International meet on urban development from Jan 27

‘Municipalika 2011’ on 'good urban governance for making cities work' will track the progress made under schemes like the JnNURM, assess the potential and the problems of cities, share best practices, replicate success stories, and draft future strategies and solutions.

S Suresh Kumar, Minister for Urban Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs told reporters on here Monday that the Palike will highlight progress it has achieved in areas such as solid waste management, e-governance, energy efficiency and health, in the conference.

More than 200 delegates from Karnataka can interact with experts from across the country and abroad to know the latest solutions, technologies, and practices in their sector.

Cost of the event, estimated at Rs 1.5 crore, will collected by charging exhibitors and delegates, he said.

"The State government has not given a single penny for the event," Suresh Kumar said. This year’s event, being held in Bangalore for the first time, will focus on Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

While the State Department of Urban Development will host Municipalika 2011, jointly with the Union Ministries of Urban Development, Housing and Poverty Alleviation. The Good Governance India, with the help of many other institutions, will organise the conference, and Fairfest Media Limited will organise the exhibition.

The conference, themed “good urban governance for safe, healthy, green, and smart cities”, will feature urban reforms, safety and security, water supply and waste water management, solid waste management, energy efficiency and affordable housing.

As many as 125 exhibitors will showcase technologies and products on cleaning technologies and conservation, urban transport and traffic management, construction technologies at the exhibition, with its theme - "urban infrastructure, municipal services, and built-environment." The exhibition will remain open from 10 am to 6 pm and the entry will be free.

Mayor’s outburst

In his very brief speech, Mayor S K Nataraj rued total lack of executive powers for him.  
He said: "Unfortunately, the Mayor's rights and powers are very limited. I cannot spend even Rs 10,000 from BBMP's coffers on my own. The Chief Minister should do something about this at the earliest."

It has been the topic for debate for quite a while now. The Bengaluru Region Governance Bill, 2009 which is pending before the Cabinet for approval, proposes to accept a number of demands aired by Nataraj.

Under Article 2, Section 33, Chapter 4 of the Bill, the Mayor has been proposed to have general powers of inspection and may direct the Commissioner on the implementation of any resolution of the civic agency or a standing committee for carrying out any obligatory and discretionary functions, and the commissioner shall comply with such directions.