Nice link road connection to Mysore road

 Concern over traffic at BHEL-Deepanjalinagar Junction; Junction development stalled

 Nice link road connection to Mysore road

 Bengaluru: The link road construction work of Nice Road has started at BHEL Junction of Mysore Road. BBMP and traffic police have started inspection regarding road design map and traffic control.

 Last week, the Nice organization started the work on the link road, which had been delayed for many years. The work has been started as the permission for the work has been obtained from the court. If the Nice Link Road is opened here, the vehicular traffic will increase. The traffic problem is likely to increase further. Thus, BBMP has stopped the ongoing development work at BHAL Junction for the time being.

 There is already a traffic jam at BHEL Junction from 9 am to 11 pm every day. Locals have expressed concern that the Nice Link Road will also be opened here, and if it translates into vehicle arrivals and departures, there will be excessive traffic at the junction.

 BBMP is carrying out the development work of BHEL Junction, due to which the road area has reduced a bit. Realizing that there will be a problem if Nice Road is also built, the engineers of the Corporation have requested the Chief Engineer of Road Infrastructure to take action in this regard. An instruction has been received not to operate in the middle of the junction. Thus BBMP has almost stopped the work.

 There is one-way traffic from Nayandahalli side to Mysore road via BHEL junction from flyover to Gadli Anjaneya temple. There is one-way traffic from Gaddi Anjaneya Temple to BHEL Junction. However, when going towards Dipanjali Nagar, vehicles from both sides converge at the junction, causing heavy traffic here. Also, due to the vehicular traffic near the Mysore Road Satellite Bus Stand, vehicles are stopping on both the one-way roads. After the junction development work started, the problem was even greater. Traffic police have recently been deployed to control it.

BBMP and traffic police are making a plan to control the problem which will worsen if the Nice Link road starts at BHEL junction itself. 

 No action:

Vehicular traffic continues to arise near BHEL Junction, Ghadi Anjaneya Temple, Satellite Bus Stand. The traffic police did not take any action. Deepanjalinagar, our metro station below, the road is narrow and dilapidated. Due to this, the problems have increased,' complained Jagdish, a motorist.

 Action to avoid congestion: Anucheth

 Nice link road to Mysore road has not been connected yet, work is going on. Action will be taken to avoid traffic congestion. Actions are being taken to control traffic on the Mysore road and ensure smooth traffic, said Joint Commissioner of City Traffic Department M.N.  Anucheth said.

More than ₹30 crore illegal in the name of Covid

 BBMP: ₹1.81 crore released for blank bill; ₹10 crore paid for over capacity testing

More than ₹30 crore illegal in the name of Covid

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 BENGALURU: Irregular expenditure on covid disease control, disease detection test (RTPCR), oxygen cylinders, mosquito control drugs and crores of rupees were paid extra.

 Rate discrepancies and other deficiencies were found in the payment bills for the costs of Covid control. Paid more money than what was fixed by the government. The 2021-22 report of the Auditor General of BBMP revealed that the highest number of irregularities occurred in RTPCR itself.

 The Chief Medical Officer of Public Health, Central Sector, has paid ₹57.23 lakh in 15 DC bills over and above the government's quota for RTPCR tests. Medical staff at Covid care centers are charged more than the maximum per day. In addition, ₹8.59 crore has not been paid to the corporation by the Kidwai organization for providing human resources for RTPCR examination. ₹2.71 crore has also been given more to Molecular Solutions.

 Throat tests conducted by Eurofin and Hybrinomics at 141 primary health centers were paid ₹3.68 lakh more than what was due by the Chief Medical Officer of Public Health, Central Sector. Ambulance vehicles have been assigned by private organizations and objections have been raised regarding the number of vehicles and payment of ₹24.70 lakh, and recovery has been suggested.

 An additional ₹10.23 crore has been paid by the Chief Health Officer to the Newburgh Anand Referral Hospital for carrying out RTPCR tests at a higher capacity than the government budget. In another case, a medical diagnosis center was overcharged by ₹63.65 lakh by conducting more than 5500 tests daily in violation of the commissioner's circular.

₹3.97 crore was paid to Newburgh Anand Referee without mentioning the number of cases related to Covid-19 tests.

 ₹2.53 crore in annual maintenance after installation of gas pipe line system to BBMP Refle Hospital and Maternity Homes. There is no supporting documentation for installation of Benaka Meditech gas pipeline to 14 maternity hospitals.

 The health officer of Yalahanka division has signed the blank bill of the contractor in the mosquito control drug spraying work. ₹.181 crore was released without checking these bills by the health authorities.

 Main objections in health section

•  * In Govindarajanagara Chandralayout Division Health Officer's office, the bills of spraying medicine through petrol powered hand pump are not getting paid.
•  * In the office of the Medical Officer of Health, Mahalakshipuram, medicines and supplies were procured in violation of the Uniform Rate Fixing Order. ₹ 16.89 lakh was paid for supplying food to the infected and the officers on duty, but there were no records of completion.
•  * ₹ 4.99 lakh was charged for car rental and petrol for the days when mosquito control work was not carried out in the office of the Divisional Health Officer of Pulakeshinagar and Sarvajnanagar.
•  * In Shantinagar Division Health Officer's office, ₹47.23 lakh was paid without getting an official bill from Future Planet (OPC) which provided human resource services.
•  * Central Zone Chief Health Officer (Clinical) has paid ₹1 crore to Srinivasa Security Services, a contractor providing security services to hospitals, but there is no record of the services provided.

