The Hindu 04.11.2010
BBMP to have visiting hours
Staff Reporter
Bangalore: You can no longer saunter into the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) head office any time you please: it now has visiting hours for the public.
According to a circular issued on October 28, the public is barred from entering the BBMP office for a large part of the day — between 10.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. And that includes members and chairpersons of private organisations, RTI activists and even the media.
Later, Commissioner Siddaiah said the media, MLAs, MLCs and councillors would not come under the ambit of the circular.
Caught on the back foot, he told presspersons the media had been included due some “miscommunication”. “This circular will be withdrawn immediately and another will be issued,” he said.
The circular was issued following the suggestions of a few councillors, he said. “All government offices have a specific time when the public can meet officials. The circular was issued to ensure that officials get more time to work, which will improve efficiency.”
He said this will help files move faster.
The public will be able to meet with officials on working days between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
