The Hindu : New Delhi News : Polluter must pay: MCD's new mantra for garbage disposal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Polluter must pay: MCD's new mantra for garbage disposal

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, MARCH 7. Taking up the issue of garbage segregation and disposal and sweeping of local streets and cleaning of drains seriously, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has formulated the "polluter must pay'' policy for implementation in the Capital. The proposal is likely to be debated in the civic body soon before it is given final shape to deal with the problem that has assumed alarming proportions.

The MCD would make full use of the Unit Area Method of colony categorisation to identify various areas and work out the cost that each household would have to pay for disposal of garbage. A large number of non-government organisations have been short-listed to assist the civic body in implementation of the project that is being taken up on the lines of what is at present practised in the United States and Europe. The proposed subsidy for various categories would have to be paid by the Delhi Government in order to make the project a success and ensure its effective implementation. "Nearly 2,750 colonies, both authorised and unauthorised would be covered under this plan. The whole project has been finalised and would be put up before the MCD House for seeking its approval. The Delhi Government would have to provide funds to subsidise the entire operation. Those who pollute the local surroundings and use various services should pay for their maintenance and cleaning as is the international practise,'' said the Municipal Commissioner, Rakesh Mehta.

Mr. Mehta said categorisation of colonies would be done according to the house tax method. Under this plan, the cost per household for A category colony comes to Rs. 115. However, it is proposed to provide a subsidy of 10 per cent to this category that would bring down the cost to around Rs. 80 per household and the Delhi Government would pay the rest of the money. Similarly, for the lowest G category, the total cost per household for garbage segregation and disposal, cleaning of drains and sweeping of local streets would come to around Rs. 55. However, for this section, as it comprises poor sections of society, the subsidy component has been put at 70 per cent implying that per household cost would be Rs. 20 and the rest would be paid by the Government. The subsidy component varies from 10 to 70 per cent for the seven categories of colonies for which the groundwork has already been done.

As for implementation of the scheme, about six NGOs have been short listed for assisting the civic body along with the private sector to perform this task. These NGOs are those who have expertise in this field and have worked for a long time on such projects. The basic issue, Mr. Mehta said, was that all those who pollute the atmosphere should also shell out money and help the authorities in making their colony or area clean and vibrant. This is an international practise where people pay for the services availed of by them. "The entire cost effective exercise has been worked out and details are ready. The plan would be put before the Delhi Government as well as the MCD. If the world-class city concept has to be implemented in Delhi, then it is important that those who pollute are asked to pay up,'' he added.

However, Mr. Mehta is aware of the fact that his proposal would find strong opposition from certain political quarters and is keeping his fingers crossed. He is also confident that the Delhi Government would come forward and bear the subsidy component in order to improve the overall environment.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi