‘Govt to frame new law to empower BBMP’

DyCM meet: Discussions on metro, women safety, drugs...

The government will frame a new law to give more powers to the BBMP for the effective governance of the city, said Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara.

Parameshwara, who held a meeting of legislators representing the constituencies in Bengaluru on Monday, said the government
welcomed the suggestion for a new law.

Asked about the delay in restructuring the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), he said the government was still studying the BS Patil Committee’s report and would take a decision soon.

“The government will take a call on splitting the BBMP after examining the report, he said. “The new law will be framed to help the BBMP overcome the limits of the municipality Act, under which it operates at present. The rules under the law will apply to the restructured corporation. We are yet to decide whether it should be divided into five or three corporations,” the minister said.

Parameshwara, who also holds Bengaluru Development portfolio, said the officials were instructed to shut down factories manufacturing plastic covers and materials that have contributed in a large-scale to garbage menace, besides threatening the environment.

“We have banned plastic. But in reality, it is still sold in shops. The legislators have demanded a total ban and I have instructed officials to enforce the rule strictly,” he said.

He said flexes and banners erected without requisite permission would be removed and the rule violators would be punished. When pointed out that the flexes have come up after MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao was appointed the chief of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, Parameshwara said: “the suggestion had come from a legislator and the issue would be immediately taken up”.

76 govt schools to BBMP

Parameshwara said 76 government schools in the city were still under the education department.

“The corporation at present runs 156 schools. We have received suggestions for handing over these 76 schools to the BBMP. The Palike would submit a proposal in this regard soon,” he said.

5000 CCTV cameras for women’s safety The government will install 5000 CCTV cameras in the city as a part of its efforts to enhance the surveillance and in turn, ensure the safety of women and children. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said the cameras will be installed at a cost of Rs 640 crores, of which the Union government will share 60% under the Nirbhaya funds. "There is also a demand for better lighting. The BBMP has already prepared plans for the installation of LED lights. We will decide on the project after receiving their proposal," he said.