BBMP takes lead in empowering residents

BBMP takes lead in empowering residents
By G Manjusainath,DH News Service,Bangalore:
In a development that could have far-reaching implications, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to allow RWAs to carry out minor developmental works in their respective localities. The associations could even mobilise the funds allocated for the purpose through a joint bank account.

This could just be the beginning of real empowerment for Bangalore’s Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs).
This refined version of the Delhi government’s novel experiment known as “Bhagidari” would also permit the RWAs to work jointly with the Palike’s junior or assistant engineers of the respective areas. The BBMP authorities are convinced the scheme will help the residents avoid long queues in front of government offices, besides putting an end to public servants begging for developmental works in their areas.

“The idea is to help people and prevent them from being driven from pillar to post. We are providing grounds for the RWAs to play a more pro-active role in building a new clean and green Bangalore,” said Bharat Lal, BBMP Commissioner. The draft to this effect is ready and would get the administrative approval soon, he told Deccan Herald. Under this scheme, the RWAs will have to constitute a ward committee comprising the RWA president, junior engineers, assistant engineers and BBMP’s local administrative officer of the ward. The ward committee will have to open a joint bank account where the BBMP will release the fund. The money is meant for carrying out emergency works of less than Rs 1 lakh.

The clause of works below Rs 1 lakh has been added, because tenders have to be invited for the works of Rs 1 lakh and above under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act. Annually the BBMP will release Rs 6 lakh for any ward, but in case of “extreme” emergency the amount can exceed the limit. The job of the ward committee comprise supervising the work, preparing the list of works on a priority basis and carrying out the work under the KTPP Act. However, for any work an administrative approval needs to be sought from the zonal commissioner. However, for transparency the junior engineer will be responsible.

Matching grants from BBMP

The most interesting aspect of the concept is the RWAs, which are well-off and have enough money to spend for public cause from their coffers, can get matching grants from the BBMP for the work of their choice.
“The RWAs who want to spend money from their resources can get the matching grant from the BBMP, if they (RWAs) will deposit their funds in the joint account. After the RWAs deposit the amount, we will deposit an equal sum in the same account,” said Bharat Lal.