Delhi scraps waste charge for residents in major policy rollback
Delhi Mayor on Tuesday announced the withdrawal of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) plan to collect a monthly ‘User Charge’ for waste disposal.
The decision, seen as a rollback of a key provision introduced during the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s governance of the civic agency, was made public during a press conference attended by Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva. The proposed waste fee, ranging from ₹50 to ₹200 per month based on property size, was to be levied at the time of annual property tax payment starting from the 2025–26 fiscal year. However, citing widespread public opposition and procedural irregularities, the Mayor confirmed that no such charge will be imposed. Singh said the decision was taken after consultations with resident welfare associations (RWAs) and civil society groups. He noted that the original proposal was included in the budget passed by the AAP-led MCD without adequate public consultation. Further easing the financial burden on residents, Mayor Singh also announced a House Tax Amnesty Scheme. Under the scheme, residents will only need to pay property tax for the last five years, with all interest and penalties waived.
Delhi BJP leaders, including Media Head Praveen Shankar Kapoor, presented documented objections from various RWAs to the Mayor and other senior officials. These included requests to decouple property tax from user charges and to review the legal validity of the waste fee. Sachdeva criticised the AAP’s imposition of the fee, stating that it lacked a statutory basis under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. He added that while the fee was justified under the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016, the mandated processes—such as forming sanitation committees—were never followed. Moreover, areas lacking basic sanitation were also subject to the proposed charge, further fuelling discontent. According to Sachdeva, many residents, especially in economically weaker neighbourhoods, were unable to pay outstanding taxes, let alone an additional monthly charge. The Mayor’s rollback, he said, respects both legal due process and citizen concerns.
Mayor Singh confirmed that a private member resolution will be introduced at the upcoming MCD meeting to ensure such charges are not revived without due public engagement and legal backing. The move marks a significant policy shift, signalling a more consultative approach to civic governance in Delhi. For now, residents can expect no additional waste disposal charges and some relief in settling past property tax dues.
