Governance

The death of two-year old Sandeep a few months ago brought back the debate on the vexing issue of stray dogs in Bengaluru. The city is divided with animal lovers opposing mass culling of strays, with an equally vocal group advocating culling as the only solution. There's plenty of food for man's best friend on the street, what with all the eateries around. Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi. Following Sandeep's death, in July, Rajesh Shukla, 39, an entrepreneur in Bangalore decided to get involved. Apart from consulting US-based forensic experts to get their opinion on Sandeep's death, Shukla started www.strays.in, to "Provide…

In the first half of 2011 alone, 1172 fire cases were reported in Bengaluru (BBMP) limits, says a top Karnataka fire department official. Following the High Court's ruling on a PIL filed by the Beyond Carlton group, the state government issued a notification on July 7 this year. The notification mandates co-ordination between BBMP and the state's Fire and Emergency Services department to check for fire safety in high rises.High rises (buildings with height above 15 m) are supposed to abide by safety norms of BBMP's building bye-laws, RMP (Revised Master Plan) and NBC (National Building Code). Unlike earlier, the…

"Be the change you want to see in the world" - M K Gandhi A friend of mine, talking about corruption once said, "India is like this only, we just have to flow with the tide... who has the time to spend... it's just not worth it". Another friend, a senior manager in a reputed company, talking as if corruption was a commodity, once said, "This is the going rate... what's wrong in paying?". Attempts to refute these statements and questions were resulting in long debates and at the end of it, strained relationships... so I breathed deeply and let…

When the BBMP budget was passed on Saturday, September 3rd, 171 corporators had got additional grants for ward works. While the allocation was Rs 1-4 crore for most wards, the highest allocation was for Mayor Sharadamma's ward Shettihalli (ward number 12). Mayor's ward received Rs 15 cr.The second highest allocation was Rs 8 cr, for Deputy Mayor S Harish's ward Nagapura (67). Rs 5 cr were allocated to Shanthinagar (117) and BTM layout (176), both of which are represented by Congress.The additional ward grants have taken the budget outlay from the earlier Rs 9196 cr to Rs 9380 cr. This…

The Vidyapeeta ITI layout in Kathriguppe relinquished four parks to BDA as per layout plan sanction regulations. But instead of handing over these parks to BBMP for maintenance, BDA granted two parks to private parties; none of the four sites are parks now. The layout residents have been fighting for proper use of these sites since 1995. In HAL 2nd stage, BDA leased out a CA site of 21,900 sq ft to Indiranagar Social Welfare Trust in 1991. The lease was for 30 years on annual rent of Rs 2, on the condition that the Trust would build educational institutions…

The BBMP budget was presented on 18 August, the discussions on budget went on for four days - from August 23-26. Some opposition leaders raised their points and asked for clarifications during the session. There were no official responses were given on the same day. The voting on the budget will be held on Saturday, September 3. BBMP budget discusion in progress. Pic: Yogaraj S Mudalgi Congress councillor M Nagaraj (Nandini Layout Ward 43), who was the opposition leader last yearAllocation is not equal for all wards; some have too many works proposed and others few. Many works proposed in…

It was 10 am on Sunday August 28th at Freedom Park when nine people who had remained on indefinite fast since drank coconut water. They ended their fast along with Anna Hazare in New Delhi. N Ravi, 28, one of them says, "I am happy as the struggle of 12 days has paid off. The government has listened to us. I will continue to be there at Freedom Park till the issue has resolved." Talking about his experience, Ravi says, "It has been a difficult time as we went through a lot physically and emotionally. However, the joy of succeeding…

Even as the Hazare movement has drawn thousands to Freedom Park every day since August 16th, Bangalore's MPs are camped in Delhi. While D B Chandre Gowda (BJP, Bangalore North) and Rajeev Chandrasekhar (Rajya Sabha) reportedly visited Freedom Park recently, the other MPs have not been as ‘accessible'. D B Chandre Gowda, BJP MP, Bangalore North, speaking at Freedom Park, Bangalore. Pic: Yogesh Devraj. On Tuesday, D B Chandre Gowda (BJP, Bangalore North) and P C Mohan (BJP, Bangalore Central) spoke to Citizen Matters over telephone on the Lokpal issue and Hazare's ultimatum to the UPA government. Chandre Gowda is…

A commercial building located in between Fortis Hospital and Apollo Hospital along Bannerghatta road in Bengaluru is being demolished by the BBMP since August 19. The building, ‘Amalodhbhala Tower', is located in one part of a 2 acre 32 guntas government land which was encroached by the complex's owner, one Shantharaju. About half the demolition of 'Amalodhbala Tower' was complete by August 22. Pic: Navya P K. This encroachment was mentioned in the report of V Balasubramanian (IAS, Retd.), Chairman of the Task Force for Recovery and Protection of Public Lands, which was published in June. In addition to Shantharaju,…

On the sixth day of the IAC protest at Freedom Park, more than five thousand people gathered to show their support. Thousands signing the banner supporting Anna Hazare. Pic: Padmalatha Ravi Master Hirannaiah, a theatre personality, known for his ability to deliver scathing views on politics, did not dissappoint. Dr Devi Shetty who gave a brief speech got a rousing welcome from those gathered. Hundreds of organisations pledged their support. Many of the particpants were joining in for the first time. A businessman, Anup, in his mid-thirties, said 'I was holding back because, I have paid a lot of bribe…