Guv returns Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has returned the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill to the government seeking clarifications after it was passed by both houses of the state legislature, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said on Wednesday. The bill passed despite opposition from BJP, proposes restructuring Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) by dividing it into a maximum of seven city corporations in the Greater Bengaluru Area. It also suggests the formation of a Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to oversee coordination and supervision, with a 30-month term both for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

According to the proposal, the GBA would be headed by the Chief Minister as the ex-officio chair - person, while the minister incharge of development of Bengaluru would be the exofficio vice-chairperson. "'The Governor has sent the bill back seeking some clarifications. It will be sent to the Governor again with the clarifications for approval," Patil said. Addressing reporters here, he said since August 2023, a total of 119 bills have been passed so far, and out of these 83 bills have been notified as laws. "Clarification has been sought by the Governor on seven bills, four are with him and five have been sent to the President for assent. Twenty bills are being sent to the Governor," he said.

Citing representations from the civic groups and opposition BJP, the Governor has returned the Greater Bengaluru Governance bill with a direction to resubmit it along with suitable clarifications. He has advised the state government to address the issues raised. Noting that the Bill proposes to divide the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike into 7 separate municipal corporations, the Governor has said, "But this experiment has failed in Delhi, and a similar situation may likely arise here too.'