 Major irregularities in covid calculation

•  ₹22.57 crore; Paying more than the prescribed rate of RTPCR
•  ₹3.97 crore; Payment without mentioning covid test number
•  ₹2.53 crore; Illegal supply of oxygen cylinder
•  ₹1.81 crore; Mosquito repellent spray
•  ₹63.65 lakh; Payment for additional examination against the order of the Commissioner
•  ₹24.70 lakh; Ambulance deployment does not count

BBMP properties: ₹100 crore rent, tax due

Lease at low rates; No action from BBMP despite violation of condition

 BBMP properties: ₹100 crore rent, tax due

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 BENGALURU: The BBMP, which has been locking private shops and institutions for non-payment of property tax, has not recovered over ₹100 crore due in the form of rent for its own properties, shops and markets.

 No action has been taken even though the institutions which have rented or leased the Corporation assets have sub-leased them beyond the terms of the lease and are carrying out commercial activities. Also, many leases have expired but have not been renewed. Yet organizations are taking advantage of them. The Deputy Revenue Officers have issued the same notice. Due to this, there is a financial loss to the corporation.

 The Chief Auditor of BBMP has clearly mentioned the due amount and financial loss to be recovered by the corporation in the consolidated audit report for the year 2021-22.

 Lands, properties and assets owned by BBMP have been leased or rented out for long periods of time and rent has not been paid for many years. Out of 3,855 properties of the corporation, 372 properties are leased/rented. Out of them only the details of 145 properties are current. Most of the properties are leased or rented at very low rates for 3 to 100 years. The report opined that assets should be confiscated to increase corporation revenue and prevent leakages.

 The immovable properties of the corporation are given on rent and lease and dues have not been recovered from 6 institutions. Garudamal has not paid the quarterly amount of ₹3.27 crore under Public Utility Building sub-section. ₹1.29 crore has not been paid by the City Central Library in Hebbal.

 Corporation has not recovered ₹1.46 crore revenue from assets acquired for our metro project. Pending in Shivajinagar, Jayanagar, J.P. Nagar, Vijayanagar, Yalachenahalli, Dasarahalli subdivision.

 BSNL, Karnataka State Finance Corporation, National Textine Corporation, Lidkar Corporation, Maharaja Cold Storages in Jayanagar commercial complex have retained rent of ₹9.42 crore.

₹22 crore due from schools, welfare halls, hospitals

 Schools and colleges under BBMP's Jayanagar and Kodigehalli sub-divisions have the highest property tax arrears. The arrears have also increased in Vidyaranyapura, Horamavu sub-divisions.

 Kalyana mandapam, party hall, hotel, PG hostel, hospital, nursing home, theaters and industrial buildings also have tax arrears of more than ₹13 crore. ₹6.77 crore tax due from malls in Gandhinagar subdivision, ₹5.79 lakh due from theaters. Tax arrears of ₹3.87 crore have not been recovered from commercial buildings in Jayanagar.

 ₹17 crore due from government buildings

 BBMP has not collected Central and State Government buildings tax and service charges as of 2016-2019. At the end of March 2022, more than ₹17 crore is outstanding.

 Vidyaranyapur sub-division of the corporation has the highest outstanding balance (₹4.01 crore) in this regard. ₹2.67 crore in Yalahanka Old Town subdivision, ₹2.04 crore in Vasantnagar subdivision, ₹1.69 crore in Hombegowdanagar subdivision and ₹1.18 crore in HBR Layout subdivision.

 Illegality in rent of markets

 A lot of irregularities in rent/lease demand, collection and arrears were found in Public Utility Market in East Zone, Krishna Rajendra Market and Jayanagar Commercial Complex Market in South Zone. ₹128.92 crore is outstanding from rent and lease from these three markets. The audit report has warned that if action is not taken to rectify the deficiencies, there is a possibility of financial loss and abandonment of the corporation's assets. Also, it has been suggested to recover ₹28 crore immediately by the end of March 2021-22.

•  ₹30.10 crore; Rent arrears from 372 properties of the corporation
•  ₹28.06 crore; PUB Market, Jayanagar Commercial Complex, Krishnaraja Market rent arrears
•  ₹17.77 crore; Property tax arrears from central and state government buildings
•  ₹13.85 crore; Due from Kalyana Mandapam, Party Hall, Hotel, PGs
•  ₹9.42 crore; Rent arrears of 6 institutions in Jayanagar
•  ₹7.98 crore; Tax arrears from telecom towers
•  ₹4.93 crore; Property tax arrears from private schools and colleges
•  ₹4.67 crore; Rent arrears from 6 immovable properties of the corporation

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ Prajavani ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ

Air quality improvement: ₹18 crore for 20 junctions

 BBMP: priority for greening; Construction of fountain at Majestic, Jayanagar

Air quality improvement: ₹18 crore for 20 junctions

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 Bengaluru: BBMP, which has taken another step forward in the development of junctions of the city's roads, has claimed that it will develop junctions to improve air quality.

 It has proposed to spend ₹18 crore under the name of 'Development to improve air quality with greening around 20 important junctions' and invited tenders. The tender is being opened on June 21. It has been informed that the development of these junctions will be completed within 11 months of the contract.

