Karnataka: Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill gets Governor’s assent

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has given his assent to the contentious Greater Bengaluru Authority Bill. The Bill aims to split the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike into seven smaller corporations and has been met with stiff opposition. The controversial Bill was passed on March 10 amid walkouts by the BJP and JD(S). 

The Bill aims to establish a governing body that will be known as the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). The GBA will be tasked with coordinating and supervising the development of the Greater Bengaluru Area and dividing the city into seven corporations.

Earlier in March, the governor had returned the Bill seeking clarification from the state government. In his note, the governor had asked the state government to consider  the concerns raised by citizens and opposition leaders. At the time,  Thaawarchand had said that many are worried about potential violations of the 74th constitutional amendment; usurping the role of the Metropolitan Planning Committee and the weakening of citizen participation.

Also in March, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy, had accused the ruling Congress of attempting to “divide” Bengaluru and alleged that the party had “divided India for 75 years”. 

Previously, a 13-member joint legislature review committee led by Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad had also made several recommendations for revisions to the Bill. 

Read: Greater Governance Bill gives greater powers to Bengaluru legislators