The New Year began on a happy note for members of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Council with the State Government, in its Wednesday order, granting a hefty increase in their honorarium.
The Mayor's honorarium has been increased to Rs. 20,000 from Rs. 5,000, Deputy Mayor's Rs. 15,000 from Rs. 3,500 and councillors Rs. 7,500 from Rs. 1,500. The revision comes after a 14-year hiatus. BBMP sources said that the last revision was in 1997.
After the new BBMP Council was formed, a proposal for the honorarium increase had been sent forwarded to the Government, but was rejected. A delegation, led by Mayor S.K. Nataraj and Ruling Party Leader B.S. Sathyanarayana, met Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and submitted another memorandum, which the Chief Minister approved.
Panel meetings
Mr. Nataraj said that as per the Act, Standing Committees must meet once a week. “They cannot function properly if they meet twice a month. We will urge the Government to change this,” he said.
