The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Bangalore): Over the recent half-decade, the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) has been engaged in addressing approximately 309 cases, with a significant portion involving unauthorized water connections. Despite its primary mission to safeguard government lands from encroachments, of which it has only tackled 50 cases, resulting in the recovery of around 1,000 acres, the prevalence of illegal water connections has dominated its workload.
Seemanth Kumar Singh, ADGP at BMTF, explained that the frequency of complaints regarding illegal connections stems from their commonality and ease of reporting throughout the city. Nonetheless, there’s a growing concern among complainants and activists regarding the organization’s effectiveness and accountability. They argue for a substantial overhaul of the BMTF to enhance its commitment to protecting public assets.
Former BBMP Councillor, N R Ramesh, expressed frustration over the BMTF’s lack of response to the majority of his complaints, indicating a broader issue of inaction and delay in addressing grievances. Similarly, RTI activist Amaresh criticized the organization for closing cases without informing or obtaining consent from the complainants, undermining their right to be informed of such decisions.
The issue of corruption within the BMTF, particularly at lower levels, was highlighted by both Ramesh and city-based advocate Rangaswamy N K. They shared instances of BMTF officers soliciting bribes to close cases, even when the cases fell outside their purview, such as violations of building bylaws. This practice not only compromises the integrity of the BMTF but also calls into question its transparency and accountability. Rangaswamy’s struggle to obtain information under the RTI Act and his subsequent appeal to the state information commission underscore the need for greater openness within the organization. The accumulation of these issues signals a pressing need for reform within the BMTF, aimed at enhancing its efficiency, transparency, and commitment to upholding public interest.