10%, the PMC can increase their revenue by 25 crores, instead of taxing those who are already paying,” he said.