As in the previous Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council meetings, this time too works worth several crores of rupees were approved amidst chaos on Thursday.
Works estimated at Rs. 28.32 crore were approved even as councillors of the major Opposition parties, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), were staging a protest in the well of the House.
The projects
The works include an underpass using precast elements at one of the junctions on Dr. Rajkumar Road (Rs. 1.28 crore), widening of Outer Ring Road, asphalting and construction of pedestrian subway at Hosakerehalli Main Road (Rs. 3.17 crore), improvement of Yelahanka lake in Byatarayanapura zone (Rs. 14.40 crore), construction of a railway bridge near Hoodi and Byappanahalli (Rs. 3.19 crore and Rs. 3.10 crore respectively) and a railway underpass at FCI Godown in K.R. Puram (Rs. 3.11 crore).
The Opposition parties objected to the approval when the House was not in order. Leader of the Opposition M. Nagaraj and a few senior councillors met Commissioner Siddaiah after the meeting was adjourned and urged him to review the resolutions.
Third time
This is the third time that projects were approved amidst chaos. This time, even the BJP councillors, including members of the Standing Committee of Taxation and Finance, did not know about the subjects that were tabled and approved in a hurried manner. Chairperson P.M. Sadashiva did not even have a copy of the resolutions.
K. Chandrashekar, Standing Committee member, said that all finance-related matters must first come to the BBMP panel. “The Mayor may table such subjects only if a notice is issued at least seven days prior to the council meeting. If it is under emergency works category, only one subject may be moved,” he said.
Earlier, the Congress councillors protested against the statement made by BJP councillor from Basaveshwara Nagar wWard H. Padmaraj against Yeshwanthpur Councillor Munirathna. It all began when the Garudacharpalya councillor raised the issue of stray dogs during zero hour. Demanding a reply from the Department of Animal Husbandry, he remarked: “Mr. Munirathna had claimed in the previous meeting he will look after the stray dogs.
“What happened to it?” Mr. Munirathna riposted: “Actually, someone needs to look after me.”
To this, Mr. Padmaraj retorted: “Go to Central Jail; you will be looked after well there.”
Pandemonium followed and Congress councillors stormed the well, demanding an apology from Mr. Padmaraj and his suspension saying he had failed to maintain decorum.
The protest continued even after the House resumed after the lunch break. Although floor leader of the ruling B.S. Sathyanarayana apologised on Mr. Padmaraj's behalf, the councillors did not relent.
