Siddaiah appointed BBMP chief

Siddaiah appointed BBMP chief
Bangalore, June 30, DH News Service :

Senior IAS officer Siddaiah has been appointed Commissioner of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

The 1986 batch officer takes over the high-profile post from Bharatlal Meena who has been made Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Commissioner, a post held by Siddaiah since March 2008.

Siddaiah was due for transfer as his tenure as BDA commissioner ended in June.
Speculation was rife on Meena’s transfer. According to sources, Meena was not able to handle BBMP corporators and had requested for a transfer citing personal reasons.

The sources also said some major road-widening and lake development works were under the BDA and, hence, the government wanted a competent person to head the civic body. Moreover, the BBMP does not have much funds to execute major development schemes in Bangalore.

Siddaiah, who had served as a joint commissioner of the Palike 20 years ago, is expected to take charge on Friday.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, he said the BBMP commissioner’s post “is challenging. I will do my best as a commissioner. I will discuss work related to road-widening, development of main drains with BBMP officers concerned.”

Garbage disposal

He said efforts would be made to ensure an efficient garbage disposal system and to increase groundwater levels. Work on recharging of lakes will be also accorded priority. “I will give more importance to people’s daily problems. I will also make sure that action is taken to check water-borne diseases,” he said.

Siddaiah promised to ensure transparency in administration. “I will investigate administrative procedures and make changes if possible,” he added.

The State government on Wednesday also transferred four other senior IAS officers.