Greater Bengaluru (Amendment) Bill Passed In The House
“We are ready to accept suggestions from the Opposition MLAs. We had also formed a House Committee to look into it and we have nothing to hide. Let’s conduct elections to new Corporations first. We will issue a notification by August 25 after obtaining the Governor's permission,” he said
BENGALURU: The Greater Bengaluru Authority (Amendment) Bill was passed on Tuesday after discussions and the amendment to the Bill, according to Bengaluru incharge and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was tabled to clarify that The Greater Bengaluru Authority will not interfere in the functioning of the new City Corporations which will come into existence in Bengaluru in coming days.
In a discussion at the ongoing Assembly session, Shivakumar said the Greater Bengaluru Authority Bill was passed and some individuals have filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Court and the Court did not accept PIL. The PIL stated the State Government was planning to take control of the new City Corporations and the amendment had been carried out to clarify the point that the Authority would not come in the way of functioning of the corporations.”
He asserted “We do not want to do politics over Bengaluru’s future. The government will not interfere with respect of financial independence, tax collection, elections or the reservations. The 74th amendment (of the Constitution) has been fully protected.”
“We are ready to accept suggestions from the Opposition MLAs. We had also formed a House Committee to look into it and we have nothing to hide. Let’s conduct elections to new Corporations first. We will issue a notification by August 25 after obtaining the Governor's permission,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister told the House “We have brought this amendment to prevent any misuse of power by subsequent governments” and stated “Mahadevapura collects highest taxes in Bengaluru while there is not much collection in central areas. In such situations, we need to give financial assistance. But the law doesn’t permit such transfer of funds as it would violate 74th amendment of the Constitution.”
In reply to a query raised by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former minister Dr Ashwath Narayan, Shivakumar said “Our intention is that the Mayors and the Corporations members must have full powers on the Corporation as per the Constitution.”