Ruling party leader in BBMP Council Ashwath Narayana Gowda, on Wednesday, slammed civic agencies such as Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation for not cooperating with the Palike in maintaining the City.

He said BDA develops many layouts in City but does not provide residents proper amenities. BDA has become so commercial that it does not even allot CA sites in layouts. How are we to provide public with facilities such as tax centre, garden, library among others.

He urged Mayor B S Satyanarayana and Commissioner M Laxminarayana to see to that Bangalore Electricity Supply Company takes civic responsibility by providing street lights at two zones free of cost. BWSSB that has turned all lakes into sewage cesspools must be told to set up sewage treatment plants (STPs) at the water bodies by using their own funds, he added. 

Opposition leader B N Manjunath Reddy rued that BESCOM was unfairly levying commercial bills on schools, toilets and crematoriums handled by Palike.

Meanwhile, Yediyur ward Corporator N R Ramesh said there are a total of 1,058 parks in eight zones of Palike limits, out of which no developmental activities have been taken up in 71 parks. Palike spends Rs 15.53 crore annually for park maintenance through private contractors still the condition of parks is bad. Another serious problem being faced by Palike horticulture department is vacant posts numbering upto 484. Currently there are about 503 employees working  instead of 987, he said. 

Ramesh conceded that Ramky Company, that has signed an agreement with BBMP for managing solid waste in City since eight to ten years is not providing 500 tonne of manure annually to Palike, as per agreement. Till date, BBMP has received just 400 tonne, he added.  

Palike Commissioner M Laxminarayana maintained that he will look into the issues. The council meeting also saw Mayor and Commissioner ordering suspension of  BBMP assistant commissioner (advertisements)  Jagadish B N. The move was taken followed by corporators’ statements that Jagadish granted permission to Bhagath Motors for displaying advertisement at Horamavu underpass and Ramamurthy Nagar Underpass bridge.  "In each of the zones, a private agency has been roped in to remove illegal hoardings, flexes and banners,” the commissioner said.