The Karnataka Assembly made headlines with the recent passing of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, a move that aims to restructure the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into smaller, more manageable corporations. The bill, tabled by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, received both support and opposition from various political factions, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
DK Shivakumar emphasized that the goal of the bill is to decentralize power and administration in Bengaluru, rather than dismantle the city, as some critics have suggested. He underlined the importance of strengthening the city and providing it with a new direction through the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill.
Key Points of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill:
1. Term for Mayor and Deputy Mayor: The bill establishes a Greater Bengaluru Authority responsible for coordination and supervision, with a 30-month term for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
2. Establishment of the Greater Bengaluru Authority: The creation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will oversee the development of the Greater Bengaluru Area, serving as a planning body to integrate various civic agencies and parastatals.
3. Restructuring of BBMP: The bill proposes dividing the BBMP into smaller corporations for better administrative efficiency, potentially creating up to seven corporations to manage different areas of the city.
4. Empowerment of Ward Committees: The bill aims to empower ward committees as the basic units of urban governance, enhancing local participation and decision-making.
5. Financial Autonomy and Sustainability: The new corporations will have autonomy in collecting property tax, a crucial revenue source for civic bodies. The government will ensure financial sustainability by covering deficits in revenue-deficit corporations.
Opposition Response to the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expressed strong opposition to the bill, with Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka criticizing it as an insult to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s vision of strengthening local bodies. He argued that the bill could set a precedent for dividing other local bodies into multiple divisions, potentially leading to administrative challenges.
During the discussion, Yelahanka BJP MLA SR Vishwanath raised concerns about the lack of an elected body in the BBMP, questioning the need for restructuring without first holding elections. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the city’s administration but cautioned against dividing Bengaluru without careful consideration.
As the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill continues to spark debate and controversy in the Karnataka Assembly, the future of Bengaluru’s governance hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for further developments on this evolving legislative landscape.
