BMP locks its doors to keep touts out

BMP locks its doors to keep touts out
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: From Thursday, the head office of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) will be closed for middlemen, brokers and other hangers-on.

The BMP has tightened security to ensure that only genuine citizens are allowed inside the premises. Officials may thus find ample time to do their work while some may be disappointed by the cut in “business” hours as unrestricted entry is now allowed only between 3.30 and 5.30 pm.

But, many were shocked to find the main gates locked on Thursday as even the visitors to the mayor’s office were prevented from entering. But, mayor Mumtaz Begum welcomed the decision.

‘‘The BMP office was full of hangers-on who misused access to the authorities while citizens with genuine grievances suffered. These brokers have brought disrepute to the civic body,’’ she said.

BMP Commissioner K Jairaj said the officials needed time and space to focus on civic matters and maintained that it was just a regulation and not a total restriction. Even otherwise citizens can meet officials, but only with prior appointments, he said. The organisation needed to develop a culture of discipline, he added.

However, leader of the ruling party H Ravindra said the restriction would tarnish the image of the civic body.

‘‘They should not lock the main gates. How can political leaders have exclusive visiting hours? We need to be among the people always,’’ he said.

BJP leader A H Basavaraju said it was a good step towards bringing order to the chaotic ways of the BMP’s functioning. However, he also said that locking the gates was not the right approach to tackle the issue.