Bengaluru Metropolitan City Corporation amendment bill 2025 approved in council

 The “Bengaluru Metropolitan City Corporation Amendment Bill 2025” was approved in the Legislative Council, with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar presenting it on Thursday. Addressing the Council, Shivakumar highlighted the issue of private layouts where roads have been constructed but remain under the names of landowners in revenue records. “We have developed roads in private layouts, but landowners continue to hold ownership in records. These land records need to be updated, and such roads should be declared as government roads,” he stated. He further explained that some landowners are now filing disputes, claiming that they only allocated land but did not construct roads. “There are attempts to remove these roads and sell the land. Some owners now expect Transferable Development Rights (TDR) from the government. How can we compensate them after developing roads? This amendment ensures that no compensation is granted in such cases,” he clarified. Currently, the amendment applies only within Bengaluru city limits, but there are plans to extend it to towns and panchayats in the future. Another key change in the bill is related to taxation powers. Earlier, the Chief Commissioner had sole authority over taxation decisions, leading to unilateral decision-making. The amendment now allows the corporation to deliberate and decide in meetings. Additionally, the corporation will have more authority over illegal constructions. Shivakumar cited examples of landowners registering plots but avoiding title transfers while constructing barriers on roads. “Some claim ignorance, saying their ancestors made the decisions. We must prevent such manipulations. Roads are public property, and they should not be privatized,” he emphasized.