Greater B’luru Bill unconstitutional: Activists

Bengaluru: Citizens and activists have lashed out at the state government for approving the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill (GBGB), which was passed in the Legislative Council on Thursday. On Tuesday, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, despite opposition from the BJP, passed the Bill, which proposes splitting the BBMP into seven corporations. It also calls for the creation of a Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which would be headed by the CM. Activists argue that the GBGB centralizes power with the state government instead of devolving it to local bodies and wards.

Rajkumar Dugar, convenor of Citizens4Citizens, criticized the "hurried and buried" manner in which the Bill was passed. “It reeks of disregard for the citizens. No inputs were taken from the public consultation held a few months ago,” he claimed. Dugar warned that splitting Bengaluru into seven corporations could open a Pandora’s box. “It will lead to lopsided development, and the most concerning aspect is that the Chief Minister will have the final authority. How will they find time to focus on Bengaluru when they have an entire state to govern?” he questioned.

He also pointed out that the Bill would diminish citizens’ power, especially since Ward Committee Meetings would become ineffective under higher authorities who, according to him, may not understand the ground reality. “This was a priority in the Brand Bengaluru Committee. Why is it not being implemented?” he asked. Dugar further argued that dividing the city into corporations would erode citizens’ emotional connection with B e n g a l u r u . “There wouldn’t be a holistic sense of belonging. People wouldn’t even celebrate metro projects if they don’t fall under their respective corporations,” he lamented. Instead, Dugar suggested prioritizing the implementation of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA), which aims to unify traffic and transport agencies, and immediately announcing the BBMP elections. “Let an elected council prepare its own proposal to the state government regarding this Bill,” he concluded. The Bengaluru Navanirmana Party (BNP) has also strongly opposed the Bill and plans to stage a daylong fast at Freedom Park on Sunday.

Srikkanth Narasimhan, the BNP’s founder and general secretary, outlined four key objections. “We want the Mayor and councillors to have clearly defined responsibilities, and their term should be for five years, not just one or two,” he said. Narasimhan also warned that introducing the GBA would create more confusion. “Instead, a metropolitan planning commission should be formed, and all civic utilities should be brought under the BBMP rather than being managed by separate agencies,” he argued. Both Dugar and Narasimhan echoed concerns that the Bill is unconstitutional.

“This violates the 74th Amendment of the Constitution,” Dugar asserted. “The GBGB also contradicts the goal of decongesting Bengaluru. That can only happen by developing other cities in the state,” he added. Rahman Qaudri, a resident of New Thippasandra, believes the Bill is an attempt to delay the BBMP elections. “The BBMP is already failing to provide civic amenities. How can we expect multiple corporations to do any better?” he quipped.