‘No one is bigger than the institution’You come across as a soft-spoken officer. How do you plan to manage a civic body like BBMP?I will try to take everybody into confidence before taking any major decision. Confrontation is not my nature or style of working. I prefer coordination. I believe in and prefer team work than individual achievement. There are many segments in the BBMP. There are elected representatives, officers and also contractors. One cannot achieve anything single handedly. It should be a team work.Many consider contractors’ lobby is more powerful. How do you contain such lobby?No one is powerful or influential than an institution. According to me, the BBMP is a great institution. Contractors are a part of this institution.How do you propose to bring back BBMP’s glory that is lost in recent times?We have to do something to improve the image of the BBMP. I want to improve the functioning of BBMP systematically.Are you confident of carrying your day to day office work without any interference?As I said, I prefer team work. Where is the question of interference when you involve all stake holders in decision making process?‘I opted for transfer'What is your opinion of BBMP?The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is an excellent body to work with. It has potential to work for the benefit of Bangaloreans.Comment on the sagging image of the BBMP?Yes, I agree that the image of the BBMP is sagging due to recent developments. However, there is scope to bring back its lost glory.Many attribute contractors’ lobby behind your transfer. Do you agree?I think no one is responsible for my transfer from the BBMP. A few months ago, I had requested the Chief Secretary to transfer me from the BBMP.What made you to opt for a transfer from this post?The busy schedule at the BBMP had affected my health. I opted transfer purely on health grounds.Now, who’ll take of Bangloreans’ health? There are many efficient officers to take care of Bangaloreans’ health. The authorities concerned are capable of finding a suitable officer for Commissioner’s job.Many contractors and even Corporators allege that misuse of funds has taken place. Your comment?It is quite natural to have some disgruntled elements in every department or corporation or any authority. I have nothing to comment on their allegations. I have done my duty.Do you think you have discharged duties at BBMP as per the expectations of Bangaloreans?I am leaving the BBMP with a lot of satisfaction. I have no complaints at the time of leaving the BBMP since I have discharged my duties without any fear or favour.What is your new assignment?It will be decided within the next two days.‘BBMP in safe hands’Speaking to journalists on Monday evening, after handing over the charge of BBMP Commissioner to Shankaralinge Gowda, Siddaiah said, “Expect much more and better administration from him. His voice is stronger than mine.” Speaking about his IAS batchmate, he recalled that Gowda was called Amitabh Bachchan due to his ‘Angry young man’ image during their training days. After accepting the new charge, Shankaralinge Gowda told journalists that with this appointment as BBMP Commissioner, he has come a full circle from the day he was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner (Development) 20 years ago. “Then, Ministers Somanna and Suresh Kumar were only Corporators,” he said. Reacting to questions on issues affecting BBMP, he said that bringing the functioning to normalcy is a challenge as also is raising sufficient resources to match the demand. On corruption, he said that he does not have a magic wand to erase corruption completely and bring Ramarajya overnight, but transparency in all operations is crucial to work towards corruption-free administration.
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