The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Ward delimitation delayed, thanks to pressure from MLAs

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Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Ward delimitation delayed, thanks to pressure from MLAs

Krishnaprasad

BJP legislators want to shift certain localities

Draft notification on formation of 147 wards
was issued on August 18
Only 150 objections and suggestions were received by the Government

Bangalore: Pressure from many BJP legislators from the city to make several changes in the draft delimitation of wards notified for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) appears to be delaying issuance of final notification.

According to sources in the Urban Development Department (UDD), even as the draft notification announcing formation of 147 wards for the BBMP was issued on August 18 many BJP legislators were not happy with the delimitation as it was prepared prior to their election to the Assembly.

The drastic changes, the sources said, as demanded mainly by the BJP MLAs, including some of senior Ministers, has kept the file on the backburner since more than a month in the office of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who holds the BBMP portfolio.

The sources pointed out that the BJP legislators want to shift certain localities to different wards as per their recommendation and there exist some difference of opinion amongst them in this regard. The Government is required to make drastic changes in at least 75 wards as against the draft notification if it accepts the legislators’ view, the sources added.

Very few objections

Interestingly, only 150 objections and suggestions were received by the Government between August 18 and September 18, the 30 days time given for public to send their suggestions and objections.

“The changes as proposed may result in many changes in boundaries of wards when compared to draft notification and accordingly maps have to be prepared. We have sent the file to the Chief Minister’s Office and would issue final notification as per the direction from the Chief Minister,” said an officer from the UDD.

Voters’ list

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission (SEC), which has to conduct elections to BBMP by March 10 as per Karnataka High Court’s direction, is waiting for the final notification on ward delimitation for finalising the voters’ list.

Sources in the SEC pointed out that the Commission, based on the draft notification on delimitation of wards, has already prepared a draft list of voters in respect of proposed wards and the list would be updated in January after the existing revision of voters list undertaken by the Election Commission of India.

However, the SEC will have to redo the voters’ list if the Government brings drastic changes in the draft notification on ward delimitation, the sources said. “We can hold election as per the deadline set by the High Court provided the Government finalises the ward delimitation and announces ward-wise reservation,” the SEC sources said.

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