JOIN USThe ruling BJP succeeded in capturing power at the Palike. The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike became Bruhat with the four-fold expansion of its territory to a radius of 800 sq km.
S K Nataraj assumed office as the Mayor of the Palike with extended limits and the four-year administrator’s regime thus came to end.
The newly-elected corporators have a daunting task ahead as the civic agency is facing a severe fund crunch. The Palike presented a budget with a total outlay of Rs 8,000 crore anticipating funds from the state government and financial institutions. However, the fiscal condition continues to be critical as the government backed out from releasing the promised fund of Rs 1,500 crore.
Revenue generation by way of property tax proved to a silver lining for the bankrupt Palike. As against a target of Rs 1,500 crore, the BBMP has raked up about Rs 900 cr in the last six months and another Rs 300 cr is expected by the end of the current financial year.
The newly-elected body had its share of infamy as well. In a brief span of six months, four corporators - two each from BJP and Congress - have been implicated in bribery and related charges.
Delay in constitution of Standing Committees and the work code scam dented the performance further. The BBMP saw two commissioners during the year.
The Council meetings for most part of year were marred with protests. With no concrete decisions on core issues and the Opposition disrupting the monthly proceedings, serious doubts have been cast over the Palike delivering on its promises.