Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation includes tenants in waste management cess

HUBLI: To reach the annual target of Rs 6 crore in Solid Waste Management (SWM) cess, the Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has decided to collect it from tenants too.
Earlier, HDMC collected this cess from owners staying in the ground floor while those staying in the first or second floor were exempted from paying it.
As per the new rule, all independent flats and commercial complexes are under the HDMC scanner.The building owner who bifurcated his property into residential and commercial complexes is supposed to pay SWM cess for all flats.
According to sources, HDMC has set a target of Rs 6 crore for SWM cess every year, but it was not close to reaching its goal and this move is expected to close the gap.
HDMC staff will knock on all doors on residential flats and commercial complexes for the pending SWM cess, and will keep a record of those who don’t pay it.
According to HDMC, there are about 2.3 lakh properties, including residential flats and commercial complexes, in the twin cities and the number is increasing in cities.
Girish Talwar, environment engineer, HDMC, told TOI, “We’re strictly implementing the cess collection system and fees in twin cities and expect to mobilize more funds through SWM cess.”
Citizenspeak
* Along with collection of cess, HDMC should also order its officers to address the civic problems immediately and provide basic facilities. We’re ready to pay the cess but we expect good service too.
Arvind Nadiger | Manjunath Nagar
* HDMC doesn’t forget to increase the various cesses, including the SWM cess, but when it comes to service, it’s very poor. Before implementing anything, it should ensure quality of service.
Mohan Kulkarni | Navanagar