After the quota Bill reserving jobs for ‘Kannadigas’ in managerial and clerical roles in the private sector generated significant debate in Karnataka, another Bill currently under discussion — Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024 — is expected to add fuel to fire.
The draft Bill proposes creating a new body — the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) — with enhanced planning and financial powers. It includes provisions to establish five to 10 corporations under the GBA, which will have a three-tier governance structure: the chief minister at the top, followed by municipal corporations and ward committees. The GBA will be co-chaired by the Bengaluru development minister, four other ministers, all city MLAs, and heads of key city agencies like BDA, BWSSB, Bescom, BMRCL, and BMTC.
Experts familiar with the Bill suggest it may be tabled before the current monsoon session ends, but the debate could be postponed.
If the Bill is not tabled, the Karnataka government would need to conduct Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections in October alongside other state elections which, sources say, they prefer to avoid. Tabling the Bill now could give the Congress more time to implement the GBA, according to a source in the ruling party.
V Ravi Chander, member of the Brand Bengaluru Committee, noted that the draft Bill builds on the 2018 proposal but includes significant updates. “Our current draft Bill is based on the 2018 draft, updated with insights from the last six years and current realities,” he said.
Which Areas Will It Cover?
Experts indicate that metro lines in Bengaluru have already extended beyond BBMP boundaries. This will be considered in planning the GBA. Growth and development will focus on the southern corridor, especially towards the airport. Development may also extend along the airport road and into Yelahanka, while areas like Jigani and Bommasandra are expected to expand. The eastern part of Bengaluru has limited expansion potential. To the west, areas along Tumkur Road and nearby regions, connected by the metro line, have reached Nelamangala, which is outside BBMP limits.
“We need to be aware of these developments and decide which areas to include in urban planning. The Electronics City Industrial Township Authority (ELCITA) will also be part of the GBA,” an official said.
So, will the GBA extend to areas like Tumkuru, Chikkaballapura, or Ramanagara? Officials from the Bengaluru Committee stated there is no such proposal. This is in response to demands by senior Congress leaders, such as Dr G Parameshwara (Tumkur) and Sharath Bachegowda (Hoskote) to include these areas for city growth.
The official clarified that these demands could be politically motivated and administratively unfeasible. Tumkur or Ramanagara cannot be included as this will undermine the GBA’s purpose as a regional governance mechanism for Bengaluru if it covers 3,000 to 4,000 square kilometres.
The GBA is envisioned to include areas slightly beyond the current Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) jurisdiction, particularly along the Metro lines. The government’s suggestion is to extend by approximately 975 square kilometres, meaning areas like Tumkur, Hoskote, Bidadi, or Ramanagara will not be included. Following Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s suggestion to rename Ramanagara as Bengaluru South, legislators from surrounding constituencies like Yelahanka and Hoskote are also seeking the Bengaluru tag.
The previous BJP government had proposed including Hoskote as part of Bengaluru. Similarly, Karnataka’s Home Minister Parameshwara argues that Bengaluru, being Asia’s fastest-growing city, needs to expand beyond its current limits, including areas like Tumakuru, from where he is elected. Hoskote MLA Sharath Bachegowda has proposed creating a greenfield satellite city similar to Gurugram, which could be attached to the Greater Bengaluru tag.
What Does the Draft Bill Say?
The draft Bill proposes that the GBA oversee an area of about 1,400 square kilometres, aligning with the current BDA jurisdiction. The BBMP currently covers 709 square kilometres. The Bill suggests increasing the number of wards from 225 to 400. Each corporation will have a mayor-in-council with up to 12 members, replacing the current standing committee system. Ward committees will have proportional representation, with candidates securing at least 10 per cent of the vote in a councillor election earning a seat.
The bill emphasises deep decentralisation, granting more powers to local ward committees, including financial assistance. The government will decide the number of corporations, and the Bill’s coverage will be defined through a notification. The GBA will ensure fair distribution of property tax revenues through state grants.
The committee, led by retired IAS officer BS Patil, first submitted the draft Bill to the government in 2018. It was reconvened in June 2023 as the Congress government pursued its proposal to divide the BBMP into smaller corporations under the GBA. Insiders suggest the Bill might not be passed immediately due to ongoing controversies like the MUDA and Valmiki scams and the quota reservation Bill. The previous BJP government had conducted a delimitation exercise in 2021, creating 243 wards.
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