Friday, November 24, 2006

Govt gives a push to Greater B'lore plan

23 Nov, 2006 Times News Network

BANGALORE: The government gave a further push to its Greater Bangalore plans by appointing Dilip Rau as administrator of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) on Thursday.

The 1972-batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer steps in with the onus of being a one-man council.Apart from handling the municipal corporation responsibilities, Rau also holds the existing post of additional chief secretary, energy department.

The posting order categorically states: "Dilip Rau, additional chief secretary, energy department, is concurrently appointed as administrator of the BMP with immediate effect".

The obvious question is: What are his immediate priorities? "Improving the delivery of basic services like better roads, footpaths, garbage clearance as also getting prepared for the exercise of Greater Bangalore," he says. Sounds familiar?

How approachable will he be to the public, considering that there is no elected people's representatives to put forth any problems? "The process of consultation with the public is an on-going process. I will be meeting MLAs.

All the resident welfare associations can approach me with their problems." Any visiting hours? "Not yet decided.

Now that there would not be any "interference" by corporators as often alleged by officials, would he galvanise projects and processes?

"There is already an existing system at the BMP. There are many existing projects which need to be speeded up. If resolutions need to be passed, it will be done within the confines of the law," he says.

Rau now holds two key posts — the existing one in the energy department and the historic one of administrator at the BMP. All he says is, "There need not be any fear that the BMP will not be interactive with the public.We will not ignore aspirations of the public."

Serving in the bureaucracy runs in his family: Rau is the brother of chief secretary Malathi Das. The only Rau connection to the more popular administrator Lakshman Rau is this — Dilip Rau served as deputy commissioner (development) at the BMP during Rau Sr's tenure.

In the past, the Karnataka-cadre officer has held such postings as electoral officer, BDA commissioner, Hassan DC, among others.

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