MP’s Narmada tax: Re 1 for a holy dip

The tax is nominal but it will mean a lot for the local body, which bears the brunt of an influx of devotees on all major religious occasions. Lakhs of devotees from far and wide visit the place for a dip in the river, leaving the local body with the unenviable job of cleaning the dirty water and the bank.

Pilgrims are not the only ones to pollute the river. Even the locals contribute to it by emptying their sewage into the river as there is no treatment plant. The local body plans to install a treatment plant from the money the proposed tax will bring in. The remainder will be used to keep the river free from other pollutants.

Nagarpalika deputy chief Ajay Mishra told The Sunday Express that the proposed tax will ensure pure water for the pilgrims. “People who come from far will not mind shelling out a paltry sum,” he said. Children would be asked to pay only 50 paisa.

But even before the first paid holy dip is taken, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has opposed the idea saying it amounts to hurting the religious sentiments of people. “Every noble intention has its share of criticism. We want to save the river at all costs,” Mishra said.

The 33-member body might pass the proposal almost unanimously because Independents are in majority. The BJP has nine members and the Congress only five. There was no vocal opposition when the proposal was moved.