BANGALORE: Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has decided to levy Solid Waste Management Cess on residential and non-residential buildings in its limits. The collection of the monthly cess will begin from January 1, 2006.

"The BMP is spending a large amount of its resources for the collection, transportation and processing of solid waste generated every day in 100 wards. The cost of solid waste management is increasing every year and it has become very difficult to balance the expenditure in the annual budget," a press release said.

It said to keep the city clean, BMP had done away with dustbins and introduced the practice of door-to-door collection of solid waste. "In the wake of this, suitable amendments were made to Section 103 (B) 2 of KMC Act 1976 to levy a solid waste collection cess. The amendments were approved in the Council meeting held on October 26 and, therefore, it was decided to levy the Solid Waste Management Cess with effect from January 1, 2006."

For buildings with plinth area of less than 1,000 sq ft., the monthly rate of the cess is Rs. 10 for residential buildings, Rs. 50 for commercial buildings, Rs. 100 for industrial buildings and Rs. 300 for hotels, kalyana mantapas and nursing homes. For buildings with plinth area between 1,001 to 3,000 sq ft., the rate is Rs. 30, Rs. 100, Rs. 200 and Rs. 500 respectively for residential, commercial, industrial and hotels and other buildings.

In the case of buildings with plinth area above 3,001 sq ft, the monthly rate is Rs. 50, Rs. 200, Rs. 300 and Rs. 600 respectively.

The cess will be collected from the building owners by BMP's revenue inspectors. The owners could also remit the cess at the offices of the Zonal Health Officers.

Building owners could also make a one-time payment for the entire financial year commencing in April. "Those who pay in one instalment for the entire year are eligible for a five per cent discount on the total amount of cess. Delay in payment will attract fine," the release said.

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