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The Opposition BJP connected Tuesday accused the ruling Congress of “systemic governance nonaccomplishment successful Bengaluru”, alleging large-scale corruption successful the e-Khata strategy operated by 5 metropolis corporations nether the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
Speaking during a statement connected Bengaluru improvement successful the Legislative Assembly, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok claimed that metropolis corp officials were moving a “mafia” to extract bribes for issuing e-Khatas, adjacent targeting spot owners who had duly paid taxes. He alleged that successful immoderate cases, officials initiated auction proceedings contempt taxation compliance.
Mr. Ashok criticised Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s “Brand Bengaluru” initiative, stating that corruption wrong the strategy had undermined governance. He presented documents successful the House to antagonistic Mr. Shivakumar’s assertion that nary bribery had occurred nether the Congress government.
Citing circumstantial instances, Mr. Ashok alleged that successful HBR Layout, a spot proprietor was forced to wage bribes successful instalments to unafraid an e-Khata. At the aforesaid time, akin demands of up to ₹50,000 were reported successful Devanahalli. He claimed that backstage intermediaries were charging ₹30,000–₹40,000 per spot to facilitate approvals.
The BJP person further highlighted persistent civic issues, including pothole-ridden roads, mediocre discarded management, and inadequate infrastructure. Despite claims of important expenditure, helium alleged that roadworthy repairs stay incomplete and garbage disposal systems are ineffective, with thousands of tonnes of discarded near unmanaged daily.
Financial crunch
Raising fiscal concerns, Mr. Ashok said the GBA/city corporations look a terrible assets crunch, with revenues insufficient to conscionable wage and operational expenses, leaving the metropolis ill-prepared for emergencies specified arsenic floods.
He flagged delays successful issuing occupancy certificates (OCs), noting that astir 4 lakh buildings stay unused. Questioning the support process, helium asked wherefore operation permissions were granted if OCs could not beryllium issued later.
Works halted
Highlighting a shortage of funds, Mr. Ashok said respective cardinal infrastructure projects successful Bengaluru — including the Ejipura flyover, Ullal people separator, Rajarajeshwari Nagar junction, and Kengeri Outer Ring Road — person travel to a standstill. He alleged that, contempt authorities claims of capable funding, payments to contractors person been delayed, resulting successful enactment stoppages. He cited a contractor’s missive to the GBA complaining of pending dues.
He criticised the dilatory rollout of payment schemes, stating that initiatives specified arsenic the organisation of pushcarts and ironing boxes for self-employment person not been implemented since the authorities assumed office.
He further claimed that though the authorities announced an allocation of ₹7,000 crores–₹8,000 crore for Bengaluru, lone astir ₹3,000 crore has been released truthful far. Referring to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Budget connection to rise ₹48,000 crore done bonds, Mr. Ashok argued that simply creating caller corporations is insufficient and called for greater fiscal enactment for the city.
