Yeddy’s Sops to Bangaloreans with an Eye on BBMP Polls
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Jan 10: In a bid to woo the Bangaloreans on the eve of the forthcoming elections to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or Greater Bangalore City Corporation Council elections on February 21, the B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP regime has unveiled a slew of schemes, including a health insurance for the poor and issuing of registered documents for slum dwellers in the City.
A high level meeting presided by the chief inister B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday has decided to issue an ordinance for regularisation of unauthorised housing layouts and violations in building bylaws under the Akrama-Sakrama scheme.
The meeting, which was held at the Chief Minister’s home office Krishna, also directed officials of city civic agencies to expedite implementation of various ongoing works in the BBMP limits. Elections to the BBMP scheduled to be held on February 21.
Yeddyurappa, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, said a health insurance scheme, on the lines of Suvarna Arogya Kavacha, would be implemented for the benefit of below poverty line (BPL) families, autorickshaw drivers, slum dwellers and workers in the unorganised sector.
As the Government could not table a Bill on the Akrama-Sakrama scheme in the just concluded State Legislature during the winter session on account of disruptions in the proceedings of the Lower House by the Opposition, the ordinance would be issued to regularise the unauthorised constructions in the State, the chief minister said.
The state cabinet had already taken a decision on implementation of the scheme. The government would fetch Rs. 10,000 crore by implementing the scheme, which would be utilised for developing infrastructure in urban local bodies, he said.
In another major decision, the government has decided to registered documents for city slum dwellers residing in properties belonging to the Revenue Department. Necessary directions would be issued for officials concerned to issue documents soon, Yeddyurappa said.
Making it clear that the government lands in the BBMP limits would be utilised for BDA, BBMP, BWSSB works, construction of schools, colleges and parks, the Chief Minister said a decision has taken to handover all tanks come under the BBMP limits to the BDA for taking up rejuvenation and modernisation works.
Officials have also been instructed to complete as early as possible ongoing road, drainage, and drinking water related works in the city.
The Chief Minster also said a flyover constructed Sumanahalli junction on the Magadi Road would be opened to the public on Makara Sankranthi day (January 14). A five km outer ring road linking Mysore road (from Sumanahalli) would also be opened to public on Thursday, he said.
Listing out various achievements of the BBMP during the last 19 month rule of the BJP Government, Yeddyurappa said the city corporation had taken up 24,412 works by setting aside Rs 6378 crore. Of which, 4878 works wroth Rs. 1474 crore were under progress.
Similarly, the BWSSB has taken up several works by earmarking Rs 1075 crore. It has completed 720 works and works of 206 projects costing Rs 1800 crore were under progress.
The BDA has taken up works costing Rs 623 crore during the last 19 months. Of the 10 flyover it had taken up, works on two flyover – Agara and Dibbalur – would be completed by March, 2010, he said.
Yeddyurappa said a foundation stone would be laid for an Rs 6 crore swimming pool at Rajarajeshwarinagar constituency on Monday.
Ministers R Ashok, Ramachandra Gowda, S Suresh Kumar, City MLAs and officials of various city civic agencies attended the meeting.