Karnataka government to table Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill after state budget

The Karnataka government is set to table the revised Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill in the Assembly following the state budget presentation on March 7. The proposed legislation seeks to restructure the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) by splitting it into multiple smaller corporations for improved governance.

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A 13-member joint legislature committee, formed in July 2024, reviewed the Bill after concerns were raised by the Opposition BJP during the monsoon session. The committee submitted its report to the Assembly Speaker on Monday, recommending the division of BBMP into up to seven smaller municipal bodies.

Committee chairman Rizwan Arshad reportedly stated that the Bill would be introduced soon after the governor’s address on March 3. He emphasized that the revised version grants the government authority to decide on BBMP’s restructuring, enabling gradual division based on administrative needs. Initially, the civic body could be split into two or three corporations, with provisions allowing further divisions as the city expands.

The proposal is part of a broader strategy to enhance governance in Bengaluru, considering its rapid growth over the next 20-30 years. Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar is spearheading the Bill, marking the Congress government’s second attempt at restructuring BBMP. A similar initiative was introduced between 2013 and 2018 but was dropped due to BJP opposition.

The revised Bill, if passed, could significantly reshape urban administration in Karnataka’s capital.