BJP Slams Karnataka Govt Over New Garbage Tax in Bengaluru, Calls it “Massive Loot”

Bengaluru: The BJP launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led government in Karnataka on Tuesday, slamming Bengaluru’s municipal body for imposing a fee on all city residents for garbage collection. Starting April 1, households in Bengaluru will be required to pay a user fee for solid waste management (SWM) services, a move that comes amid rising prices of essential items like milk, electricity tariffs, and public transport fares.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to social media platform X, condemning the Siddaramaiah-led government. He drew comparisons to the “Toilet Tax” in Himachal Pradesh, stating, “After Toilet Tax in Himachal Pradesh now Congress will charge Garbage Tax in Bengaluru. Khata Khat Model!” He further criticized the government for the ongoing price hikes in Bengaluru, calling the garbage fee yet another blow to the city’s residents. “One more Jhatka by Congress to residents,” Poonawalla added.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had proposed the new garbage management fee in its 2025-26 budget, along with plans to collect property tax starting that year. The fee structure includes six different slabs based on the size of the building. Properties with up to 600 square feet of built-up area will pay Rs 10 per month, while larger properties, over 4,000 square feet, will pay Rs 400 per month, according to a report by Deccan Herald.

Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy also joined the criticism, calling the Siddaramaiah government the “Karnataka East India Congress Company government.” He accused the state government of using waste management as a pretext to “loot the people” and financially exploit citizens. On social media, Kumaraswamy remarked, “Even Mahmud of Ghazni and Muhammad Ghori would be ashamed of this price hike invasion on Kannadigas!!”

The JD(S) leader condemned the government’s actions as that of a “Price Hike Demon” draining the resources of the people, labeling it a “massive loot under the guise of waste management.”