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New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BBMP delays salaries for crematorium workers, says Sangha
BENGALURU: Prabhudda Dr BR Amberkar Rudrabhoomi Vidyut Chitagara Naukara Sangha has alleged that crematorium workers in the BBMP are yet to get salary for the last three months. Alleging non-payment by the palike, Sauri Rajan, President of the Sangha, said crematorium workers, undertakers, are from a poor background and are dependent on the monthly salaries, and the delay in payment will make their lives tougher. Rajan said there are about 450 undertakers/crematorium workers on a contract basis working across the 10 corporations in the state and have demanded group 'D' status, which will help in fighting poverty to a certain extent. 'When a demand was made to include 145 undertakers across the Palike's 15 electric crematoriums and 43 burial grounds under the Group D category in the BBMP, former CM Basavaraj Bommai had agreed in principle. The government changed, and the matter was discussed with the BBMP officials. An assurance was given to add the undertakers in the Group D category by the then Chief Commissioner of BBMP, Tushar Giri Nath, but the undertakers and crematorium workers were added under the 'Direct Payment' category. Such workers are paid Rs 12,252 after PF and ESI deduction; however, 39 crematorium staff are yet to get their 3-month salary due,' said Rajan. He attributed the delay in salaries to the BBMP ward engineers, who failed to send the report to the BBMP Welfare Department, which deals with the salaries of BBMP undertakers and electric crematorium staff. The Sangha will give a representation to Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister in the coming days. Meanwhile, The BBMP welfare department officials said they would look into the issue.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Bengaluru civic agency's plan to feed chicken meals to strays sparks debate
Bengaluru: BBMP's initiative to provide cooked chicken-based meals to 5,000 stray dogs in the city has triggered mixed reactions from residents and social media users. Palike, however, maintains that the programme is a legal obligation under Central govt's Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and aims to reduce dog bites, control aggression, and improve sterilisation success. The initiative, which builds on a feeding scheme started during Covid-19, involves setting up designated feeding points monitored by zonal officials. The food will be made from chicken waste, not premium meat, BBMP clarified, countering online claims that it is providing "chicken biryani" to strays. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "There is no specially prepared dish. It is made from chicken waste and tailored for canine digestion," said Suralkar Vikas Kishor, BBMP's special commissioner. The meals were developed through vet-approved pilot projects last year. At Rs 19 per dog per day, the programme covers food, transport, and cleaning. The food itself costs around Rs 11. The annual expenditure is projected to be nearly Rs 2.9 crore. Bengaluru has an estimated 2.7 lakh stray dogs, but the scheme will target 5,000 dogs in specific hotspot wards where sterilisation and rabies vaccination efforts are lagging. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo According to BBMP, many zones have already reached 70% sterilisation, and controlled feeding will help improve capture rates for neutering and vaccinations. Critics have questioned whether public funds should be used for such programmes, suggesting the money could be better spent on dog pounds. However, BBMP points out that confinement of stray dogs is illegal under the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) guidelines. The initiative follows AWBI's ABC handbook, which recommends community management of stray dogs. BBMP says the programme's future will depend on results. If there is a measurable reduction in dog bites and improved sterilisation outcomes, it may be continued or expanded next year. BJP's criticism BJP leaders took a dig at the Congress govt over the plan. In a statement, BJP's Bengaluru South district president CK Ramamurthy demanded clarification from BBMP and deputy CM DK Shivakumar. He pointed out that while the midday meal scheme incurs a cost of Rs 12.4 per meal, this scheme is set to spend Rs 22 per dog. "We are not against feeding dogs, but this policy seems like a waste of taxpayers' money," he said. The BJP also accused the govt of misleading people with such schemes instead of focusing on garbage disposal and fixing potholes.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BBMP spends Rs 1.48 crore on caste survey so far, Rs 70L on stickers alone...
