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Swachh Maharashtra Fund to better sanitation facilities

Govt notification silent on whether a new tax will be implemented

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On the lines of the Swachh Bharat Tax, Maharashtra is planning a Swachh Maharashtra Kosh (Fund). Money raised for this fund will be utilised to improve the sanitation facilities across the state. However, it is not known whether the state will impose an additional Swachh Maharashtra Tax.

"Donors in the cleanliness fund will also get tax rebate" said a senior government official.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will be the president of the Swachh Maharashtra Kosh. The central government has already imposed a 0.5% Swachh Bharat Tax.

The urban development department has issued a notification saying that the Swachh Bharat drive has been implemented successfully in the state.

"Under this drive, the government has decided to make Maharashtra free of open defecation by 2018. However, the fund given by the Centre is insufficient to provide individual and common sanitation facilities across the state. Solid waste management is also a major issue that needs to be addressed. The government needs more funds and they have to be raised from various resources," the notification said.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that instead of fulfilling the promises during election time, the BJP-led government is indulging in pick-pocketing.

"They should not put additional tax burden on the common man. The central government has already imposed the cleanliness tax. The government should clarify what exactly they intend by this Swachh Maharashtra Kosh notification? If there is additional burden on the people, we will vehemently oppose it," Sawant said.

Swachh Maharashtra Kosh will be headed by Fadnavis, while the water supply and sanitation minister, minister of state for urban development, chief secretary, finance secretary and urban development secretary will be members.

The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) commission had asked to set up the Kosh on the lines of Swachh Bharat Kosh. "To meet the target and make the cleanliness drive successful, authorities have to raise funds, apart from central and state funds.

National and international organisations can contribute to the Kosh. The donations, which the government gets under the Corporate Social Responsibility activities, will be added to this fund. "Earnings from immovable properties and interest on fixed deposits will also be used for the cleanliness drive in Maharashtra," the notification said.

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