Accountability & Good Governance

• While organisation is providing customer delight we are still expecting customer satisfaction from MLA. Will basic human needs will be addressed? Will you share your plan to implement those to public?

 

Ramesh Chander

It is indeed sad that a constituency inhabited by the best technical and managerial talents is struggling for basic human needs. I promise to harness this and solve the most issues of Mahadevapura in quickest possible time. Accessibility of potable water and convenient public transport (to decongest the roads and take private vehicles off the road) are doable, given that Mahadevapura has the most activist citizens who are ready to pitch-in in problem solving. If given an opportunity, yes, I will present a plan of implementation.

 

• How will you address the lack of coordination between various govt. agencies? Each one blames the other for dug up roads.

Ramesh Chander

One way would be to build ‘task-force’ for every big problem at hand. For example, to ease out the traffic problem, the task force of officers from traffic police, BBMP, BWSSB, citizens of the area and subject matter experts should be made. It is this task force that works in time-bound manner, driven by the area MLA. This will avoid buck-passing and bring accountability. We will publish the meeting minutes to the citizens and they can also track the progress.

• For all issues reported by KDF association from Kasavanahalli, there is always claim lack of funds. Can you release a white paper on what funds needed and what is given? This will help all candidates also debate and have a plan. Will you take up same issues like BBMP reform legislation or articulate need of special budget and funding to Mahadevapura?

Ramesh Chander

Sure. My plan is to ensure per-capita allocation of funds for all the wards, taking in consideration the allocation or lack of it, in past 10 years. Since Mahadevapura is languishing on most fronts, special funds are indeed needed and I will push for special budget.

• When will we get khatas without having to pay bribe?

Ramesh Chander

Within 6 months of my becoming MLA.

• What do you think is the root cause of co₹₹uption? What are you willing to do to curb the same?

Ramesh Chander

Individual greed and lust for power on the part of public representatives is the main cause and the responsibility of curbing this also lies with them as they are at the top of the administrative hierarchy. Bringing total transparency in decision making, fund allocation, implementation will help in curbing this. Involving stakeholder citizens in all of this will achieve this. Pulling up of the executive for dereliction of duty is another step. I also commit to not allow any of my relatives or Swaraj India volunteers to get into ‘contracting’ or into the ward committees to keep the cronies out.

• Can you collectively promise and keep the promise that you will not distribute money for vote during the election?

Ramesh Chander

It is my firm promise that not a penny would be spent on luring voters from me or my party. We are committed to the highest standards of probity and adherence of rule of law.

• Why ward committees have not been formed even though court has order and constitution amendment 74?

Ramesh Chander

My hunch is that the council is not comfortable with the idea of transparency and participatory decision making. It is not ready to let go of its powers by sharing it with citizens. Citizen intervention will make the sharing of loot difficult and hence the resistance in forming proper ward committees.

• Least to do for Functioning of ward committee meetings are to schedule monthly meetings and publish resolutions. Why has it not been done so far ?

Ramesh Chander

No intent to bring participatory democracy and no intention to devolve the power and bring transparency. Again, the root cause is that politicians want to continue the inefficiency and misuse of funds.

 

• What is your Vision for Mahadevpura Constituency? How do you see this place 5 years from now?  What would you do if you are in power for next five years and if you are out of power.

 

Ramesh Chander

In 5 years, I want to see people shunning their private vehicles and start walking, taking cycles or taking public transport like but, train or metro. The traffic jam on the road should go away. One must not spend more than 45 minutes to reach from one place to the other, anywhere in Mahadevapura and to the center of the city. I also want to see that 30 odd lakes of Mahadevapura are rejuvenated and restored to glory; Mahadevapura’s water table improves and we can store enough clean water in huge lakes of Mahadevapura which can be supplied to nearby areas after treating. Mahadevapura thus becomes self sufficient from nature’s endowment. I also want to see that almost all the waste water ( sewage) of Mahadevapura gets treated and reused. I would press for a legislation to use only treated water for new constructions. This will reduce the pressure on the ground water extraction. Proper management of waste water will lead to better sanitation, less mosquitoes and cleaner and greener surroundings. I also want to see Mahadevapura become the best constituency in Solid waste Management. Every ward will be equipped to handle its waste by proper provision of DWCC, composting and bio gas plants. We will push Mahadevapura for 100% segregation and plastic ban. To ensure that women feel safe to walk, I want to focus on well lit roads/footpaths, CCTV cameras at important points and enough beat police deployment. I want to ensure Mahadevapura does not grow haphazardly any more. We need to ensure enough per-capita open space, water and other amenities like health and education facilities and playgrounds. Every ward must have required civic amenities. I want to ensure that there should be marked improvement in the quality of life of citizens of Mahadevapura in 5 years.

