BANGALORE: With the Government having notified the formation of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has started the process of preparing the budget for the BBMP.

BMP Commissioner K. Jairaj, who heads the committee on organisational restructuring and staff recruitment for the BBMP, told The Hindu that the rough estimates for the BBMP's budget would be ready in the next 10 days.

Mr. Jairaj, who had a meeting with the commissioners of the seven City Municipal Councils (CMCs) and one Town Municipal Council (TMC) at the BMP head office on Thursday, said that he had asked the commissioners to prepare a "physical plan" of the existing infrastructure such as roads, storm water drains, power lines, solid waste management and underground drainage (UGD) in the local bodies.

"I had a look at their budget and was surprised to note that the property tax collection in all the eight local bodies is Rs. 51 crore. There is a scope to increase this to Rs. 200 crore. Many buildings have not been assessed and the CMC authorities have no control over their land. There is rampant encroachment of government property and this has to be stopped," he said.

"There are 30 wards in each of the eight local bodies and we are working out an investment plan for each of these wards. I have asked the commissioners to identify the ongoing projects and prepare a list of infrastructure that is required. This will give us an idea of the `infrastructure deficit'. A clear picture will evolve by December 7 and after that we will draw up the estimates required for the development of BBMP," he added.

To check and control rampant encroachment of government property, the BMP has requested the Government to post a senior police official in each of the eight zones planned under the BBMP. "I have spoken to the Government and am confident that this measure will help us to check encroachment," Mr. Jairaj added.

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