Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner M Lakshminarayana has sought additional funds from the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is presenting the budget on July 12.
The Chief Minister held a series of meeting with various departmental heads on Thursday. Commissioner Lakshminarayana, who was also present during the meeting, sought Rs 4,000 crore grants.
Speaking to Express, he said that it is a normal process that civic agencies seek funds from the government before the budget is presented. “With the CM presenting the budget on July 12, we have placed our request,” he said.
The Commissioner said that they need funds for both spillover works as well as ongoing works. “We do not know how much the State government will release. We will utilise the funds on priority basis,” he said.
When asked about expectation from the new government, he said in the next five years, government should grant at least Rs 15,000 crore.
Sources in the BBMP said during his meeting with the CM, the Commissioner explained about the funds released by the BJP government.
“Previous government never released the amount announced during the State budget. Every year, Chief Ministers of the BJP government announced anywhere between Rs 700 crore and Rs 1,300 crore grants, but did not release the funds. The Commissioner explained this situation to the CM,” official sources said.
Commissioner also explained the amount that has be paid to various contractors. Palike needs funds for various ongoing works including road widening, removing silt from drains and other emergency works.
Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy and team had met the CM last week. “We are organising Kempe Gowda Jayanathi on June 29 and inviting the Chief Minister. When he comes, we will present a memorandum on the status of BBMP,” he said.