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BMC ropes in TISS for study on octroi

Wednesday, 22 May 2013 10:00 administrator
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The Indian Express                22.05.2013

BMC ropes in TISS for study on octroi

EVEN as the state government is set to frame a new policy on LBT, BMC has appointed Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to conduct a study on octroi system before it is replaced.

The civic administration has set aside Rs 25.16 lakh for the study. A 30 per cent rise in cost is expected as TISS plans to attend workshops with other study groups across the country.

"We want to make the transition from octroi to LBT as easy as possible for traders. TISS will help us smoothen the transition and also help set rates and norms so that revenue neutrality is maintained when LBT replaces octroi," a senior civic official said.

He added that the corporation would conduct its own study for which a committee of retired civic officials would be formed.

BMC has held two meetings with TISS and an interim report on the transition phase is expected in September. A final report is expected by December.

However, BJP corporators are opposed to the proposal.

"The government is yet come out with its LBT policy so what is the hurry? What if the state government changes its mind? The expenses on the study will go waste," said BJP corporator Manoj Kotak, who is also a standing committee member.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 May 2013 10:06
 

BBMP told to drop 448 works worth Rs 109 crore

Wednesday, 22 May 2013 09:47 administrator
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Deccan Herald                  22.05.2013

BBMP told to drop 448 works worth Rs 109 crore

The inspection teams constituted by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to assess the spillover works of previous years, has recommended to drop at least 448 works worth Rs 109 crore, while it has endorsed technical audit of 2,910 works worth Rs 575 crore.

BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah had constituted eight teams headed by senior officers to review the status of spillover and ongoing works in all eight zones of the Palike. So far only four teams have submitted their reports pertaining to Dasarahalli, Yelahanka,Bommanahalli and Rajarajeshwarinagar zones.

The reason for dropping the works and endorsing technical audit is said to be that even three-year-old spillover works have started only on paper, while those works which are in progress are of inferior quality. The team auditing the works in Dasarahalli zone found that 87 works for 2010-11 and 2011-12 have not yet begun, while files pertaining to 210 works are yet to get approvals.
 

At last, BBMP transfers Binny Mills land to Rlys

Wednesday, 22 May 2013 09:40 administrator
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Deccan Herald                  22.05.2013

At last, BBMP transfers Binny Mills land to Rlys

The Bangalore division of the South Western Railways (SWR) has finally managed to get 3.3 acres of land of the Binny Mills area to help them expand the City Railway Station.

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), in a land swap, has allotted the Binny Mills property to the Railways, in exchange of 3.16 acres of Railways land.

The SWR authorities have provided the BBMP 3.16 acres of Railway land for the construction of the Okalipuram Corridor, a flyover connecting Majestic to Fountain Circle in Rajajinagar.
The 16-acre Binny Mills land has been a demand of the SWR authorities for a long time so as to allow the expansion of the fast-choking City Railway Station.

“Though our primary demand for more land remains pending, the allotted 3.3 acres will help the City Railway station expand the pit line from its present 18-coach facility to a 24-coach facility and improve efficiency," said Divisional Manager Anil Kumar Agarwal.

He added that the new facility could possibly ease some pressure off the City Railway Station, but ideally, the station needed a lot more land in order to meet its increasing passenger footfalls.

Partial notification

Agarwal said Railways was yet to get complete possession of the land. He said, “On February 12, only a partial notification was issued by the BBMP. The complete possession has been pending since then.”

Agarwal said the delay was due to the change in government and that he was expecting the complete possession shortly.

He said that he was not too optimistic about any further acquisition of the Binny Mills land as the State government had planned to acquire the rest of the land for its commuter rail project, which will help connect the satellite towns to the Central Business District.

 
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