Bengaluru: A month after chief minister Siddaramiah gave his nod to the setting up of the autonomous authority, the Cubbon Park Management Authority, it seems the state government’s plan has not gone down too well with the park authorities.
Sources say that a top official at the Horticulture department is trying hard to convince the government that there is no need for such an authority. The official has even approached many prominent people associated with the park to join him in his attempt to prevent the setting up of the committee.
One such person whom the official tried to convince against the authority told Deccan Chronicle that the official was very unhappy about the development.
“The official is worried that he will be cornered by the members of the authority and his administrative decisions will be monitored by them. As of now, the official has all the powers and he is not answerable to anyone. The fact that the authority will be monitoring the development works of the park has disturbed him,” revealed the source.
The proposed authority, which will have representatives from Tourism, Horticulture and other departments, and private institutions, is expected to give a facelift to the Cubbon Park premises.
The authority was proposed as part of the Karnataka Tourism Vision Group, appointed by the government, to chalk out various programmes and develop the park into a tourist hub.
However, the top official is now trying to take others into confidence and form a group against the authority, added an official in the Horticulture department.
“He is even trying to meet the Horticulture minister and convince him that if individuals from the private sector are brought on board, development work in the park may take a beating. It should be seen if the government will respond positively to his attempt,” the official said.
According to highly-placed sources, there are several financial irregularities within the department, especially towards the payment of security guards and garbage contractors, which has worried the top official.
“He is afraid that these incidents can come to light or may be put to an end with the functioning of the authority,” said another source.
