Before we get into our stories for this week, we need your help!

Oorvani Foundation is looking for a lawyer to work with us pro-bono on reviewing investigative reporting stories. This is critical assistance and we are unable to afford commercial rates. Work may amount to an hour per week, and we are flexible about this.

If any of you are able to chip in, please send an email to edit@citizenmatters.in with a brief intro about yourself and we will get back with more specifics. You can have an informational conversation with us and then decide whether this matches your interests. Sending an email is not a commitment. We look forward.

Here’s a look at the latest news from Bengaluru:

• BBMP is all set to implement e-swathu scheme that will issue e-khatas to all those who hold legal A khata properties. This is expected to put a large number of people holding B khata sites in trouble.
• The BBMP helpline has got a new lease of life with 30 staff handling it 24×7. Expect your complaints to be resolved soon.
• Over 25,000 runners are expected to participate this year in the TCS-10K to be held this Sunday.
• Chief Minister has assured that the poor whose houses were demolished during the encroachment eviction drive will be rehabilitated.
• Around 300 people attended the conference on legalising marijuana last Sunday. The conference aimed to put pressure on the government to legalise the drug, and make use of its medicinal properties.
• SSLC results are out. Bengaluru Urban districts (North and South) got a pass percentage of 84.90 and 78 respectively, while Bengaluru Rural has a percentage of 91.1.

This week’s highlight: NGT verdict on Bellandur SEZ project

SEZ project on Agara-Bellandur lake bed. Pic: Pavithra Ashok Kumar

The National Green Tribunal delivered a verdict on the SEZ coming up on the catchment area of Bellandur lake. Builders Mantri and Core Mind have been fined Rs 117.35 cr and Rs 22.5 cr respectively for commencing the SEZ project in the Bellandur catchment area before obtaining Environmental Clearance. While the judgment has given hope to the activists fighting the case, it does not seem to be the end of the legal battle on the environment aspect of the project.

Read: NGT fines builders.

Update on demolition drive

In an interview with us, Bengaluru DC V Shankar states that while the demolition drive has been put on hold, even BDA layouts could be demolished if Cabinet approval came through. Read what he had to say here.

Living in the city

Namma Bengaluru Foundation met BBMP Administrator Vijay Bhaskar on May 12th to hand over a memorandum on civic issues relating to Bengaluru. Here’s what it covered.

The heroes among us

Bellandur continues to buzz with activity. In the last fortnight alone children asked local eatery owners to ditch disposable plates, Hasiru Dala conducted a talk on waste management and miscreants cutting the fence around Iblur Lake were apprehended. Read all about it here.

Accolades for PNLIT

The Puttenahalli Lake Trust was judged a winner by Earth Day Network-India for its Sahar Green Karo Contest. Their entry was the pre-monsoon lake cleaning drive they had organised on 28th March. Kudos!

Music matters

On the occasion of Mother’s Day, Chitra Srikrishna share Carnatic songs that featured the mother as a central theme. Read: Ode to the mother.

And here’s something for aficionados of Hindu mythology: Songs composed about the relationship between Krishna and Yashodha.

Events this week

• Head over to Alliance Francaise on May 15th to watch The Prophet and the Poet, a play based on the letters exchanged between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore over 25 years.
• Trace the footsteps of  the Tiger of Mysore at the Tipu Sultan Trail on May 16th. The walk starts at Bangalore Fort at 9 am.
• Temple historian, Vatsala Iyengar will be talking about the Erotic Art of Karnataka along with a visual presentation on Khajuraho and various similar depictions from Karnataka at Bangalore International Centre on May 22nd.
• French musician duo, L’Entourloop will be performing at Humming Tree on May 22nd. Make your way there to check out what a mashup of hip hop and reggae sounds like.

Click here for the complete list of events happening in Bengaluru.

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