Ward committees look good in theory. Bengaluru has started witnessing monthly meetings in wards slowly. But is the existing system good enough to allow ward committees to work for public?
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.
New draft of KMC – Ward Committee Rules applicable for BBMP have been gazetted on May 26th. It has a few changes including addition of powers for members to recommend action against erring officials.
The state government is finally setting up a Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) for Bangalore, that too, only after a High Court directive! But a deep dive into the MPC set up exposes its unconstitutional spirit.
Bangalore is supposed to get Metropolitan Planning Committee in place as soon as possible. But the question is, does the proposal address the concerns that led to the formation of this body.
Ad-hoc and non-transparent methods to dilute citizen involvement in Ward Committees is unforgivable and is against the spirit of the High Court order, says Rajeev Chandrashekar
