Soon after assuming charge as the Bengaluru Development minister, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Monday (May 29) that the long pending Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections will be held at the earliest.
Speaking after holding a meeting with top officials of the civic body, he said, “We do not want the administration to fully be in the hands of the officials. We will constitutionally hold the elections, and the BBMP should also get ready for it.”
At the meeting, Mr. Shivakumar spoke about bringing in various changes in the functioning of the civic body. He also ordered them to amp up work related to monsoon preparedness immediately.
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“Identify the bottlenecks which prevent the smooth flow of rainwater and rectify them. Due to the problems faced during rain, apart from the government and BBMP, the city itself is getting a bad name. It is your responsibility to correct this,” Mr. Shivakumar told the officials.
Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath and BBMP administrator Rakesh Singh were both present at the meeting. Speaking against corruption, he told the officials to work with 100% honesty and sincerity and uphold the dignity of the government and the Palike. “This should become a corruption free Corporation,” he said.
He also demanded accountability from the BBMP and ordered them to submit photo and video records, along with details about expenses for all the civic works which have been taken in the last three years under various projects, constituency wise.
Projects
Mr. Shivakumar said that the works which have not begun even after the release of grants and the works which have not been completed within the stipulated time should be paused immediately. “A list of projects which have been billed without work, projects which have been double billed and the works for which two companies have given the same bills should be provided within ten days,” he said in the meeting.
He also said that he would conduct inspections along with the officials at the places where civic works are going on. Further, he said that the BBMP officials should take pictures and videos of places before starting civic work there.
The minister told the officials to ensure that solid waste should not be disposed of on connecting roads on the outskirts of the city, and steps should be taken for scientific disposal of both dry and wet waste.
Meeting with BDA officials
Later in the evening, Mr. Shivakumar also held a meeting with top Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) officials including BDA Commissioner Kumar Naik, Additional chief secretary for urban development Rakesh Singh and others.