 The development of 25 junctions in the city has already started in January 2023 but has not yet been completed. The work of these junctions, which were supposed to be a place of relaxation for the citizens, has changed the look of the derelict places. In this regard, Prajavani published a special report on May 31 under the title of 'Bill Delay: Stagnation of Junction Development'. After that, the work of 25 junctions has been speeded up a little. Meanwhile, on June 6, a tender has been called for the development of 20 junctions.

 In the name of improving air quality and greening, civil works are the lion's share of the development works of 20 junctions. The works include desilting of drains around junctions, redevelopment of drains, clearing of existing footpaths, granite cladding for barriers, canopy construction, construction of ramps, arrangement of seats, attractive lighting, installation of signs, lane marking on roads. Along with this, supplementary soil for the growth of trees at the junctions, design, planting of new plants, flowers, planting of decorative plants are identified at the end.

 No Tree Clearing: Greening at junctions including improving air quality has been given high priority. Seedlings are planted and cultivated. Flowering plants are planted. During the development of the junctions, the trees in that place have been cleared, and the design will include them," said BBMP Principal Engineer B.S. Prahlad said.

Upgrading again?

 The work of 're-upgrading' the Sangolli Rayanna junction near the city railway station and bus stand is also under the 'air quality improvement' project. This junction has already been developed enough that ornamental plants have been planted there and 'lawn' has also been laid. But now it is planned to include other areas of that junction and build a fountain.

 Even at Jnanabharati Junction on Mysore Road, the junction has been developed after the completion of our metro work. This junction has also been included in the 'Air Quality Improvement' project and more areas around it have been included.

 Earlier only the central part of the junction was developed. BBMP engineers said that the surrounding area will also be greened in this project.

 Which junction development?

•  Tagore Circle, Basavanagudi
•  Derry Circle, KMF
•  TC Palya Junction, Chikkabasavanpur
•  JD MARA JUNCTION, J.P. the city
•  Nagarabavi 12th Block Bus Stand
•  TC Palya Main Road Bridge,
•  Opposite BBMP Head Office, SP Road Junction
•  Madhavan Circle, Jayanagar
•  Mudaliar Circle (Halasur Lake)
•  Venkatachalam Circle (Halasur Lake)
•  Madras Sappers HQ Junction (Halasur Lake)
•  D. Bhaskaran Road Junction (Halasur Kere)
•  Mekhri Circle, Bellary Road
•  Jnanabharati Circle, Mysore Road
•  Nanjappa Circle, Longford Road
•  Konanakunte Cross, Kanakapura Road
•  Subramanyapura Road Junction
•  CNR Rao Underpass Junction, Malleshwara 
•  Ibluru Kere Junction, Outer Ring Road
•  Sangollirayanna Junction, City Railway Station
• 
  
  
  

BBMP: ₹2 thousand crore illegal!

•  ₹12,142.31 crore; Objection Amount (1964-65 to 2021-22)
•  ₹2,010 crore; Objection Amount (2021–22)
•  ₹1,687 crore; Objection Amount (2020–21)
•  ₹1,169 crore; Objection Amount (2019–20)
•  ₹684.11 crore; Objection Amount (2018–19)
•  ₹355.22 crore; Objection Amount (2017–18)

 Which category is most objectionable?

•  ₹1,025 crore; General Administration
•  ₹906.84 crore; work
•  ₹68.57 crore; health
•  ₹9.05 crore; revenue

 Major complications

•  * Seamless maintenance of cash book
•  * Failure to provide complete records for audit
•  * Postponement of audit program due to inadequate reason
•  * Non-cooperative attitude from Audit Officer/ Staff
•  * Annual accounts not submitted within the prescribed period 
•  * Non-maintenance of accounts, documents, records in prescribed form

 Objection in the audit report for the year 2021-22; More than the previous line

 BBMP: ₹2 thousand crore illegal!

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 BENGALURU: An audit of the Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation has found irregularities of ₹2,010 crore, of which only ₹422 crore has been recovered.

 This point was published in the audit for the year 2021-22 submitted by the Auditor General of BBMP, where 696 objections were filed. In 124 cases, recovery was done, while BBMP did not give any reply to the remaining 625 objections. The objection in 2021-22 is the highest since 1964 to 2021-22.

 The report warned that there is a possibility of loss to the corporation if action is not taken on time regarding the deficiencies and recoveries mentioned in the audit report. It is felt that along with the audit report of this line, a recommendation should be submitted to the government to take effective action on the previous line reports as well.

 Additional bill payment of ₹8 crore: The report clearly mentions the loss of ₹8.01 crore due to additional payment in general administration, works, health and education departments.

 Irregularity: ₹15.95 crore was paid in violation of rules in execution of work and purchase of materials. ₹9.98 crore was paid in general administration, ₹1.57 crore in health department, ₹4.28 lakh in works and ₹11.36 lakh in education department.

Most of the violations are in the bulk drainage and solid waste management department. Estimated list has been prepared by applying the rate list before SR rate implementation. Similarly, ₹78.97 lakh has been paid in Bommanahalli division. There are more cases in these two categories where the contract has been awarded to one firm and the bill has been paid to another contractor.  

 Two bills for the same work!

 Panduranga was paid ₹ 7.37 lakh both online and offline for the concrete box work of the water canal carried out on Magadi Road by the Chief Engineer's Office of the Major Water Drainage Division. The report stated that the chief engineer's dereliction of duty was serious.

