The Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) today recommended splitting the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into five corporations.
In a submission made to the committee on restructuring of the BBMP, the B.PAC said: “B.PAC’s recommendations to restructure Bengaluru into five corporations is based on the detailed analysis of data on revenue generation possibilities, population density, political considerations, administrative aptness, regional growth potential among other parameters, and also in comparison with other metros.”
T V Mohandas Pai, vice-president, Revathy Ashok, CEO & Managing Trustee, B.PAC, Hari Parameshwar, Head of Regulatory affairs, B.PAC, R K Misra, Director, Center for Smart Cities, and others made the detailed presentation to BBMP expert committee headed by B S Patil, former chief secretary of Karnataka and members Siddaiah and Ravichandar.
B.PAC has recommended the creation of five corporations: Bengaluru Central (erstwhile BMP), North (Yelahanka and Dasarahalli), South (Bommanahalli), East (Mahadevapura) and West (R R Nagar). Core Bengaluru (erstwhile BMP) has been retained as Bengaluru Central; four corporations (Bengaluru East, West, South and North) on the periphery provide opportunity for future growth and development; wards in these four corporations are to be reorganised with a population of 20,000 per ward given their low population density and future growth potential.
B.PAC has also called for the existing administrative boundaries to undergo minimal disruption as the existing zones are being designated as new corporations and it provides a competitive edge for all five corporations. It has also called for full-time mayors for a period of five years directly elected by the citizens.
Also, apart from the elected corporators, each city corporation council will include well-known citizens and domain experts through nominations; the corporation will be headed by a commissioner of the city for five years based on their competence and familiarity with urban issues through a global search.
It also calls for a separate police commissioner for each corporation; focus on technology, e-governance and advanced infrastructure; a Bengaluru Metropolitan Council (BMC) for centralised planning and resource utilisation; the creation of a Bengaluru Infrastructure Development Corporation (BIDC) in place of BDA with the responsibility for all major infrastructure development and maintenance across all five corporations including: major roads (arterial and sub-arterial roads), storm water drains, lakes and forest.
The B.PAC has also recommended strengthening the finances of the corporations. It has called for earmarking a percentage of the professional tax for the respective corporations; 50 per cent of the stamp duties and 50 per cent of the road tax from the corporation limits be set aside for the city’s development; the infrastructure cess on petrol and diesel to be utilised by the corporations and the infrastructure cess of Rs 100 per sq ft for the newer corporations for new development to fund growing infrastructure needs of these peripheral areas.
After making submissions Mohandas Pai, Vice-President, B.PAC, said: “Bengaluru has the potential to grow at the peripheral areas and each corporation could generate its own revenue. We suggested the expert committee to facilitate a logical restructuring looking at the projected data and scope for future expansion.”