• Why there is no accountability? For every public apathy someone should be held accountable. Roads laid out does not last one spell of rain and no one is held accountable

Ramesh Chander

From top to bottom, everyone is involved in corruption and hence, no one wants to bell the cat. The buck must stop on the public representative, the MLA. He must ensure that the work orders are made public, quality of work ensured and accountability fixed.

• It is common knowledge that bribes are taken by MLAs and political parties for postings and transfers. The bribes are in the form of prepaid lump sum amounts for the posting and then monthly postpaid payments to retain the posts. This means that officers also take bribes from people for public services. Each candidate, please give clear commitment from their personal and party side on what they will do to eliminate corruption in postings and transfers.

Ramesh Chander

I plan to constitute an expert committee/advisory committee for Mahadevapura including citizen representatives from all the wards. I will push that this committee gets some say in the postings and transfers of officials of Mahadevapura. The arbitrariness and too frequent transfers must go. Every transfer/posting should be based on sound reason which can be published.

• Ward committee has friends and families. Will you ensure that it has unbiased citizens? Also if corporator has veto powers, whats the point of committee? Why don’t you bring law to actually empower the ward committee ?

Ramesh Chander

As said in one of the answers above, we want to do exactly this. Our promise is that we will not have any member of Swaraj India or friends and family members of MLA or Corporator in ward committees. Public spirited, local, knowledgeable citizens will only be part of the ward committees. I will push for suitable amendment in the Karnataka Municipal Council laws to ensure this.

• We have not received, the House Katha & Land Hakku Pathra,Patta, Paani, 5 acers each living from 1953 more than 100 Families beside Ujjval Vidyalaya.(6000Voters)

Ramesh Chander

I promise to look into it and ensure the citizens get what is due to them.

• How will you solve these problems without paying attention to the quality of people who work with you? Unless there is a set of highly skilled and incorruptible officials to advise and execute all these promises are just that.

Ramesh Chander

A culture of transparency and accountability is set from the top. If I as an MLA have honest intentions and commitment for transparency and accountability, I can push for deployment of honest officials who would further push for honesty in rank and file.

• Can you bring BBMP under neutral firm Auditing, as huge money is pumped in, don’t you think it’s obvious that there is huge corruption ?

Ramesh Chander

Yes indeed there is huge corruption. In fact, BBMP may rank in one of the most corrupt municipal bodies and I agree that independent auditing will reduce corruption.

• Will you ensure budget allocation is not based on size/population of each ward and its development need? Will you put data including implementation in public domain ?

Ramesh Chander

I think it otherwise. I think the budget allocation has to take into account the size/population and development needs of the ward. Yes, I commit to full transparency and commit to maintain a website dedicated for Mahadevapura constituency where all the data related to Plans, works, funds etc will be posted.

Public Space, Property

• Why do we need International stadium by taking Gunjur Forest Land? Why don’t we make Biological Park and preserve it ?

Ramesh Chander

Agree. We need to increase the green cover, not lose it. Bengaluru has already lost huge percent of greenery in last 20 years. International stadium must come somewhere else, not on forest land.

• The Zone regulations in CDP 2015 and 2032 are contradictory and irreversible. How would you preserve the sanctity of the residential areas in Bellandur ward as the latest regulations makes it a Residential Area.?

Ramesh Chander

The regulation must not come into effect till the objections are heard and corrections made. This contradiction needs to be resolved and I would push for this.

