Governance

We have seen many vision groups earlier. Now it's time for an action group! While the Assembly election is just two years away, the State government has constituted Bengaluru Blue Print Action Group (BBPAG). Here is a quick look into the various vision groups/task forces that were formed in the past, why were they formed, what have they achieved and couldn’t. Also is the list of bigwigs who have made it to more than two groups. Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) was formed in 1999, when S M Krishna was the Chief Minister. It was…

Read: What exactly is wrong with BBPAG, and why are people protesting? In the backdrop of growing criticism over the formation of Bengaluru Blue Print Action Group (BBPAG), Citizen Matters spoke to some of the members of the Action Group. They spoke about their previous experiences in committees and the relevance of the Action Group over the constitutional body - Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC). Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD Biocon and President B.PAC I think every Vision Group has been able to drive change and achieve a few milestones. Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) did have a strong influence on the…

To view the map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/anonymous/raw/66009e4011c6440294b90eb5a749ef79/ Mylapore, one of the oldest residential settlements in Chennai, lies in the southern part of Chennai. It was one of the most severely affected areas during the December floods. According to reports, the AIADMK has denied tickets to the sitting MLA R. Rajalakshmi, apprehensive of the possibility of anti-incumbency factors at work. AIADMK has been in power in the constituency since 2006. There are 2,57,032 registered voters in the constituency. The Mylapore constituency comprises Bharathidasan Nagar (Chennai Corporation Division 94) Vivekanandapuram (96 ), Alwarpet – North (115), Alwarpet – South (116 ), Bhemmannapet (142…

To view the map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/anonymous/raw/147b338b0167ad2ac94a970c15456b33 Perambur, which was earlier a reserved constituency, is one of the biggest Assembly constituencies in Chennai. From 1971-91, the DMK was in power here. The AIADMK came to power in 1991, and the DMK regained the constituency in 1996. Since 2001, the CPM has been in power here.   There are 2,88,901 registered voters in Perambur. The Perambur constituency includes Kodungaiyur (West), Kodungaiyur (East), Vysarpadi (South), Vysarpadi (North), Perambur (North), Perambur (East) and Elango Nagar. Perambur is an important railway hub. It houses the Integrated Coach Factory and has a higher percentage of blue-collar…

Who is your incumbent MLA? Is he contesting again? How much do you know about other candidates? Knowing is important, if we want our politicians to be accountable. This article was originally intended to be a quick recap of how our system of government functions. Possessing virtually no knowledge (and having forgotten what little I did learn in school), I began with a visit to Wikipedia, where I was informed that our votes in the election currently around the corner would be to select Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Great, so what do they do? Ostensibly they function as…

Joint Commissioner- East Yatish Kumar inspecting and penalising shops that violated plastic ban. Pic courtesy: SWM volunteers team Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has put its foot once again to show that plastic ban is here to stay, unlike many earlier instances of plastic ban notifications that were ineffective. With the National Green Tribunal postponing the hearing of petition against plastic ban to July 15, 2016, BBMP has released a notification that orders heavy fine on violators. The revised fines are listed below: Fines for manufacturing and sale of banned plastic items Criteria Fine for first time offense Fine for second…

As I drive past the roads of Bengaluru, all I see is huge hoardings of various developers and builders with beautiful pictures of residential and commercial complexes, wooing buyers of all types! Gone are the days when cinema ads dorned our roadsides. What hurts me most is the fancy names that these builders give to their projects, which come up on the grave of thousands of fruit-yielding trees or fertile fields-Green Orchards, Gardenia, Trees, Shrubs, Riverside, Lakeview and what not! Housing is important and it is but natural for every human being to look for a shelter. But this latest…

To view the map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/d/64a5d52b45b5e11d275dd023a246c831 Kolathur is a newly formed constituency, carved out of Purasawalkam and Villivakkam during the delimitation of constituencies in 2008. Kolathur constituency includes the wards Kolathur, Peravallur, Senthil Nagar, Srinivasa Nagar, Ayanavaram, Periyar Nagar, Poombugar Nagar, Jawagar Nagar and Sembiyam. The treasurer and the Youth Wing President of  DMK M.K.Stalin was elected as the first MLA from this constituency in 2011. There are 2,61,913 voters in this constituency. Candidates Independent Candidates M.K. Stalin (DMK) J.C.D. Prabhakaran (AIADMK) P. Mathivannan (DMDK) K.T. Raghavan (BJP) S.Gopal (PMK) C. Velan (BSP) S.Xavier Felix (NTK) S. Ashok Kumar  (Vidiyalai…

Dear members of civil society, who are the members of the newly formed Bangalore Blueprint Action Group, I am writing to you today because, like you, I care about Namma Bengaluru and I want its governance to improve. And I believe every one of us in the city can make a difference to its future. First, I am happy that the Government values your advice. The input of people who have both ideas and passion for the city should always be welcome in government. Many of you have a track record of interest in the welfare of the city, and…

To view map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/d/de408678254813d7f62068c3cf19b381 Saidapet occupies an important place in the political history of Tamil Nadu. DMK president M. Karunanidhi was elected from here in 1967, and in 1971 when he became the Chief Minister. This constituency was a DMK bastion till early 1980s, but AIADMK emerged victorious in 1984. The ruling power has emerged victorious in the last two elections. Rival parties DMK and AIADMK are campaigning hard to win back this constituency. There are 2,79,207 voters in the constituency, which includes: West Saidapet, CIT Nagar, Jaffarkhanpet, Ekkaduthangal, IIT, Raj Bhavan quarters, Maduvankarai, Surya Nagar, Srinagar Colony and…