The bill which was introduced during the budget session had faced criticism despite its claim to decentralise governance and improve infrastructure. File Photo: Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot
| Photo Credit:
MURALI KUMAR K
Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, on Wednesday approved the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill. The bill proposes splitting the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into seven governing bodies, along with an apex body, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). The GBA will oversee and coordinate development across parastatal agencies, and it will be headed by the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
The bill which was introduced during the budget session had faced criticism despite its claim to decentralise governance and improve infrastructure. The governor had previously raised concerns, directing that the bill be resubmitted with suitable clarifications. Representations from opposition parties and civic groups opposing the bill were cited in his response. The governor noted that the model had failed in Delhi, and a similar situation might arise in Bengaluru as well.
Commenting on the bill approval, Rizwan Arshad, Shivajinagar MLA in a post on X, said, “This bill marks a landmark step in reforming Bengaluru’s governance model. It decentralises decision-making, empowers zonal committees, and grants financial and administrative autonomy at the grassroots level. With rapid urban growth and a rising population, Bengaluru needed a tailored governance structure, and this bill delivers exactly that. It promises greater efficiency, accountability, and a renewed focus on citizen-centric services.”
Published on April 25, 2025