The Great Bengaluria Government bill faces citizen resistance, the governor urged to intervene

Last update:March 17, 2025, 21:26 IST

Bengaluru City Council urged Governor Gehlot not to give consent to the bill that proposes to restructure the BBMP.

The Great Bengaluru government bill faces a violent reaction as citizen groups highlight legal defects, environmental risks and possible governance problems. (Image: Shuttersock)

A citizen group, the Bengaluru City Council, met Monday against the governor of Karnataka, Thaawarchand Gehlot and presented a memorandum that urged him not to settle the draft Government Law of Bengaluru 2024, which was recently approved in the Legislative Assembly.

The bill proposes to restructure the Palike of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara (BBMP) dividing it into a maximum of seven municipal corporations in the area of ​​the Great Bengaluru.

It also establishes the constitution of a great Bengaluru authority for coordination and supervision and extends the terms of the mayor and the vice mayor of 30 months.

In the memorandum, the group alleged that the bill violates the 74th Constitutional amendment Law (CAA), the State Electoral Commission, leads to an unbalanced development in Bengaluru, Usurpes the role of the Metropolitan Planning Committee and changes the power of corporators to Mlas, MLC and MPS.

“The Great Bengaluru Government Law (GBGB) project, which has recently been approved in both chambers of the Legislature, contains many antidemocratic and unconstitutional provisions. We fervently ask you not to say this bill, “said the memorandum.

The group also urged the governor to consider their request in the light of certain infrastructure projects recently announced by the Karnataka government, including the proposed projects of Tunnel Road, Skycke and Expressway in Bengaluru.

According to them, on January 10, 2025, a memorandum was sent that expresses deep concerns about these projects by email to Prime Minister Siddaramaiah on January 10, 2025 for sustainable urban priorities, a group of worried citizens.

The memorandum was based on expert opinions and included a detailed study report by Professor Ashish Verma of the Indian Institute of Sciences.

“But the Karnataka government has not responded or taken steps to reconsider these projects, which probably have serious environmental impacts and incur strong costs without significant benefits,” the group claimed.

In addition, they urged the governor to constitute an expert committee to formulate a common integral act for all urban local self -government in Karnataka.

Therefore, it is necessary to establish an expert committee to maintain equality before the law by reviewing the provisions of the Municipalities Law of Karnataka (KM), the Municipal Corporations Law of Karnataka (KMC), and GBGB, the memorandum declared.

“The objective must be to formulate a unified and comprehensive act for all urban local self -government in Karnataka, with special provisions for larger cities when necessary,” he added.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a FEED union news agency – PTI)