• Inner & Outer Circle, Whitefield are the only parts of old Whitefield that are classified as Residential Main where road widths are less than 40 ft and have even be given the ‘Heritage’ tag in the new Master Plan. Unfortunately blatant – and some surreptitious – commercialisation is quite evident here – though the authorities  turn a blind eye to this. What assurance can you give that all non- residential activities will be shut down in this area.

Ramesh Chander

Will push for the constitution of a committee to look into it and enforce the prevailing law. Will have a ticketing system where citizens can log the violations and upload pictures. There would be a process to act on the complaints in time, escalation and closure of the ticket in time bound manner.

• CONCOR India is right in the middle of Whitefield and hence many heavy goods vehicles enter BBMP area throughout the day. Why can’t Concor be shifted to outskirts? The existing land can me monetized by Railways or it can be converted to railway station.

Ramesh Chander

Good and Sensible suggestion. Will work with Railways to push for it.

• If public properties are shown in map in public domain, any encroachment can be detected immediately. Why are the maps not put in public domain?

Ramesh Chander

This should be one of the objectives of bringing transparency. I am committed to this.

• Despite offer from Central government to fund Peripheral Ring Road, why was the work not started? Do you commit to start it ASAP?

Ramesh Chander

I do not understand the subject fully. I can only commit to work on it in the public interest.

• What would Candidates do to remove encroachments?

Ramesh Chander

As said above, this is very important aspect of our livability to have clear, open spaces. Public spaces must be earmarked and whereever needed, fenced. I will ensure this.

• What can you do to increase the no. of public areas like parks , play ground etc. which is totally missing in Mahadevpura.

Ramesh Chander

Agree. As committed in one of the questions, I will push for respectable per-capita open space for Mahadevapura and public amenities like parks, playgrounds, recreational centers, community halls will be built.

Roads & Transport

• Can you regulate SEZs to run common transport for all the companies within their premises? This will eliminate the private buses run by each company and therefore remove burden from roads.

Ramesh Chander

Good suggestion. Will work for it.

• How would we ensure law enforcement to make sure all commercial complex make enough parking space, especially internal roads… Those are the cause of traffic congestion. How can we fix it?

Ramesh Chander

If we can make streets walkable and public transport dependable, we would remove many private vehicles and people would be encouraged to take public transport, even for shopping, reducing the need for car parking. However, the new commercial complexes must be built with enough parking places. This should be part of plan approval.

• Will you ask SEZs to give land for peripheral roads to reduce congestion?

Ramesh Chander

Everyone, including SEZs, should come forward to help a larger good. Will push any cause which serves larger purpose.

• I frequently use Sarjapura – Varthur -Whitefield This road do not have divider. There are lots of  accidents reported. Looking forward for solution to this road

Ramesh Chander

With traffic having increased quite a bit, a thin divider would definitely help, alongwith slight widening to accomodate two way traffic. Will push for it.

• Pedestrian crossing along the orr is absent, we had to agitate before the authority even acknowledged the problem, what is their plans to resolve this, why they never considered this during planning

Ramesh Chander

Lack of foresightedness on the part of planners and disrespect for pedestrians is clearly visible the way ORR is today. This needs to change. Walkability must take precedent over private transport

 

• Any plans to decongest? Eco space new buildings are coming up around EcoSpace but roads already clogged with traffic, what is plan? Can we expect shorter journey times?

Ramesh Chander

Only solution is push for public transport with last mile connectivity. Strengthening arterial and subarterial roads, well built footpaths will encourage people to walk and take inner roads. At the same time, more suburban trains and stations would take lot of traffic off the roads.

• Why is isn’t that politicians are ensuring flyovers have entry into IT parks? Every flyover has lacked that

Ramesh Chander

Poor integrated and co-ordinated planning, lack of foresight.

 

• In Delhi commercial vehicles, tankers, construction vehicles function only from 12 at night to 5 am. Can we do that?

Ramesh Chander

Good suggestion. However, since even huge apartment complexes depend upon tanker water, it needs to be seen if only 12 to 5 will work.

