The Joint Legislative Committee, tasked with reviewing the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill (GBGB), 2024, has recommended restructuring the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into a minimum of two and a maximum of seven smaller municipal corporations. The committee, headed by MLA Rizwan Arshad, submitted the report to Assembly Speaker, U.T. Khader on Monday.
The GBGB 2024 was introduced in the Assembly in July 2024. Following legislators’ demands for discussions, the 13-member Joint Committee was formed.
The Speaker will present the report in the Budget session. According to sources, the panel has not recommended creating seven corporations at once and has left the decision to the government on the number based on prevailing circumstances.
The committee conducted multiple consultations with legal experts, urban planners, and the public. It also considered the recommendations of BJP members, a source said.
“Bengaluru is the economic hub of the country and a dream city for many. However, its current administrative structure is inadequate to meet its growing needs. Citizens have voiced the need for an alternative governance model, as a single BBMP cannot efficiently drive development,” said a source who was involved in drafting the report.
Recommendations
BBMP covers a population of 1.51 crore over 870 sq.km. The report suggests forming a Greater Bengaluru Authority to coordinate among various civic agencies. Each new corporation should have 100-125 wards with a mayor’s tenure set at 30 months. A separate Legislative Constituency Consultation Committee should be formed for better coordination, the panel recommended in the report.
The report says the formation of new corporations should be planned considering revenue collection. Each corporation should have complete autonomy, with mandatory elections within a set timeframe. The committee has also proposed measures to curb corruption.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority will be led by the Chief Minister, with the Bengaluru Development Minister as Vice Chairman. Existing agencies like BMRCL, BDA, and BWSSB will continue functioning independently.
The committee has suggested naming the new corporations based on geographical zones, such as Bengaluru South, Bengaluru East, and Bengaluru West. Additionally, fully developed villages could be integrated into these corporations to streamline governance.
Published - February 24, 2025 10:32 pm IST
