High Court orders notices to Siddaramaiah government seeking preparedness for BBMP polls

BENGALURU: While the Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah is trying to put off BBMP polls as far as it can, and has even set up an expert committee to suggest ways to revamp the civic body, the High Court has asked the government what it is doing about the polls.

The court on Tuesday ordered notices to the state government, the state election commission and BBMP on a petition from two corporators seeking directions to hold municipal polls on the expiry of the term of the present BBMP Council. The council's term is set to expire on April 22. Justice BV Nagarathna sought to know from the government about the preparedness for the polls and whether the urban development department had finalised the roster (wardwise reservation for SCST, women and OBCs). The petition was filed by BJP corporators B Somashekar (Shakambari Nagar) and CK Ramamurthy (Pattabhirama Nagar).

They alleged that although the council's term was set to expire on April 22, neither the government nor the poll panel was taking steps to hold polls. The judge posted the case for further hearing to March 16.

In another case, a division bench headed by Chief Justice DH Waghela expressed strong displeasure at the absence of BBMP advocates and its officials when it heard a case related to encroachment of a raja kaluve (city's arterial storm water drain).

BMBP officials were absent during the hearing of the case filed by residents of Pulakeshinagar who alleged that sewage water was entering their houses and BBMP officials had not acted in spite of their repeated representations. Justice Waghela said it was the right of every citizen to live in a good environment, and it was BBMP's duty to create such an environment. He directed the BBMP commissioner and chief engineer (storm water drain) to present before the court on Wednesday.