Meeting on formation of ward committees today

Commissioner to report the progress to the High Court on Jan 21

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has convened a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss formation of the area sabhas and ward committees.

The corporators are likely to be told to complete the process before January 21, on which day the Palike commissioner is scheduled to appear before the High Court to give details of the ward committees and the measures taken to address garbage crisis.

However, several corporators, including former mayor Sharadamma, are unaware of the
High Court’s direction to the Palike on setting up the committees.

Sharadamma initially told Deccan Herald that she did not know about the formation of ward committees.

Later, she said a Council meeting has been convened on Tuesday, may be, to discuss the issue.

Byatarayanapura ward corporator Indira said she has no information about the ward committees, but it can be formed in her ward anytime, since the ward has enthusiastic residents to work selflessly for its welfare.

Doddabommasandra corporator M E Pillappa said he has heard about the High Court’s direction, but has not formed the committee yet.

“We have people eligible to become members, including some residents' welfare associations. Let us see the outcome of the meeting on Tuesday,” said Pillappa.

Among all the corporators Deccan Herald spoke to, Devarajeevanahalli corporator R Sampath Raj was quite enthusiastic about the ward committees. He said he desperately wanted to set up the committee to rid his ward of garbage crisis.

“For a strong political future, the garbage crisis needs to be solved,” he said. He wanted to give an advertisement in newspapers, inviting applications from those interested to become ward members, but time was a constraint, Sampath Raj said.

Meanwhile, Palike Commissioner Siddaiah on Monday inspected several areas in the City to oversee disposal of garbage.  

He visited localities such as Malleswaram, Chamarajpet, Padarayanapura, Vijayanagar, Subrahmanyanagar, Milk Colony, Sankey Tank, Shivaji Nagar, Dickenson Road, Ulsoor Road and Ulsoor Lake.  He took serious note of the contractors’ failure to employ the required number of people, vehicles and other equipment for clearing garbage despite agreeing to deploy required men and material for the task in their contract with the Palike.

Siddaiah directed the area engineers keep an eye on the manpower and machines deployed by the contractors besides ensuring smooth garbage clearance. He said notices should be issued to contractors if they failed to discharge their duties.

Taken to task

The executive engineer of Chamarajpet was taken to task for poor garbage clearance at Idgah Maidan and surrounding areas. At Sankey Tank, Siddaiah met the local residents as well as the members of morning walkers' association and promised that their demands would be considered sympathetically.

He was content to find the road and the footpath of Ulsoor, Jayamahal, Dickenson Road, CMH Road and Palace Road free from construction material.

During the inspection at Mestripalya Lake, residents told the Commissioner that out of 11 acre of the lake, three acre has been encroached upon. Siddaiah said he would initiate measures to clear the encroachment.