Bengaluru likely to have three civic bodies

Bengaluru: Bengaluru is likely to have three municipal corporations if Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot gives his assent to the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024, that has been slammed by some activists for some of its "unconstitutional" provisions.

There is consensus among Congress lawmakers on the trifurcation move. Some BJP MLAs are said to be supporting the legislation in their personal capacity, according to sources familiar with the matter. 

If the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is divided into three, BJP leaders hope to win at least two corporations. However, some see this as further delaying the BBMP elections. 

The bill, which provides for creating up to seven corporations, was passed in both Houses of the state legislature during the recently concluded budget session. The BJP, however, opposed the bill by walking out of the session. 

Given the confusion surrounding the bill, which introduces a first-of-its-kind entity called the Greater Bengaluru Authority, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is planning to personally brief the Governor on the significance of the legislation, DH has learnt. If that happens, it would set a precedence because typically officials are responsible for clearing doubts raised by the Governor. 

A senior official insisted that the number of corporations is yet to be finalised and said that the government would convene a meeting of all legislators to finalise the jurisdiction if the bill receives the Governor’s assent. 

"There are diverse opinions on the boundaries of the corporations. Some support reverting to the old Bengaluru Municipal Corporation limits and creating two new corporations on either side. Others advocate for a complete restructuring,” the officer said. 

During the restructuring process, the government is keen to absorb the Electronics City Industries Township Authority (ELCITA) within the new corporation boundaries. Karnataka may follow the Chennai model in this regard. 

Some citizens, including actor Prakash Belawadi, have voiced strong concerns about the bill, arguing that it introduces "unconstitutional" provisions that undermine Bengaluru’s local self-governance by shifting powers to the state government.

The bill has also been criticised for proposing the Greater Bengaluru Authority as a colonial-style superstructure, which adds another bureaucratic layer. 

Rizwan Arshad, the chairperson of the joint scrutiny committee of the bill, clarified that it does not violate the 74th Constitutional Amendment. "We have retained all municipal powers, including control over property tax, with the corporation itself. The Greater Bengaluru Authority has been proposed merely as a coordinating body," he said. 

Regarding the fixing of boundaries, he mentioned that the committee has recommended that the government consider factors such as population, revenue generation, and employment clusters as criteria, ensuring that development within each corporation is not hampered. 

Highlights - Options on the table
One municipal corporation may combine the northern and western parts of Bengaluru
The second may include the city's east and south
The third will likely cover the core areas within the Outer Ring Road

Restructuring plans
Deputy CM D K Shivakumar is planning to personally brief the Governor on the significance of GBGB
Opinions vary on boundaries of corporations; some want to revert to old Bengaluru Municipal Corporation limits
Govt keen to absorb the Electronics City Industries Township Authority (ELCITA) within new corporation boundaries