Karnataka Assembly Adopts GBA Amendment Bill to Add Members
In a significant legislative move, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Tuesday ratified the Greater Bengaluru Governance (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025. This amendment aims to broaden the membership of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) by including members from the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assembly, and Legislative Council, provided they fall within the GBA’s jurisdiction.
Inclusion of Elected Representatives
Piloting the Bill, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar highlighted the need for this amendment by referencing the exclusion of certain prominent elected representatives. Notably, Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy and Chickballapur MP K. Sudhakar were mentioned as officials who, despite being within GBA boundaries, were not afforded membership in the authority. The proposed legislative change will rectify this oversight by facilitating their inclusion in the GBA.
Ex-officio Members
In addition to elected representatives, the Bill also seeks to incorporate key administrative officials as ex-officio members of the GBA. This includes the Chief Secretary, the Additional Chief Secretary to the Urban Development Department, and the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary to the Finance Department. The inclusion of these high-ranking officials is aimed at enhancing governance and decision-making within the authority.
Furthermore, the Bill specifies that the Additional Chief Secretary to the Urban Development Department will become a member of the Executive Committee of the GBA. This is expected to streamline urban governance and ensure more coherent management of Bengaluru’s developmental projects.
Ward Redivision and Membership Provisions
One of the critical aspects of the amendment relates to the re-division of wards, especially concerning newly incorporated local areas. The Bill mandates that this process be completed within a designated timeframe, underscoring the government’s commitment to adapting governance structures to the evolving needs of Bengaluru.
In response to concerns raised by opposition members, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar agreed to eliminate the provision for appointing nominated members to the GBA. BJP member S. Suresh Kumar voiced skepticism regarding the feasibility of adding a nominated representative for every 20,000 residents, arguing that such a move could compound confusion within an already extensive body of 369 members.
Discouraging Address Changes for Voting Rights
Finally, the Deputy Chief Minister echoed the sentiments of Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, emphasizing the necessity to discourage the trend of Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council members frequently altering their addresses to acquire voting rights in various local bodies. This practice has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and is seen as a potential loophole that undermines the democratic values inherent in local governance.
Through the passage of the Greater Bengaluru Governance (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Karnataka Assembly seeks to enhance the effectiveness of local governance and ensure that all relevant stakeholders are represented in the decision-making processes that shape the future of Bengaluru.
