Proposal tabled on Tuesday in assembly, awaits nod on Wednesday
BENGALURU:
The proposal to increase the number of BBMP wards to 250 now awaits the ratification of the state legislature.
The Joint Advisory Committee, chaired by CV Raman Nagar MLA S Raghu, looking into a draft bill on restructuring BBMP, has already forwarded its recommendation to the government. On Monday, the panel met Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who reportedly agreed to the proposal to increase the number of BBMP wards.
Speaking to TheBengaluruLive on Tuesday, committee chairman S Raghu said, “The proposal was tabled in the assembly on Tuesday. We have held a discussion with the Chief Minister and our proposal will be given the nod on Wednesday after Law Minister JC Madhuswamy and the Chief Minister sign off on it.”
Raghu said, “The committee had decided on 250 BBMP wards, but this could be reduced by 2 or even 7. Even during the formation of BBMP, we had decided on 200 wards and finally arrived at 198. Similarly, the final number of wards now could be 243 or 248.”
Replying to a query, Raghu said all the MLAs on the committee had decided that BBMP should be outside the KMC Act which was framed in 1976. “We need to prepare a BBMP law in 2020 as it has a lot of significance. We will be holding another meeting on September 29 in this regard,” he added.
The committee has held 4 meetings in the last 15 days, and has discussed issues like the tenure of the BBMP mayor and deputy mayor, appointment of Zonal Commissioners and reducing the Standing Committees from 12 to 8.
Referring to property tax, Raghu said stringent action was needed to increase tax collection.
Also Read: https://thebengalurulive.com/bbmp-polls-in-a-limbo-as-panel-pitches-for-243-wards/