 

Water, Lakes & Trees

 

• Kaikondrahalli lake buffer zone encroachment continues despite several requests to zonal office. Why is this not stopped by the government?

Ramesh Chander

Lack of will to tackle the cronies. Politicians are hand in glove with builders. We need to elect honest and public spirited MLAa and corporators. If we keep voting by the parties and ignoring good candidates, things will not change.

• What is the plan for constructing road connecting Bhoganahalli road to Panathur lake/cremation centre. A drainage line is being built to dump drainage to Panathur lake. What is the plan for STP before dumping to lake

Ramesh Chander

I will not allow untreated water to go into the lake. I do not have enough information about the said road.

• What’s the timeline for giving Kaveri water? Can we have regulatory body for water tankers to reduce Mafia?

Ramesh Chander

We have enough regulations in place. As long as we keep electing bad people, mafias will thrive. However, if we give people enough piped water, things will change. We will ensure the Caveri water distribution is done transparently and quickly. This will reduce the influence of Mafia. Also, more public borewells would be provided to supply water to reduce tanker mafia. Lake rejuvenation, massive rainwater harvesting will ensure we have more ground water availability.

• While drinking water is the major problem, why had you spent 5.3 crores on building bus stops? We could have digged 100 plus borewells for village people or implemented rainwells and made these villages water sustainable. What is the necessity of more bus stops from Lad fund, while BBMP itself committed many bus stops?

Ramesh Chander

Since public borewells reduce the influence of tanker Mafia, entrenched politician is not interested in this. Doing bus stops quickly is a money spinner and no-brainer, it is the easiest route to use/misuse the LAD fund.

 

 

 

• Your views on water security, through water reuse, both DPR and IPR. (Direct Potable Reuse and Indirect Potable Reuse).

Ramesh Chander

Way to go. Bangalore is fortunate to have enough rain. It is the sensible management of the every drop of rainwater and waste water which will make us water secure. It is doable, can be done. It needs sincere intent.

• What about Koliwad committee report on lakes? When will it be out? When will it be implemented?

Ramesh Chander

I will persistently ask this question in assembly, as your public representative.

 

Education

• Whats the plan to improve situation of education which essentially can help from traffic to corruption everything? Govt schools today are kind of died and private schools are out of control.

Ramesh Chander

I concur with you. Privatization of education has put good quality education beyond the reach of almost 60 percent of our population. Be can not build a nation with poorly educated citizens. We very strongly believe in strengthening govt schools which provide free quality education to the needy.

 

Clean Air, Waste & Health

• Do you agree that air pollution should be controlled?What is the plan to reduce air pollution?

Ramesh Chander

Air quality is already poor and vulnerable are suffering. More public transport, dust free roads, proper garbage management, regulated construction are few things which will address this. Good monitoring and publishing of the air quality will make citizens aware about it and this will push for action.

 

 

• Why are DWCC centers not functioning? what’s the MLA’s take?

Ramesh Chander

As you know, there is huge money in transporting the mixed waste. Transport contracts are with cronies. This is not allowing the implementation of segregation. Same is the reason for non existence of DWCCs.

• Frequency of BBMP collection need to be increased since smaller apartments neither have a place to store huge garbage pileup nor can afford unhygienic situation prevail.. Question to my would be representative..”would you work with us to increase the frequency of garbage collection “? At the moment, private contractors are being used (costly method) by public even though garbage cess is paid.

Ramesh Chander

Agree. Every ward needs to have enough provision to handle the solid waste. One example would be properly functioning bio gas plant which needs daily input. This will ensure daily clearance. Also, home composting/community composting needs to be adopted to reduce the wet waste produced.

• Why there is no good government hospital in Mahadevpura? Why people have to go to Shivajinagar ?

Ramesh Chander

Lack of concern for citizens’ basic needs. Good quality, affordable and easily accessible healthcare and education is a basic need. Insensitive politicians don’t see this issue and hence no action.

• There is a problem in handling excess STP water coming from Apartments.Apartments around lakes are neither allowed to leave in Sewage pipes which are anyway absent, neither it can go into Lakes. This leads to illegal discharge into lakes . Any solution offered?

