July 10, 2024: The Brand Bengaluru Committee, consisting of four members and led by former Karnataka chief secretary BS Patil, on July 8, 2024, submitted the draft of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. This draft bill suggests a three-tier governance structure for the city and aims to unify all parastatals under a single framework. The state cabinet is expected to discuss this bill in its upcoming meeting on July 11, 2024, before presenting it in the monsoon session of the Assembly.
The draft bill recommends the formation of a Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) with comprehensive planning and financial powers. This body, chaired by the Chief Minister and co-chaired by the Bengaluru Development Minister, would include four other ministers, all city MLAs and heads of various parastatals such as the BDA, BWSSB, Bescom, BMRCL and BMTC. The GBA is set to oversee an area of about 1,400 square kilometre (sqkm), aligning with the current jurisdiction of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). Although the BDA will lose its planning authority, it will continue to handle significant infrastructure projects for the GBA.
Within the GBA framework, there will be between one and ten corporations covering around 950 sqkm. The existing Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which currently spans 708 sqkm, will be dissolved. The draft bill proposes the creation of up to 400 wards, an increase from the BBMP’s current 225 wards. Each corporation will have a mayor-in-council with up to 12 members, replacing the standing committee system. Ward committees will feature proportional representation, with any candidate who secures 10% of the vote in a councillor election earning a seat on the ward committee.
The bill grants corporations the autonomy to collect and utilise property tax revenues without interference from the GBA. However, the GBA will ensure equitable distribution through state government grants. It will allocate state and central funds based on the financial needs of the corporations, ensuring that those generating less revenue from property taxes and other sources receive additional support to maintain equity.
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