Rowdy at BBMP meet: Officials to write to mayor, commissioner

Bengaluru: A few days after a rowdy sheeter was seen attending a BBMP coordination committee meeting on behalf of his wife, who is the corporator of Shivajinagar ward, BBMP officials are planning to write to Mayor Gangambike and Commissioner Manjunath Prasad on how husbands of city corporators are giving orders to officials.

The meeting was not attended by Shivajinagar corporator Farida, but her husband Ishtiaq did.

The officials, who were upset with his presence, informed their senior officials. A senior BBMP officer admitted that he has been receiving several complaints from lower rung officials about husbands of corporators getting involved in ward level development works. "We are aware of the situation. But we are helpless, as these men are powerful and even have the support of local residents. The issue has been raised several times during committee meetings, but nothing has been done," said the officer, who wished not to be identified.

An official from the Health Department said that during an inspection of a particular ward in the city, he was warned by a corporator's husband. "It is unfortunate that the husbands are in charge, while their wives who are elected corporators are not bothered. It has become a menace and we will write to the Mayor and commissioner about the atrocities committed by these people," he said.

He further said that most of the Palike officials do not speak up against such issues fearing their safety and jobs. "We want senior officers to take note of such problems and take strict action against such menace. The corporators should direct us and not their family members," he said.