Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Tuesday assured the Opposition leaders in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) of forming standing committees within eight days.
Several councillors from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) staged a dharna in front of Mr. Yeddyurappa's residence here seeking formation of standing committees and thorough discussion on the Rs. 2,000-crore worth projects that were accorded approval at last week's Council meeting.
Opposition leader from the Congress M. Nagaraj told The Hindu that Mr. Yeddyurappa held a meting with the delegation for about 25 minutes. “He concurred that there should have been a discussion before the projects were accorded approval, as per the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976. We also told him a committee headed by MLAs to look into drilling of borewells was against the KMC Act.
He said the order would be revoked soon,” he said.
Earlier, the councillors raised slogans against the BJP, Mr. Yeddyurappa and city in-charge Ministers R. Ashok and Katta Subramanya Naidu. Speaking to The Hindu , Siddapura Councillor R. Udayshankar objected to the handing over of roadworks to the Bangalore Development Authority.
“The BDA has not been able to provide basic infrastructure in its own layouts. Also, does the Government think that the councillors and BBMP will not be able to handle these projects?”
He alleged that the projects should once again be placed before the Council for discussion. “Let the BDA develop lakes, build flyovers and underpasses: we will not object that. We are against the handing over of roadworks. We will demand discussion on the projects by applying under Rule 51 of the KMC Act. Or else, we will take the issue to the court,” he added.
Meanwhile, ruling party leader B.S. Sathyanarayana maintained that they were ready for debate on the projects.
“However, the Opposition did not allow that as they stormed into the well and staged a protest. They did not give any room for discussion or debate on the projects.”
He also said that contrary to the Opposition claims, approval had been accorded to works worth around Rs. 98.57 crore.
“These are the various works that will be taken by the BBMP. We are not transferring any property belonging to the BBMP to BDA. Instead, we are signing a memorandum of understanding. The property will still remain with the BBMP,” he claimed.
