Big push for Greater Bangalore

Big push for Greater Bangalore
The Times of INdia

Bangalore: An amendment to the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act of 1976, a benchmark legislation that will be a model for the rest of India, IT for transforming governance — these are just a few detailed reports being prepared by the expert committee on Greater Bangalore.
Headed by MP and scientist K Kasturirangan, the committee has since January had a series of meetings with government officials, resident welfare associations, MLAs, MPs and corporators. A report is being firmed up, but members are not sure when it will be ready.
Government sources explain, “The committee is looking at emulating the New York model of governance to set international standards. They are also looking at the Mumbai and Kolkata models, because of their sheer size.’’ The committee has as its members Public Affairs Centre chairperson Samuel Paul, IIIT-B director S Sadagopan and retired bureaucrat Shivarama Krishnan.
Explain committee members, “The KMC Act needs to be amended. We are looking at an ultra-modern benchmark legislation that would set the mode for the remaining ULBs. There would be generous use of IT in keeping with the Silicon City image.’’ Government sources confirm that a separate legislation for Greater Bangalore is being worked out.
Apparently IT would be used in a major way, with GIS/GPS already in place across wards. “The idea is to have small communities united by technology, this does not mean every citizen will have access to Internet or broadband,’’ explains a member.
The committee was set up in November 2006 to come up with a comprehensive report on the financial and governance logistics required for Greater Bangalore, comprising city areas of 226 sq kms, 7 CMCs, a TMC and 110 villages, expanding Bangalore to 741 sq kms. Greater Bangalore is a reality now. When will the report materialise?