Karnataka Government Introduces Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill

The Karnataka government has proposed the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill to establish up to 10 city corporations aimed at decentralizing municipal administration. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will be constituted with key officials and ministers, with the chief minister as the ex-officio chairperson. However, the bill faced opposition from BJP leaders who argue it may centralize rather than decentralize city governance.

The Karnataka government on Tuesday tabled the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill aimed at establishing a maximum of 10 city corporations to decentralize municipal administration.

The bill proposes the creation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) in which the chief minister will serve as the ex-officio chairperson, the minister in charge of Bengaluru as the vice-chairperson, and the chief commissioner as the ex-officio member secretary.

Key officials, including Karnataka ministers with home, urban development, transport, and energy portfolios, and ministers from Bengaluru, will serve as ex-officio members. Mayors and nominated city corporation members will also be part of the GBA. The commissioners of city corporations will be members without voting rights.

BJP lawmakers opposed the bill, arguing it centralizes municipal governance instead of decentralizing it. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, responsible for Bengaluru Development, dismissed these concerns as unfounded, assuring all stakeholders would be involved before the bill's passage.

(With inputs from agencies.)