The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is a major contributor to Karnataka and India and yet, it is short-changed when it comes to funds. Unless a State Finance Commission works out a revenue sharing formula, all cities and villages in Karnataka will be at the mercy of the State government for grants instead of a fair share of tax revenues.
That’s not an excuse for the BBMP to not strengthen its own finances, and this Budget clearly shows that BBMP is going all out to make the most of the limited opportunities it has – premium FAR, advertising policy, rationalising property tax are all efforts to bring in more revenue.
It is a pleasant surprise to see the intent to decentralise governance at zonal and ward level. It is impossible to govern a city of 1.4 crore population, larger than many countries in the world, in a centralised model. The continued allocation of ₹2 crore to each of the 225 wards, of which ₹25 lakh is earmarked for footpaths, ₹30 lakh for drains, ₹15 lakh for potholes is much appreciated. BBMP has been taking this progressive measure for the last three years to devolve funds at ward level so decisions can be made locally on projects that can be undertaken in the year.
