The Hindu 14.12.2013
Mayor completes 100 days
‘Initiatives taken will bear fruit in two months’
: “The past 100 days as Mayor have been satisfying… the
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials have been
cooperative,” said Mayor B.S. Sathyanarayana.
Mr. Sathyanarayana and his deputy Indira were chosen unanimously for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor on September 4.
He told
The Hindu
that several initiatives have been taken, which would “bear fruit in
another two months.” Elaborating, he said segregation units at the
various landfills have already been set up and would start functioning
soon.
“The other initiatives that are in the pipeline
include renovation of Town Hall and parts of City Market, and the
construction of a steel bridge between Minerva Circle and Hudson
Circle.”
Infrastructure projects that were
progressing at a snail’s pace are being pushed on the fast track. Citing
the example of C.N.R. Rao underpass, he said that though several
deadlines were issued, the work had not progressed.
“We
conducted weekly inspections and pushed the contractor to complete the
work soon. The work will be completed this month end in all likelihood,”
he said.
With impetus given to mobilising revenue,
Mr. Sathyanarayana said the property tax that has been collected by the
civic body has seen an increase. He added that more properties have been
brought under the tax net.
“We have already reviewed
tax collections in four zones. The collections can be increased if
officials put in a bit more effort. Though I have directed revenue
officials to review the tax paid by at least 25 properties a day, they
are not following it up, which is disappointing,” he said.
Social media
Asked
about the pluses of being the First Citizen of the city, he said that
it had given him the opportunity to interact with people from all
sections of society, especially with netizens on social media.
“It
is through social media that I have been able to reach across to many
people. I have received many good suggestions about improving the BBMP’s
administration as well as received brickbats,” he added.
The
Mayor may have completed 100 days in office, but it remains to be seen
if his assurances to the public will actually materialise.