 Bill for two: 

Repair of toilet of Deputy Controller of Finance office in Dasarahalli sub-division by contractor H.S. Girish was paid ₹99,508 on February 16, 2021. For the same work, contractor N.M. Chetan was paid the same amount on March 19.

 Double Payment: 

A total of ₹1.16 lakh has been paid twice for the removal and re-installation of drain slabs undertaken by the Road Infrastructure Executive Engineer, Bommanahalli Division.

 One charge, two bills: 

Double receipt issued for same DD in office of OFC Divisional Executive. In 31 cases, 62 receipts have been issued for an amount of ₹4.21 crore.

 Bill for work not done!

 ₹ 63.83 lakh has been paid for the removal of silt in the drain in two directions to the South Central Link Road under the jurisdiction of the Executive Engineer of Gandhinagar Division. However, as there is no detail of the old slab being removed and the new one installed, the report states that the work has been done is far from the truth.

 Fee for Indira Canteen Parcel!

 ₹11.59 lakh including GCST has been paid to an organization called Rewards by the Deputy Controller of Finance, Bommanahalli Zone, even though the parcel was not allowed in Indira Canteens. There is no provision for payment of parcel fee in tender contract agreement and mandate.

BBMP to spend ₹3,100 per plant!

•  3.4 crore in STRR scheme
•  ₹21.36 crore for plantation in zones

Expensive expenditure on plantation by BBMP; ₹24 crore cost

BBMP  to spend ₹3,100 per plant!

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 Bengaluru: BBMP plans to spend ₹3,100 for each sapling in the city's afforestation project. In another project, tenders have been invited to spend ₹1,800 per sapling.

 ₹3.4 crore will be spent on planting 10,900 saplings on both sides of the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR), which will be constructed on the outskirts of the city between Dabasapete and Doddabelavangala. Each sapling will cost ₹3,100 and the contractors who planted the saplings will have to maintain them for the next five years.

 In another project, the forest department has invited tenders for planting and maintaining zone-wise trees in BBMP for three years. A total of 1,13,500 saplings will be planted in 27 works. It is decided to spend ₹21.36 crore for this. ₹1,800 per sapling is being spent on this project.

 It is said that the cost of protecting, fertilizing and watering the saplings is also included in this maintenance. However, even if the management is very high in the private sector, half of what the corporation spends is not spent. However, the BBMP, unable to save even 50% of the already planted trees, has started looting in the name of afforestation. It has been shown that lakhs of saplings have been planted by students in the name of green protection. But, in reality, half of them are languishing without maintenance.

Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprises (K-RAID) has already released ₹8 crore to the BBMP Forest Department to plant saplings, as trees will be cleared from its project. However, the forest department has not planted any saplings in this regard.

 Swamy, Deputy Conservator of Forests, did not receive a call when tried to contact him for a comment on the exorbitant expenditure.

There is no response to citizens' problems

 Officers own power; A divisive strategy to postpone elections; Impact on 'Brand': Ex-Corporation Leaders

 There is no response to citizens' problems

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 Bengaluru: It is raining in the city, many trees have fallen due to the storm, water is standing in the roads and drains, there are potholes. Water is entering the houses. Twigs and branches of trees on the side of the road remain intact. People are facing problem in many places. Will the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and MLAs solve these problems? Can he go to everyone's house? As there are no corporators who act as a link between the people and the authorities, the authorities are not responding to the problems of the citizens.

 These are the words of those who have worked as leader of the ruling party and leader of the opposition in BBMP.

 If a house's garbage is not removed, if there is water intrusion, if there is a pothole in the road, then people used to contact the corporators first. He is not there now, but still asks us as an ex. If there is no authority, the authorities will not listen to us. However, we insist and demand and work. Many people do not listen to us because the wards have changed, the authorities have changed in four years. If there was a council and the meeting was going on, the officials would have been in control,'' say former leaders of the corporation.

 It became 243 wards from 198. Later it was reduced to 225. Elections are blocked without reservation. All party MLAs do not want BBMP elections. They smeared our noses by telling us about Assembly and Lok Sabha elections and got us to work. However, holding elections for BBMP means that one will say over the other', he expressed his indignation.

 Fear of defeat: Congress, which has lost the Lok Sabha elections in the city, is afraid of losing the BBMP elections. That is why they are talking about division and trying to postpone the election,” the BJP leaders complained.

 We came to power by winning the most seats in the state. There is a difference between Lok Sabha elections and corporation elections. We are not afraid of that. Our goal is to provide good governance, said Congress leaders.

Fear of becoming Gram Panchayats: 

'If BBMP is divided into 400 wards, it will become a municipality and Gram Panchayat. If one company with higher income prospers, the other collapses. A sense of inferiority arises. An example of this is the failed devolution of corporations in Delhi. Also, if there are four or five companies, there is a fear of linguistic conflict. The former leaders of the corporation opined that it will have an adverse effect on the 'brand' of the city as a whole.

 What do the former leaders of the corporation say?

 'No thought for development'

 Nothing is happening according to the 74 amendment. No one wants to give power to the people's representatives, let alone democracy. No one is thinking about the development of Bangalore. They are saying that elections should be postponed, they will make five parties and divide them. It's all a trick. 

