Babus get grip on Greater Bangalore

Babus get grip on Greater Bangalore
The Times of India

Bangalore: Wi-Fi hotspots in obscure outskirts, enforcement teams to nip encroachments, clear basements across five zones and recruitment overhaul. These are some plans for Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (Greater Bangalore).
One of the priorities is identifying Wi-Fi hotspots. For this, the IT sector and the IT department are being roped in. Says BMP commissioner K Jairaj: “There are beefing-up plans, involving finance, IT and enforcement teams. In the new areas, we’ve to start from scratch, so we’ve adopted the draft report on the administrative framework of Greater Bangalore.’’
To start with, each of the five zones will have about 130 sq km. One of the recommendations is to have a police officer in charge of addressing the menace of encroachments. This officer will have a team whose domain includes clearing basements, protecting BMP properties and taking action on encroachments.
The initial estimate of 1,000 employees for Greater Bangalore has escalated to 4,000. The core staff will comprise staff from the engineering department, seven health officers, a supervisor and a DC. Survey of properties: A team will undertake physical evaluation of properties in the CMCs, TMC and village panchayats that will be part of Greater Bangalore; Rs 3,000 crore is required to cover the infrastructure deficit between BMP and the new areas. Says Jairaj: “We are roping in CRISIL and another civil engineering organisation to help with finances and infrastructure deficits.’’ Citizens form pressure group
Bangalore: Even before Greater Bangalore comes into existence, citizens and associations have come together to form an association — Citizens Action Forum for Greater Bengalooru.
Some 120 resident welfare associations across the city have come together to form this group. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, members of the Forum said they were placing a demand with the government to extend the last day for submitting suggestions and notifications. “The last date now is December 4 but we want it extended. Nobody has consulted citizens and associations in the formation of Greater Bangalore,” said the forum’s chief coordinator N S Mukund.