Greater Bengaluru Authority to take shape by September 15: DCM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, May 24 (PTI): Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday announced that the process of forming the Greater Bengaluru Authority (BGA) will be completed by September 15.
The BGA is set to replace the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), with the aim of bringing more efficient and transparent governance to the city, he told reporters here.
Shivakumar said a notification was issued on May 15 to convert BBMP into Greater Bengaluru Authority.
“We have to form corporations within 120 days. I have asked all the MLAs of Bengaluru for suggestions on how many corporations to make. Then we will decide where to expand further. These corporations should be formed by September 15," he pointed out.
The Deputy Chief Minister also discussed various other initiatives aimed at improving the city's infrastructure and services.
These include clearing footpath shops, providing push vehicles to street vendors, and widening roads.
Shivakumar emphasised that the government is committed to working with all stakeholders, including MLAs, to ensure that the city's development is inclusive and sustainable.
Regarding clearing of footpath shops, the Deputy Chief Minister said that 27,665 street vendors have registered, and the government is ready to provide them with push vehicles.
"They should keep their vehicles at the designated place and do business," he said.
On Road widening, Shivakumar said the issue has been discussed with MLAs, and wherever they recommend road widening, TDR (Transfer of Development Rights) will be given to property owners.
He also announced that basement parking will not be allowed in low-lying areas to prevent flooding and ensure safety.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed that optical fiber cables that have been laid in sewage and water channels should be cut and removed.
Shivakumar informed that the government is working on digitising 25 lakh property details in the city, with the aim of bringing transparency in tax and property registration.
"We have already digitised 5 lakh properties and are working on a big campaign to complete the process," he said.
Shivakumar acknowledged that implementing these initiatives may face challenges, but emphasised that the government is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the city's development is inclusive and sustainable.
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Had a very good conversation with friend Modi: Trump
Washington (PTI): US President Donald Trump on Friday said he had a "very good conversation" with his "friend" Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He was referring to the talks the two leaders had on Tuesday.
"I had a very good talk with him, and he's a friend of mine from India, and he's doing great. We had a very good conversation," Trump told reporters here as he headed to Las Vegas to address a roundtable on tax cuts.
Trump had called Modi on Tuesday to discuss the bilateral relationship and share perspectives on the situation in West Asia, where the US and Israel have launched a war on Iran.
The US and Iran declared a two-week ceasefire on April 7. They engaged in peace talks with Washington, insisting that Tehran give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons and uranium enrichment.
The war with Iran has sent gas prices soaring as Tehran blocked the sea lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow gateway for a fifth of global oil supplies.
During the Trump-Modi phone call on Tuesday, the two leaders stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.
According to the US Ambassador to India Sergei Gor, the 40-minute conversation ended with Trump telling Modi, "we all love you".
Tuesday's phone call was the second between the two leaders since the US-Israel war with Iran began on February 28.
