The Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed an amendment bill that makes rainwater harvesting compulsory for houses being built on plots not less than 108 sq mts. Houses already built on sites measuring 216 sq mts must also adopt rainwater harvesting.
The bill seeks to amend the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Bill, 2016, for this purpose. The government had a few months ago, made rainwater harvesting mandatory for all buildings on sites not less than 2,400 sq ft.
Similarly, it was made compulsory for owners building houses on sites not less than 1,200 sq ft. But the BDA and KHB allot sites that measure 216 sq mts and 108 sq mts. These add up to less than 2,400 sq ft and 1,200 sq ft respectively. The government has, therefore sought to rectify this loophole in the law through this amendment bill.
The new rule on rainwater harvesting will be applicable in BBMP limits. The bill was piloted by Bengaluru Urban Development Minister K J George. There was no discussion on the bill as the Opposition was vociferously demanding the resignation of George in connection with the death of police officer M K Ganapathi.
The BJP members, who were staging a dharna in the well of House, tore the bill copies. Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar took exception to Speaker K B Koliwad conducting the proceedings and allowing passage of bills despite disorder in the House.