Janaagraha gives Bill the thumbs down

Don't want to interfere in functioning of proposed civic bodies: DKS

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

THE Karnataka Assembly on Tuesday passed the Greater Bengaluru Governance (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to clarify that the newly formed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) would not interfere with the functioning of the proposed five new corporations.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said that though the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act was passed, some people filed a PIL in the court. "Hence, this amendment has been brought, stressing to clarify the point that the Greater Bengaluru Authority would not interfere in the functioning of the corporations," Shivakumar said.

According to the existing Act, GBA shall exercise such authority and discharge such functions as per the provisions of this Act, including with respect to the corporations created, he said. "We have removed it...we will not interfere. Corporations are separate. We don't want to interfere in their functioning," Shivakumar added.

Discussing the matter, Dasarahalli MLA Muniraju (BJP) lamented that his constituency will be divided between the proposed Bengaluru City North Corporation and Bengaluru City West Corporation. "I should run behind which authority to get work done for my constituency?" he said, adding that the State Government has not just divided Bengaluru into five parts by bringing the new Act, but is also dividing five Assembly constituencies represented by the BJP, including Padmanabhanagar and Bommanahalli.