Grand Alliance Imposes New Tax Burden on Mumbaikars, Water Charges for Small Homes

• The Grand Alliance, now in power in BMC, has introduced new water and sewage taxes for Mumbaikars.
• Houses under 500 sq ft, previously exempt, will now face water and sewage charges if they lack water meters.
• This move contradicts the Grand Alliance's earlier promise of not increasing water charges, leaving Mumbaikars feeling betrayed.
• A policy is being drafted to levy these charges, despite a 2022 Maharashtra Ordinance waiving such taxes for properties under 500 sq ft.
• BMC's 'Water for All' policy has issued over 27,000 permission certificates and provided 24,529 new water connections since May 2022.