 – Padmanabha Reddy

 'Officials are not available'

 Elections of local bodies should be held. Let division be done in any way, but election must be done first. The government has promised to hold elections. Absence of corporators does not solve local problems. The authorities are not reaching the people. Not even working.

 – M. Shivraj

 MLAs do not like elections

 Except for the five or six MLAs in the city, the other two do not want to hold elections for the BBMP. They have taken away the constitutional authority from the local body that they should manage all the powers and packages themselves. There is also a desire to continue the same. Before the election, after all.

 -N. Nagaraju

 'They are breaking the land of Kempegowda'

 Kempegowda, the builder of Bangalore, built the city well. Congress is slicing such a country, trying to divide and rule. This is cheating the community. Also, without corporators, the authorities are not responding to people's problems. There should always be representatives of the people who are the link between the people and the authorities.

 – A.H. Basavaraj

'Rajiv Gandhi's wish has no price'

 According to the 74th Amendment, elections should be held, local bodies should exercise power, no one can poke their nose. But, by not following Rajiv Gandhi's wishes, Congressmen are insulting their own party leader. Also, the city builder is going to divide Kempegowda's corporation and humiliate him.

 – N.R. Ramesh

 'Should not be vacant for more than six months'

 Rajiv Gandhi amended the constitution and empowered local bodies. It was stipulated that no local body should have an administrator for more than six months. However, there has been an administrator for years. Many problems are not being solved by the authorities because there are no corporators.

 – M. Udayashankar

Why Neglect only for corporation election?

•  53; Total Mayors (1949 to 2020)
•  33; 1949 to 1995 (Bangalore City Council – City Corporation)
•  10; 1996 to 2006 (Bangalore Metropolitan Corporation)
•  10; 2010 to 2020 (Greater Bangalore Metropolitan Corporation)

 No delay in becoming MLA, MP, why block for corporators: Question from former mayors

 Why Neglect only for corporation election?

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: Divide the corporation by any means. But before that, hold an election to uphold the will of the Constitution. There is no delay in becoming an MLA, MP. You make elections according to the time. But, why is neglect only for local body elections...?

 Opinions and questions of former mayors of the corporation.

 Elections to the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha are held from time to time as per the constitution. The people's representatives elected by this have been postponing the elections to the local bodies as stated in the same constitution. He said that this is an insult to democracy.

 It would be good to divide Greater Bangalore administratively. If they are divided into four or five companies, they will not be able to coordinate with each other. If a major road runs between three corporations, each side is different. This is just an example. All development work will be affected. It may be better to put this together and form a system. But it is not right to postpone the election on the pretext of this,' opined former mayors.

 Can't even lift a lump of garbage. The authorities do not listen. In Basavagudi, the Rajkaluve work was not done properly and water entered some houses and they were floating. Officials do not care about people. Ex-mayor Katte Satya said that no rules are being followed.

Ward redistricting unconstitutional: According to the constitution, redistricting of wards should be done on the basis of the last census. However, now 225 wards have been made according to 'Projected Census' instead of 2011 census. that it is unconstitutional Former Mayor PR Ramesh informed.

 The central government's failure to conduct a census is a failure of the government. This should be corrected by the BJP government that was in power last time. He said that Bangalore is being developed without a hitch.

 What do former mayors say?

 'Officials going astray'

 The number of officers in BBMP has increased. People's representatives and ministers are also being misled. As chief minister, no one has control over the administration of the city. Due to the mistakes of the past, no work is being done to benefit the people of the city. BBMP should be elected first. Then any kind of division can be done' said P.R. Ramesh opined.

 "Rajiv Gandhi's wish should not be threatened"

 Rajiv Gandhi amended the constitution so that local bodies should not remain vacant for a single day without people's representatives and implemented the Panchayat Raj system. State governments should act so as not to harm their wishes. Elections should be held no matter what kind of changes are made, and should not be delayed further,' said M. Ramachandrappa said.

 'No mind to give power'

 MLAs and ministers are not giving authority to local bodies saying that we will be in power forever. If there are corporators, local problems will be solved sooner. They are postponing the election by complaining about each other. Also, BBMP should not be divided in any way. Bangalore's identity should be preserved' said S.K. Nataraj demanded.

'Everybody keeps procrastinating'

 BBMP should have elections from time to time. It is in the rule book itself that all the preparation should start six months before the end of the term. However, all the governments have not followed it and kept postponing the elections. They go to the court for any reason. Katte Satyanarayan opined that we will make another four or five Bengaluru Corporations is just a strategy to postpone the elections.

 'Democracy only when elections are held'

 If there is to be democracy, elections must be held. If elections are not held, where will democracy be? Officials should never wield power. That was the concern of Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru. Therefore, elections for local bodies should be conducted as per time', said K. Chandrasekhar opined.

Three years and Three-quarters over without corporators

 Gram swarajya, panchayat raj system is a black spot

 Three years and Three-quarters over without corporators

 History of Corporation Members (Year)

•  63; Bangalore Municipal Council (1983)
•  83; Bangalore Municipal Corporation (1989)
•  100; Bangalore Municipal Corporation (1996)
•  198; Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation (2010)
•  225; Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation (2023 proposal)

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 BENGALURU: Three-quarters of a year has passed without the corporators being 'taken up' by citizens to solve problems like garbage, culverts, roads, dirty water. For the first time since the establishment of the corporation, the corporation council has not been in existence for such a long period.

