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A Dangerous Trend
Written By tsubba - 23 June, 2008
Bangalore egovernance governance Kasturi Rangan
Since taking charge, CM Shri Yeddyurappa has spoken about his plans and ideas on a wide range of issues. But one thing he has been silent about is the issue of election to Bangalore's ULBs. But that does not mean he is disconnected from Bangalore's issues, he is reported to have "set his eyes" on the rather mundane issue of shifting the race course from present location. His other plans for Bangalore we have read about. Now, to be fair he is also the minister incharge of bangalore, and thus his interest in such minute details of bangalore's issues are perhaps well placed. But when asked about the paalike elections, which is exactly the type of issue that he should tackling as a CM, this is what he had to say as reported in an article in the Deccan Herald: “I have not thought about it as yet... Let us do some good work and then go for elections.” But he said this is the right time for officers to work for the development of the City. “If an officer wants to do good for the City, then this is the right time. There is no elected body,” the chief minister said. What do you make of this statement? Isn't it ominous for a CM to be making statements like these and worse, reinforce such seditious ideas into the babudom? or is he only making a candid observation about how our corporators operate? At best, this betrays an attempt to make political capital for himself and his party from bangalore's woes - a trend now in fashion amongst the state's politicians. At the worst, this is a seditious approach to governance that betrays total lack of faith in our political-administative setup - the CM does not believe that the elected body can do any good for the city. Worse, this says that the CM believes that the elected body is a hinderence to whatever wants to do and could cramp his style and instead of showing leadership in taking along opposite views and building consensus he thinks it is better to undermine the consitution because it can potentially bring in people whom he cannot directly control. Apparently, the current CM is a hands on - micro manager. But this is not a matter of personal style, this is an issue of governance. And governance, is supposed to transcend personalities. This is not about getting a project done, it is about building systems that can systematically take up projects and get them done. And that is why pesky little things the 74th amendment exist. This is a dangerous trend when people as high in the setup as the CM get so involved and invested in micro details of issues of the city and manipulate the system to impose their wills - even if in the name of doing good. In any case, I am surprised that the CM who seems to have a way with numbers, fails to realize that a significant chunk of bangalore's high impact projects are under the preview of NURM board, which has wisely refused to grant funds for these projects until the ULB is in place.
COMMENTS
blrsri - 23 June, 2008 - 07:10
Does BSY need a crash course on the 'real' needs of bangalore and karnataka?
About BBMP elections, if CM is confident enough to handle everything closely, lets see if his micro management work! It will be seen how he will balance with other issues of Karnataka..fertilizer currently being hot..
Some issues about bangalore being..
Approval for Airport Express - looks like BSY is fida with Sreedharans idea..does he have any clue what is actually needed..a metro/light rail affordable connectivity with additional stops at hebbal, sahakarnagar..with 45 min travel time!
Elevated roads btwn Kodihalli and Kundalahalli..we dont need this..what is this for? Providing exclusive race tracks for IT guys in fast cars? Whats needed is to shift focus from personal travel options to public travel..get a LRT on the HAL road connecting ITPL..then we will see how non HOV single driver cars reduce on this stretch..
Airports in tier II/III cities/towns - Has any study been done to assess the need for this? Blr-Chennai route has become almost empty already from BIA..people dont prefer air travel for short distances..instead better road and train connectivity can be seen..
Approval for PRR running parallel to NICE - They have started land notification for this. But we do not need this..they are anyway makign the prr a tolled road..so instead we can use the NICE road itself
narayan82 - 23 June, 2008 - 07:40
murali772 - 23 June, 2008 - 07:49
Clearly there's no appreciation of the spirit of the 74th amendment - all the more the need for directly elected Mayors.
Muralidhar Rao
silkboard - 23 June, 2008 - 09:43
Thanks for writing this note Tarle.
I too have been watching these announcements with interest. One thing I am not being able to figure is - is he making these announcements himself, or is he being forced to say things about these "hot" issues. Knowing parts of our media, it may well be the 2nd case - newspapers love the idea of CM himself doing things, TOI has not time to dedicate to pushing CM to build "institutions" (Kasturirangan Co., liberalization of public service/utility providers).
Mr Yeddy, doing thing "yourself" in the direct fashion has some problems.
1) You may have less time for the state. Bangalore is not Karnataka. And your political opponents will be waiting to play the Bangalore vs rest card.
2) How much ever "hands-on" you may be, your view of the situation "on the ground" would be limited by the "bubble" you live in. You would tend to be driven by your "trusted friends", and banking on the advice of a few will be risky.
While the CM may succeed via these "direct" ways, the approach certainly is risky. To those who dont get it, the parallel is Nandan Nilekani doing the coding himself if Infosys customers start complaining. There is a difference between "doing" and "getting it done", between "leading" and "delegating".
Don't rush Mr CM, don't be pressure by the media. Try building and strengthening the institutions that will do the job for you and public, we don't want a CM to be wasting his time inaugurating City's flyovers.
mcadambi - 23 June, 2008 - 11:21
It is really a good idea to shift the race course. Hopefully, it will set a trend to shift other large occupiers, namely the Army from the CBD. When Air Force Bases in New Hampshire, US can be deemed "not necessary" after the Cold war and commercialised, then i don't for a minute doubt that we can do the same thing in namma bengaluru given that there is no war or threat looming around.
I just hope the large land is utilised for public purposes, namely, setting up a park like the one being set up in the now defunct Central Jail.
We have to send a polite e-mail to BSY campaigning for BBMP elections. I am sure an elected body will be more responsible.
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