Public hearing sought before launch of major projects

Memorandum to be submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Bangalore: 23/02/2014: Noted Poet G.S. Siddalingaiah and Freedom Fighter H.S. Doreswamy at the Launch of an agitation to reclaim Bangalore from vested interest destroying the city, which was organised by Namma Begaluru Fondation and BRACE resident welfare association at Freedom Park on Sunday. Photo: V Sreenivasa Murthy


Several resident welfare associations (RWAs) in the city have come together to put an end to what they call “lip service public consultation” and make citizens heard in the policy making process.

Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) and Bengaluru Residents’ Association Confederation Ensemble (BRACE), as part of an agitation to “reclaim Bangalore from vested interests destroying the city”, launched a signature campaign here on Sunday. The campaign aims to get 10 lakh people to sign a memorandum seeking public hearing before the launch of all major projects. The campaign will end on March 30 and the memorandum will be submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Though only a fraction of the 750 resident welfare associations touted to be part of the initiative turned up on the launch day, they were optimistic that the signature campaign would see better participation.

Explaining the cause, N.S. Mukunda, member, BRACE, said: “We don’t want a public consultation, but a public hearing. Give us the plan and 30 days’ time to study it and come up with pointers. These suggestions should be compiled and forwarded to an expert committee that will prepare the final draft that should be available in public domain. They should also mention why some suggestions could not be considered.”

Adding that the letter to be submitted to the Chief Minister was not a “petition” but a “demand”, he said: “A politician believes in numbers”.

Rajeev Chandrashekhar, MP, referring to the “tragic decline of the city”, said: “The city has been plagued by the conspiracy of vested interests where a group of politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen have taken over policy making. Cities exist for the citizens. The government has to work for their aspirations. We can be partners. We have the power of attorney and we can fight provided you are with us.”

Only on paper

While the resident welfare associations acknowledged that many ward committees were not meeting as councillors were not participating in them, Mahalakshmi Parthasarathy, director, NBF, said they were demanding specific norms to be implemented in public hearings, including videographing the proceedings and documenting the minutes.

Poet G.S. Siddalingaiah and freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy extended their support for the campaign.

Visit the website www.namma-bengaluru.org to participate.