Council term over, it’s Rau Rajya now

Council term over, it’s Rau Rajya now
Deccan Herald

Senior IAS officer Dilip Rau, who on Thursday took charge as the 24th administrator of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, gave an assurance to the people of the city, that the civic body will continue to be responsible in the absence of the elected body.


Senior IAS officer Dilip Rau, who on Thursday took charge as the 24th administrator of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, gave an assurance to the people of the city, that the civic body will continue to be responsible in the absence of the elected body.

“There is no question of ignoring the public. We are after all in a democratic set up”, he said, during a brief interaction with the media after taking charge.

He took charge in the presence of Commissioner K Jairaj and other senior officers of the BMP.


The last Mayor in the exiting council Mumtaz Begum and Opposition leaders B R Nanjundappa (JD-S) and H Basavaraj (BJP) were present on the occasion.

Mr Rau also remains Principal Secretary, Energy. The government notification on his appointment states that he is “concurrently appointed” as administrator of BMP.

The notification was issued on Thursday afternoon, when just a few hours remained for the expiry of the term of the elected body, after the High Court dismissed a PIL (by former mayor P R Ramesh), questioning the draft notification on Greater Bangalore. Rau is now the approving authority for all decisions emanating from the Commissioner and his team. Responding to media queries, he hoped that Greater Bangalore will become “a reality as soon as possible,” but saw no role for himself in ensuring that elections are held soon.

“It is not within my purview. It is between the government and the State Election Commission. I cannot comment on it,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Jairaj too promised that the public’s aspirations will be reflected in their decisions.

Discordant notes

Administrator Rau’s introductory session with the BMP’s top brass, after he took charge, was interrupted by Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj, who was protesting the imposition of administrator rule as “the murder of democracy.”

The state government should have at least called an all-party meeting on the issue, he said.

PROFILE

*An Additional Chief Secretary rank officer, Dilip Rau is the younger brother of Chief Secretary Malathi Das.

*A 1972-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, his previous assignments include - Chairman of BDA and Deputy Commissioner of Hassan.

*He has been Principal Secretary, Energy since 2003 and continues to hold the position.

ADMINISTRATOR SPEAKS

"It's challenging assignment and an honour too. I have been here before - in 1978 as Deputy Commissioner (Development), during the renowned tenure of late Lakshman Rau. I hope to be inspired by his example."



"We will continue to be in consultation with the public. There is no need for any fear."

"Many large infrastructure projects are already in the pipeline (that being so), new projects will come later."

"Priority is for basic infrastructure - roads, sewage water drains and easing traffic congestion."