 With a history of around 162 years since the Municipal Board in 1862, local representatives are the lifeblood of Bangalore Corporation. The corporators are entrusted with the supervision of the development works of the city. However, in September 2020, the term of the BBMP Council has ended.

 It was Mahatma Gandhi's wish that 'every village should become a Swaraj' and take care of its own affairs as a decentralized government. In 1992, when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister, he amended the constitution and implemented the 'Panchayatraj system' across the country. However, the state government is not giving priority to such a wish. That is why the local elections are going ahead. 

 There have been no corporators in the state capital for three-quarters of a year. The continued centralized power of the Ministers and MLAs is contrary to the Constitution's intention of decentralizing power.

Due to such a centralized system, the daily problems of the citizens are not being solved. The Minister is the Chief Commissioner, even if he has made a helpline, shouldn't the local authorities respond to it? 800 sq.km city will the chief commissioner sitting in the central office or the administrator sitting in the mayor's position interact with the people like people's representatives?

 'Definitely not' is the word expressed by the citizens. The corporators in our locality respond to the citizens' problems. You can go to their house and tell them the problems. A loud one can do it. However, the authorities do not even talk to us. It is being heard everywhere that the officer is not responding even though he has been complaining about the common problems for three years. However, having corporators does not mean that everything is fine. Local problems can be solved more by them than MLAs and officials.

 enough...enough...

 Garbage was not disposed of in an area of Dasarahalli for the last one week. The road in that part has been dug for a week but the repair has not been completed. So waste collectors were not coming. Called BBMP control room to no avail. He did not know who to tell to control the smell of garbage. In the end it was enough to catch someone and dispose of the garbage. If it was the same corporator, this would not have happened. Residents of a barangay explained the incident by saying that they are needed to solve local problems.

 Meeting every month!

 If a council exists in BBMP, it meets every month. Citizens' issues are discussed there by corporators. They point out about the facilities required for their ward and the works that should not be done. The non-functioning officer will also be reprimanded. It cannot be said that they work in a completely pro-people manner. However, the corporator immediately responds to garbage disposal, road potholes, silt in drains, clearing of tree-branches, electric pole, wire problem, water supply interruptions that citizens face on a daily basis. The boys around him also run around and make sure that the work is done.

BBMP Eight zones are underdeveloped knot

 BBMP: A centralized system; Controlled by the Chief Commissioner

 BBMP Eight zones are underdeveloped knot

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 BENGALURU: Realizing that the 800 square kilometer area of BBMP cannot be managed by a central office, it has been divided into eight zones, but even after a decade, the zones continue to suffer due to lack of power and development funds.

 When the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Corporation was formed, a rule was made that the 'large area' that came under the jurisdiction of the city should be left to the local administration without sitting at the central office at Narasimharaja Chowk. However, even though senior IAS grade officers were appointed as Zonal Commissioners, local administration did not get a chance. Instead, everything is being controlled by the Chief Commissioner sitting in the central office.

 After the formation of BBMP, joint commissioners were appointed for eight zones. Zone-wise Sub-Revenue Divisions were created and empowered. They were identified as ward works and directed to carry them out. However, there would have been nothing in the budget except ₹2 crore each for the wards. Planning, road infrastructure, large waterways, technical cell, forest, lake, urban planning, including overbridges, underpasses were managed by the engineers sitting in the central office leaving eight zones and they are still in charge.

 The government decided to restructure the zones as development would not be possible if they remained like this. Senior IAS officers were made Zonal Commissioners instead of Joint Commissioners. The Joint Commissioner was directed to handle the revenue department only. However, the Zonal Commissioner seems to have no work to do. Their work is only a few crore works called ward works, rain water control, property tax collection. 

It seems that there is no staff to work in BBMP which is full of senior IAS officers. Apart from commissioners for eight zones, IAS officers have also been assigned to revenue, advertisement, TDR, climate change, planning, administration, finance, IT, election and education departments. Even so, development work is not being managed by BBMP. If there are new corporations, the number of these IAS will increase further.

 Conflict is more: 

Even if there are IAS officers for eight zones, the unachievable development and uncontrollable problems will be solved if there are five corporations. Mayor, deputy mayor, committee, officials, all expenses will be excessive and people will not get any benefit. There is also an opinion that there is a possibility of increasing the daily conflict due to discrimination in fund distribution and income.

 There is no separate budget for the zone

 The government took a decision to present the budget separately for the eight zones to allow them to carry out necessary development works. Accordingly, senior IAS officers were posted to the zones. However, even after two years, the separate budget has not been implemented. During the preparation of the budget, proposals are submitted for necessary works and grants from the sectors. No one considers them. Everything is decided by the officers and ministers sitting in the central office and the budget is prepared.

 Confusion in allotment of wards

 The confusion in the allocation of wards to the zones has not been resolved even after a decade. The situation is the same as when there were 198 wards, now the same situation continues in 225 wards. East and South zones have 44 wards each, while West zone has 46 wards. The number of wards in each of the remaining five constituencies does not exceed 24. Dasarhalli assembly constituency is divided into one zone. There should have been a lot of development in this zone with 11 wards. However, the works are not being done here due to the number of officers. Without the target of development, the zonal authorities are building roads, drains and laying asphalt with the funds brought by the legislators.

