Pramesh S Jain
*Assault on officials is treated as an attack on the government;the government will not bow down to goondaism.
*Build a house within 5 years or pay double tax:Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar”.
Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar announced that owners of BDA or municipal plots must keep their properties clean and construct at least a basic house within five years.
If they fail to do so,they will face double taxes or may even have to return the site to the authorities.
He was speaking after launching the”Freedom from Waste”campaign near Hebbal Junction this morning.
“Bengaluru is Your Property”:
The CM emphasized the need to build civic sense among residents.He clarified that the government will not be responsible for any issues that arise from leaving plots vacant.
“You must protect your property, and we must protect the state’s assets. Cleaning Bengaluru is our duty, but protecting it is yours. Bengaluru’s properties do not belong to the government—they belong to you.This campaign has been launched to help you safeguard your assets,”he said.
Strict Orders to Seize Waste-Dumping Vehicles:
Initially,the government issued notices and installed cameras to curb illegal garbage dumping.While this worked for 15 days,people eventually went back to their old habits.
The CM issued strict orders to the police to seize any vehicles caught dumping construction waste outside designated spots.
*Historic Announcement on 100th Day:
The CM revealed that a historic announcement regarding a”Green Bengaluru”will be made on the 100th day of his government.
“Criticism Dies, Work Remains:
Addressing the mixed opinions and criticism surrounding Bengaluru’s cleanliness efforts,he remarked, “Criticism dies,but the work done remains forever.”
Attack on Officials is an Attack on the Government:
Referring to a recent assault on officials in Shivajinagar, the CM stated that attackers should not think they only targeted ground staff.
“This is an assault on the government,MLAs,and ministers.The government will not be intimidated by goondaism.
The campaign to clear footpath encroachments in Bengaluru was launched after taking all MLAs into confidence.”
He added that street vendors will be relocated to designated zones so that pedestrians and vehicular traffic face no inconvenience.
An Exemplary Drive:
Calling the Bengaluru cleanliness drive a model program, he urged leaders and citizens to replicate this initiative in their respective regions.
Set an Example for the Country:
“Keep your homes and your city clean.The entire nation is watching Bengaluru. It is our shared duty to maintain cleanliness here and set an example for the rest of India,”he added.
*Scaling Up Cleanliness Efforts:
Acknowledging that roadside garbage dumping is a problem not just in Bengaluru but also in cities like Delhi and Mumbai,the CM shared that the government plans to scale up its cleanliness drives significantly in the coming days and sought public cooperation.
NGOs Invited to Adopt Areas:
The CM welcomed non-governmental organizations to take responsibility for specific areas or even adopt four streets to support the drive.
Lessons from Leaders:
Quoting iconic leaders,the Chief Minister recalled: Mahatma Gandhi said,”Cleanliness is Godliness.”And former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said”If you clean the front of your house,the street becomes clean.
When streets become clean,the town becomes clean, and when towns become clean,the entire nation becomes clean.”
He added that citizens must continue following the guidance of these national leaders.
The CM noted that it was special to have a Union Minister join the event organized under Minister Krishna Byre Gowda’s leadership.
The event saw the presence of Union Minister,Shobha Karandlaje,Energy and Tourism Minister,K.J.George, Bengaluru Development Minister,Krishna Byre Gowda, MLA,S.R.Vishwanath,and GBA Chief Commissioner,M. Maheshwar Rao,among others.
