The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Waste management is BMP's duty'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 14, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Waste management is BMP's duty'

Heavy tax

TAXPAYERS are paying heavily and solid waste management is only a mandatory duty of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP). Why then an additional cess? While the cess in terms of money may be only nominal, the civic administration has to account for it properly. If the landfills stipulated by the Supreme Court materialise, the cess may be justified.

D. Manjunath

Bangalore

Explanation needed

WHILE MANY of the older neighbourhoods have good waste disposal facilities, most new suburbs lack them. Many are not even served by the garbage clearing squad on a regular basis. The proposed cess may not be heavy but the reasons for it have to be explained in some detail by the BMP, and the views of citizens considered. If cleanliness really improves, we will feel happier about paying more.

R. Krishnakumar,

NR Colony

More accountability

THERE ARE too many items added to the property tax collected by the BMP and this cess is one more. Thanks to participatory initiatives as that of Janaagraha, citizens now expect more accountability from the BMP. Instead, merely tabulating the cess payable by different types of buildings and commercial complexes, the BMP should also explain how the money is going to be spent and how it will benefit the citizens.

S. Krishnaswamy,

Jayanagar

Effective monitoring

DESIGNATED LANDFILLS for solid waste is a good idea but there should also be an effective monitoring mechanism. Otherwise, they may share the fate of the storm water drains that could not withstand last season's heavy rainfall. Along with solid waste management, the BMP should also take care to see that the natural drainage channels and storm water drains are restored well before the next monsoon.

Farha M.,

Fraser Town

Scientific landfills

ONE CANNOT understand why there should be an additional cess now, when waste management has always been a part of the civic body's responsibilities. However, the additional charges are almost nominal and nobody is likely to object to it much. Scientific landfills are a necessity and the BMP is also planning to compost more of its waste; this is a wise move.

Latha Venkatesh,

Malleswaram

Modern equipment

IF A part of the additional cess can be used for modern waste clearing equipment, it will be good. Landfills are a good idea and widely used for long-term waste disposal in all advanced countries. The way waste is transport to the city outskirts requires equal attention. Too often open lorries carry around waste, spilling it all over the roads. This should be stopped at least now.

S. Pishe,

Indiranagar

Cess is nominal

THE PROPOSED cess is nominal and will not pinch the average taxpayer's pockets. As the main expenditure may be on transporting solid waste to designated landfills, the BMP should explain clearly how this would be done. If citizens are convinced that the additional revenue is going to be used wisely by the BMP, there may not be any resistance to paying it.

R. Gopalkrishna,

JP Nagar

Do not blame BMP

MORE TRANSPARENCY has come into functioning in the BMP lately. While announcing the new cess, it has taken pains to explain why it is necessary but more information should be forthcoming. One cannot fault the civic body for seeking additional funds for a more scientific way of solid waste disposal.

Joshua S.,

Langford Road

NEXT WEEK: Will the new police initiative against dark films on vehicle windows ensure the safety of passengers or will it be another instance of security measures impinging on the privacy rights of citizens? Readers are invited to send their views to The Hindu, 19&21, Bhagwan (Infantry Road) Road, Banglaore 560001 or email them to bglreflections@thehindu.co.in.

Bangalore

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