• 8; Zone in BBMP
•  28; Assembly constituencies
•  225; No. of wards

 Zone: Yalahanka – 2

 Assembly Constituencies: Yelahanka- 4, Batarayanpur- 10

 Wards: 14

 Zone: Mahadevpur – 2

 Constituency: K.R. Pura – 11, Mahadevpur – 11

 Wards: 22

 Zone: Dasarahalli–1

 Constituency: Dasarahalli-11

 Wards: 11

 Zone: Rajarajeshwari Nagar–2

 Constituencies: Rajarajeshwarinagar- 12, Yeshavantpura- 8

 Wards: 20

 Zone: West – 6

 Constituency: Malleshwar- 7, Rajajinagar- 6, Gandhinagar- 7, Chamarajpet- 7, Govindarajanagar- 9, Mahalakshmi Layout- 8

 Wards: 44

 Zone: South – 6

 Constituencies: Vijayanagar – 9, Basavanagudi – 6, Padmanabhanagar – 8, BTM Layout – 9, Jayanagar – 6, Chikkapet – 6

 Wards: 44

 Zone: East – 6

 Constituencies: Hebbala- 8, Pulakeshinagar- 7, Sarvajnanagar- 10, C.V. Raman Nagar – 8, Shantinagar – 7, Shivajinagar – 6

 Wards: 44

 Zone: Bommanahalli – 3

 Constituencies: Bommanahalli – 12, Bangalore South – 11, Anekal – 1

 Wards: 24

Bbmp: The 'mantra' of elections; the strategy of division

 'Nobody' wants corporators in BBMP; Dominance of MLAs and Ministers

 The 'mantra' of elections; the strategy of division

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

 Bengaluru: At a time when the stage is being prepared for the elections to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara palike, the talk of division is being heard again. Due to this, there is a doubt that the election may be postponed by several months.

 The Congress, BJP and JD(S) parties continued to postpone the BBMP elections while showing the 'distant hill' to their workers that the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections should be over. Assembly elections are over, Lok Sabha elections are also over. But only the BBMP election has not been decided yet.

 After the Lok Sabha elections were over, there was talk that another election would be held this time. However, the talk of 'partition strategy' has come to the fore again. Even in 2014, it was said that the election will be held after the Lok Sabha elections. As the ruling Congress won 9 constituencies in the state, the BBMP did not go to the trouble of holding the elections.

 It had said that BBMP will be divided into three parts to postpone the elections. It was tabled in the Legislature and consent was obtained amid three days of debate. That bill which went to the President's signature did not come back. Local opposition to partition cooled. Elections had to be held in 2015 by court orders. Congress came to power along with JDS. 

The term of BBMP Council has ended in September 2020. Although it has been almost four years, only the idea of holding elections is being heard. Even though the processes to be carried out by the government for the elections were done, they were all like postponing the elections. When the elections were to be held, the BJP government started the process of increasing the wards. It took more than a year for this. 198 to 243 wards were re-divided. 

 Allegations were heard that the division of wards was not done according to the population. Former corporators themselves went to court. BJP government also announced reservation for 243 wards. The court was approached saying that this is also not correct. MLAs of all parties were also behind the screen. He had made all the strategies and mantras to advance the election.

 After the Congress government came to power in 2023, it canceled the previous ward redistribution and created 225 wards at a rapid pace. Sabubu said that the 'caste census' report should come in order to announce reservation while considering whether to leave the election. When the report was released in late February, it was said that the BBMP elections would not be possible when the Lok Sabha elections were around the corner.

 After the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress government is in the same situation as it was in 2014. Both the neighboring constituencies, including the three constituencies of the BBMP, have gone to the BJP. Thus, there is an allegation that the weapon of 'divisiveness' has been used to postpone the election. 

Court order both times!

 In 2007, after Bangalore Mahanagara Palika (BNP) became Greater Bangalore Mahanagara Palika, both the elections were held on the orders of the court.

 On the pretext of redistribution from 100 wards to 198 wards, the then BJP government had been postponing the elections that were supposed to be held in 2008. The court then ordered and ordered the election to be held. Due to this, elections were held in 2010.

 In 2014, after the expiry of the BBMP council term, another election was to be held. The then Congress government had tried to postpone the election saying that the BBMP would be divided into three parts. Then the election was held in 2015 with the intervention of the court.

 The 'caste census report' is not agreed, though...

 Deputy Chief Minister D.K. said that there is a court order and elections have to be held. Shivakumar says. However, if reservation is to be fixed for 225 wards, the government must agree to the 'caste report'. It should be notified accordingly. Then the ward should be allocated. Even though all this process is completed during wartime, it takes four months to complete the ward reservation process. If someone goes to the court saying that reservation is not right, then everything will be blocked again. It is being said that this is what the MLAs and ministers of all parties want and what is being done behind the scenes.

RECHARGE PIT is mandatory in Canals, Drains

•  13,873 km; Road under BBMP
•  860 km; Rainwater is a huge channel
•  5,500 km; Road under BDA

 No need for concrete for drain bottom: Notice to BBMP, BDA again

 RECHARGE PIT is mandatory in canals

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: BBMP and BDA have been warned once again that concrete should not be placed at the bottom of the road side drains and rain water RECHARGE PIT should be made at storm water drains and road side drains.

