In a landmark shift for urban governance, the Karnataka government will implement the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act (GBGA), 2024, starting May 15, signaling a major restructuring of the city’s municipal system, as reported by The Indian Express. This move replaces the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Act of 2021 and enables the division of Bengaluru’s current civic body into as many as seven smaller corporations.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil confirmed on Friday that a formal notification will be issued to operationalize the Act. Despite the BBMP’s legal framework being repealed, a restructured municipal body—likely to retain the BBMP name—will continue to oversee urban services during the transition, under the supervision of an appointed administrator and the current BBMP commissioner.
The newly constituted Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will assume jurisdiction over the present 709 sq km area. The GBA will drive urban planning, infrastructure execution, and inter-agency coordination across Greater Bengaluru. The Act also boosts ward-level committees to strengthen grassroots participation and improve governance transparency.
While the GBGA promises administrative efficiency, it has faced stiff political pushback. BJP and JD(S) legislators walked out in protest, alleging the Act undermines the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which protects powers of local urban bodies.
With the Governor’s assent granted in April, the government is poised to initiate civic reorganization in the coming weeks.
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