Let MCD first ensure door-to-door garbage collection, only then should it impose user charges on residential & commercial properties: Ankush Narang

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the MCD House, Ankush Narang, has submitted a proposal demanding the rollback of user charges. He said AAP will push to get the proposal passed in the MCD House on May 21. The LoP urged the BJP to withdraw the charges immediately, stating that the MCD must first ensure door-to-door garbage collection before levying fees on residential and commercial properties.

Despite mega cleanliness drives, Delhi’s sanitation remains poor, and residents are burdened with user charges higher than their property tax. He also reminded that Mayor Raja Iqbal had promised to withdraw the charges but has yet to act.

Leader of Opposition in MCD House, Ankush Narang, began by addressing the recent imposition of user charges by the MCD. He said, “The MCD has recently imposed user charges on residential and commercial properties across all areas of Delhi. In response to this, the AAP has submitted a proposal under Section 74. This proposal is scheduled to be presented in the House session on May 21. In this proposal, we have clearly stated that user charges should not be levied on any residential or commercial properties.”

Explaining why such charges are unjustified, Ankush Narang criticized the failure of door-to-door waste collection services, stating, “User charges should not be imposed because the concessionaires responsible for door-to-door garbage collection in 12 zones are not performing their duties. Only 60 to 70 percent of garbage is collected door-to-door, and that too by private individuals. These private collectors are paid directly by homeowners or business owners. So far, there has been no coordination between these private parties and the concessionaires in these 12 zones.”

The MCD House LoP highlighted that the MCD has so far failed to shut down dumping points, and large amounts of waste continue to accumulate around them. This not only pollutes the environment but also creates unbearable stench, making it difficult for people to live or pass through those areas. Similarly, massive garbage heaps are seen around FCTS (Fixed Compactor Transfer Stations), making it hard for people to walk through.

“Apart from this, there are several vulnerable points across Delhi where garbage keeps accumulating. The MCD has neither been able to eliminate the dumping grounds, nor clean up waste near FCTS stations, nor address garbage collection at vulnerable points in residential areas,” he added.

Criticizing the BJP-led MCD’s sanitation record, Ankush Narang questioned the rationale behind the user charges: “The BJP-ruled MCD has not been able to improve the sanitation system. If it had, there would be no need to launch mega cleanliness campaigns. Until 100 percent sanitation is ensured, no user charges should be levied on anyone. People are already extremely distressed.”

“Residents say that if their house tax is Rs. 800 or 850, they are being made to pay Rs. 1,000 in user charges. If someone’s property tax is Rs. 2,500 to 3,000, they are being charged Rs. 5,000 in user charges. This is not right. It imposes a financial burden on the residents and business owners of Delhi, and such a burden should not exist.” he further added.

Ankush Narang emphasized that until the MCD is capable of collecting 100 percent door-to-door garbage, it has no right to impose user charges. Until waste is removed from dumping points, vulnerable sites, and around FCTS stations, the MCD has no authority to charge any resident or business. We have submitted this proposal. What’s more ironic is that when Raja Iqbal Singh became Mayor on April 25, he said in his very first address that the user charges would be withdrawn. But nearly a month has passed, and he has neither withdrawn the user charges nor spoken about them again.”

Criticizing the BJP’s failure to fulfill its promises, the MCD House LoP called out the party’s hypocrisy: “There is a vast difference between what the BJP says and what it actually does. The BJP never fulfills what it promises. They are not honoring the commitments they made before coming to power in the Delhi government, nor are they fulfilling the promises made before coming to power in the MCD.”

He emphasised, “The AAP demands that the user charges be immediately withdrawn. We will get this proposal passed in the House to immediately stop the injustice being done to the people of Delhi through these user charges.”

Ankush Narang stated, “In this regard, I had earlier written a letter to Commissioner Ashwani Kumar and the Mayor. We sent this letter on May 6, and today it has been 10 days, but neither the Mayor nor the Commissioner has responded. If they are not responding to the letter of the Leader of Opposition, then how seriously can we expect them to take the concerns of the common people?”

“If the Leader of Opposition’s letter about user charges is being thrown into the trash, then what must be happening to the grievances of the general public? I appeal to the Mayor and the Commissioner to immediately withdraw the user charges. If they do not, we will raise this issue both in the House through our proposal and on the streets. We will not allow this injustice being carried out against Delhiites through these user charges to continue,” concluded Ankush Narang.