G. Kumar Naik took charge as the 61st Commissioner of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Monday, two days after the state government issued an order in this regard.
With his task cut out as the head of the BBMP, he said that he was happy to be provided with an opportunity to serve the city he called his own. Here are excerpts of an interview:
What will be your focus in the BBMP?
The focus will be on improving and augmenting revenue generation, cutting down on expenditure and ensuring better service delivery for the citizens. I will also prioritise on solid waste management and take steps to ensure that the city’s green tag is retained.
What do you thinks needs immediate attention in BBMP?
While prioritising on on-going works, due attention will be given to drinking water shortage in the summer months and rain preparedness ahead of the monsoon. I have already been interacting with the previous Commisisoner M. Lakshminarayan about this and he has apprised me of the various measures that have been initiated in this regard.
With no elected body in place and trifurcation of the BBMP imminent, how do you propose to tackle the crucial period?
Every minute in the BBMP is crucial. The civic body touches so many aspects of the citizens’ lives. The city is also evolving and the government has already dissolved the council. It is incidental that there is no elected body in place. However, I am prepared to discharge my duties with or without the elected body.
What would be your message to the citizens?
I would urge the citizens to cooperate with the BBMP in all its endeavours. I would also like to set an example to the officials by being accessible to the people. Citizens can get in touch with me through the regular channels that already are in place in the BBMP.
