Port Blair, June 28: CPI (M) has demanded withdrawal of the decision of Port Blair Municipal Council to impose the user fee for collection of garbage/waste from households. In a letter sent to the Secretary, PBMC with copies to the Administration and Chairman, PBMC, D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee drew the attention of the PBMC to the Public Notice dated 23rd June, 2023 published by it informing the decision of the Municipal Council to impose a user fee for collection of garbage/waste from the households at the Port Blair town. As per the said Public Notice, each household or establishment has to pay a user fee to pick up garbage/waste from their doorstep.  CPI (M) noted that each household has to pay a sum of Rs. 50 per month for segregated waste while for non-segregated waste it is Rs. 1000 per month. This is in addition to the Conservancy Charge each individual is paying at present for living in the Port Blair Municipal area.

CPI (M) Secretary stated in the letter that at present, most of the households are handing over the un-segregated garbage/waste to the PBMC staff. In many places, PBMC sanitary workers are unable to reach every household to collect the garbage/waste due to workload and people are forced to deposit the garbage/waste at the garbage depositing areas on the road sides of the town. Paying Rs. 1000 per month for the un-segregated waste to the PBMC is an additional burden for the people at a time when they are bearing the brunt of uncontrolled price rise.

Ayyappan informed the Secretary, PBMC that CPI (M) strongly oppose this anti-people decision of the Port Blair Municipal Council and called upon the authorities in the PBMC and A & N Administration to withdraw the said Public Notice immediately as majority of the people in the Port Blair town cannot pay such a hefty amount every month for garbage/waste collection. CPI (M) further said that this is one of the series of measures initiated by the present Municipal Council to squeeze the people. Earlier, Property Tax was increased abnormally by this Council.   

CPI (M), therefore, requested the PBMC to withdraw the aforesaid Public Notice imposing the user fee for collection of garbage/waste from households and allow the present system continue till the matter is discussed with all political parties and a consensus is reached on the issue. 

CPI (M) warned that if the decision is not withdrawn, the CPI (M) would resort to agitation at Port Blair town without any further notice.