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"She is the Mayor
of the fastest developing city in the world."
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Along with the Chief Secretary and the Governor, both of whom are
women, they represent the new face of women in the bureaucracy and the political scenario
of Karnataka. Online Bangalore caught up with Prema Cariappa, Bangalore’s new mayor.
Though the one-year stint is a hopelessly short period in which to alleviate the civic
problems of the city, she has started her tenure with infectious dynamism and focus. Here
she shares with us her plans and methods of tackling the problems of a City that has grown
too fast while the infrastructure to match has been developing at a crippling rate. She
believes that demolition of illegal structures are a waste of time and manpower,
sterilsation is not the remedy for reducing stray dog population and that revenue from
Commercial taxes will help fill the empty coffers of the Corporation. |
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What according to you are the three main issues and priorities?
All issues are equally important to me. But to narrow down the list, I would say, my three
main priorities are the roads, the garbage and the environment.
What are your revenue source and are the funds sufficient?
The two revenue sources for funding the corporation projects are revenue from Property Tax
and Government Grants. Property Tax forms the major chunk of the revenue.
So how do you propose to raise more revenue?
I have suggested to the Chief Minister to give the Corporation at least 50% of the
Commercial Tax collections. This tax is what we earlier used to call Octroi. In Mumbai the
entire revenue from Commercial taxes go to the Corporation. In Bangalore, Commercial taxes
amount to almost 100 crores. I have requested for at least half of this.
When will all the road digging stop?
Right now the digging going on is for laying the cables for the optical fibre network. The
final uses of the optical fibre network are excellent. The advantages are many. But I know
the citizens have been put to much inconvenience. Over 100 kms of laying has already been
completed. The rest 350 odd kilometers should be completed within a period of 6 months.
What is your view on demolition of illegal construction being undertaken in the
city?
Demolition is a waste of time and manpower. If you have noticed the recent demolition of
“Hotel Shiva International”, took a whole two days. I feel it is a sheer waste.
What I suggest is a stiff penalty to be levied on the erring building owner. The penalty
amount should be at least double the estimated worth of the building. This could bring in
additional revenue also to the Corporation too. But I’m against the illegal misuse of
basements as hotels etc. They have to be demolished as they pose a safety hazard. They
should be used as parking spaces instead.
Any new solutions for the city’s garbage problem?
Part two of the ‘Swacha Bangalore’ programme will be launched by the fist week
of January. While Part I covered 25% of the project, this should cover the rest of the
75%. It is the same door to door collection scheme following the Bell system with help
from private corporates.
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