BCity

Some interesting twists in law come up in corruption cases, revealing technicalities that need to be addressed to clean up the system. This morning's news about Lokayukta-filed cases against former CM BSY is one such technicality. The cases were filed based on a CAG report, but in court it was argued (and accepted) that CAG reports are the exclusive property of the legislature, and no one else can take action based on them. I.e., when the CAG finds irregularities in actions of ministers, we must rely on the MLAs to take action against their own fellow legislators. In practice, given…

Some interesting twists in law come up in corruption cases, revealing technicalities that need to be addressed to clean up the system. This morning's news about Lokayukta-filed cases against former CM BSY is one such technicality. The cases were filed based on a CAG report, but in court it was argued (and accepted) that CAG reports are the exclusive property of the legislature, and no one else can take action based on them. I.e., when the CAG finds irregularities in actions of ministers, we must rely on the MLAs to take action against their own fellow legislators. In practice, given…

The Karnataka Municipal Act 1976, amended as per the requirements of the famous 74th Constitutional Amendment in 1994, stipulates that there “…be a ward committee for each ward … (that) shall consist of … the Councillor representing the ward … (and) ten other members … (including) members of resident’s associations...” The KMC Act further stipulates that the “ward committee... prepare ward development schemes, … , ensure proper utilization of funds, ..., supervise all programmes and schemes being implemented by the corporation … .” If all went as per the Act’s designs, the ward committee would “ensure timely collection of taxes,…

The Karnataka Municipal Act 1976, amended as per the requirements of the famous 74th Constitutional Amendment in 1994, stipulates that there “…be a ward committee for each ward … (that) shall consist of … the Councillor representing the ward … (and) ten other members … (including) members of resident’s associations...” The KMC Act further stipulates that the “ward committee... prepare ward development schemes, … , ensure proper utilization of funds, ..., supervise all programmes and schemes being implemented by the corporation … .” If all went as per the Act’s designs, the ward committee would “ensure timely collection of taxes,…

Several months ago I wrote about my attempts to get a streetlight fixed on the `model street' of 15th Cross Malleshwaram. First some `jugaad' work had been done by BBMP. When I complained - nothing happened. Then providence intervened in the form of a truck backing up and breaking the light - resulting in the light - still functional - leaning precariously against a fence, possibly electrifying it. An urgent complaint to the MLA's office as well as BBMP got the job done - they removed the streetlight - and with it, the jugaad job. Picture on August 26th 2015…

Several months ago I wrote about my attempts to get a streetlight fixed on the `model street' of 15th Cross Malleshwaram. First some `jugaad' work had been done by BBMP. When I complained - nothing happened. Then providence intervened in the form of a truck backing up and breaking the light - resulting in the light - still functional - leaning precariously against a fence, possibly electrifying it. An urgent complaint to the MLA's office as well as BBMP got the job done - they removed the streetlight - and with it, the jugaad job. Picture on August 26th 2015…

What a day! It was a treat to see people pouring out of streets and alleys to join the human chain, merge in seamlessly, bringing their own posters, chanting their own slogans, and through small acts of kindness, reinforcing each others' faith in the compassion that is at the core of all of us. One protestor brought biscuits and drinks for the rest of the gang. Another stepped off the bus unaware of the protest, but joined in spontaneously and started coordinating the walk towards Vydehi. Buses gave free rides to the protestors gathered at Marathahalli and Kundanahalli. Men, women…

What a day! It was a treat to see people pouring out of streets and alleys to join the human chain, merge in seamlessly, bringing their own posters, chanting their own slogans, and through small acts of kindness, reinforcing each others' faith in the compassion that is at the core of all of us. One protestor brought biscuits and drinks for the rest of the gang. Another stepped off the bus unaware of the protest, but joined in spontaneously and started coordinating the walk towards Vydehi. Buses gave free rides to the protestors gathered at Marathahalli and Kundanahalli. Men, women…

As the rains continue to batter the city, it is easy to see that the infrastructure is of very poor quality. The potholes, the overflowing sewage, the flooding... these and many other observable things in the city remind us how shabby the quality of public works is. But this is only the apparent problem, the actual problem is deeper. Let's ask ourselves : why are the roads so bad? And then follow the answers steadily deeper to the root of the problem. The roads are bad because there is no check on their quality during the construction phase, and no…

As the rains continue to batter the city, it is easy to see that the infrastructure is of very poor quality. The potholes, the overflowing sewage, the flooding... these and many other observable things in the city remind us how shabby the quality of public works is. But this is only the apparent problem, the actual problem is deeper. Let's ask ourselves : why are the roads so bad? And then follow the answers steadily deeper to the root of the problem. The roads are bad because there is no check on their quality during the construction phase, and no…