Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Karnataka BJP calls Bengaluru sanitation charges Congress 'loot'
Bengaluru is a big city in India, and its leaders want the city to stay clean.
The city's Greater Bengaluru Authority told people who own empty plots of land to clear away all the garbage and rubbish by August 15.
If they do not clean the land, the city will clean it for them and then charge the owners money for the work.
The cleaning bills can be big, from about Rs 6,700 up to Rs 47,700, plus extra money for carrying the waste away.
A leader named R. Ashoka, from the BJP party, is very upset about these charges.
He says families already pay property tax every year, so they should not have to pay more money just to keep the city clean.
He says the Congress government is really just trying to take money from people, which he calls 'loot.'
The state government says the charges are only to keep Bengaluru clean and healthy.
Mr. Ashoka says people will show how they feel by voting in the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority elections.
Karnataka BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka accused the Congress government of burdening Bengaluru residents with extra charges under the Greater Bengaluru Authority's 'Freedom from Waste' campaign.
The GBA issued a public notice requiring owners of vacant sites within its limits to clear waste, garbage and debris by August 15 or face cleaning and cost recovery by civic authorities.
Ashoka claimed owners of a 20x30-foot site would pay Rs 6,700 as sanitation charge, rising to Rs 7,700 if the site has a compound wall, plus up to Rs 19,200 for waste transportation.
Cleaning charges range from Rs 6,700 to Rs 47,700 depending on site size, while waste transportation charges can go up to Rs 1.28 lakh.
Ashoka said Bengaluru needed 'Freedom from Waste' but also 'Freedom from Loot', and predicted residents would respond through the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority elections.
- Who
- Karnataka BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, targeting Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
- What
- The GBA imposed sanitation and waste transportation charges on vacant sites under its 'Freedom from Waste' campaign, which the BJP called a burden on residents and a revenue-raising 'loot.'
- When
- The public notice was issued on a Monday, with a deadline of August 15 for owners to clear waste from vacant sites.
- Where
- Bengaluru, within Greater Bengaluru Authority limits, Karnataka.
- Why
- The GBA says the campaign aims to keep Bengaluru clean and hygienic, while the BJP says it adds financial burdens on citizens who already pay property tax.
Government / GBA View
BJP Opposition View
Sanitation charges on vacant sites
Government / GBA View
The GBA notice says charges cover cleaning and waste disposal, with owners asked to clear sites by August 15 voluntarily to keep Bengaluru clean and hygienic.
BJP Opposition View
Ashoka calls the charges an unnecessary financial burden on residents, describing them as another 'loot' by the Congress government.
Government motives and future elections
Government / GBA View
The campaign is presented purely as a cleanliness effort aimed at keeping Bengaluru clean and hygienic.
BJP Opposition View
Ashoka claims the Congress treats Bengaluru as a 'private ATM' and revenue source, predicting voters will reject the government in the upcoming GBA elections.
- Campaign
- 'Freedom from Waste' cleanliness drive
- Governing body
- Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA)
- Deadline for vacant-site cleaning
- August 15
- Sample sanitation charge (20x30-ft site)
- Rs 6,700
- Charge with compound wall
- Rs 7,700
- Additional waste transportation charge
- Up to Rs 19,200
- Cleaning charge range
- Rs 6,700 - Rs 47,700 depending on site size
- Maximum waste transportation charge
- Rs 1.28 lakh