Citizens' Groups Raise Alarm Over Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, Mull Legal Challenge
In a statement issued on Thursday, the group expressed dismay over the Governor's assent to the bill, stating that the law has been enacted 'despite strong objections from citizens and civil groups,' and that its provisions undermine the very spirit of democratic decentralisation enshrined in the Constitution.
'The objections were very serious, especially about violations of the Constitution and lack of due process, and lack of public consultation,' the statement read. 'This law goes against the spirit and letter of the 74th Amendment/Nagarpalika Act 1992, which is the very essence of our democracy.'
The 74th Constitutional Amendment, passed in 1992, is widely regarded as a cornerstone of urban democratic governance in India. It mandates the creation of elected municipal bodies and devolution of powers, functions, and finances to urban local governments. Critics of the new Bengaluru legislation argue that it centralises authority, reduces the role of elected representatives, and gives greater control to the state government and bureaucracy.
The Bengaluru Town Hall movement, comprising civic activists, urban planners, legal professionals, and residents' welfare associations, has announced that it is actively studying legal options to challenge the newly enacted law. A team is being constituted to explore the viability of a legal recourse.
'We are constituting a team to pursue this. We shall announce our plans shortly,' said Sandeep Anirudhan and Prakash Belawadi in a press release issued today by the BTH.
The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024, was introduced by the state government with the stated aim of streamlining administration and improving service delivery in the rapidly growing metropolitan area. However, activists contend that the process of drafting and passing the bill lacked adequate public consultation and transparency.
'Any change of this scale to the governance structure of a city like Bengaluru must be subject to wide-ranging consultations, involving citizens, local representatives, and experts,' said a senior member of the Town Hall movement, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'Instead, the bill was rushed through without hearing the voices of the people who live and work in this city.'
Legal scholars and constitutional experts have also weighed in, with some raising red flags about the bill's compatibility with the framework laid down by the 74th Amendment. If a legal challenge is mounted, the outcome could have far-reaching implications not just for Bengaluru but for urban governance models across India.
Meanwhile, civic activists are calling for increased public awareness and mobilisation to resist what they describe as 'an erosion of local self-governance.' Discussions are also underway for a citywide campaign to educate citizens about the impact of the new law on urban democracy.
As Bengaluru continues to grapple with complex urban challenges — from mobility and housing to waste management and water supply — the controversy over the governance bill has sharpened the debate around who truly governs the city, and how.
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