PCMC Collects Rs 45 Crore in Garbage Service Charges : Citizens Await State’s Stay Orders
PCMC Collects Rs 45 Crore in Garbage Service Charges : Citizens Await State's Stay Orders
Pune : Despite mounting objections from housing societies, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has managed to collect a substantial sum of Rs 45 crore in garbage service charges. The residents of PCMC are still anxiously awaiting a stay order from the state government concerning these contentious fees. The moratorium on the retroactive garbage service charge, initiated by the PCMC, remains elusive even after two and a half months since its introduction. During this period, a staggering 3,56,127 property owners have contributed approximately Rs 44.7 crore towards this fund, indicating an ongoing process of collection. Housing societies, however, stand firmly against these charges, voicing their dissent.
The imposition of the Waste Service Charges, as established by the Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Sanitation and Health Bye-law, was mandated by the State Government on July 1, 2019. The PCMC has since been authorized to collect these fees in accordance with the resolution dated October 20, 2021.
Starting from April 1, 2023, these Classified Waste Service Charges are to be levied on the basis of property size, with residential and commercial establishments bearing a monthly cost of Rs 60. The city boasts a substantial 6,07,000 properties.
The imposition of garbage charges spans four years, commencing in 2019 and concluding in 2023. Consequently, the collection effort has encompassed fees for the years 2019–2020 and 2023–24, raising objections from property owners and society holders who question the necessity of a four-year fee schedule.
Despite concerns raised by MLA Mahesh Landge during the assembly monsoon session and the government’s promise to suspend fee collection, the municipal corporation is yet to receive the official order for the halt. Consequently, the PCMC continues to collect waste service charges, leaving citizens in limbo as they await government directives.
