Greater Bengaluru Governance (Amendment) Bill 2025 passed in Assembly, Deputy CM promises autonomy for ULBs

Bengaluru: The Greater Bengaluru Governance (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly recently after discussion.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also Bengaluru Development Minister, tabled the Amendment Bill, which was passed after discussions by various members of the House.

Participating in the discussion, the DCM said, “Though the Bill was passed, some people filed a PIL in court. Hence, an amendment has been carried out to clarify the point that the Greater Bengaluru Authority would not interfere in the functioning of the corporations.”

When BJP MLA Suresh Kumar questioned the implications of the amendment, the DCM said, “Someone had filed a PIL in court stating that the Greater Bengaluru Authority had the powers to interfere in the functioning of the corporations. The PIL had said that the government was planning to take control of the corporations. Hence, necessary amendments have been brought in to make it very clear that there is no scope for interference.”

When BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan asked for an explanation on the control the government had on the corporations, the DCM said, “Though the court did not accept the PIL, we have made the amendment to avoid any confusion in the future. Our intention is that the Mayor and the corporation members must have full powers over the corporation as per the Constitution.”

“Members such as Satish Reddy submitted that villages in their constituency have not been included, but it is important to note that the gram panchayat member would have had to become a corporation member if we did so. We will deliberate on which villages need to be included in the future,” he added.

“Mahadevapura collects the highest taxes in Bengaluru while there is not much collection in central areas. In such situations, we need to give financial assistance. But the law doesn’t permit such transfer of funds as it would violate the 74th amendment of the Constitution. We will withdraw the amendment if the Opposition doesn’t want it. We have brought in this amendment to prevent any misuse of power by subsequent governments,” he told the House.

‘No politics when it comes to Bengaluru’

Shivakumar said: “We are ready to accept suggestions from the Opposition. We had also formed a House Committee to look into it. We have nothing to hide. Let’s conduct the local body elections first. We will issue a notification by August 25 after taking the Governor’s permission,” he added.

He claimed that his government does not want to do politics over Bengaluru’s future and that it will not interfere with respect to the financial independence, tax collection, elections or reservation enjoyed by the urban local bodies. The 74th amendment has been fully protected, he said.  

Replying to MLA Muniratna, who was fierce in his observations on the Bill, the DCM quipped: “We will give you an opportunity to participate in the discussions. We had forgotten you as you were busy running around for investigations you currently face.”