The Hindu 05.06.2012
Make BBMP debt-free: former Mayors
FIRST CITIZENS ALL:Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy (right) greets the former
Mayors before the commencement of the meeting in Bangalore on Monday.—
Photo: K . Bhagya Prakash
Concentrate on revenue generation, cut down unnecessary
expenditure and work towards making Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike
(BBMP) debt-free.
This was the advice veterans — all former Mayors — gave the incumbent, D. Venkatesh Murthy, here on Monday.
Mr. Murthy had invited 12 of his predecessors to pick their brains.
The
nine who attended the meeting emphasised reduction of the debt burden
and suggested that the BBMP turn to the State Government for help.
They also objected to the BBMP’s proposal to offer public property as collateral for loans.
K.
Lakkanna, whose tenure was during 1992-93, suggested that the BBMP put
on hold works that were not emergencies. “Allocation to old wards that
are developed can be brought down till there is improvement in
finances.” He suggested that part of the road tax collected by the
Transport Department through the Regional Transport Office could be
given to the BBMP, which creates and maintains road infrastructure in
the city.
Cess on parking
J.
Huchchappa (1997-98) suggested levying of tax/ cess on vehicles parked
on roads and footpaths across the city. “The BBMP must not permit new
apartment complexes and malls. With the increase in the number of
multi-storeyed apartment complexes, drinking water shortage has been
aggravated,” he claimed.
P.R. Ramesh (2003-04)
pointed out that revenue generation should be prioritised. “In 2009-10,
BBMP borrowed over Rs. 1,000 crore. In both 2010-11 and 2011-12, it was
Rs. 700 crore. This year again, the BBMP offered three buildings as
collateral for loans of over Rs. 1,000 crore. This repeated borrowing
has raised doubts among citizens about its financial health.” He
suggested that the BBMP approach the State government to increase the
State Finance Corporation funds to the civic body, as the city
contributes around Rs. 60,000 crore to the exchequers of both the Union
and State governments.
Green efforts
K.H.N.
Simha (1998-99) stressed the need to plant saplings to retain the
Garden City tag. While appreciating the BBMP’s efforts in this
direction, M. Ramachandrappa (1999-2000) sought to know where the
saplings were being planted. Pointing out to the “poor planning” by
officials, he said after the roads are widened, footpaths are created
over drains. “For example, take Hosur Road and C.V. Raman Avanue (Mehkri
Circle to Yeshwanthpur). Where is the space to plant trees?”
B.V. Putte Gowda (1986-87) urged officials not to bow down to political pressure and keep tabs on the quality of works executed.
Padmavathy
Gangadhar Gowda (1996-97) spoke of the need to strengthen the Animal
Birth Control programme in the light of the increase in dog menace.
K.
Chandrashekar (2001-02), Hanumanthnagar councillor; former mayor
Sharadamma; Ruling Party Leader N. Nagaraju; and chairperson of Standing
Committee for Taxation and Finance Muneendra Kumar were present.
Mayor
Venkatesh Murthy pointed out that BBMP’s loans were availed of during
his predecessors’ tenures and said he would ensure no new buildings are
pledged to bail out the civic authority from its huge debt burden.
