GUWAHATI, May 17 � Irked at the government�s clumsy schemes on waterlogging in the capital city and the quick-fix measures taken by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) after much protest, the residents of the Tarun Nagar By-lane No. 6 have decided not to pay any tax to the Corporation in protest against its failure to provide civic amenities in the area.
The residents have a harrowing time due to waterlogging that occurs even after a mild shower and that lasts up to many days. �Our area is a glaring example of government�s apathy and negligence by the civic authorities. The residents have to contribute a sum every month for smooth conservancy and maintenance of streetlights,� Biswanath Das a resident of Bylane No. 6 told The Assam Tribune.
According to him, every month the local people contribute Rs 70 for taking out the pile of garbage from their area. A handcart has been brought for the purpose and the residents pay for that as the GMC workers hardly enter the area.
�Similarly, streetlight was big problem in the same locality till the local people decided to pay for installing the lights for the safety and security of the area,� Das mentioned.
�As we are not getting any of the civic amenities from the authorities concerned, the residents have decided not to pay any tax to the GMC. We have also submitted many memorandums to the government department and the ministers concerned, but no permanent measure has been taken till date,� he added.
The local people also decried the short-term measures by GMC after a strong public protest. �The drains were cleared by GMC workers, but the sludge has been left on the roadside, that might slip into the drain again. Our area needs some permanent measures,� said another local.
�A sluice gate has been constructed on the Bharalu river to pump out the water. But due to lack of a water pump the sluice gate is not helping in easing the problem,� Das added.
