Bengaluru, January 8: The Bengaluru South City Corporation placed a demand for a special grant of ₹1,675 crore before the Fifth State Finance Commission during a detailed review of its financial status, infrastructure needs and administrative challenges.
The review meeting was chaired by Dr. C. Narayanaswamy, Chairman of the Fifth State Finance Commission, along with Commission members, who visited the Bengaluru South City Corporation and held discussions with senior civic officials.
Priority Sectors Highlighted by the Commission
Addressing the meeting, Dr. Narayanaswamy said the government would accord high priority to drinking water supply, solid waste management and ward-level monitoring in urban local bodies. He noted that cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh as per the 2011 Census are eligible for special assistance under the Central Government’s “Million Plus” scheme.
He assured that if the City Corporation submits accurate and comprehensive data, the Commission would make appropriate recommendations to the State Government for the next financial year.
Commissioner Flags Staffing and Infrastructure Gaps
City Corporation Commissioner K. N. Ramesh presented an overview of the Corporation’s jurisdiction, stating that it caters to nearly 4.5 lakh families. He highlighted a significant shortage of staff compared to the population size and stressed the urgent need for additional manpower to ensure effective service delivery.
Major Demands and Challenges
- Health: Strengthening infrastructure for super-specialty hospitals in every Assembly constituency, maternity and child hospitals, and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
- Roads & Infrastructure: Of the total 2,294 km of roads, about 430 km remain unpaved, requiring immediate asphalting. Funds are also needed for footpath construction in newly added areas from Panchayat limits.
- Environment & Parks: Development of 303 parks, conservation and fencing of 59 lakes, and maintenance of storm water drain (SWD) connectivity between lakes.
- Solid Waste Management: Procurement of auto tippers and compactors, establishment of ‘Kasa Kiosk’ units, and setting up bio-methane gas plants.
The ₹1,675 crore special grant proposal includes expenditure towards staff salaries, lake and horticulture development, Indira Canteens, construction of a 100-bed multi-specialty hospital, disaster management equipment, streetlight maintenance, and construction of new ward offices.
Commission’s Suggestions
The Finance Commission advised the City Corporation to enhance its own revenue generation by strengthening advertisement fee collection and trade license charges. It also suggested promoting solar rooftop installations through CSR funds to improve energy efficiency.
Field Inspection
As part of the visit, Commission members inspected the Koramangala Ward Office and the ‘Kasa Rasa’ centre, where they reviewed waste segregation and processing practices. Discussions were also held with engineers on appointing Gangmen and Work Inspectors to handle minor civil works at the ward level.
The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner (Development) Naveen Kumar Raju, IAS, Joint Commissioners Satish Babu and Madhu N. N., State Finance Commission members Mohammed Sana Ulla and R. S. Ponde, Consultant Smitha S. Biradar, along with heads of all City Corporation departments and senior officials.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ₹1,675 ಕೋಟಿ ವಿಶೇಷ ಅನುದಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಪಾಲಿಕೆಯ ಹಣಕಾಸು ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆ ನಡೆಸಿದ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಹಣಕಾಸು ಆಯೋಗ
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