Governance – Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Here’s how we can work together, Potential MP Avare…

April 12, 2019 Sameer Shisodia

A Bellandur resident writes an open letter to his potential MP on how he should work with his constituents. The MP has to vote in parliament based on citizens’ opinions, involve them in decision-making, and give them governance data, says the author

Why you don’t have a say in tree felling in Bengaluru

April 2, 2019 Shree D N

If more than 50 trees are to be axed for any project, authorities have to consult the public first, as per law. But how do authorities manage to avoid public consultations even when they axe hundreds of trees for mega projects?

Namma Metro: Trees axed in Whitefield, compensatory planting in Uttara Kannada. Here’s why

April 1, 2019 Shree D N

Hundreds of trees in Bengaluru are being felled for Metro rail, but compensatory saplings are often planted outside the city, or maybe never. Officials do not keep track of the saplings or ensure their survival either

Invest in public transport, not elevated corridors, say protesters

March 18, 2019 Manasi Paresh Kumar

Hundreds of citizens gathered at Maurya Circle on Saturday, demanding cancellation of the elevated corridor project. Citizens Live spoke to the protesters to know why they were opposed to the project

Over 2500 citizens come together to protest against elevated corridor

March 18, 2019 News Desk

A large coalition of citizen groups demanded more effective and economical alternatives to address Bengaluru’s traffic problems.

“Garbage problem can’t be managed from BBMP head office alone”: Special Commissioner

March 8, 2019 Manasi Paresh Kumar

The new waste management system will fail if ward committees don’t take ownership locally, says BBMP Special Commissioner D Randeep.

‘Flouting of norms by builders poses fire hazards for buildings’

February 26, 2019 Arjun Rajan

The Beyond Carlton Memorial Lecture ‘ Our cities on Fire’ was held during the anniversary of Carlton Towers fire, after nine years of the tragedy. A campaign to assess fire risk assessments for apartments was launched. A food delivery boy who saved 10 people at a hospital fire in Mumbai was felicitated.

Navigating the English medium conundrum in Karnataka

February 15, 2019 Revathi Siva Kumar

State budget has announced that 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools will start English-medium sections in Class 1, in addition to the Kannada medium, in pilot mode, Is the vision behind English mediums schools justified?

Here’s how Bengaluru can save road space by incentivising smaller cars

February 5, 2019 Dattatreya T Devare

In an era where the tax is based on the price of the car and not other parameters, vehicle area tax can be a tool to help the government generate more revenue and disincentivise big cars to help reduce congestion.

This Valentine’s Day, a festival to show your love towards Bengaluru

January 24, 2019 News Desk

The Bengaluru Civic Fest will be held on the 14th of February. It will see civil society organisations and groups discuss their work, government agencies communicate their work with citizens and school children discuss their participation in local governance.

Elevated corridors and climate emergency: An open reminder to the Chief Minister

December 21, 2018 Sandeep Anirudhan

Do we critically analyse, that to build that monstrosity, how much cement and steel will be required? How much emissions, how much carbon footprint, how much pollution, how much mining, how much energy use etc, etc., just to build it?

Parents, activists and academia divided while State Cabinet intends to modify RTE rules

December 11, 2018 Arjun Rajan

State Cabinet has decided to amend the Right to Education rules to go for private schools only where government schools do not exist. Legal precedence doesn’t support this. What are the implications of the amendment, and what are parents worried about?