Activists Warn of Power Erosion as GBA Takes Over BBMP

Civic activists in Bengaluru have raised concerns over the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and its potential to undermine the BBMP's autonomy. They claim the GBA will centralize control, eroding the local body's authority.

BengaluruBbmpGbaLocal GovernanceCivic ActivistsReal Estate NewsMay 18, 2025

Activists Warn of Power Erosion as GBA Takes Over BBMP
Real Estate News:BENGALURU: Kathyayini Chamraj, Executive Trustee of CIVIC, sharply criticized the successive governments for delaying the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) elections. She alleged that the delay was a strategic move to undermine the Palike administration. Chamraj claimed that the garbage, engineers, and real estate mafia had significantly damaged the BBMP's functionality. He was addressing a panel discussion involving civic activists, organized to discuss the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and its impact on local governance in Bengaluru on Saturday. CIVIC also stated it would challenge the GBA in court. “In the GBA, all para-statals come under its ambit. All schemes are prepared by the government. Where is the autonomy of the local body? What authority will the elected body have if everything is controlled by the GBA?” Chamraj questioned. She also pointed out that MLA Rizwan Arshad, who chaired the joint legislature panel that introduced the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, was misleading the public. Arshad had claimed that the 74th Constitutional Amendment does not provide for control over agencies like Bescom, but the GBA bill covers them all. “Autonomy of the local body has been reduced to just fixing potholes. Earlier, there was a ward committee, but it has now been reduced to an advisory body whose recommendations are ineffective,” she said. Retired bureaucrat T R Raghunandan, who delivered the keynote address, warned that frequent delimitation and the creation of new municipalities under the GBA would disrupt reservation rotations for Scheduled Castes, Tribes, OBCs, and women, favoring elite candidates. “The government’s aim is to prevent the rotation of reservations,” he said, adding that the government’s actions violated the equity mandates of the 74th Constitutional Amendment. He also observed that frequent delimitation creates new electoral cycles, diluting the representation of marginalized sections. He suggested that cities like Manila and Brussels have decentralized municipalities with clear roles, a model that Bengaluru should adopt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA)? A: The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is a proposed governing body that aims to centralize control over various para-statals and local governance schemes in Bengaluru. Q: Why are activists concerned about the GBA? A: Activists are concerned that the GBA will erode the autonomy of the BBMP and reduce the authority of elected local bodies, centralizing control in the hands of the government. Q: What is the 74th Constitutional Amendment? A: The 74th Constitutional Amendment, passed in 1992, aims to strengthen local self-government by providing constitutional status to urban local bodies and ensuring their autonomy. Q: How does the GBA bill impact reservation rotations? A: The GBA bill is criticized for disrupting reservation rotations for marginalized communities, as frequent delimitation and creation of new municipalities favor elite candidates. Q: What is the role of the ward committee in BBMP? A: The ward committee in BBMP is an advisory body that provides recommendations on local issues. However, under the GBA, its role has been reduced, making its recommendations less effective.

Answer not available

Related News Articles

Luxury Homes Worth ₹450 Crore Sold in Bengaluru by Century Real Estate
Real Estate

Luxury Homes Worth ₹450 Crore Sold in Bengaluru by Century Real Estate

Century Real Estate sells luxury homes worth ₹450 crore during pre-launch of project in Bengaluru's Indiranagar area.

September 26, 2024
Read Article
Max Estates Sells Rs 4100 Cr Worth Housing in Gurugram: A Boost to Real Estate Sector
Real Estate Mumbai

Max Estates Sells Rs 4100 Cr Worth Housing in Gurugram: A Boost to Real Estate Sector

Max Estates, a leading real estate developer, has sold Rs 4100 crore worth of housing in Gurugram, marking a significant milestone in the sector.

September 30, 2024
Read Article
Real Estate Gift from Resident to NRI: Tax Implications and Reporting Obligations
Real Estate

Real Estate Gift from Resident to NRI: Tax Implications and Reporting Obligations

If a resident parent gifts real estate to a non-resident son, does it trigger reporting obligations or have any tax implications?

October 26, 2024
Read Article
Winter Migration Brings Rare Birds to Pune's Vetal Tekdi
Real Estate Pune

Winter Migration Brings Rare Birds to Pune's Vetal Tekdi

Pune, Maharashtra wildlife, migratory birds, natural heritage, birding community

October 30, 2024
Read Article
Housing Prices Surge by 11% YoY in Top Eight Indian Cities
Real Estate

Housing Prices Surge by 11% YoY in Top Eight Indian Cities

Real Estate - Housing prices in the top eight Indian cities continue to rise, marking an 11% increase year-over-year (YoY).

December 2, 2024
Read Article
Maharashtra Builders Mandated to Install Waterproof Telecom Centres in Buildings
Real Estate Maharashtra

Maharashtra Builders Mandated to Install Waterproof Telecom Centres in Buildings

The Maharashtra government has introduced a new regulation requiring builders to install waterproof telecom centres in all new construction projects. This move aims to enhance the reliability and longevity of communication infrastructure in the state.

January 2, 2025
Read Article