The Hindu               16.07.2013

Laudable move: GHMC’s ‘Aasra’ for senior citizens

Staff Reporter

The Confederation of Voluntary Organisations (COVA) has begun a campaign in parts of the twin cities to educate the citizens about obtaining various identity cards issued by government departments. Details of the card and its entitlements will be published in these columns in the forthcoming days.

The series will begin with the ‘Aasra’ cards issued to senior citizens above 60 years by the GHMC.

These cardholders are entitled for free entry and wheel chair facility in the GHMC parks and concessions in select corporate hospitals.

Also the card entitles preference to senior citizens in public places, APSRTC buses and GHMC service centres.

This apart, it helps one in availing medical and day care facility, shelter homes, physical aids, counselling and old age pension. One can apply for the card by filling in an application form available on ‘www.ghmc.gov.in’ and submitting it along with two photographs, proof of age and residence either in person or through post to Project Director, Aasra Card, first floor, NTPC building near Hari Hara Kala Bhavan, Secunderabad. For assistance one can call GHMC helpline 155304 or COVA on 040-24572984.

Deccan Herald               12.07.2013

Chief Minister may consider proposal to bifurcate BBMP

The bifurcation of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is on the anvil. Following “pressure” from the Congress MLAs and MLCs from the City, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is said to have assured the legislators that proposal would definitely be considered.

Sources in the Congress said Siddaramaiah had a discussion with the Congress legislators from the City on the bifurcation of the BBMP during a lunch he hosted for them at his residence here on Wednesday.

According to a Congress leader, the decision on bifurcation of the BBMP may be taken six to eight months ahead of the expiry of the Palike council’s current term. The council’s term is scheduled to end in March 2015.

It is said that due to the vast and unwieldy jurisdiction of the BBMP, several civic problems were not being addressed. The MLAs opined that even the schemes which were announced for the City were not reaching beneficiaries due to the BBMP’s 800 sqkm jurisdiction.

The MLAs and MLCs impressed upon Siddaramaiah that a city like New Delhi, which is almost the same size of the present day Bangalore, has three municipal corporations for its functioning.

Loud thinking

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Home Minister and MLA from Sarvajnanagar in the City K J George said the bifurcation of BBMP was only a ‘loud thinking’ and nothing concrete has emerged so far. “The MLAs and MLCs from the City met the chief minister and we had a general discussion,” he added.

However, Minister of State for Agriculture and MLA from Byatarayanapura, Krishna Byregowda said that the chief minister has called for a second round of talks on the split proposal.

“We (MLAs and MLCs) spoke to him on the issue and he has agreed to meet us at a later date to discuss the matter again,” he said.

The proposal to create BBMP was passed during the coalition regime of the JD(S) and the BJP in 2007.

Accordingly, the jurisdiction of the then Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) from 200 sqkm was increased to 800 sqkm by including seven city municipal councils, one town municipal council and 110 villages. Subsequently, the BMP was renamed BBMP.

Incidentally, the idea to reduce the jurisdiction of the BBMP was discussed even during the final days of the previous BJP government.