Ramesh Chander

I propose two solutions: 1. PCB needs to come out with parameters of treated water which can be recharged in the ground. A part of excess water can be put in recharge wells. This will help the underground water table. 2. Every lake today needs to have a natural, maintenance free bio-remediation of ingress water. Thus, excess treated water should be allowed to further go through bio remediation and enter into the lake.

• What actions you will take on garbage mafia who arrange systematically burning of garbage. The chances are that mafia will have political links. How will you fix that ?

Ramesh Chander

Proper SWM is the key – making enough provisions to handle the solid waste within the ward should be the focus – enough DWCCs, biogas plants, composting plants, C&D plants etc and push for proper segregation will solve the issue.

• On Solving Water and Sewerage problem, following is my suggestion. Please provide your opinion. 1. Dismantle BWSSB2. Make Real Estate industry responsible for construction debris. 3. Garbage –  Agency /bodies for end to end responsibility 4. Ward committee and community periodic meeting between Corporators,  BBMP and elected reps.

Ramesh Chander

All good suggestions. Constituting the ward committees in its true spirit would be the game changer.

• Dear candidate, will you commit to the takeover of full responsibility for the health system in view of the continuing blame game around shortages of doctors and nurses and rising delays in emergency services?

Ramesh Chander

Dilapidated healthcare system is a big worry. Will start with constituting an audit committee for PHCs and govt hospitals – the committee will comprise of public spirited citizens and doctors. The report would be published, tabled in assembly and we all will push for corrective action

 

Others

• You have promised that you will move IT companies out of Bangalore. How will you do that?

Ramesh Chander

Why do we need to push anyone out if there is proper provisioning of resources? Agree that we have grown haphazardly in last decade. Infrastructure needs to be fixed by using part of the revenue collection from these companies. New additions need to be regulated though.

• Why don’t all MLA aspirants create a committee between themselves to execute all their manifestos jointly?

Ramesh Chander

I only wish that all MLAs were there in politics for people’s cause 🙂

• How much time will you spend in meeting people at their place? Can you commit on number of times you will come and meet people in each sub locality?

Ramesh Chander

Since Mahadevapura has large number of complexes and communities, it makes sense for MLA and Corporator to move around, rather than calling residents to MLA offices. I would use this route. 50% of my time would be dedicated for visiting communities and localities.

• There are so many of you contesting for the post. One of you will get the post.  How will each of you strengthen the hand of the one who has the post and work towards development of our Mahadevapura.

Ramesh Chander

Swaraj India’s politics focuses on the fact that a political party and political activist works all through, not during the elections. Through Swaraj Kendra, we want to work for citizens, all through and take their issues to whoever it needs to go to.

• Ideally MLA and other opponents should reside in the same constituency from where they are contesting, is it really happening? If no, then why?If leaders don’t stay in same area, how would they connect with people and know their problems?

Ramesh Chander

Ideally yes. It helps one to go through the same pain, at least of the gridlocked roads 🙂 Also, physical proximity to the citizens is better for accessibility. I reside in Doddanekundi and I do connect with the water and traffic problems of our area very well.

• Why not improve cycling in Mahadevapura to help cycling?

Ramesh Chander

Cycling, walking to work must be priorities. Good for the environment, good for the health. Agree totally.

• What is the educational background of the candidates

Ramesh Chander

I am BE from KREC, Surathkal, MBA from Adam Smith Univ, USA. Author of the book “Three pillars of customer relationaship” and founder and CEO of CRM services company Ryxincs.co.in.

 

• Being IT hub there are many companies who might be ready to solve city problems provided there’s honesty and transparency. What’s your view on this?

Ramesh Chander

Completely agree. If approached with genuine intent, they will provide solutions as well as resources.

• What will you do to make BBMP more financially viable and provide us an empowered mayor with functioning ward committees?

Ramesh Chander

There is no dearth of money. It is inefficient use and dereliction of duty which is the bane. Yes, the Mayor needs to be vested with more powers, so the ward committees. I will push for this.

• Will we have an empowered and strong Lokayukta like it was with Santosh Hegde with powers restored?

