Key civic agencies may see churn at the top

Key civic agencies may see churn at the top

8 In Race For Police Commissioner’s Post; BWSSB, BBMP Find No Takers For Fear Of Turf War

Vinay Madhav | TNN

Bangalore: With the BJP government getting down to brasstacks, Bangalore’s apex civic bodies will see soon a new team at the helm. Bangalore police, Bangalore Development Authority, BWSSB and BBMP will see a churn at the top. There are one too many contenders to head the city police cell, BDA, and become Bangalore Urban deputy commissioner, but very few are ready to lead BWSSB and BBMP.
As many as eight additional director-generals of police can fit into the city police commissioner’s post. S T Ramesh, seniormost of the eight, may not find favour with the new government, sources said. Other main contenders — D V Guruprasad, who headed Intelligence during Dharam Singh’s reign, and M K Srivatsava — too are unlikely to match the present regime’s wavelength. Another officer A R Infant, who might be used as government’s secular face, is likely to become ADGP (law and order).
This leaves Lok Ayukta ADGP Roop Kumar Datta and Kucchanna Srinivas, who headed Intelligence during the governor’s rule, as front-runners for top cop’s post. Kucchanna Srinivas is known as a no-nonsense officer and Datta, who cut his probe teeth in an over-two-decade stint with the CBI, has made his impact in the Lok Ayukta.
Unlike the police department, the BDA might see administrative continuum: incumbent H Siddaiah is likely to remain in the post. Sources say senior IAS officer V Umesh, earlier with the finance department, may surprise the BDA corridors as chief.
Sadly, the heartline of city’s administration — the BBMP — does not have many takers. With the Greater Bangalore formation and the forthcoming polls to the civic body which will increase the number of seats from 100 to 145, the babus do not want to venture into this zone. Another deterrent is a likely babuscorporators turf war.
There are a few who don’t flinch from walking the BBMP terrain, but they will take up the job only after civic polls. With none willing, the BWSSB administration may go to senior IAS officer Gangadhar. For Bangalore Urban deputy commissioner’s post, KAS promotee Somashekhar is a front runner.
Among other departments, industries and commerce, urban development, revenue and transport are much sought after. While K Jairaj is said to be eyeing industries as well as urban development departments, V Umesh is a strong contender for industries and commerce. K Shivakumar has been tipped for revenue secretary’s post, while senior IPS officer Jyoti Prakash Mirji may drive the transport department.
CHANGE OF GUARD
Up for grabs: City police commissioner’s post, top slots in BDA, BWSSB and Bangalore Urban DC’s office No takers for BBMP; Expanded council and corporators factor seen as a deterrent Transport, urban development, revenue and industries and commerce the most wanted