INTRODUCTION:
Waste collection, considered a routine service, has become a burning issue in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This blog explores the legal implications of imposing a user fee on waste management services and whether such taxation aligns with principles of fair governance, transparency and the Karnataka Municipal Law. The administrative body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has implemented a new Solid Waste Management (SWM) User Fee on April 1, 2025. It is commonly referred to as the ‘Garbage Tax’ or ‘Garbage Cess’ by the media and citizens of the city. It was done under the governance of the Congress-led State Government, headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The government aims to generate around ₹685 crores through this initiative in the current fiscal year[1], and the determination of the fees will be based on the building area of the city. Every owner of the residential property is required to pay a fee starting from ₹10 per month and up to ₹400 per month. It was launched as a solution to the prolonged garbage misery, but has sparked widespread disagreement now. Many inhabitants are questioning the taxes imposed by the BBMP on essential commodities and services necessary to carry out daily chores.
HOW IS THE TAX BIFURCATED?
Though BBMP has not published any bifurcation related to the built-up area of the residents, some local and central press releases have been posted about the same. The implementation of this ‘Garbage Cess’ is seen on the official BBMP property tax portal as well. The fee is based on property size and usage-
- properties up to 600 square feet- ₹10 per month
- Properties between 600-1000 square feet- ₹30 per month
- Properties between 1000-2000 square feet- ₹50 per month
- Properties between 2000-3000 square feet- ₹150 per month
- Properties between 3000-4000 square feet- ₹200 per month
- Properties above 4000 square feet- ₹400 per month[2]
- Commercial properties pay more, up to ₹1000 per month, depending on their category
According to BBMP, the revenue generated from this policy would be used to improve waste infrastructure, pay pourakarmikas (sanitation workers), and support better segregation and recycling. Additionally, for the fiscal year 2025-2026, BBMP has allocated ₹1,400 crores to the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML)[3] for enhancing better services, which shows that steps are already being taken to lessen the issues regarding waste management in the city.
WHY THE REPERCUSSION?
Even though the policy was sane in theory, the ground-level response was different from what was expected. From a legal standpoint, this has raised concerns over the arbitrary imposition of extra financial costs on the citizens without adequate public consultation, which is against the principles of equitable taxation and administrative accountability in municipal administration. The central issue behind the backlash is that there is a hike in taxes on routine services. In a city like Bengaluru, already dealing with the rise of taxes imposed on milk, parking, water, electricity, etc,[4] Garbage Cess is the breaking point. This user fee questions about the acceleration of living costs in Bengaluru. Additionally, due to poor tracking records of these kinds of policies, it outrages people who are paying extra charges for services that already do not work well. Issues like irregular pickups and illegal dumping remain common. There is also a lack of transparency from the side of BBMP, as they have failed to provide a clear breakdown of the garbage cess. Due to this, citizens are left guessing how much and why they owe the tax. The lack of accessibility has sparked confusion and scepticism, which reduces trust in the system.
POLITICAL FALLOUT:
Opposing parties, particularly the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), have faulted the ruling government for squeezing citizens rather than addressing governance. On their part, civic groups have demanded accountability. On 7 April 2025, the BJP team, MLAs and CMs announced and planned the ‘Jan Aakrosh Yatra’[5] (translated as people’s anger march) which mobilises against what is termed as ‘Garbage Tax Raj’ (Unfair Tax Regime) and framing the user fee as a symbol of bad governance towards the urban middle class. Congress, on this part, has justified the action as a step taken towards sustainable waste management. The tax, therefore, ceased to be merely a civic policy. It has become a political arena for future elections.
