Suggestions will have to wait for now

Kasturirangan report on restructuring governance

The report of Dr Kasturirangan, which, according to officials has been accepted “in principle,” recommends direct elections to mayor’s post and amendment of certain provisions of Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964.

“A cabinet sub-committee has been set up by the Government to look into the modalities of the elections as recommended by the report,” an official said. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, in his review of the working of city agencies earlier this month, had categorically stated that the recommendations could not be acted upon for BBMP elections this time owing to lack of time in view of the deadline set by the High Court.

Ironically, the officials had earlier told Deccan Herald that the report itself was the major reason for the delay in conducting Palike elections. Former Mayor, P R Ramesh also showed little interest in the implementation of the report. He wanted the government to keep its word to the HC on the delimitation fiasco, and later think of the report.

A member of the Agenda for Bangalore Infrastructure Development (ABIDe) said the body supported the CM’s statement on the panel’s report since the Government required time to adopt the recommendations. Incidentally, ABIDe had also recommended direct elections to the mayor’s post.