Bengaluru’s New Three-Tier Governance: What Changes with GBA Replacing BBMP?

Rapid Summary

• Greater Bengaluru Governance Act (GBG), 2024: Implemented with a three-tier governance structure across Bengaluru.

– Greater bengaluru Authority (GBA): chaired by the Chief Minister, includes heads of various parastatal organizations and elected representatives.
– functions: Management,planning authority for Greater Bengaluru,project execution,and budget management. Meets at least once every three months.
– subsidiary Bodies: Executive committee led by the Bengaluru Growth Minister; Economic Development Agency; Climate Action Cell; Sectoral Expert Committees for various domains like habitat and urban planning.

• City Corporations Formation:

– Five municipal corporations to replace Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
– Administrative Setup: Includes Mayor, Deputy Mayor (30-month term), commissioners, and zonal joint commissioners. Standing committees will oversee revenue generation and audit functions but hold only advisory powers.

• ward Committees:

– Structure: Each ward committee chaired by a councillor and includes randomly selected members representing diverse groups such as minorities, women, OBCs. Councillors retain veto power over decisions.
– Functions: Develop ward-level plans for funds allocation projects; handle taxation administration, sanitation services, water supply maintenance.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The implementation of the GBG Act marks a significant restructuring of governance in Bengaluru aimed at improving administrative efficiency through decentralization. By bringing all major parastatals under one platform via the GBA-chaired by key political figures-there’s potential for better coordination across infrastructure projects and city-wide planning initiatives.

Concerns surrounding power dynamics may arise due to provisions like MLA-chaired coordination committees or councillor veto rights which could blur lines between advisory roles versus executive decision-making. While this aims to enhance inclusivity at ward levels through diverse portrayal quotas in committees, its practical effectiveness remains contingent on operational transparency and accountability mechanisms. The formation of five municipal corporations promises autonomy but risks duplication without clear delineation of responsibilities among tiers.

For residents of Bangalore facing challenges from rapid urbanization-such as transportation bottlenecks or ecological degradation-the real test lies in how these new frameworks translate aspirational reforms into tangible improvements on ground realities over time.Read more here.