Ramesh Chander

Corrupt politicians see honest and powerful Lokayukta as a big threat. They want to appoint the pliable ones. I will fight against this, alongwith the citizens.

• What have you done in your current capacity of sitting MLA, ruling party KPCC president or as a civic/political activist to contribute positively to solve the top 3 issues you have mentioned?

Ramesh Chander

It has been a struggle but I have reached out to the BWSSB authorities for water and the local corporator for better roads. I am a concerned citizen who wants to be the part of solution.

• Instead of adding more and more infra, shouldn’t we limit the growth – limit vehicles, limit properties, even limit population.

Ramesh Chander

Yes. Slow growth with adequate provisions is the way to go.

• Can we have “within ward” waste to energy and compost conversion units setup

Ramesh Chander

SWM within the ward is the aim. Biogas plants, composting plants, decentralized composting, home and community composting is the way to go.

• Can you pass legislation that allows RWAs to collect tax and offset that payment against taxes paid to BBMP.

Ramesh Chander

It is a progressive suggestion. Can not commit on this. What I can definitely do is that RWAs get enough say in ward committees and through ward committees, enough say in allocation of development funds.

• As part of a member of legislative assembly, if you could pass just one piece of legislation, what will it be

Ramesh Chander

No further construction till we ensure adequate per-capita open space, water, and other amenities for Mahadevapura citizens.

• There is a huge incomplete mall near main road Doddanakundi. Why can’t you clear the dispute so that revenue can come from it by developing this mall. Even lot of shops and lot of people can earn out of it. At this point its a danger place for crime .

Ramesh Chander

Thanks for bringing this as aware citizen. Will definitely work towards it.

• Many buildings are violating fire safety. What will you do to avoid an incident like Carlton Towers Fire incident?

Ramesh Chander

I will constitute citizen audit committee for Mahadevapura, publish their report and put that in the assembly for implementations.

• What kind of people engagement mechanisms was in their mind to seek citizen’s help / to increase transparency?

Ramesh Chander

Constituting ward committees in true spirit and constituting an advisory council of citizens from all the 8 wards of Mahadevapura. All decision making will be made participatory.

• Will you work to add new courts in KR Puram (All courts are city side)

Ramesh Chander

Mahadevapura must have all public amenities – courts, hospitals, community centers, recreation centers, parks, playgrounds, good hospitals etc. Will push for all these.

• Will you increase Police strength and implement recommended reforms? Especially their uniforms and equipments

Ramesh Chander

Yes. Very much needed and needs to be done urgently. Will push for it.

• If given a chance to be an MLA from 2018 May, what is that you can do differently compared to other candidates? What is that you can do differently which could not be done in the last 10 yrs considering that Mahadevapura constituency has gone backwards in the last decade? How can we ensure that you keep your words after you get elected? We have had enough.

 

Ramesh Chander

I am going to constitute an advisory committee from all the 8 wards of Mahadevapura. We will collectively chalk out plans for Mahadevapura and execute it with full transparency. All the plans, decisions and execution status would remain in public domain through portals. We are going to make governance totally participatory. This will change things drastically. We know that Mahadevapura has the best talent in the form of active and aware citizens. We need to harness this.

• Thubarahalli road has been in bizzare state for a very long time. We request to expite in building this as there has been more than 3000 people staying and affected by this road.

Ramesh Chander

Noted. Will push for it.

• What steps have you taken personally to avoid flex posters? How will you ensure that not a single come up in Whitefield?

Ramesh Chander

We have not used any flex posters 🙂 Most of our reaching out it through social media and meetings and door to door campaigns, by distributing few thousand handbills.

• How do you plan to bring about transparency and accountability in governance.Do you have a blueprint for it? If not ,will you come up with a concrete plan to achieve it?

Ramesh Chander

Two important intervetions – 1. By making ward committees truely represent the ward and making these functional. Regular monthly meetings and publishing of plans and achievements. 2. By constituting a citizen advisory committee with representatives of all the 8 wards. Most of the developmental work in Mahadevapura will happen with their advice, recommendation and supervison. All this would also go on the portal.