Reddy: BBMP polls likely in Dec, CM will clear projects

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday said that Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections may be held in December.

He made the comments to media persons after meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the issue of Bengaluru development among other topics.

Reddy added that he requested the CM to give clearance to projects within the city.

“BBMP elections are likely to be conducted in December. Therefore, we have asked the CM to clear pending projects as far as the city (Bengaluru) is concerned. Also on the agenda was drinking water and solid waste management,” Reddy said.

This is the first time a Cabinet minister has given a time frame for the elections to be held.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah had refused to give a date for the local body polls, pointing out that there had been a Karnataka High Court order which had asked them to complete the BBMP delimitation “within 12 weeks” back on June 21.

The CM pointed out that the HC would subsequently direct them to conduct the polls, upon which they would respond positively. The minister’s statement comes at a time when several Congress MLAs have claimed that Cabinet personnel are not accessible and that infrastructure works in their constituencies are being delayed.

Siddaramaiah has responded by holding meetings with ruling party MLAs from every district.

‘Contractor report in 20 days’

Reddy said that the judicial probe into the allegations of contractors, which is being headed by retired HC judge B Veerappa, would be concluded in another 20 days.

He added that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been given 30 days to submit its report and 10 days had already concluded.

“The (State) government had formed an SIT to investigate the irregularities in the BBMP works. The SIT had been asked to submit its findings in 30 days. It has been 10 days and we will get the report in another 20 days. Once the report is handed, contractors who are genuine and have worked sincerely will get their money,” Reddy said.

The Karnataka State Contractor’s Association (KSCA) president Kempanna has demanded that their dues be released at the earliest.

On the other hand, the State government is of the opinion that Kempanna’s 40 per cent commission allegations against the previous regime need to be probed before funds can be released.