Is it back to the future for BBMP?

The state government is contemplating dividing the BBMP for more effective administration of the city, but the proposal may attract widespread unease among civic activists and the BJP, which controls the Palike.

In January 2007, then state government made Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) into Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) by merging seven city municipal councils, one town municipal council and 100 villages around Bangalore.

The state government is yet to make up its mind on whether to bifurcate the Palike into two corporation, or have three corporation as in Delhi, or have even four corporations.

Although the proposal is ostensibly aimed at better administration, it is seen as an attempt to gain control over the city corporations from the BJP that has absolute majority in the present BBMP council.

However, civic activists are against dividing the Palike. Some say that division would not solve the problems in the city, while others others blame the government for lacking a vision for the development of the city.

“It is advisable to empower the eight zones of the BBMP, by decentralising powers and functions, so that they can in effect function as eight municipal corporations, but with the overall coordination and synchronisation of policies being overseen by BBMP council and vommissioner. More importantly, the BBMP should empower the ward committees and area sabhas to perform the planning, implementation, monitoring and social auditing of the works at their respective wards,’’ says Kathyayani Chamaraj, executive trustee, CIVIC, Bangalore.

Some prominent citizens feel that the idea behind the bifurcation of the BBMP should not be a tool for the ruling party to appoint an administrator for the civic body and avoid holding elections.

Vinay Baindur, researcher on decentralisation and urban governance, feels that the idea of bifurcation or trifurcation or even more divisions of the BBMP was not the proper approach for governance.

NS Ramakanth, member, solid waste management round table, welcomed the government’s move. “I think the bifurcation or trifurcation of the BBMP will enable to have one or two more commissioners to monitor the development works as well as waste management in the city,’’ said Ramakanth.

Kalpana Kar, convener, Bangalore City Connect, said the bifurcation or trifurcation of the BBMP would not address the problems of the city unless there is a commitment and accountability among the BBMP employees.

Do you think the BBMP is too unwieldy to function effectively and efficiently? Or do you think the government is thinking of dividing the Palike for acquiring control over it? Have you say. Email at mybangalore@dnaindia.net or tweet #dnaofblr