The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Monsoon-preparedness will top priority list of new Bangalore Commissioner

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Saturday, Jun 30, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Monsoon-preparedness will top priority list of new Bangalore Commissioner

Staff Reporter

Traffic, garbage clearance, solid waste management need extra attention, he says

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

GREETINGS: Outgoing BBMP chief K. Jairaj and the new Commissioner S. Subramanya in Bangalore on Thursday.

BANGALORE: “If it pours heavily at 2 a.m., help for affected families in low-lying areas should be available just a phone call away. They should feel happy that a civic body is there to take care of their plight.” This is the wish of the new Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner S. Subramanya, who took charge from outgoing chief K. Jairaj on Thursday.

“Monsoon-preparedness is top on my priority and I want civic officials to be available for the common-man round the clock when it rains,” Mr. Subramanya said.

Addressing presspersons for the first time after assuming office, he said that he would review the contingency plan that is already in place to tackle rain-related problems.

“I will study the issue and explore what more could be done to ensure that BBMP becomes a people-friendly organisation,” he said.

“Completion of ongoing infrastructure projects on time to avoid cost-escalation is another priority.

"I will review work on all projects and ensure that ongoing works are completed before taking up new ones,” Mr. Subramanya said.

‘Emissary and victim’

Asserting that he is both “an emissary and victim of BBMP’s flaws,” the new Commissioner said: “Despite several projects and development work, it still takes about an hour for me to reach home from office. I am sure you too have the same problem.

"This is my perception as an outsider and traffic management is one area that needs to be addressed seriously.”

Garbage clearance and solid waste management is another subject that needs extra attention.

That apart, efforts should be made to ensure that city’s health infrastructure plays a better role for the welfare of poor people.

“I want to ensure that the health infrastructure is made more accessible and affordable to the urban poor,” he said.

On the BBMP’s finances, Mr. Subramanya (who has been Secretary, Budget and Resources, in the Finance Department) said: “On a cursory look, my perception is that the BBMP’s finances are good as the budget is always a revenue-surplus one.”

When pointed out that most of the projects and development work depended only on loans as the State Finance Commission (SFC) grants were not released regularly as promised, the Commissioner said: “SFC grants is a formula-based one and an award should be taken as it comes.

"I will review the civic body’s finances in the next one week and explore ways of mobilising resources.”

Replying to queries, the Commissioner said that being in touch with the common man was more important.

Grievances

“I will be available for the public to listen to their grievances between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

"That apart, I will also be available on commissioner@bmponline.org. People can approach me directly if they have any problems,” he added.

After handing over charge, Mr. Jairaj said he was “satisfied with his performance during his second stint of 14 months in the BBMP.”

He hoped that work on all pending projects would be expedited under the new Commissioner.

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