BENGALURU: Has BBMP spent a whopping Rs 1.48 crore on the survey of SC population in its limits so far? Yes, according to sources in the Palike. It has spent Rs 70 lakh on stickers alone and Rs 28 lakh on raising awareness on the survey through social media platforms. According to Suralkar Vikas Kishore, nodal officer, the projected estimation for stickers, distribution of pamphlets and engaging workers is Rs 1.75 crore. The survey cost may touch Rs 3 crore by the time it is completed. BBMP has launched an elaborate campaign to raise awareness on the survey of SC population through street plays, short films, social media, IEC and other platforms, Kishore said. Sources in the BBMP said that it cost Rs 28 lakh to register 60 lakh views for its two short films on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other social media platforms. 'Including 18% GST, the palike's spending will be around Rs 49,56,000. It cost Rs 12 lakh to the Palike to hire a camera, cameraman, scriptwriters, voice-over artistes and music,' according to a source. However, many have expressed their reservation over the genuineness of the survey, going by the manner in which it is being conducted and money spent. In many places, enumerators have pasted stickers on doors without collecting details from people living in houses. Incidents of clashes between enumerators and occupants of the houses have also been reported. Seven revenue officials, who were part of the survey, have been suspended for dereliction of duty.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Brand Bengaluru: 19 Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike hospitals set for upgrade at cost of Rs 413 crore
Bengaluru: Tenders are being called for upgrading 19 BBMP hospitals at an estimated cost of Rs 413 crore under Brand Bengaluru initiative. A detailed project report (DPR) for the proposal is in its final stages, said a senior BBMP official. "Once implemented, BBMP hospitals will be equipped to provide emergency care, general medicine, basic surgeries, and dental services to the public," said the official. As per Indian Public Health Standards (2022), urban community health centres are mandated to provide such services. However, until now, they were unavailable at 26 BBMP hospitals. This is the first time the Palike's health department proposed such an upgrade, starting with 19 hospitals. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Fourteen maternity hospitals will be upgraded to 30-bed facilities. Maternity wards will be redesigned, and labs will be established in all locations. Additional wards will be created based on space availability. Five community health centres will be converted into 50-bed hospitals. Modular operation theatres and required facilities will also be built for general surgery and emergency care, BBMP health officials said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubra aparelhos auditivos de alta qualidade sem gastar um único cêntimo Aparelhos Auditivo PT Undo "Since implementing the entire plan at once is not feasible, we proposed a three-phase strategy. In the first phase, structurally weak hospital buildings will be demolished and rebuilt. In the second phase, existing buildings will be modernised. The third will focus on enhancing lab infrastructure, increasing bed capacity and providing essential equipment for surgery and emergency care," added the official. Suralkar Vikas Kishore, special commissioner (health), BBMP, said, "This is an ambitious plan to provide quality healthcare services in BBMP hospitals. The DPR will be completed soon. Subsequent steps will follow thereafter."
New Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
5 lakh property owners to get BBMP notices for ‘tax evasion'
BENGALURU: As many property owners in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have misused the Palike's Self Assessment Scheme (SAS) and deliberately under-valued their additional floors to avoid paying actual taxes, the BBMP has decided to issue notice to owners of such properties. The Palike, through its verification systems, including drone surveys, visit by officials, and other means, has detected such violations in around 5 lakh properties. BBMP Special Commissioner (Revenue) Munish Moudgil confirmed that BBMP has decided to issue notices asking the owners to pay the actual amount. As per senior officials, the notices to property owners for 'under assessing' their properties is an initiative to crack down on such practices and also a warning to owners not to repeat the same. 'The owner's house address, GPS, photo, their registration details, commencement and occupancy certificate was verified by the revenue department which also used drone survey and it was found that around 5 lakh of them have concealed the actual data, declared only partial details and have been paying less taxes,' said a senior accountant with the BBMP revenue department. The Revenue Officials are yet to divulge details of what action will be taken on such owners and maintained that action will be initiated based on the recommendations of Chief Commissioner and Revenue Commissioner. 'If owners fail to comply with notices, there are chances of a heavy penalty against such owners. The BBMP will start the initiative in full swing by the end of July and August as over 150 revenue staff members are engaged in caste survey on the Schedule Caste population which will end by Mid-July,' said an official. Of these 5 lakh properties, the BBMP has already tabulated 26,000 properties, and it expected to mop up Rs 100 crore from the owners. This apart, the BBMP revenue department will also tighten screws against 3.16 lakh defaulters from whom Rs 714.56 crore is due. 'The BBMP has given enough chances. Last year, the One Time Settlement Scheme with reduced interest on such dues was rolled out and it was extended multiple times, yet many have not utilised it. BBMP will initiate action such as sealing down such properties and also attaching them,' said a senior official.
