After the 2010 election, the BBMP promised to set up ward committees and involve citizens in governance. Seven years later, nothing has been achieved and these bodies, if they exist, comprise cronies and ‘yes-men’ appointed by corporators. Citizens demanding accountability and scrutinising funds will hamper vested interests, which could be the reason behind the political reluctance to set up ward committees. Now, with the court-ordered deadline looming, activist groups are encouraging people to submit applications for membership by June 17, report Aknisree Karthik and Aksheev Thakur.
Earlier this week, an angry outcry began doing the rounds on Facebook: The BBMP’s much-lauded plan to set up ward-committees and involve citizens in civic administration, was proposed in 2010, shortly after the election. Members of the Citizens Action Forum say that the plan, which was proposed in 2010 soon after the BBMP election, has made little headway on the ground. These ward committees were proposed to give citizens are more hands-on role in hyper-local governance, by making the corporator directly accountable to his electorate. The lack of effort to spread awareness combined with corporators seizing their opportunity to appoint yes-men and cronies, has made ward committees either liabilities or defunct organisations as far as citizen-driven governance is concerned.
Civic activists, who slam the BBMP for not having created awareness, even allege that members of ward committees are handpicked by the corporator himself.
The BBMP is divided into 198 wards, which means 1980 citizens on board in all. Not too many are aware of the existence of such a committee and even fewer know that they can be part of it too. Civic activists, who slam the BBMP for not having created awareness, even allege that members of ward committees are handpicked by the corporator himself.
"Lot of people are simply unaware of local government, the third tier that runs our city - the BBMP. A large number of citizens do not know which ward they belong to or the name of their corporator. I think BBMP has not done enough to create awareness and invite citizens to participate, said Srinivas Alavalli, coordinator of Citizens for Bengaluru.
The idea of ward committee, explained Alavilli, is to provide representation for public opinion and grievances in a formal setting. “They help with the proper utilisation of available funds, prioritise works, monitor implementation and bring issues to the notice of the authorities concerned. They also help with the coordination between various agencies.”
So what’s standing in the way? “Political will,” Alavilli said at once. “Several corporators have set up ward committees in the past, even before this court ruling. More people being allowed into the system, people who are likely to ask questions or scrutinise spending, will make it difficult for vested interests to thrive! It is a common opinion that this is why ward committees have not been set up, 25 years after they became part of the law.”
Saying that the BBMP has failed totally in its attempt to create awareness about the High Court's order to set up ward committees, Mahalakshmi Parthasarathy of the Citizens Action Forum said, "People don't have a clue. Only a handful of informed citizens know about ward committees and how to apply to them. Even Resident Welfare Associations aren’t totally sure of the procedure.”
Parthasarathy added that once ward committees are set up, citizens can exercise their right to question their corporator.
As per the HC order BBMP will be finalising ward committee list this week
– G Padmavathi BBMP Mayor
If more people get into the system via ward committees they will ask questions, scrutinise spending and make it difficult for vested interests.
– Mr Srinivas Alavalli, Citizens for Bengaluru
BBMP has failed totally in its attempt to create awareness about the High Court's order to set up ward committees.
– Mahalakshmi Parthasarathy Citizens Action Forum
What is a ward committee and what purpose does it serve?
A ward committee comprises a group of citizens from within the ward concerned. Their role is raise issues that plague the area and to keep track of corporator efforts to fix them. The purpose of the committee is to bring about transparency, improve governance and strengthen administration.
When was the plan proposed?
The BBMP promised to set up ward committees immediately after the 2010 election. That cycle came to an end and fresh elections were held in 2015. Seven years have passed and nothing has happened on ground, inviting the wrath of citizens
High Court intervention
Despite several orders from the HC to set up ward committees, the BBMP doesn’t seem to be in the mood! On April 24, the HC, which was hearing a case on ward committees and garbage management, gave the BBMP one month to ensure that these committees were up and running.
Corporators want ‘yes-men’, not watchdogs
Called upon for answers, the BBMP claims 68 ward committees have been finalised. The Namma Bengaluru Foundation, a city-based group, claims that it isn’t aware of the functioning of any ward committee. “Initiation into these committees should be done in a transparent manner, at the ward level,” said Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO, NBF. He even suggested making the schedule of the ward committee meeting public so citizens are free to participate in them.
BJP city president and former Opposition leader N.R. Ramesh said the Yediyur BBMP ward was the first to set up a committee back in 2013. "Even today, every single developmental work is discussed and approved by the ward committee."
Why do ward corporators fear setting up ward committees? “They feel their powers will b e diluted and that they may have to answer to committee members,” said Ramesh. “They cannot claim money by producing fake bills on already completed projects. Every developmental project should be discussed and approved by the committee before funds are requested.”
Although there are clear guidelines on members of ward committees, which should include a retired engineer, an educationist, an NGO representative, members of SC/ ST and other backward communities, these rules are hardly followed, Mr. Ramesh explained. “Corporators only nominate people who are not likely to question them.”
BBMP Mayor G. Padmavathi told Deccan Chronicle that the BBMP, in keeping with the High Court order, will be finalising the ward committee list this week. How will they ensure that corporators don’t choose their cronies? “There is no rule for cross-verification,” she said, maintaining that corporators follow HC norms as they suggest names.
As many citizens aren't aware of ward committees and how citizens can become part of them, Citizens for Bengaluru is trying to get people to nominate locally active citizens with leadership qualities. They received over 100 nominations in one hour.
If you wish to nominate active citizens, then here's CfB's link - http://bit.ly/cfbwcnominate