 Development Commissioner Shalini Rajneesh has indicated that the areas of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara palike (BBMP) and Bebgaluru Development Authority (BDA) are under the scope of the Suvarnamukhi River Basin Reclamation Project, and these departments should arrange rainwater RECHARGE PIT in the areas under their jurisdiction.

 Most of the rain water in South Taluk of the city flows into Suvarnamukhi River. The area of BBMP and BDA is increased in this area, and 'RECHARGE PIT' should be constructed to channel the rain water falling in the city into drains. Henceforth, while constructing new drains, it has been advised that concrete should not be placed at the bottom.

 Rainwater flows into water bodies from drains and large canals. Thus, it should be ensured that plastic, sewage water and solid waste materials do not enter the drains. All kinds of constructions obstructing water bodies should be cleared and people should be made more aware about rain water harvesting. It has been suggested that the Chief Engineer of Rajkaluwe Division (SWD) of BBMP should ensure that solid waste does not enter the water bodies.

Establishment of STP: 

It is necessary to control sewage water area wise within Bangalore Water Board. Bwssb should ensure that everyone has sewerage connection in inhabited areas. Sewage water should be treated before it is discharged into the open canal. For that, the BWSSB has been ordered to construct waste water treatment plants (STP) wherever required.

 BBMP, BDA and Bwssb should implement all these works within the available funds without expecting any kind of additional funds. It was ordered on May 17 that the action plan should be prepared within a month and the implementation work should begin.

 NGT order is not being followed!

 Concrete should not be placed at the bottom of canals and drains through which rainwater flows. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered that concrete drains should not be constructed in box type or U shape. However, none of the departments in the city, including BBMP, BDA, are following this order. If two side walls are constructed, the work requires more care. It is easy to construct drains in box or U shape with concrete. Therefore, even the senior engineers have not taken into account the NGT order, said BDA and BBMP engineers.

More than a crore RECHARGE PIT (Ingugundi) is possible!

 RECHARGE PIT has been constructed in road drains in Yediyur ward. Due to this, the amount of rain water flow is reduced and ground water is also increased. Similarly, crores of RECHARGE PIT can be built all over the city. However, such work has not been done everywhere. The work is done according to the will of the local people's representatives. The engineers informed that no one will do the inspection.

 There are more than 13,000 km of road in the BBMP area, which is 26,000 km including both sides. Even if at least 5 RECHARGE PIT are constructed per km, there will be more than 1 crore RECHARGE PIT. Millions of liters of water can be sent to the earth in every rain. If water wells are constructed in BDA, BMRDA and urban districts, groundwater will be enriched.

Conocarpus: 'Dubai plant' dangerous to health

 Thousands of plants are also planted in nurseries of Forest Department, BBMP, BDA on roads

 'Dubai plant' dangerous to health

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 Bengaluru: Conocarpus plant, which spoils the rain environment, adversely affects the health of citizens, is banned in the UAE and two states of the country, is spreading in the city.

 Conocarpus plant has been banned in Gujarat and Telangana states in 2023 as it is harmful to human health and will cause a situation where the rains do not come down in the area where these plants grow. In Gujarat these plants and trees have been cleared uprooted and burnt.

 The harmful Conocarpus plant also known as 'Dubai plant' has been planted and is being planted by Forest Department, BBMP, BDA in most areas of the city. BBMP and BDA are growing hundreds of conocarpus plants in the middle of the city's main main road, outer ring roads and central part roads. BBMP has also planted conocarpus in its gardens.

 Thousands of saplings are also being cultivated in the nurseries of BDA, BBMP and Forest Department. Conocarpus is fast growing and does not require much care. Rather quickly the green spreads and takes root. Due to this, government departments are planting more of this plant. In order to show more greenery, citizens, authorities are nurturing plants that are harmful to the environment.

There was not much information about the adverse effects of Conocarpus plant. Planted to grow fast. There are also plants in nurseries. Recently, experts have brought to our attention that it absorbs ground water more and affects breathing. Its seeds are large, from which plants arise. We now know that this is fatal. We have brought to the attention of senior officials about banning these plants. BBMP and BDA officials said that the higher officials of the forest department should take action.

 Associations and citizens should not plant large number of deadly Conocarpus plants in the nursery of BBMP and Forest Departments on the occasion of Environment Day. Experts have requested that only local plants should be given priority.

Harmful to Health...

 Conocarpus plant – The tree is high in carbon and emits a deadly acid that has a harmful effect on the human body, causing respiratory problems. Allergic diseases including cold, cough, asthma arise. Harmful to the health of native insects, birds and animals. In winter, this plant-tree is more affected. Excessive rooting can also damage underground cables and pipelines. 

 'should be Clear...'

 Conocarpus, which is prohibited elsewhere as it affects health and is naturally deadly to insects and birds, should not be cultivated. Plant expert N.M. should also take action to clear the trees and plants that are being planted and grown. Ganesh Babu demanded.

'We have brought to our attention...'

 We have brought to the attention of the forest department officials about the planting of conocarpus trees in BBMP. The dangers caused by these plants were explained to them and they were requested to take action to ban them. Planted plants should be removed. Before that, care should be taken not to plant these trees,' said 'Tree Doctor' Vijay Nishant.

 'We will take action...'

 Experts have brought to our home attention about the ill effects of Conocarpus plants. The plant is grown in the middle of the roads as it is more green. We will bring it to the attention of senior officials and discuss it and take action," said BBMP Forest Department officers.