Bhopal Municipal Corporation Proposes 10% Rise in Property Tax and 15% Increase in Civic Charges

Synopsis

On April 3, Bhopal Municipal Corporation proposed a 10% increase in property tax and 15% increase in civic charges for water, sewerage, and solid waste for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This plan aims to improve the financial status of the city.

Key Takeaways

BMC proposes 10% hike in property tax.
15% increase in water and waste charges.
Budget aims to improve financial health.
Impacts around six lakh property tax payers.
Opposition parties oppose the increases.

Bhopal, April 3 (NationPress) The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a 10% hike in property tax and a 15% rise in consumer charges related to water, sewerage, and solid waste for the fiscal year 2025-26.

This proposal was included in the BMC's annual budget, which was unveiled on Thursday.

This decision aims to enhance the financial status of the debt-laden civic body of the state capital.

At present, the water tax for households measuring under 24,000 sqft is Rs 210 per month, while larger properties incur a charge of Rs 300 per month. However, households classified under the Economic Weaker Section (EWS) pay only Rs 30 per month.

Bhopal's Mayor Malti Rai presented the budget of Rs 3,611.99 crore for the financial year 2025-26, which reflects an increase of over Rs 300 crore compared to the previous budget exceeding Rs 3,300 crore.

The projected income and expenditure are almost balanced, with a projected deficit of Rs 110.07 crore after allocating a 5% reserve.

During the budget presentation in the Corporation's House on Thursday, Rai declared the proposed 10% rise in property tax and a 15% increase in consumer charges encompassing water and solid waste management.

This decision will impact approximately six lakh consumers in the city responsible for paying property tax, alongside nearly four lakh consumers utilizing water provided by BMC.

Opposition members, particularly from the Congress, have voiced their disapproval regarding the increment in property tax and civic charges.

In its annual budget for 2025-26, BMC plans to allocate Rs 30 lakh for road repairs, Rs 11 crore for street lighting, and Rs 12 crore for beautifying major roads in the city.

Additionally, Rs 32 crore has been earmarked for the construction of new visarjan ghats (immersion sites), along with Rs 11 crore for drain cleaning activities.

Moreover, BMC has proposed to invest Rs 400 crore in housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Rs 20 crore for establishing Gita Bhawan in Bhopal, and Rs 30 crore in education.