Government must share more funds for better city: Namma Bengaluru Foundation

BENGALURU: If Bengaluru city has to see better infrastructure, there is a pressing need for devolution of funds from the state government. Also, the  property tax collection has to cover at least 80 per cent of the properties across the city. This would help the urban local body, BBMP, to become financially self-reliant and aim for holistic growth, said N. S. Mukunda, Citizens’ Action Forum founder-president.

Participating in the ‘Citizens’ Charter to Save Bengaluru’ organized under the aegis of Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) – Citizen Partnership, he called upon the city’s MPs and legislators to present a white paper before the State Finance Corporation (SFC) and ensure that the city gets its due.

Bengaluru generates a whopping Rs. 65,000 crore revenue to the state’s exchequer. The city houses 17 per cent of the population. At least 8.5 per cent of the revenue should be devolved to BBMP, he said.  Currently, the BBMP is getting about Rs. 4,000 crore revenue including state government’s grants, he said and further added, the remaining resources can be utilized for the development of the rest of the state.

In reply, Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar assured that he would be  leading a delegation to get more funds for Bengaluru’s growth. Besides, monthly round table discussions will be organized with stake holders and public representatives to resolve issues like garbage, traffic and water crisis, he added.

Kathyayini Chamaraj, executive trustee, CIVIC, said a committee comprising MLAs and MPs must be set up to amend certain provisions of the 74th amendment and to transfer required funds and functionaries to ward committees. Till date, rules have not been finalised for the ward committee, which is a must as per the constitutional provisions. She sought an assurance from the public representatives to finalise the draft in the next 15 days and to repeal veto power vested with corporators for effective functioning of ward committees.

Earlier, CEO of NBF Sridhar Pabbisetty said, “Our aim behind bringing together these leaders on one common platform is to enable active participation on their behalf to help eliminate what ails Bengaluru today. It is imperative that political leaders are in agreement with us to accomplish an effective system. We are hoping that the elected representatives would take immediate action on the demands placed and work with us unanimously.”

Hebbal MLA Jagadeesh Kumar said that although the BJP government had sought for a mandatory CAG audit on the BBMP’s financial transactions, this has remained incomplete. Unless the CAG audit nails the erring authorities, bringing about transparency will be a distant reality, he concluded.

Legislators give meet a miss

Although the NBF-CP had extended invitation to all three major parties — BJP, Congress and JD(S) – to take part in the 'Citizens' Charter to Save Bengaluru', except Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Gowda (Congress) none of the legislators from the JD(S) took part in the discussion. Four legislators, an MP and an MLC from the BJP participated.