Greater Bengaluru Authority: Three-tier governance structure ushers in new era in Bengaluru

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The Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, that has already come into effect is gradually being implemented. While the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has already been constituted, the last step - the formation of five corporations replacing Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) - is expected to be notified on Tuesday.

The GBG Act, 2024 will bring in a three tier structure to governance in Bengaluru with the Chief Minister-led GBA at the pan city level, which, for the first time, brings together all parastatals in the city on one platform along with five city corporations and ward committees.

GBG Act, 2024 has retained certain provisions of the BBMP Act, 2020 which are criticised as perpetuating the stranglehold of MLAs on city governance and councillors over ward committees. The law provides for a coordination committee headed by the MLA at the Assembly constituency level, which, though has only advisory powers, brings together councillors, officers of all agencies and gives the committee powers to oversee the implementation of projects and select beneficiaries of welfare schemes.

Meanwhile, the ward committee of 15, is led by the councillor, has seven members nominated by the corporation, giving them a majority. Over and above this, the councillor has been given a veto power over any decision.

I. Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA)

The GBA, chaired by the Chief Minister and co-chaired by Bengaluru Development Minister, has 75 members

For the first time brings all parastatals together on one platform - has chiefs of BDA, BNRDA, BMRCL, BMLTA, DULT, BMTC, BWSSB, Bescom, Bengaluru City Police, Fire and Emergency Services, DC, Bengaluru (Urban) as members

Has all MLAs, MPs, MLCs and Rajya Sabha MPs with vote in Bengaluru as members

Mayors and Commissioners of five Municipal Corporations of GBA area

GBA to meet at least once in three months

Functions of GBA

Administration Integrating and supervising the activities of all parastatals; GBA will also exercise administrative functions and powers on the administration of the City Corporations

Planning GBA will be the planning authority for the Greater Bengaluru Area

Projects Formulation and Execution of the major projects in the Greater Bengaluru Area

Budget and Annual Report GBA will present an annual budget to the state government, an annual report of its activities shall be tabled in both houses of the state legislature

Other bodies

Executive Committee of GBA: led by Bengaluru Development Minister, GBA Commissioner as Member Secretary and has all heads of city’s parastatals as members - shall meet at least once in two months

Economic Development Agency

Climate Action Cell

Sectoral Expert Committees - Urban, Regional and Town Planning; Infrastructure and Transportation; Environment and Climate Change; Social Inclusion, Education, Health and Welfare; Science and Technology; Information, Education and Communication (IEC).

II. City Corporations

Budget: Chairman of Standing Committee for Revenue and Finance to present the annual budget, Corporations will have full autonomy over the revenue it generates

Assembly Constituency Level Consultative and Coordination Committee

Chaired by MLA, MLCs with vote in these constituencies, all Councillors of the constituency will be members of the Committee, officers of parastatals can be invited

Meet not less than once in a month

Five City Corporations:

Administrative Setup at Corporations:

Will have a Mayor and Deputy Mayor - who will have a term of 30 months

Commissioner, Additional Commissioner (Development), Additional Commissioner (Revenue) and Zonal Joint Commissioners

Standing Committees: Each Committee to have a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 15 councillors

Standing Committee for Administration, Education and Social Justice
Standing Committee for Revenue and Finance
Standing Committee for Public Works and Engineering
Standing Committee for public health and disaster management
Standing Committee for Forest, Environment, Ecology, Lakes, Horticulture and Fisheries Standing Committee for Infrastructure
Standing Committee for Audit and Accounts

Functions

Committee has only advisory role and no executive powers

Co-ordination with all agencies parastatals for effective implementation of works, scheme and projects

Monitor the implementations of any projects in the constituency

III. Ward Committees

Each ward of the multiple corporations will have a ward committee chaired by the respective Councillor and will have 14 other members

Seven of the 14 members to be nominated by the Corporation, must include one OBC and one from minority community

Break up of other seven members: at least two members from SCs and STs, at least three women members and at least two members representing RWAs

These seven members shall be selected by random draw of lots from among the eligible applicants seeking to become the Ward Committee members.

Commissioner of the respective zone will appoint an officer as Secretary for each Ward Committee

Ward Committee shall meet at least once a month

Decisions taken by simple majority, Chairperson that is the Councillor has veto power on any decision

Recommendations of the ward committee shall be advisory in nature

Functions

Prepare a Ward Development Scheme for allotment of funds

Call an annual general meeting of the Ward Sabha consisting of all persons registered as voters in the Ward for providing inputs for the formulation of the Annual Ward Development Plan

Prepare and submit annual Ward Development Plan in the form of a priority list specifying the projects and schemes proposed to be implemented in the following financial year for allotment of funds

Ensure proper utilization of the funds allotted under ward development scheme in the ward

Invite applications for the selection of beneficiaries for welfare schemes

Ensure timely collection of taxes, maintenance of water supply and sewerage maintenance, solid waste management and sanitation work, street lighting, parks, open spaces, greening of area, afforestation, and implementation of rain water harvesting schemes, assist in functioning of Primary Health Centres and the Schools of the Corporation

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