All corporators across political parties, and members of the standing committee of the BMC, unanimously opposed the fire service fee if it burdens citizens instead of developers, on Friday. The fire brigade then gave a written reply to the various queries that were raised, but did not withdraw the circular despite the standing committee chairman's instruction to do so. Corporators have called the reply of the fire brigade department an eye wash.

A new circular issued recently mentioned that the fire service fee should be taken from developers or owners/occupiers or architects of the building, and it will be a one-time fee towards the corporation. However, with the occupation certificate given to buildings, it could be possible that the component is levied on housing societies. Besides this, the recovery of the annual fee which is likely to be 1 per cent of the fire service fee, will be added in the property tax bill and will also have to be borne by the residents of buildings.