B'luru ranked 16 of 21 cities in Janaagraha survey

Bengaluru has been ranked 16 out of 21 cities in the Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems (ASICS) conducted by non-profit Janaagraha.

Bengaluru’s individual scores in the urban planning and design, urban capacities and resources, empowered and legitimate political representation and transparency, accountability and participation categories have largely remained unchanged since the 2015 report.

To improve the city-systems, and in turn, the quality of life, Janaagraha suggested that planning of the city should not be left to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), instead, this should be done by the Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) which would oversee the work of the BDA and other local bodies.

When it comes to resources, Bengaluru has fared well in optimal use of information technology. However, the proportion of BBMP’s own revenue which is Rs 1,776 crore to its total expenditure of Rs 4,474 crore is only 47%.

The report suggests that Bengaluru should optimise property tax collection and the city should be allowed to set profession and entertainment tax, to improve its revenue. Bengaluru has been ranked last in the city-system of Empowered and Legitimate Political Representation due to a weak mayoral system, with the mayor being elected indirectly and having a term of one year only, and weak dissolution of power to the Council.

Some of the reform measures suggested are to amend Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 to mandate regional, municipal and ward-level plans, to constitute MPC and make annual audit reports of the corporation public.