In Karnataka, BBMP’s ‘home delivery’ diktat draws flak

BENGALURU: The city's civic body, BBMP, stirred a hornet's nest on Wednesday by mandating residents to buy their daily essentials only through its "home delivery" channel. The proposal drew flak on social media, where many users said the move was unnecessary with central government guidelines in place and also amounted to 'tyranny'.

BBMP commissioner BH Anil Kumar, in a twitter post, asked shop owners to mandatorily register themselves on the BBMP Covid-19 home delivery helpline (WhatsApp 080 6191 4960), and make use of this business opportunity. Customers have to place their orders on this number and pay a fee of Rs. 20 for each delivery.



The new system of purchase of essentials — intended to intensify lockdown restrictions — will, however, roll out after the BBMP officially launches it.

Sources said the new mandate by the BBMP was inspired by a similar initiative in Bengaluru South by the Lok Sabha member, Tejasvi Surya. In a recent tweet, Surya said the service was a runaway success and they are getting almost one order per minute.



This is, however, optional and people still visit grocery shops in Bengaluru South areas and buy their needs by adhering to socialdistancing norms at most places.

“This (BBMP) policy may work for internet/phone-savvy middle class and rich. But it will result in police tyranny for the rest, which is poor and in majority. The Disaster Management Act does not propose curtailing the Right to Life, as this scheme does. Humaneness is critical to fighting a disease,” said researcher Leo Saldanha. He wondered if this order of the BBMP commissioner was in accordance with the home ministry's orders and circulars issued under the Disaster Management Act 2005.


A twitter user, by the name Yohan Vijayan, felt the BBMP commissioner's order was in conflict with the Centre's guidelines put out on Wednesday. He asked: “The Union (Home) Secretary had issued guidelines stating that shops selling daily essentials are allowed to remain open. Why is your order in conflict with this?”

While the Centre's guidelines allow outlets that sell grocery and other essentials as well as cards to do business, they also, however, expect district authorities to encourage and facilitate home delivery to minimise people's movement on the streets.

One citizen, Anil Karat, wondered where the need for these new ways was as existing controls were just fine. The new ways will irritate small businessmen, he said.

Another citizen felt that the new restriction will put pushcart vendors at a disadvantage as many don't use smartphones or WhatsApp services.