Member for Begarura South Tejasvi Syria, MLA for Shivajinagar Rizwan Arshad, member of Begarur Bendaruru v. Ravicandar and associated director of politics, Jan Urban Soundation Foundation VR Veraana, during Saturday’s discussion in Begaruru. | Photo Credit: Allen Egenus J.
In the midst of a continuous debate on whether the new law of Bengaluru Greater Bengalur Governance (GBG) will provide better administration for the city, Members for Bengalur South Tejasvi Surya said it is “a long delayed reform to an unsuccessful civic system”.
In a panel discussion organized by Janagrah and Bangalore International Center (BIC) on “Can GBG ACT deliver for Bengaluru?” On Saturday, Mr. Surya claimed that all powers to be decentralized are now concentrated with the main minister and representative of the main minister. However, Mr. Arshad said that the BBMP system collapsed under its own weight and required basic restructuring.
Mr. Surya Argal that GBA added another bureaucratic layer instead of transferring power to citizens. “This is decentralization in the dark. We have switched from one helpless ceremonial mayor to five helpless ceremonial commissioners. Ward committees remain toothless and parastate are still controlled by the state. It gives us new names, not new powers,” he said.
Transfer of resources
Mr. Surya added that the GBG law does not disproportionate to finance or political authority to new corporations. “South and East may have higher tax revenues, but the system creates five corporations for limited sources. The main problem of centralization remains unresolved,” he said.
Mr. Arshad, who faced it, pointed out that the reforms were powered by a necessity. “The BBMP system failed Bengaluru. It was opaque and unable to provide basic services. This restructuring closer to citizens,” he said.
He pointed out the financial powers transferred by law and noted that corporate councils can now approve works up to 10 crore, permanent committees up to 5 GBP crore and commissioners up to 3 Crore. “Every corporation is autonomous and responsible. The new committees for the department are selected through a drawing system that includes women, RWA and NGOs. We have expanded its representation and involvement,” Mr. Arshad said.
Mr. Arshad also prevented the GBA coordination mechanism and said that more agencies to one framework would improve responsibility. Previously, more than a dozen parastatic agencies worked in power, but now they have to meet regularly under the main minister to plan and coordinate.
However, Mr Surya said that the act reflected in a deeper political hesitation to transform real power. “There is a serious reluctance to decentralize the authority in the city that manages the state political economy. If you are taking Bengaluru, there is little from Karnataka’s economic base, and that is why those who are reluctant to share control,” he said.
Focus on other cities
“The aim of the main minister should be strengthened by other cities, such as Raichur, Mangaluru and Yadgir, rather than micromanaging Bengalur and potholes. Main Minister Siddarahaiaha should not seek the work of the mayor and the MLA should not do the work of the Radci,” he said.
The panel discussion also included v. Ravichandar, civic evangelists and member of the brand Bengaruru and VR Vachan, associated director, politics, janagraha and Jana Urban.
“Pure positive”
During the discussion, Mrs Vachan said that the act was “pure positive”, but did not reach critical areas. “The intention is correct, but the structure is unclear. The GBA still overlaps with BDA and other agencies. Functional clarity, predictable fiscal transfers and exclusive powers are missing for urban corporations.
Mr. Ravicandar said that with GBAs, things are finally in the implementation phase and have the potential to reform through the directly elected mayor. He also asked Mr. Surya to move a constitutional change to set up a third -level government as a deputy to agree on and stated that everyone had to meet and propose a bill on private members to propose comprehensive changes that promised to move in the next parliament.
Published – October 11, 2025 22:05
