The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is all set to roll back the user charge levy on garbage collection and introduce an amenity scheme in its place to settle outstanding house tax dues. BJP leaders informed the press on Tuesday that commercial and residential properties saw a surge in property tax in April after the MCD levied an additional user charge for solid waste management during tax collection. This trend will be reversed with the new decision.

According to a statement by the Delhi BJP, the unit president Virendra Sachdeva has suggested separating the payment of property tax and user surcharge. The Mayor of Delhi has also agreed to this change.

Delhi Mayor Agrees

Mayor Raja Iqbal said that a private member resolution will be introduced in the MCD meeting on Valentine’s Day to ensure that no such charges are imposed in the future. He also announced a house tax scheme, wherein residents will only be required to pay property tax (with no interest or penalties) and will receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) upon payment. Residents will only be required to pay property tax for the last five years.

While the AAP government brought these user charges to light by accusing the BJP of imposing them, the BJP, in turn, has pointed fingers at the AAP. This political tussle is unfolding ahead of the upcoming MCD elections, bringing serious public attention to the issue of new taxes in Delhi.

“The user charge was imposed by the AAP without any consultation, which is the main reason for the opposition,” said Sachdeva.

In response, AAP Delhi convenor Saurabh Bhardwaj accused the MCD Commissioner of imposing these charges at the behest of the BJP.