Each BBMP ward is alloted between Rs 2 and Rs 3 crore for developmental work. A near-incredible factoid, considering the pothole-ridden roads, mountains of garbage and unscientifically designed speedbreakers! Corporators defend their inaction by saying the gap between them and the people is too large, although they shy away from forming ward committees that could act as a bridge between citizens and their governing bodies. It’s time to break the silence and bring these to book.
If you are having to put up with pothole- ridden roads, unscientific humps and uncleared garbage in your locality , you don’t have to throw up your hands with
frustration at the ways of the government and suffer these problems in silence.
Instead you could approach your area corporator, who is supposed to fix these problems with the crores of rupees allotted to him or her every year not only by the BBMP, but also the state and Union governments.
Every BBMP ward is allotted huge sums for developmental work. While Rs 2 crore is allotted to the old 132 wards , Rs 3 crore is allotted to the 66 new wards. In addition they also receive Central and state funds, grants under the Nagarothana scheme and a social justice fund, which amount to a few crores as well.
Read | Q & A with K Veena Kumar, Jeevan Bhima Nagar corporator
The idea is to equip the corporator with enough funds for ward developmental work like pothole filling, and repairing of roads and drains. But you would hardly think so going by the condition of the various localities in the city. With most corporators doing little to maintain their wards, the people of their areas are left angry and frustrated at their civic needs being ignored despite the many taxes they pay.
Indiranagar is touted as Bengaluru’s next big neighbourhood, but even the famed 12th Main reflects the total apathy of its corporators. The area is full of bad roads and vacant plots that are breeding grounds for mosquitos.
Take the Jeevan Bhima Nagar ward in east Bengaluru, which covers localities like Indiranagar, HAL and New Thippasandra. Visit these areas and all you hear are complaints about their poor upkeep. Says Mr Jerry Varghese, who lives on 12th 'A' Main, Indiranagar, "When people hear the name, Indiranagar they think it is a posh locality. But when they visit it their impression changes. Look at the roads, especially the Bilvapatra Balamuri Vara Siddi Vinayaka Temple Road and Sai Darshan Marg which are filled with potholes and uncleared garbage. It seems like there is no civic body responsible for the locality’s upkeep."
As corporators, we may not know many things which the experts in the ward committee know. What is wrong in listening to the voices of the citizens and experts via ward commi- ttees and implement them"
— Ms Poornima Ramesh, Corporator, Yediyur ward
Others in the area complain about vacant sites being turned into mini-dumping yards and the garbage there being set fire to, raising a stink and causing pollution. Mr Varadarajan, a retired employee, says the many vacant sites in and around HAL 2nd Stage are becoming an excellent breeding ground for rodents and snakes on account of their garbage and thick vegetation. “There must be a system in place to allow people to raise such civic issues and have them resolved by the BBMP,” he insists.
But if the people of Jeevan Bhima Nagar are unhappy with the condition of their ward, those living in Yeddiyur ward seem to be content with their lot. Kannada film director, Seeni, who lives here, says the area corporator, Poornima Ramesh of the BJP is both approachable and aware of the problems of the people. "She also responds to our needs promptly." he adds with satisfaction.
So well maintained is the area with its smooth garbage -free roads and footpaths, and a park with herbal plants that walkers and others can enjoy in their leisure, that it is easily the best among the 198 wards in the city . In fact since 2011 Yeddiyur ward has been listed as the number one 'model ward' in media ratings and an NDTV survey of 2015 rated it as one of the best wards in South India based on its civic amenities, showing what a councillor can acheive when he or she performs as expected.
Corporators have a feeling that by formation of ward committees, they will lose their power and citizens' voice become prominent. Also they do not wish to be accountable, as once the ward committees are formed they have to be more accountable and transparent"
— Kathyayini Chamraj, CIVIC
Bridge gap between corporators, people
Upset with the BBMP for failing to set up ward committees in all the 198 wards of the city as directed to by the high court, some civic activists now plan to file a contempt petition against it to ensure that it complies.
Ms Kathyayini Chamaraj of CIVIC says its only lack of political will that is stopping the civic agency from setting up the ward committees.“Corporators believe that if the ward committees are set up they will lose their powers and the citizens' voice will gain prominence. Also they do not want to be accountable as once the committees are formed they will have to be more transparent in their dealings,” she contends.
Ward committees will be a bridge between the citizens and government and will make way for good development as works in the ward can be prioritized based on meetings at the committees."
—Ms Aruna Newton, president of HAL 2nd Stage Civic Amenities andCultural Association of Indiranagar
Ms Aruna Newton, president of the HAL 2nd Stage Civic Amenities and Cultural Association of Indiranagar, says the ward committees can be a bridge between the people and government and make way for better development of localities. "We are very keen to work with the government and urge it to set up these ward committees at the earliest,” she adds.
Corporator Poornima Ramesh, who has already set up a ward committee in her Yeddiyur ward, is all for them. "As corporators, we may not know everything that takes place in our wards. So what’s wrong in listening to the voices of the people and experts at these ward committee meetings and resolve their problems ?" she asks pertinently,adding, “The committees will in no way diminish the powers of corporators. If there is political will, they can become a reality.”
