Citizens' forum urges Siddaramaiah to stop property tax collection over poor civic work
Bengaluru (PTI): A citizens' forum has urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to intervene and direct the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) not to collect property tax from residents, complaining that "unscientific and incomplete" civic works in their locality have led to flooding and poor road conditions.
In a letter dated October 13 addressed to the Chief Minister, the residents of the Varthur-Balagere-Panathur area, under the banner of the "Individual Tax Payers Forum", which represents income tax payers and advocates for their rights, alleged that they have been suffering due to "half-measured, unscientific, and poorly coordinated" road white-topping and stormwater drainage works carried out by municipal authorities in their areas
It said flooding continues to occur repeatedly in the locality, including during the recent spell of rain on October 10 and 11, which it described as one of the worst, mainly due to the absence of a properly connected stormwater drainage network to carry rainwater into water bodies such as Varthur Lake.
Despite the Chief Minister's visit to the locality on September 27, the Forum claimed that officials of the municipal bodies have "ignored planning and resorted to shortcuts."
"Instead of first completing the drainage network, which is the foundation for road stability, authorities have hastily started filling potholes and white-topping works in Varthur-Balagere-Panathur. Such half-measures will only lead to rapid deterioration of the new roads, wasting public funds and taxpayer contributions. Panathur Main Road repair work, done recently, is already seeing water accumulation because of bad sloping," the letter stated.
The letter requested the CM to order a scientific audit of the ongoing drainage and road works in the affected areas, ensure completion and interconnection of the stormwater drainage network before proceeding with further road works, and establish accountability among municipal officials and contractors to prevent recurrence of such "costly errors."
It also urged Siddaramaiah to ensure that good quality roads and footpaths are built for the safety of pedestrians.
"Namma Bengaluru is globally recognized as India's IT hub, and such civic negligence erodes the pride and credibility of Brand Bengaluru," the Forum said, adding that the city's reputation as the "Garden City" and "Silicon Valley" of India was being replaced by tags such as "Pothole City" and "No Footpath City."
"If the GBA continues to ignore taxpayers' requests for basic public infrastructure, we request you to order the GBA not to collect property tax from us. Give us good public infrastructure and collect tax," the Forum said.
Recently, Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw reignited the debate over Bengaluru's infrastructure by sharing a visiting overseas executive's critical comments on the city's roads and garbage, prompting Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to say the city deserves collective effort, not constant criticism.
State Ministers Priyank Kharge and M B Patil also acknowledged the problems and said fixing them would require time. They called for "collective effort" to improve the city.
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Siddaramaiah, I will abide by Cong high command decision on leadership issue, says Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will abide by any decision takeb by the Congress high command on the leadership issue in the state.
Speaking to reporters after returning from Delhi, the Congress state president said, he has full faith in the party leadership and that it would take an approapriate decision at the appropriate time.
The remarks comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, when the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in the Karnataka are announced.
"I will not speak about political issues before the media. I have already said that when the time comes you will get to know. So I will not tell you," Shivakumar said in response to a question on discussions with the Congress high command during his Delhi visit over the last couple of days.
He asserted that there are no issues within the party, and whatever has been already decided will take place accordingly.
Responding to a question on senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi's reported statement about internal differences, the Deputy CM said, "nothing like that, they (high command) will do what they have to do at the appropriate time."
"There are no issues, we have faith in our party, they will do what they have to," he added.
Asked about the issue of leadership change as the government is about to complete three years in office, Shivakumar said, "... I have never discussed this issue. The CM and I have both said that we will accept whatever and whenever the high command decides, and we will abide by it."
He declined to comment when asked whether any "good news" can be expected by his birthday on May 15.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
Responding to a question on the BJP's criticism against the Congress government over its decision on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, alleging injustice to several communities and questioning its intent behind the revised quota formula, Shivakumar said the BJP could not do anything on internal reservation while in power, but the Congress has kept its promise.
"We have found a solution and tried to do justice to all sections among SCs. We have fulfilled the promise made and every one should go together," he said.
Shivakumar warned his party workers against erecting flex banners for his birthday on May 15.
"For May 15, I want to tell everyone that no one should put up flex banners or advertisements for my birthday. If flex are installed I will ensure that cases are registered by authorities against those responsible, whether they are party workers or followers....no one should put such things on roads, this is my personal request," he said, adding that he has asked commissioners of the city corporations to register cases and impose heavy fines.
