Don’t let Bengaluru become Patna: High Court

Source:- newindianexpress.com

BENGALURU: With the warning of passing a strict order against officials for apathy, the High Court on Monday suggested to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike(BBMP) to have a software to deal with the complaints of illegal constructions in city.

“There is no dearth of software engineers in the Silicon Valley of India. Why don’t you have a software to deal with the complaints of illegal constructions in city? If residents file complaint on illegal constructions, it should be examined and action taken. Information should be available not only for officials, but also for residents,” said Justice Raghvendra S Chauhan, while taking BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad to task during the latter’s personal appearance before the court.

Prasad submitted that 50 per cent of the total complaints received by the BBMP are related to illegal constructions.

He said there is total dereliction of duty on the part of officials and they were not being punished for lack of any provision in the KMC Act. ‘I have recommended to the government to confer power to punish errant officers,’ said the judge.

Asking the BBMP commissioner to act under general law and CCA Rules and suspend the errant officials, the judge further said: “Unfortunately, either lakes are catching fire or illegal constructions are going on. Nobody is taking the pain. As per media reports, garden city has turned into a garbage city.”

“I don’t know why there is so much of red tape. You have to put your house in order. We cannot let the city turn into Patna(Bihar). So many people are coming here to settle. Ask your officials to ensure that everybody is satisfied. Otherwise, you will be held responsible. The day people start losing faith, the city may become another Bihar or Mumbai,” Justice Chauhan told the commissioner.

On lapses in issue of notice in relation to advertisement tax, the judge observed that the BBMP officials apparently don’t know the principle of administration and natural justice.

“Our endeavour is to make the BBMP more effective and make the city a model in the country. All, including CM and MLAs stay in the city and it should be in order.”