On Monday, the Karnataka Cabinet approved the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024, which aims to reorganize the city’s civic administration by dividing it into five zones. Sources told India Today TV that the bill is expected to be presented in the state Assembly during the Monsoon Session starting Tuesday.

Source: ThePrint

Full Story:

The draft bill proposes the creation of a new body called the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which will have expanded planning and financial powers. It suggests that the city be divided into five zones, each managed under a three-tier system. At the top of this system will be the Chief Minister, followed by municipal corporations, and then ward committees. The new governance setup will be led by both the Chief Minister and the Bengaluru Development Minister.

However, the opposition BJP views the current administrative setup as a legacy of their tenure. This debate over the proposed bill brings to mind previous efforts to reform Bengaluru’s governance. During Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s previous term, there was a proposal to split the Bengaluru civic body into three separate entities. While this proposal was approved by the Assembly, it was ultimately defeated in the Council. In 2019, the BJP opted for a different approach, choosing to pursue bureaucratic decentralization under a single corporation.

The lack of civic elections in Bengaluru over the past four years has led to numerous petitions pending before both the High Court and the Supreme Court, reflecting ongoing concerns and disputes about the city’s governance structure. These petitions highlight the dissatisfaction and unrest among citizens regarding the management of the city.

Source: Forbes India

Experts believe that the proposed legislative move is designed to address and improve governance across the Greater Bengaluru Area through a more structured and efficient system. They argue that the new system, with its three-tier structure, will ensure better planning and financial management, ultimately leading to improved services for the residents of Bengaluru.

The bill’s supporters claim that dividing the city into five zones will allow for more localized and responsive governance. Each zone will have specific needs and challenges, and the new structure is expected to address these more effectively. By having municipal corporations and ward committees under the Greater Bengaluru Authority, the bill aims to create a streamlined decision-making process, which should result in faster implementation of projects and better allocation of resources.

Critics, however, remain skeptical. They argue that without proper checks and balances, the new system could lead to increased bureaucracy and potential delays in service delivery. The opposition BJP also questions whether the proposed changes will truly benefit the city’s residents or if they are merely a political move.

As the bill moves forward, the debate will continue. Both supporters and critics will watch closely to see how the proposed changes will impact the governance and quality of life in Bengaluru. With the Monsoon Session of the state Assembly starting soon, all eyes will be on the discussions and decisions that follow.

Read Also:

12 Crore BBMP Budget For Brand Bengaluru, Here’s All You Need To Know