Government proposal to revive BATF hailed

Government proposal to revive BATF hailed
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Former members of the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) welcomed the Government’s proposal to revive the Task Force or set up a new Task Force for the development of the city.

Several former BATF members feel it would be a good move as the private sector and the Government agencies could work in partnership to address the city’s problems. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy recently indicated that the Government would form a Task Force, which would co-ordinate and expedite programme implementation and tackle infrastructure problems.

According to the former members, the impetus for this empowerment would have to come from the political leadership. Former member of Bangalore Agenda Task Force, Ravichander, said it was a welcome move it would involve collaboration between the Government, the private sector and civil society.

“It is better to have people coming up with creative solutions rather than the government working alone,” he added.

He stressed that this should not be restricted to the IT and BT sectors alone. Holistic solutions have to be found for all sections of society.

“Representatives of this Task Force should be people who are ready to roll up their sleeves and work actively with the government so that projects are implemented rather than just limiting it to empty rhetoric,” said Ravichander.

According to another former member of the BATF Kalpana Kar, ‘There should be an understanding between the urban local body and the government to make tomorrow better.

“There should be a partnership in works like drainage, water and roads, which cannot be done without the citizens’ support.”