Suddenly there seems to be a much more positive feeling in the air. Solutions for Bangalore's innumerable civic and developmental problems—previously considered insurmountable—seem not only to exist, but to be implementable as well. The reason for the hope and optimism is the appointment of the dynamic K. Jairaj as Commissioner of the Bangalore City Corporation.
Mr Jairaj, IAS, was formerly MD of the Karnataka Power Corp. Ltd. Other positions held by him include Commissioner for Commercial Taxes; Metropolitan Commissioner, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Devt. Authority and MD, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Devt. and Fin. Corp. Ltd; MD, KSSIDC; Transport Commissioner; and MD, Karnataka State Co-op Apex Bank, to name a few. He has been President of both the All India and Bangalore Management Associations; VC of the Council of Power Utilities, New Delhi and Trustee of the Bangalore Environment Trust. His impressive academic credentials include a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton and a Master in Public Administration and Edward S. Mason Fellowship from Harvard.
In an informal interview Mr Jairaj speaks to Brigade MD, Jaishankar of his hopes and plans for Bangalore…..
Mr Jairaj, IAS, was formerly MD of the Karnataka Power Corp. Ltd. Other positions held by him include Commissioner for Commercial Taxes; Metropolitan Commissioner, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Devt. Authority and MD, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Devt. and Fin. Corp. Ltd; MD, KSSIDC; Transport Commissioner; and MD, Karnataka State Co-op Apex Bank, to name a few. He has been President of both the All India and Bangalore Management Associations; VC of the Council of Power Utilities, New Delhi and Trustee of the Bangalore Environment Trust. His impressive academic credentials include a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton and a Master in Public Administration and Edward S. Mason Fellowship from Harvard.
In an informal interview Mr Jairaj speaks to Brigade MD, Jaishankar of his hopes and plans for Bangalore…..
K.Jairaj talking to M.R. Jaishankar (right) and S. Krishnamurthy (centre),
Sr. Manager, Liaisons, Brigade Group.
As the chosen man by the CM, how do you intend handling this onerous responsibility of improving Bangalore and what are the thrust areas ?
We are first trying to set the house in order by creating new systems of work. The CM has announced the
formation of a Bangalore Agenda task force, led by Nandan Nilekani, (Infosys), with 4 objectives: to help in creating GIS, IT etc; to draw major corporates to help Bangalore improve its civic
assets; to put together a massive
infrastructure plan for the city; and to improve the quality of our human resources, training, intervention, etc.. In the short term we want to improve our resources, work methods and discipline. In the medium to long term we want to put massive investments into Bangalore.
In what time frame do you intend to do this?
Short-term improvements like roads, sanitation, lights, collection of better revenue, etc will be seen in the next 6 months. This month I have set a target of Rs 25 crore for property tax collection.
How do you intend raising resources for this massive development ?
In my opinion, the property tax potential in Bangalore is about 700 crore at present. A person from commercial taxes will head a special cell, to crack down on all the escapement, under assessment and other distortions. We have to improve our info. tech. Presently all the 3 lakh units are assessed manually.
For town planning, we first need to regenerate the old city (Cottonpet, Tharagupet, Chickpet, Mamulpet) which is crumbling. Secondly, there has to be ruthless law enforcement. I am now issuing an advertisement calling upon all people to adhere to the sanctioned building plans. Thirdly, we need to create a good environment. I’ve asked builders to suggest self-regulatory, self-policing measures. I would like to have a dialogue with architects also. I have asked the advertisers association if they want any revisions of the by-laws, to suggest model by-laws on the basis of what they have seen in other cities and other areas. We must make a co-operative effort and together make a better city.
In such a situation, what according to you are the citizens’ responsibilities?
Don’t cheat and don’t bribe our officials. Please follow the law, adhere to high standards, follow civic discipline, co-operate with the corporation, have a high level of discipline and involvement in our public affairs and be model tax payers. In the matter of garbage disposal, many of the commercial establishments, hotels and shops don’t adhere to timings. They should co-operate.
What steps are you planning to take to make the administration citizen-friendly, responsible and transparent ?
I cannot create a new system and the existing systems have been tremendously misused. There is a low level of capacity, no motivation, no incentives, no training and very little alignment between the individuals and the goal.
To bring in a new work culture is a great challenge that has to be met. So I have introduced work audit in all engineering work. Entrustment of work will be done only through tendering. We have introduced pre-audit.
In what time frame do you intend to do this?
Short-term improvements like roads, sanitation, lights, collection of better revenue, etc will be seen in the next 6 months. This month I have set a target of Rs 25 crore for property tax collection.
How do you intend raising resources for this massive development ?
