Pramesh S Jain
*Are you working to improve Bengaluru, or are you working to ruin it?.
*Are you looting the money being given for maintenance of parks?.
*Take Steps to Establish Animal Crematoria.
Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda directed the Special Commissioner of the Education Department to introduce a facial recognition-based attendance system for students in all civic schools under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
Addressing a meeting held today at the Council Hall to review development works,projects and programmes being undertaken across all five city corporations under the GBA, the Minister said a facial recognition-based attendance system is already being implemented in government schools across Karnataka and directed officials to adopt the same system in civic schools.
The Minister directed officials to ensure that school uniforms are distributed on time and to immediately put in place arrangements for their distribution.
He also said a meeting would be held with Education Department officials to identify and implement measures to further strengthen the education system in the civic corporations.
He directed officials to ensure that toilet facilities in schools and colleges are adequate and properly maintained. Where necessary,toilets should be constructed using CSR funds, and arrangements should be made for their proper upkeep,he said.
The Special Commissioner informed the Minister that there are a total of 175 civic educational institutions under the GBA-94 nursery schools,18 primary schools, 36 high schools,21 pre-university colleges,four degree colleges and two postgraduate institutions.
A total of 22,210 students are currently enrolled in these institutions.The civic schools have 956 teachers, comprising 115 permanent teachers and 841 guest teachers.
Speed Up White-Topping Works:
White-topping works are currently underway on 117 roads covering 120.60 km at a cost of ₹1,700 crore.Of this,61.43 km has been completed.The Minister directed officials to expedite and complete the remaining 59.26 km of work.
While undertaking road works,footpaths should not be raised excessively;instead,they should be designed to ensure smooth and accessible movement for wheelchair users,he said.He also directed officials to make the installation of grass paver blocks around trees mandatory.
”Are You Working to Ruin Bengaluru?:
Under the High Density Corridor project on the Outer Ring Road, one electricity pole is required to be installed every 20 metres in the completed works.
However, officials found that in some stretches, electricity poles had been installed at intervals of just 5 to 10 metres,including both old and new poles.
The Minister questioned whether such works were genuinely being undertaken in the public interest or merely to facilitate payment of bills to contractors.
He questioned why,when new electricity poles are being installed,the old poles are not being removed and uniformly designed poles installed instead.
“You are not working to improve Bengaluru.Are you working to ruin it?”the Minister said,pulling up B-SMILE officials over the issue.
Give Senior Officials a Presentation on B-SMILE Works- The Minister directed officials to organise a detailed presentation for senior officers of all the city corporations on various works being undertaken by B-SMILE, including the elevated corridor and rotary flyover projects, and provide them with comprehensive information on the projects.
Take Steps to Establish Animal Crematoria:
The Special Commissioner informed the meeting that the number of animal birth-control surgeries has been increased and that approximately 280 stray dogs are undergoing sterilisation every day,or around 7,000 a month.Accordingly,around 80,000 Animal Birth Control (ABC) surgeries are expected to be carried out annually.
Responding to this,the Minister said the number of kennels must be increased to scale up ABC operations in the city.
At present, there is an animal crematorium only at Sumanahalli.The Minister directed officials to take necessary steps to establish animal crematoria in the remaining city corporations as well.
”Are You Looting the Money Meant for Park Maintenance?”:
The Minister expressed concern that parks across the city are not being maintained properly.Garbage was found lying uncleared in several parks,prompting him to question whether money was being spent in the name of maintenance without the required work actually being carried out.
“Bengaluru was once known for its parks.But today, the condition of many parks is distressing.If parks are not maintained properly,you will be held directly responsible,” the Minister warned officials of the Horticulture Department.
The meeting was attended by Chief Commissioner, Maheshwar Rao,Special Commissioners,Muneesh Moudgil,Sushma Godbole,Nitesh and Venkatachalapathi; City Corporation Commissioners,Ramesh D.S.,Pommala Sunil Kumar,Ramesh K.N.,G.Jagadeesh and Dr Rajendra K.V.; Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited CEO Karigowda;Additional Commissioners;Joint Commissioners; heads of engineering divisions; Chief Town Planners; Chief Engineers; and officials from the Health, Town Planning and other departments.
