Residents in Gurgaon experienced unexpected dismay this month when their property tax statements included additional charges for garbage collection, amounting to hundreds of rupees.
The Indian Express obtained several of these bills from various key sectors and neighborhoods.
In Surya Vihar, located in Sector 21, residents received bills from the Haryana State Urban Local Bodies Department that included a garbage collection fee of Rs 540. In the Suncity Township near Golf Course Road, fees varied between Rs 216 and Rs 432.
Local inhabitants expressed their frustration over the imposition of these charges, particularly given that the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) currently lacks a consistent system for door-to-door garbage collection, sorting, and disposal. At present, the agency depends on temporary measures involving informal labor outsourced to various contractors. Many neighborhoods are managing their own waste collection, with individuals paying between Rs 50 and Rs 150 per household.
Rajesh Gera, president of the Surya Vihar Residents Welfare Association, stated, “Our community, along with others in Gurgaon, strongly opposes this charge when the MCG has not even initiated garbage collection in our area. It is disheartening. We dedicate significant time to managing garbage collection ourselves and incur expenses of around Rs 25,000 for private services. Our society is over 35 years old, and the builder did not provide any designated space for waste sorting or processing, serving over 500 residents.”
Kusum Sharma, chairperson of the Suncity Township Residents Welfare Association, remarked, “If we are taking care of everything independently, why should there be an additional charge? Residents are understandably upset, especially in light of the MCG’s lack of waste management services.”
Upon inquiry, a senior official from the MCG acknowledged the oversight and assured that it would be corrected shortly. “This was an error from the headquarters at the state department. We are currently investigating and will address the issue promptly. For the time being, we plan to postpone the charge until a comprehensive door-to-door garbage collection system is established,” the official informed The Indian Express, requesting anonymity.
Abhimanyu Hazarika, a Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express based in Gurgaon, reports on issues related to civic responsibility, environmental policies, and urban infrastructure.
His educational background includes a Post-Graduate Diploma in Print Media from the Asian College of Journalism and a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Political Science from Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts.
Before joining The Indian Express, Hazarika gained experience in legal journalism and investigative reporting with Bar & Bench and Frontline magazine. His reporting interests encompass civic accountability, environmental policies, urban infrastructure, crime, and law enforcement, particularly in the context of Gurgaon.
Recent coverage includes significant crime reports, environmental policy issues, pollution controls, road safety investigations, and urban cultural features.
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