In my opinion, the property tax potential in Bangalore is about 700 crore at present. A person from commercial taxes will head a special cell, to crack down on all the escapement, under assessment and other distortions. We have to improve our info. tech. Presently all the 3 lakh units are assessed manually.
For town planning, we first need to regenerate the old city (Cottonpet, Tharagupet, Chickpet, Mamulpet) which is crumbling. Secondly, there has to be ruthless law enforcement. I am now issuing an advertisement calling upon all people to adhere to the sanctioned building plans. Thirdly, we need to create a good environment. I’ve asked builders to suggest self-regulatory, self-policing measures. I would like to have a dialogue with architects also. I have asked the advertisers association if they want any revisions of the by-laws, to suggest model by-laws on the basis of what they have seen in other cities and other areas. We must make a co-operative effort and together make a better city.
In such a situation, what according to you are the citizens’ responsibilities?
Don’t cheat and don’t bribe our officials. Please follow the law, adhere to high standards, follow civic discipline, co-operate with the corporation, have a high level of discipline and involvement in our public affairs and be model tax payers. In the matter of garbage disposal, many of the commercial establishments, hotels and shops don’t adhere to timings. They should co-operate.
What steps are you planning to take to make the administration citizen-friendly, responsible and transparent ?
I cannot create a new system and the existing systems have been tremendously misused. There is a low level of capacity, no motivation, no incentives, no training and very little alignment between the individuals and the goal.
To bring in a new work culture is a great challenge that has to be met. So I have introduced work audit in all engineering work. Entrustment of work will be done only through tendering. We have introduced pre-audit.
We are also trying to bring about project management in all the major works that we are doing.
I want to introduce some amount of recognition, incentives, so that people will feel enthusiastic about their work.
I have had dialogues with various associations and unions to try and insulate administration from local politics. I am also trying to activate the public grievance system.
What are the expectations from your staff and officers in order to help you ?
Everybody wants to create a better Bangalore, everybody wants the city to function, to perform, everybody is keen that they must live in a better environment.
We must concentrate on the problems of the urban poor who live in slums, of which there are over 400. We must have a development plan for slums, to regenerate them. We must provide basic services like water, roads, electricity.
I understand BCC is celebrating its golden jubilee and this building where you are sitting was designed by your grandfather.
Yes, this building was designed by my grandfather, Lakshmi Dasappa, Chief Architect for the Maharaja of Mysore. That is why I was sentimentally drawn to coming here. The adjacent building (town hall) was also designed by him.
To celebrate the golden jubilee of the BCC, we want to begin showcasing Bangalore. That includes sound / light shows, the celebration of both the old "pete's" and new Bangalore, and of Bangalore's intellect and heritage.
How can the citizens help out ?
Citizens have to participate in all these activities and join us in trying to make Bangalore a good livable city.
Lastly, do you think the citizens can hope for a better Bangalore in the new Millennium ?
They definitely should hope for a better Bangalore. I am sure that with the cooperation of the council, the elected members, the officers, the Govt of Karnataka and the intelligent public, we will definitely make Bangalore a
better place.
Any message for the people of Bangalore ?
Help us to help you better.
I want to introduce some amount of recognition, incentives, so that people will feel enthusiastic about their work.
I have had dialogues with various associations and unions to try and insulate administration from local politics. I am also trying to activate the public grievance system.
What are the expectations from your staff and officers in order to help you ?
Everybody wants to create a better Bangalore, everybody wants the city to function, to perform, everybody is keen that they must live in a better environment.
We must concentrate on the problems of the urban poor who live in slums, of which there are over 400. We must have a development plan for slums, to regenerate them. We must provide basic services like water, roads, electricity.
I understand BCC is celebrating its golden jubilee and this building where you are sitting was designed by your grandfather.
Yes, this building was designed by my grandfather, Lakshmi Dasappa, Chief Architect for the Maharaja of Mysore. That is why I was sentimentally drawn to coming here. The adjacent building (town hall) was also designed by him.
To celebrate the golden jubilee of the BCC, we want to begin showcasing Bangalore. That includes sound / light shows, the celebration of both the old "pete's" and new Bangalore, and of Bangalore's intellect and heritage.
How can the citizens help out ?
Citizens have to participate in all these activities and join us in trying to make Bangalore a good livable city.
Lastly, do you think the citizens can hope for a better Bangalore in the new Millennium ?
They definitely should hope for a better Bangalore. I am sure that with the cooperation of the council, the elected members, the officers, the Govt of Karnataka and the intelligent public, we will definitely make Bangalore a
better place.
Any message for the people of Bangalore ?
Help us to help you better.