- By Nidhi Giri
- Sat, 15 Mar 2025 01:29 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bengaluru property owners could see an increase in their tax bills from April 1 as the Karnataka government has approved a user fee for waste disposal. The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) had proposed this fee in November 2024. While, a formal order is yet to be issued, the approval has already been granted by the Urban Development Department, headed by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
BSWML estimates that the new charges will generate around Rs 600 crore annually, though the actual revenue could be even higher, as per a report by Business Today.
How Will the Fee Be Applied?
The user fee will be added to property tax bills and will vary depending on the size of the property. The government has created six slabs, with charges ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 400 per month. Smaller buildings of up to 600 sq. ft. will pay the lowest fee, while those larger than 4,000 sq. ft. will be charged the highest. This additional fee is expected to significantly increase annual tax payments for Bengaluru residents.
For bulk waste generators, such as large apartment complexes and commercial establishments, an additional charge of Rs 12 per kg of waste will apply if they do not use an authorised waste processing agency. This could further increase costs for businesses and residential communities that fail to comply.
Existing SWM Cess To Stay
The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Cess, which is already included in property tax payments and is primarily used for street cleaning and public sanitation, will remain unchanged. The newly introduced user fee is meant to supplement these funds, but it has already sparked debate.