Bidar urban bodies directed to intensify tax collection, waste management
Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah conducted a progress review of municipal works in Bidar on Wednesday, issuing a series of directives aimed at improving urban services and infrastructure. The meeting, held at the Zilla Panchayat hall, was attended by Bidar MLA Rahim Khan, Municipal Commissioner Mukul Jain, officials of the Municipal Corporation, urban local bodies, and district-level departments.
The Minister directed urban local bodies to intensify property tax collection, which is a key revenue source for civic bodies. He also called for strengthening solid waste management, noting that while a wet waste processing unit is already operational in the district, a dry waste processing facility should be established at the earliest for scientific disposal of municipal waste. He instructed officials to ensure door-to-door collection of both wet and dry waste from every household. Strict action, including penalties, should be taken against those dumping garbage in vacant layouts and public places, he said.
In the area of tax administration, Dr. Siddaramaiah directed officials to identify unauthorised advertising hoardings and ensure proper collection of taxes from such installations. He ordered penalties for violators to prevent further irregularities. He also asked officials to speed up GIS mapping of all properties in the district, a move that would help expand the tax base and improve collection efficiency.
Addressing civic amenities, the Minister expressed concern over complaints about the poor maintenance of public toilets. He instructed officials to inspect these facilities, issue notices to defaulting contractors, and terminate contracts wherever necessary. He also called for expediting underground drainage connections to all households and upgrading the sewerage network, emphasising the need for high-quality execution of civic works.
The Minister stated that ₹200 crore has already been sanctioned for transforming Bidar into a clean and well-developed city. He asked officials to prepare comprehensive project plans for utilisation of these funds and assured that additional grants would be considered if required. He further directed officials to complete pending drinking water supply projects on priority and prepare housing projects based on demand under various government housing schemes.
Regarding trade and commerce, Dr. Siddaramaiah instructed that every commercial establishment should possess a valid trade licence. Shops operating without licences should not be permitted, and awareness campaigns should be conducted among traders. He also directed the Urban Development Authority to allot civic amenity (CA) sites to eligible community organisations and institutions wherever required.
On infrastructure, the Minister instructed officials to accelerate road repair works, fill potholes across the city without delay, and clear encroachments on footpaths to improve pedestrian safety. He suggested that the proposed mega market should include space for small traders and vendors, saying that providing affordable stalls would support their livelihoods rather than reserving the facility solely for commercial establishments.
The meeting concluded with the Minister asking officials to implement the directives in a time-bound manner and to submit progress reports to the state government. The review is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve urban governance and service delivery across Karnataka.
