Karnataka budget: Promise to set up ward committees unimpressive

The state government has, for the third time, promised to implement the 74th amendment of the Constitution, giving urban civil society a say in what projects need to be taken up in wards. In his budget speech, chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda said: “The ward committee and area Sabha will be operationalised in all city corporations during this year, towards the goal of more transparent and accountable administration.”

The promise of the formation of ward committees was not only included in the manifesto of the BJP, but was also reiterated during the last BBMP elections, but is remains unfulfilled.

Residents’ welfare associations and citizen activists are not buying this promise. “Considering that this is the third time this promise is being made, it is only to pacify the public. Let the committees be formed and then we can get to work,” said Meenakshi Bharat of Malleswaram RWA.

Narahari Mukund, general secretary, Citizen’s Action Forum, said once the committees are set up, there would be regular monitoring meetings with the authorities to ensure proper implementation. “If the government is serious about setting up the ward committees and area sabhas, do not release the funds before this is done. This will ensure that citizens have a say in the projects that concern them,” he said.