The draft of The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024, submitted to the Karnataka government by the Brand Bengaluru Committee (formerly BBMP Restructuring Committee) provides for a three-tier governance of the city and brings together all parastatals on one platform for the first time. The Bill is expected to be tabled in the upcoming session of the legislature.
Basically, it is a modular bill that allows for multiple corporations from one to ten and up to 400 wards. However, there are no figures given in terms of number of corporations in this draft bill although according to the BBMP Restructuring Committee report made in 2015, five corporations were proposed.
Additionally, this Bill proposes creation of another organ envisaged as Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) which will operate at city level as apex layer in a three-tier governance structure with Chief Minister as its chairperson. In this model, municipal corporations and ward committees constitute second and third tiers respectively.
Chairmaned by Bengaluru Development Minister or “whose” footprint extends over approximately 1,400 sqkm mostly within Bengaluru Metropolitan Area.
Could this Bill make Bengaluru’s governance more people friendly? Can it learn from Delhi’s experience? What are some challenges that may face ruling Congress government? Aditya Bharadwaj & HS Shreyas talks about it.
