BCC's lavishness costs the taxpayer dearly

BCC's lavishness costs the taxpayer dearly
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: An official machinery in animated suspension, traffic blockades, manpower misuse and verbal orgy of the councillors. These are the highlights of any public function organised by Bangalore City Corporation (BCC).

BCC spends half of its time and resources on public functions. The BCC clamour for the limelight featuring councillors and MLAs costing over Rs 1 crore per year is the case in point. In contrast, the BCC budgetary allocation for public functions is Rs 10 lakh.

Distribution of free sewing machines is a common pretext for these public functions, but the political bravado of the councillors takes precedence at the event.

BCC has organised 25 such functions since January. The expenses on shamiyana, seating arrangement, public address system, floral decorations and other decorations cost over Rs 60,000 per event. On an average 100-125 events are held punching a hole worth Rs 1 crore in the BCC wallet.

“Every councillor wants a function to be held in his ward with the minister and the mayor as dignitaries. Most of the time, contractors and engineers end up footing the bill,” said BCC sources.

According to guidelines, BCC can only pay for invitation cards, remuneration comperes, singers and photographers. This amounts to about Rs 6,500. The floral decoration comes from Horticulture department while engineers have to erect the shamiyana.

A sewing machine costs Rs 3000 at the current market price, the BCC can distribute 3,350 additional sewing machines to beneficiaries at the cost incurred on arranging these functions. Is it not possible for the BCC to cut the unnecessary expense save time, manpower and money and distribute the machines? Of course it is. But then how would the politicos survive?