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UDA says fee for collecting garbage worth a try

21 April 2017 08:39 am - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A fee being levied from the people by the relevant local government (LG) bodies for the collection of their garbage might bring about a positive change in attitude among the population, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) Dr. Jagath Munasinghe said today.

When asked by Daily Mirror, whether the UDA was planning to make a proposal to impose a fee for collecting garbage from each household, Dr. Munasinghe said it was up to the LG bodies to make a decision in this regard.

“It’s the Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas which possess the legal authority to collect taxes. If households are to be charged for collecting garbage, these bodies should make a decision. However, we can and will help them if they decide to implement such a move,” he said.

LG bodies which are struggling in terms of revenue could make use of the funds collected by imposing such a charge, Dr. Munasinghe said.

He said with the increase of GDP, consumption also increases. “This is an issue in developing countries like ours. When the GDP increases, consumption increases as well. Therefore, a charge is not an unfair move,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)


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  Comments - 22

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  • prasannamcad Friday, 21 April 2017 11:13 AM

    good idea i am ready to pay

    Sulaiman Saturday, 22 April 2017 09:29 PM

    It is not a new or additional responsibility for local bodies. The issue is local bodies failed to plan out their activitities as a result publics who pays the tex are suffering.Offiers who has been paid from the collected tex failed in their duties to be punished.

    sam Saturday, 22 April 2017 01:13 PM

    " When the GDP increases, consumption increases as well ". so what's unfair about increase tax or charge new tax.It's good moveWhen people paying money to collect garbage, government can't neglect the responsibility. How much now people paying assessment tax annually. Is it in a un- affordable level???People who handover garbage to Local authority, has to pay tax...People who manage to recycle or whatever within their premises, no tax...

    Demo Crazy Saturday, 22 April 2017 10:56 AM

    Yet again Another Tax.KUNU TAX Ok but the poorest must have an excempt card. via DM Android App

    ResidentD Saturday, 22 April 2017 07:19 AM

    LG bodies are already collecting annual taxes from residents for providing this service among others. Is the Chairman not aware of this. Garbage collection is going on satisfactorily and their problem is finding dumping grounds and UDA must help them on this issue.

    WISE DONKEY Friday, 21 April 2017 01:44 PM

    The problem is in dumping and not in collecting. The fee is not a good idea.

    Sincere Friday, 21 April 2017 01:43 PM

    He does not know people always pay their annual taxes to local authorities. What more does he want?

    Jus tica USA.... Friday, 21 April 2017 01:39 PM

    ppl will start throwing garbabe at others properties. . I know this for a fact coz ppl do dump right outside my wall even after the local authrorites erected a sign not to dump...ppl hire 3 wheelers who bring in sacks full if garbage n kick out the sacks while driving away....I had to install CCTV cameras.... via DM Android App

    @b a Friday, 21 April 2017 01:34 PM

    Better to have a fine like breeding mosquitoes via DM Android App

    Dee Friday, 21 April 2017 12:54 PM

    In Colombo people pay collectors to take out construction debris etc. And they think they pay for garbage collection. Even leaves they expect them to take. Garbage is generally kitchen waste. For our people if a toilet is re done, all the remnats are referred as garbage. Even mattresses are garbage.

    Tissa Friday, 21 April 2017 12:43 PM

    We pay small tip for collectors They are the real people who collect this.avalability of garbage bin is a necessitypay taxes the members will spend with out any benefits for collectors how can they arranged foreign trips extra via DM Android App

    Nick Friday, 21 April 2017 10:14 AM

    Taxes are being paid yearly to the CMC & THE LOCAL BODIES for this purpose. Does this guy want to burden the citizens some more. via DM Android App

    Thanos Friday, 21 April 2017 11:02 AM

    To whom the hell have I been paying all this time? The garbage collector won't even take the garbage if I don't pay him a monthly fee.

    Dinesh Gunawardhana Friday, 21 April 2017 10:55 AM

    Then what happens to the taxes we pay its government responsibility to figure out a proper mechanism via DM iOS App

    Nalin Friday, 21 April 2017 10:57 AM

    At present almost all households within the Colombo district pay the garbage collectors a monthly fee (baksheesh) or else one's garbage will not be taken away.

    Sunil Friday, 21 April 2017 10:51 AM

    What nonsense is he speaking?

    seneviratne Friday, 21 April 2017 10:51 AM

    Governments become unpopular because of this type of people. An unqualified clerk may suggest such a silly and burdensome proposal. Does not this man know that already house holds pay a tax called "Assesment Tax". This is for such services fyI.

    Dinesh Gunawardhana Friday, 21 April 2017 10:41 AM

    Then what happens to the taxes we pay its government responsibility to figure out a proper mechanism via DM iOS App

    Punchibanda Friday, 21 April 2017 10:40 AM

    We as citizens pay the local council tax. Isn't it part of the service such as garbage collection? Correct me if I'm wrong.

    Kingsley Wijesinhe Friday, 21 April 2017 10:35 AM

    We are already paying annual rates to the Municipal Council. That is for services including garbage collection.

    LockOn Friday, 21 April 2017 10:35 AM

    Yes, a good idea. The rates need to be increased to handle garbage. Nothing should be free.

    suresh Friday, 21 April 2017 10:27 AM

    then what are we already paying a municipal tax for?


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