Merger of CMCs, TMC with BMP likely next year

Merger of CMCs, TMC with BMP likely next year

The Hindu

BANGALORE: Primary and Secondary Education Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy, has said the merger of seven city municipal councils (CMCs) and one town municipal council (TMC) with the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) is likely to happen before the civic body goes to polls in late 2006.

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of the elections to the Town Planning, Works and Appeals committees in the BMP, he said there is a consensus on the issue among the members of all political parties.

"All parties are in favour of the merger. A final decision will be taken after Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, who also holds the Urban Development portfolio, clears it," he said.

Funds

Mr. Ramalinga Reddy expressed the confidence that the Government will not cut the promised rain relief grants to the BMP despite the Centre's letter to the State asking it to return a major part of the sanctioned amount.

"The Chief Minister had promised Rs. 100 crores for rain relief measures in Bangalore Urban and Rural districts. Of that, Rs. 30 crores has been promised to the BMP in the first phase, and Rs. 10 crores has been released. We are waiting for the remaining amount," he added.