Decentralisation Debate: The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill Controversy

The Karnataka Assembly passed the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, proposing to split BBMP into up to seven corporations and establishing a new Greater Bengaluru Authority. Deputy CM D K Shivakumar advocated for decentralisation, while the opposition criticized the move as potentially divisive and unnecessary without elected representation.

In a significant development in Karnataka, the Assembly passed the contentious Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill on Monday, despite facing protests from the opposition BJP. This legislative move aims to restructure the existing civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), by dividing it into seven city corporations, transforming the administrative landscape of the Greater Bengaluru Area.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who spearheaded the bill, emphasised the objective of decentralising power and strengthening Bengaluru's governance. "We are here to make Bengaluru strong," he declared, countering criticism from opposition benches. Shivakumar assured that the bill is a stride towards giving the metropolis a robust direction, seeking to address rising administrative challenges.

However, the bill has invited sharp criticism from opposition leaders like R Ashoka, who argue that it contradicts the vision of enhancing local governance as envisioned by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Critiques flagged the absence of an elected civic body in BBMP for years and suggested that elections should precede any administrative overhaul to ensure democratic governance.

(With inputs from agencies.)