Kolkata: The Bidhannagar Municipal corporation (BMC) has proposed to uniformly introduce 1% conservancy charge and 0.7% sewage charge based on the annual value of property in all its 41 wards to build a robust solid waste management system. Presently, the charges are collected only from wards covering Salt Lake.
The civic body on Thursday placed its proposed annual budget for 2024-25 where the proposal to introduce the charges was placed. Mayor Krishna Chakraborty in her budget speech said it has been prepared to create a strong infrastructure to make the civic body self-reliant and make the municipal service delivery system more transparent and citizen-centric. “The proposals will be discussed next week before being passed. There could be changes or modifications in the proposed budget if the civic authorities feel so,” said an official.
Officials said the uniform conservancy and sewage charges in all 41 wards is being planned as per the West Bengal Solid Waste Management Policy. Presently, the charges are applicable only in wards 29 to 34, ward 37 and from wards 39 to 41 that cover proper Salt Lake areas only.
Laying emphasis on property tax, building plan approval and market rent collection for revenue generation, the authorities also proposed to collect Rs 40 crore as property tax in the upcoming financial year.
It stressed on developing roads and pavements under ‘paray samadhan’ scheme. For this, the civic body has proposed a Rs 51-crore allocation. The civic body has already allocated 20 street lights for each of the 41 wards. Now, it plans to provide 40 more street lights, including 20 with poles, in each ward.
The civic body is also planning to build infrastructure for shelter and first aid of domestic animals. The authorities have already received a nod from KMDA to develop the infrastructure on a six-cottah land at Salt Lake LB block.
It is also planning to develop a complex on about 50 cottahs at Salt Lake EE block as an old-age home.