RTI on Garbage Tax Imposition After 130 Years

Topic: Public Questions BMC on Sudden Garbage Cess and Lack of Transparency

On 3rd April 2025, senior citizen Kamlakar Shenoy submitted an RTI to the Additional Municipal Commissioner (City), Mumbai, regarding the recent move to impose a garbage cess (tax) on households and others after 130 years.

He requested reports or studies done by BMC to justify this cess, including file notes, approvals, and how the tax amount was decided.

Shenoy asked whether any public consultation was conducted before introducing the tax—such as meetings, public notices, and feedback received from citizens.

He sought documents showing mismanagement in garbage collection and disposal, frauds found, and what action has been taken against BMC staff in the last 10 years.

The RTI also questions if the BMC followed the RTI Act’s rules on transparency and if funds like fixed deposits or contingency reserves were used improperly to cover up losses.

He demanded to know how much extra money will be collected through this tax, and what caused a sudden rise in BMC’s expenses that made this tax necessary.