Kathyayini Chamaraj Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

“Better ward-level governance could have saved Bengaluru’s migrant workers during lockdown”

June 2, 2020 Kathyayini Chamaraj

As per law, Disaster Management Cells in each ward would have been responsible for providing services to migrant workers during lockdown. But thanks to the apathy of authorities, these Cells weren’t even set up initially and still remain ineffective.

Can the new BBMP Bill improve governance in Bengaluru?

May 8, 2020 Kathyayini Chamaraj

State government has drafted a BBMP Bill, exclusively for the governance of Bengaluru city. But can this new law solve Bengaluru’s myriad problems?

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ವಾರ್ಡ್ ಸಮಿತಿಗಳು ಏಕೆ ಪರಿಣಾಮಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿಲ್ಲ? ಬಿಬಿ‍ಎಂಪಿ ಎಂದರೆ ಕೌನ್ಸಿಲರ್‌ಗಳ “ಮಹಾರಾಜಾ ಕಾಂಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸ್”!

December 27, 2019 Kathyayini Chamaraj

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಕೇವಲ ಅರ್ಧದಷ್ಟು ವಾರ್ಡ್‌ಗಳು ವಾರ್ಡ್ ಸಮಿತಿ ಸಭೆಗಳನ್ನು ನೆಡೆಸುತ್ತವೆ. ಮತ್ತು ಸಮಿತಿಯ ಸದಸ್ಯರಿಗೆ ಮಾತಿಗೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ಅವಕಾಶ‌ ನೀಡದೇ, ಕೌನ್ಸಿಲರ್‌ಗಳು ಏಕಪಕ್ಷೀಯ ನಿರ್ಧಾರಗಳನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದರಿಂದ, ಯಾವುದೇ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಳ್ಳದಿರುವುದರಿಂದ, ಸಭೆಗಳನ್ನು ಯದ್ವಾತದ್ವ ನಿಶ್ಚಯಿಸುವುದರಿಂದ ಈ ಸಭೆಗಳು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಪರಿಣಾಮಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ

Why ward committees are ineffective in Bengaluru: BBMP councillors’ “Maharaja Complex”!

November 7, 2019 Kathyayini Chamaraj

Only about half of Bengaluru wards hold ward committee meetings. And even these meetings are often ineffective as councillors make unilateral decisions, don’t share information, and schedule meetings erratically

Here’s why BDA will display Bengaluru Master Plan again for comments

December 31, 2018 Kathyayini Chamaraj

The public said there was no mention of elevated corridors in the master plan. The Bengaluru Development Authority figured out a way to set it right, and how! Seeking public comments isn’t the real aim of displaying master plan.

What you must know before ward committee meetings begin in Bengaluru next month

November 7, 2018 Kathyayini Chamaraj

Now that the Mayor has made an announcement in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Council meeting that Ward Committee (WC) meetings will be held on the 1st Saturday of every month, beginning in December. Now

‘Strengthen Lokayukta, make room for citizens to participate in governance’, says CIVIC manifesto

April 16, 2018 Kathyayini Chamaraj

Functional ward committees and metropolitan planning committee, people’s participation in budget and more were the key demands placed by the NGO, CIVIC.

CIVIC demands a procedure for nomination of ward committee members

September 22, 2017 Kathyayini Chamaraj

With no set procedure for nominating members, the kith and kin of the corporators and politicians have infiltrated ward committees. How to tackle this to make more common people get into the committee? CIVIC has recommended a procedure.

Civic groups oppose current BBMP ward committee list, plan protest

July 5, 2017 Kathyayini Chamaraj

While around 500 citizens submitted their applications to be part of their BBMP ward committee, they were not selected by BBMP, letting corporators nominate their supporters and cronies.

Over 500 citizens keen to join BBMP Ward Committees

June 23, 2017 Kathyayini Chamaraj

Efforts to mobilise citizens to apply for ward committee membership have gained splendid traction in the last few weeks. Citizens’ groups such as Lanchamukta Karnataka Nirmana Vedike (LMKNV), Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) and B.PAC have

Become a BBMP ward committee member to help your ward

June 9, 2017 Kathyayini Chamaraj

Only 250 people applied for the 1980 ward committe member posts in 198 wards. Here is how you can change it!

Bengaluru’s 25-year-long fight for ward committees: is this a win?

May 10, 2017 Kathyayini Chamaraj

Today people in Bengaluru can nominate themselves to volunteer as a ward committee member. But it didn’t happen overnight – the struggle for ward committees lasted for almost 25 years! Read the story of how ward committee came about.

Why Bengaluru’s planning process is against the spirit of our Constitution

February 10, 2017 Kathyayini Chamaraj

In an open letter to the Chief Minister, Executive Trustee of CIVIC Kathyayini Chamaraj points out why the planning process being followed for the city goes grossly against the 74th Constitutional Amendment and what needs to be corrected for the exercise to have an impact.

What Bengaluru can do with 1800 crores

October 18, 2016 Kathyayini Chamaraj

Kathyayini Chamraj, who questions the rationale behind steel flyover, also suggests alternative meaningful ways to invest public money. Will the government listen?

Dear CM, Take action against govt offices violating High Court order on SWM

February 10, 2016 Kathyayini Chamaraj

Kathyayini Chamaraj sends pictures of garbage at government office campuses in the heart of Bengaluru – at MS Building and office of the education department. What example are they setting?