Date:04/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040421860300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

No decision on banning hoardings

Staff Reporter

Committee set up to study re-introduction of `pay and park' scheme

Council approves proposals for construction of 13 more grade separators

Mayor's discretionary quota increased from Rs. 20 crore to Rs. 25 crore

BANGALORE: The ruling Congress in the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), which announced a ban on hoardings in its budget for 2006-2007 presented on March 24, has set up a committee to study the feasibility of the proposal.

This committee would study the modalities of re-introducing the controversial "pay and park" system. This committee, to be headed by Mayor Mumtaz Begum, would comprise Deputy Mayor M. Lakshminarayana, ruling party leader H. Ravindra and leaders of other parties in the BMP council. The committee would submit its report within 20 days.

The council approved proposals for construction of 13 more grade separators. While the construction of new crematoria in the city would be taken up through public-private-partnership, the civic body has decided to withdraw road-asphalting work from contractors who have not started work so far.

The Mayor's discretionary quota had been increased from Rs. 20 crore to Rs. 25 crore.

The BMP would start evening Kannada classes in its schools for the benefit of those who do not know Kannada, especially adults. The civic body would appoint retired teachers or use the services of BMP school teachers for this purpose.

The council also resolved to direct the Commissioner and engineers to maintain a detailed road history register, which would record details about all roads in the city.