Citizens slam Palike’s priorities

A meeting came down heavily on BBMP’s lopsided budget priorities by citing how it ignored people’s housing demands and, instead, allotted more funds for sign boards.

“Are sign boards, which are for the convenience of those who visit the area once in three years, more important than roofs over people’s head," asked A Shivashankar, president of the Federation of Civil Societies of Sagayapuram (FCSS) who organised a meeting of citizens, civic activists and the BBMP on Thursday.

What citizens and wards need, and what the BBMP proposes are as different as “heaven and hell.” Only about 20% of what the residents asked for has been incorporated in the budget, federation members said.

Of the total outlay of Rs392.35 lakh, the BBMP allocated Rs27 lakh for sign boards alone. Only Rs80 lakh was marked for housing for the poor. Demands of the citizens for community toilets, public library, renovation of nursery schools, and footpaths were also ignored.

Residents of Sagayapuram found also found through RTI applications that no Janaspandana programmes are being conducted in any of the 198 wards despite a BBMP circular issued as early as April 4.  

Also, the BBMP grievance redressal cell has not been working at the ward level.