JOIN USBangalore suburbs going through painful transition
Being located just outside the Bangalore agglomerate the panchayats face the unique task of tackling the problems specific to urban areas with a rural touch. Some panchayats have managed to handle the churning with incredible success, while others are spiralling down the doldrums.
The failures first. Campaigning for the zilla and taluk panchayat polls has picked momentum at Hulimangala village, two km from Bannerghatta National Park with party candidates stepping up efforts to woo voters. The electorate, however, seem immersed in their own problems.
The residents of this village feel that the benefits of rural development have not reached them - the only reason being their proximity to Bangalore. “The farmers here do not get free power. New roads have not been laid for the last 15 years. The elected panchayat representatives disappear soon after elections to lead a high life in Bangalore,” says Sitaram, a long time resident of the village.
Neither the urban development department nor the panchayat raj department consider the village in their jurisdiction, he feels.
Around 15 km down the state highway from Hulimangala is Haragade panchayat, located adjacent to the Jigani Industrial Area.
Political powerplay
The residents are least concerned with the political powerplay, scam charges and counter charges being played out in the state capital.
Kyathappa, a localite, sums up the situation in his panchayat. “We can’t do agriculture as most of our land has been bought by businessmen or have paved way for setting up industries. We are also not provided with jobs in the local industries.” The residents feel the results of the forthcoming panchayat elections will not make any difference to their plight. Well, its not sob stories all the way. It’s a refreshing change to visit to Mysasandra panchayat in Anekal taluk because the villagers are a happy lot. There is no campaigning here, for, the residents have already decided whom to vote.
The secret of their success? A close knit rural society which puts in a united effort for progress and development of their village. “When it comes to the welfare of the people of our village, there is no politics involved. Yes, city life is catching up fast but we have not forgotten our roots”, says 70-year old Venkatesh, with a gleam in his eyes.
Tacit understanding
Five km down south is Attibele. This panchayat, adjoining the Tamil Nadu border has been witnessing a lot of political churning ahead of the panchayat polls. Two JD(S) leaders have joined the BJP. The BJP workers claim there is a tacit understanding between the Congress and JD(S). But, the unwritten rule here is - whoever comes to power, has to work for development.
In a bid to mitigate the drinking water crisis in the village, Attibele panchayat has given permission for private players to supply piped borewell water to houses. Each house is paying Rs 125 a month for water.
In another unique initiative, the panchayat pooled in funds to construct a bus stand adjacent to Hosur Road.
The panchayat now gets a steady income from the rent collected from the shops inside the bus stand. The panchayat knowingly or unknowingly set former president Abdul Kalam’s concept of “Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas” into action.
