Karnataka - Bangalore

Whoever leads has a tough job on hand

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

CAN THIS MESS BE SOLVED? A file picture of the traffic jam on Bellary Road in Bangalore.

BANGALORE: It might be debatable if a new Government could usher in innovative solutions to the many hurdles in sustainable development that a growing Bangalore faces. But hopes are renewed every time there is a whiff of change, even as they might be tempered with past realities of governance.

For Bangaloreans, the fact that a stable government is to be formed probably is a point of relief as the absence of elected governments at the municipal and State-level had put many important decisions and projects in suspended animation or on slow track. Public Eye looks at the expectations and the variety of tasks cut out for the new Government.

Sakrama and Capital Value System: Heralded as “progressive moves”, introduction of these initiatives triggered a huge uproar with people terming them “unrealistic” and “discriminatory”, forcing the Governor-led administration to take a re-look at it.

Sakrama, which was meant to regularise unauthorised constructions was modified and draft rules issued after much public debate. But announcement of elections put the scheme in limbo.

The Capital Value System (CVS) of paying property taxes was another controversial issue where fears that people would end up paying exorbitant amounts were not sufficiently allayed.

With no clear directions on what system to adopt for collection, there has hardly been any property tax collection by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in the last few months, thereby leaving the corporation hard pressed for finances.

“All this could have been avoided if the legislators were more active in the Assembly and had discussed the implications of introduction of these schemes. Hopefully, the new set of politicians will be more discerning,” says Maj. Pramod Kapur of Koramangala Initiative.

Infrastructure: Implementation of any infrastructure project is riddled with delays and one of the primary reasons is the number of public oppositions that it has to overcome.

“The key to dealing with this is to really take concurrence from people residing in the area whenever any project is planned,” says Sumathi Rao of Malleswaram Swabhimana Initiative while demanding that MLAs hold grievance meetings regularly to be abreast of the requirements of their constituencies.

Then there are instances of objections being called for by the Government and none of the received suggestions ever being incorporated into the final copies, a case in point being the Master Plan 2015, brought out by the Bangalore Development Authority. Suggestions such as increasing measures to retain residential character of localities were not taken. “We want that the new Government make it clear the reasons why it has accepted or rejected the suggestions it has received.

Only then can public involvement in Bangalore’s growth be ensured,” says Kathyayini Chamraj, trustee at Civic Bangalore.

Administrative reforms: Enlargement of Bangalore by three-fold has necessitated an administrative overhaul, for which the Expert Committee on Greater Bangalore, after much delay, given in its recommendations.

A five-year term for a directly-elected Mayor, advertising and hunting for a qualified professional for the post of the BBMP Commissioner are some of the radical measures it has suggested.

As yet, no discussions have taken place and the report awaits the formal approval of the State Government.

For the unorganised sector: The debate on Bangalore’s growth trajectory is more often than not limited to infrastructure bottlenecks. Even with more than 50 per cent of Bangaloreans working in the unorganised sector, their demands are often left out.

“Bangalore has become like a poster city for globalisation. But it brings in work insecurity, reduction in wages and poor working conditions for those dependent on employment in private companies,” says D. Rajasekhar, professor at Institute of Social and Economic Change.

He points out that three key programmes instituted by the Centre — the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana and the old age pension scheme — have not been implemented for the lack of a government.

“The NHIS is particularly important as it provides treatment up to Rs. 30,000 for people living under the below poverty line.

The State Government should first conduct a survey to identify such families and bring in steps to use the funds available for these schemes,” says Prof. Rajasekhar.

Several issues are competing for the Government’s attention in Bangalore.

It is testing time for the BJP Government which will now be in public scrutiny as it unfolds its agenda for the city.

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