1. The opposition parties are not ready to allow BBMP to be split as they insist on retaining it.
In the next monsoon session of the legislature, there is a plan by the Congress-led government in Karnataka to table the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024 that aims at overhauling administration of the city with a multiple corporation set-up. However, things may not flow smoothly given the opposition from Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular), which do not want Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) carved out from what has existed since.
In its earlier incarnation under Siddaramaiah as CM, this was also championed by him and called Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act [Amendment], 2015 although it was passed in Assembly but defeated in council. But Vala who was then governor sent it for presidential assent which eventually received a quiet death. In fact, when BJP took over governance in 2019 brought in BBMP Act 2020 that offered bureaucratic decentralization under one corporation only criticized by Congress party as missed opportunity to fix Bengaluru’s problems. Read our series on the draft Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024.
2. Aparna Vastarey demise | Heartfelt tributes flood for Karnataka’s celebrated TV presenter.
After her sad demise at age 57 from lung cancer after two yearlong battle, many people have paid their last respect and condolences messages for Aparna Vastarey- an acclaimed TV anchor; actor and Kannada voice of Namma Metro in Bangalore City.
Through X (formerly Twitter), top leaders like CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar joined other well-wishers to mourn their beloved TV anchor of Karnataka while some industry colleagues shared their sadness and good memories about her through social media pages.
3. How easy is it for women to access public washrooms in Bengaluru?
Bengaluru’s heart has around 25,000 shops in its old “Pete” (city) area. The traders say that during festive and wedding seasons, there is a floating population of nearly one lakh per day here. However, Mamulpet has just one public toilet. For most shoppers who often request shopkeepers for their private toilets or alternatively go out to locate an okay restaurant so that they can relieve themselves.
While the Karnataka government mulls over a menstrual leave policy for women in the informal sector and those away from home, many parts of Bengaluru lack public toilets. Even where they are present, some are not visible while others have no signages.
4. Data | Current dengue surge not the worst Karnataka has seen, highest cases in last 10 years was in 2023
There might be much anxiety about increase of dengue instances within Karnataka but statistics from National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), subordinate to Directorate General of Health Services of Union Government reveals this as not the worst surge faced by Karnataka.
Karnataka recorded a total of 19,300 dengue cases in 2023, maximum for the past decade. Maximum deaths were reported in 2019 where there were 17 patients lost their lives to vector borne disease followed by 11 in 2023. However, the number of dengue fatalities has stayed below ten since 2014. There have been seven deaths and 8,221 instances this year alone.
5. Valmiki companies scandal: ED detains Karnataka’s former minister B. Nagendra
On July twelve morning, Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested the Congress MLA from Ballari Rural constituency – one time Minister B. Nagendra over his involvement in an alleged embezzlement of funds up to ₹88 crore at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation as per CBI probe officials. Since July10 to12 ED has conducted searches on multiple premises related with him.
