The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Challenging task ahead for new BBMP chief

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Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Challenging task ahead for new BBMP chief

Staff Reporter

He has to deal with rain-related problems, stray dog menace

Subramanya likely to take charge on Thursday
Says his agenda will be to understand the priorities

BANGALORE: New Commissioner of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) S. Subramanya has a challenging task ahead in his new role.

A 1983 batch IAS official, Mr. Subramanya is likely to take charge from outgoing Commissioner K. Jairaj on Thursday. Currently serving as in-charge Principal Secretary (Finance) and also Secretary, Department of Finance (Budget and Resources), Mr. Subramanya has worked in various positions such as Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), Managing Director of Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited, Project Director of the World Bank-funded Karnataka State Health Development Project and Agriculture Commissioner. He also has a doctorate in plant pathology.

With the formation of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the monsoon setting in, the civic officials are under pressure to prevent flooding, water-logging on roads, inundation of low-lying areas and tree falls, both in the old and newly added areas. Though Mr. Jairaj had announced a 10-point contingency plan to tackle rain-related problems, citizens continue to complain about rain-related miseries.

That apart, the increasing stray dog menace that has claimed lives of several children is another cause of concern for the officials. The new Commissioner is assuming charge at a time when the remodelling of storm water drains has become controversial. The BBMP’s auditors have detected several discrepancies in the project incurring a loss of more than Rs. 150 crore to the civic body.

Mr Subramanya, who will function in the absence of elected representatives, as elections to the maiden BBMP Council are yet to be announced, will have to deal with all these issues and also ensure that citizens are not put to hardship.

Refusing to comment on the new posting, Mr. Subramanya told The Hindu on Tuesday that his agenda would be to first understand the priorities after assuming charge.

Mr. Jairaj, who has been posted as Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), took over from K. Jothiramalingam on May 5, 2006.

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