The Hindu : Karnataka News : Stop collection of user charges, says CPI(M)

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 18, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Stop collection of user charges, says CPI(M)

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, OCT. 17. Activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have decided to take out a procession to the Chief Minister's residence here on Monday opposing the collection of user charges from residents in areas that come under seven city municipal councils (CMCs) and one town municipal council (TMC) in Bangalore city limits.

Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, Prakash K., secretary, CPI(M) Bangalore District Committee, said the officials of seven CMCs and one TMC had been collecting user charges from residents for implementing drinking water and sewerage projects. The State Government had decided to implement the projects at a cost of Rs. 658.65 crores. However, the local bodies had been directed to collect Rs. 120 crores in the form of user charges, he said.

No guidelines

The Government had not formulated any guidelines for the collection of charges from the residents. There were over six lakh houses in the jurisdiction of the seven CMCs and one TMC. The officials had been collecting Rs. 10,000 each from residents who owned houses on a 60x40 ft site. The officials were "looting" the people in the name of development, he charged. The public was unaware of the drinking water and sewerage projects proposed to be executed by the Government. The amount collected from the residents would be more than Rs. 600 crores. Opposing the privatisation of drinking water and sewerage services, he said it was the responsibility of the Government to provide these services.

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