Governance

The only large playground on 19th Main, BTM layout, 1st stage has become dumping yard, for construction debris, owing to the broken fence all around. This playground comes under BBMP ward 176 and is a major open lung space for the neighbourhood.The residents feel that if the fencing is not done, the entire playground will soon become a dumping yard. Some contractors have started to illegally dump construction debris at night. Subramaniyam Sheshadari, a resident who stays opposite the playground says that at the least, the fence should be repaired to avoid the situation from getting worse. Debris in the…

So we have a new Mayor now. Time for celebration - or introspection? You decide, after reading the backgrounder described here. Three weeks ago, a group of RWAs (residents' welfare associations) sounded jubilant that justice prevails, at least some of the time. Abhyudaya, a federation of RWAs of old ward no. 55 of the city, put out details of the six year long battle that they had been waging (since 2005) with the BBMP. The residents discovered that out of 11 CA sites meant for common use, as community parks or playgrounds, sanctioned by the BDA, seven had been illegally…

Most of us have paid the taxes for the years 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 & 2011-12 by filling the appropriate form (From I - for properties with PID no./ Form II-for properties having only Khata no./ Form III-for properties with neither PID nor Khata no.). Now it is time to pay taxes for the current year.The forms are of two different types - White (Form IV) and Blue (Form V).For properties, where there is no change in any field - either in CATEGORY (Residential / Non-Residential), or DIMENSIONS (Any addition / Deletion to the structure), USAGE (Tenanted / Self occupied), you…

Koramangala 1st block, 1st cross, has sewage water overflowing on the roads. The overflow leaves an unbearable stench. This problem has been persisting for over four months now. Residents believe that garbage dumped inside the sewage drains by the restaurants around and the nearby Sulabh public toilet, is causing it to overflow. BWSSB says the pipeline carrying the sewage is too narrow to carry the load and the problem is being examined. Dr. Malini Jayasurya, a resident, says, "we have complained several times to BWSSB. They come, charge money, clean up and go. The next day, situation is the same."…

Debt-ridden BBMP is unable to retrieve Rs 12,68,030 from National Public School (NPS), Koramangala, for the 7,166 sqft of land it leased.A Right to Information(RTI) reply, sought by MVK Anil kumar and RTI activist from Koramangala, indicates that NPS at Ejipura Ward, near NGV has possession of more than 7000 square feet of BBMP's land but till date the rent has not been paid. Nearby the school land, there is a strip of land measuring 7166.66 square feet. This land has twin 3 meters underlying sewage pipeline laid by BWSSB. NPS wanted to take up the maintenance of this land…

BBMP Council elected its Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2012-13 on April 26th. Kathriguppe (ward number 163) Corporator D Venkatesh Murthy became Mayor while Padmanabha Nagar (182) Corporator L Srinivas became Deputy Mayor.These BJP corporators were the only ones who filed their nominations at the elections, and were hence elected directly. Home, Transport and Bangalore-in-charge Minister R Ashoka was present. The Mayor position is reserved for Backward class A category, while that of Deputy Mayor is for general category this year. Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy (R) with Minister R Ashoka and Deputy Mayor L Srinivas (L), after nomination. Pic: Navya…

This year, each property under BBMP has been given a new GIS-based PID number. PID will have ward number, new street ID and newly allotted property number.To find your PID number, please follow these steps:1) Go to the link bbmp.gov.in2) Click on the tab 'GIS based new PID'3) Go to the bottom of the page and click on 'To Know your New PID Click Here'4) Enter the application number you used for your 2008-2009 property tax payment or enter your old PID Number and click on 'Search'.5) Click on your name and then click 'Fetch'. You will get the details.…

UPDATE: For Summary revisions of rolls open November 5th to December 4th 2012, click here. The Election commission of India has announced a special opportunity for the citizens of Bengaluru. You can enrol as a first-time voter or oncoming to reside in Assembly Constituency.If your name has been left out in the voter's list published in January, give the required information to the booth level officers when they visit your house, to enable them to include your name. Any kind of form filling is not required.You can get corrections done in your entry or the EPIC card issued to you.You…

Karnataka Housing Board's National Games Village (NGV) is in a mess for almost 10 years now. KHB has not taken any step towards maintenance. NGV has rubbles, and garbage dump all around it. However, no cleaning has been taken up by the KHB despite collecting an external maintenance of Rs. 450 per house.The National games village has 14 blocks and over 2500 houses. The maintenance has been handed over to the residents, making them responsible for internal maintenance. External maintenance however still remains with KHB.A maintenance of Rs. 1500 is collected by every block of NGV out of which, Rs.…

Lack of trash pickup points nearby has made 6th cross, 3rd block Koramangala near BDA complex a garbage dumping space for over 20 years now. Pourakarmikas say the garbage pickup truck comes about once a week to clear it. Devi, a pourakarmika says, "We have been dumping the garbage of the whole locality here. The BBMP truck comes and collects it whenever they want."    Garbage dump at BDA complex, Koramangala. Pic: Anisha Nair      The garbage menace has been bothering residents and shopkeepers alike. A tea stall owner outside the BDA complex, who did not want to be named, says,…