Old photo used for indicative purpose only
CPI(M) opposes MC Shimla’s Rs 100 QR Code fee, warns of agitation
Shimla, May 20,
Shimla Local Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday strongly opposed the decision of the Municipal Corporation Shimla to charge residents Rs 100 for installing QR codes at households, terming it an additional financial burden on the public.
In a press statement issued here, CPI(M) alleged that the Municipal Corporation has failed to provide basic civic amenities to city residents, while continuously imposing new charges and taxes on them.
The party criticized the annual 10 percent increase in water bills, garbage collection charges and property tax, calling it “unjust” and “anti-people”.
The party alleged that the Municipal Corporation had turned into a “commercial institution” aimed at exploiting citizens rather than serving them.
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It also questioned the decision to collect Rs 100 for QR code installation, stating that the move was insensitive at a time when residents were already facing rising expenses.
CPI(M) further highlighted the ongoing unrest among Municipal Corporation employees over salary cuts and claimed that sanitation services in the city had deteriorated significantly. The party accused the civic body of burdening both employees and residents simultaneously.
The Shimla Local Committee demanded immediate withdrawal of the QR code fee and rollback of the additional 10 percent charges on electricity, water, garbage bills and property tax. It also urged the Municipal Corporation to hold talks with protesting employees and resolve their demands.
The statement warned that if the demands were not met immediately, CPI(M) would launch an agitation and gherao the offices of the Mayor and Municipal Commissioner in Shimla.
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