Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 14: The CPI (M) has raised strong objections to the recent decision by the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council to impose a user fee on residents and stakeholders within the municipal area. In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Municipal Council, CPI (M) Secretary, D. Ayyappan, highlighted the financial strain this user fee could place on residents, particularly those from low-income groups.
According to the Council’s announcement, each household in the municipal area would be required to pay Rs. 1,000 under the Port Blair Municipal Council Solid Waste (Handling & Management) Bye-Laws, 2017. The CPI (M) contends that these bye-laws were not adequately publicized in draft form prior to their finalization, limiting opportunities for public input on the matter.
CPI (M) criticized the user charge as a significant burden on residents already facing high living costs, unemployment, and low wages. “Many people earn Rs. 10,000 or less each month. Adding a Rs. 1,000 user fee would severely impact their finances,” Ayyappan stated, emphasizing that the announcement has generated widespread concern among urban dwellers.
In the letter, CPI (M) further urged the Municipal Council to engage in discussions with political parties, social organizations, resident welfare associations, and other community leaders before moving forward with the user fee. The party warned that failure to address these concerns could lead to organized public protests by CPI (M) and affected residents in the municipal area.
The letter also underscores CPI (M)’s call for alternative solutions to waste collection without imposing further economic hardships on the local population.
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