THE WAY FORWARD
To strike a balance between civic responsibility and public cooperation, the following legal-policy recommendations are proposed:-
- Stakeholder Engagement- It is important to engage with broad cross-sections of stakeholders like Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), etc., also supported under the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, which empowers municipal authorities to engage with the public through ward committees and public consultations.[6] Transparency– One of the biggest criticisms of the cess has been the lack of clarity regarding its purpose and execution. To build trust, BBMP and the state government must consistently communicate how the funds are being utilised. This can be done through monthly reports, dashboards, press briefings or social media releases. Cities like Indore and Pune have set a precedent by publishing dashboards and conducting public audits.[7] BBMP could adopt similar measures to build public trust.
- Equitable Fee Structure- More progressive fees need to be examined. Those taking into consideration the household size, income group and true amount of waste generated. High-income families or businesses producing a large amount of waste, for example, could pay higher fees, while small, low-income houses might be exempted or subsidised. This approach aligns with the principle of fair taxation, which advocates that the tax burden should be distributed according to the taxpayer’s ability to pay and the benefit derived from public services.[8] Strong Monitoring and Accountability– Any public finance initiative’s success is contingent on monitoring. Independent watchdog groups or citizens’ audit organisations can assist in monitoring fund allocation and the implementation of waste management schemes. Establishing grievance redressal systems will also provide residents with an avenue to complain about inefficiency or mismanagement.
CONCLUSION:
The Bengaluru Garbage Cess has not only kicked up dustbins but also controversies, and deservedly so. On paper, the user fee is a move towards responsible urbanism, one that will pay for cleaner roads, improved infrastructure and decent salaries for sanitation workers. But in reality, it has been tainted with confusion, a lack of transparency and inefficient communication.
Citizens were surprised, with no one clearly explaining how the fee was determined, how the money would be spent or what concrete benefits they could anticipate in exchange. The lack of a clear and participatory approach has turned this cess into more of a penalty than a solution. For a city already dealing with overflowing trash, spasmodic collection and creaking infrastructure, this tax has the potential to become a band-aid on a broken system unless followed by structural changes, citizen engagement and accountability.
Let’s be honest: citizens are not opposed to paying for improved services. But they are justifiably opposed to paying blindly.
Author(s) Name: Nishtha Narang (UILS, Panjab University)
[1] HT Correspondent, ‘Bengaluru’s garbage tax starts today: Check SWM user fee based on property size’, Hindustan Times (1 April 2025) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/bengalurus-garbage-tax-starts-today-check-swm-user-fee-based-on-property-size-101743476297342.html> accessed 6 April 2025;
[2] India Today Web Desk, ‘Garbage tax from April 1: Bengaluru’s BBMP levies waste management collection charges’, India Today (1 April 2025) <https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/cities/bengaluru/story/garbage-tax-from-april-1-2025-bangalore-bbmp-levies-waste-management-collection-charges-2702086-2025-04-01> accessed 6 April 2025;
[3] Express News Service, ‘Bengaluru: BBMP tables Rs 19,930 crore budget for 2025-26; citizens question utility of ‘vanity’ projects’ (The Indian Express, 30 March 2025) <https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bengaluru-bbmp-tables-rs-19930-crore-budget-for-2025-26-citizens-question-utility-of-vanity-projects-9913580/> accessed 8 April 2025;
[4] Asian News International, “Garbage Cess”: Bengaluru Residents To Pay New Trash Tax from Today’ (NDTV, 1 April 2025) <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bengaluru-residents-faces-garbage-cess-bjp-criticizes-congress-government-8060701/> accessed 8 April 2025;
[5] Express News Service, ‘BJP to launch 16-day Jana Aakrosha Yatra in Karnataka tomorrow; to protest against price hike, reservation in tenders for Muslims’ (The Indian Express, 6 April 2025) <https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bjp-jana-aakrosha-yatra-karnataka-muslim-reservation-992/> accessed 8 April 2025;
[6] Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act 1976 s13H;
[7] Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban, ‘Cities like Indore and Pune use waste tracking dashboards and public audits to build trust’ <https://sbmurban.org> accessed 8 April 2025;
[8] Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1st ed, W Strahan and T Cadell 1776), book V, ch II.
