City MLAs corner George over garbage crisis

Bengaluru City MLAs on Thursday took Bengaluru Development Minister K J George to task over the city’s garbage problem.

The minister had convened a meeting of senior BBMP officials, city MLAs and the mayor. According to sources, MLAs cutting across party lines, including Aravind Limbavali and Byrathi Basavaraj, attacked the minister for not resolving the issue. Highlighting the crisis in their respective constituencies, they demanded that the minister resolve the problem at the earliest.

Later speaking to the reporters, George defended the transfer of senior IAS officer T M Vijay Bhaskar, who was relieved of his charge as BWSSB chairman. An order to this effect was issued on Thursday.

Terming his transfer as an administrative matter, George said he had nothing to do with the development and that it was Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision. He also said the government had initiated disciplinary action against KAS officer K Mathai and shunted him out from his post as Assistant Commissioner, BBMP.

Vijaya Bhaskar was appointed as BWSSB chairman last September. Recently, the government relieved him of his services as Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development department, and BDA chairman. Though he was transferred as Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Ecology, he had retained additional charge at BWSSB till Thursday.
There is speculation that George was responsible for the officer’s transfer.