The Hindu       19.02.2015  

BBMP’s score is less than 40 per cent

The city is plagued by several infrastructural issues.
Better roads, clear footpaths, storm water drains…these have remained a
Utopian dream for citizens.

The financially-starved
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, which is largely responsible for
improving infrastructure and providing civic amenities, has failed in
its obligatory duty, feel citizens.

Though the civic body’s budgets paint a rosy picture, implementation has been poor — just around 40 per cent.

The
former Opposition Leader in BBMP council, M.K. Gunasekhar, pointed out
that the average budget implementation has been poor, which was
indicative of the poor resource mobilisation. He also lamented about the
lack of transparency in preparation of budget.

As
per the Karnataka Local Fund Authorities Fiscal Responsibilities Act,
2003 the views of citizens’ groups and non-governmental organisations
must be sought ahead of the budget preparation. Several residents’
welfare associations in the city concurred.

D.S.
Rajashekhar, president of the Citizens’ Action Forum, said long-term and
short-term priorities should be set for the wards. This could later be
incorporated in the budget, he said.

Vijayan Menon,
president of Koramangala Residents’ Welfare Association, said this could
happen only if ward committees were active.