Is MGP merely obstructionist ?
MGP believes that the charges of obstructionism are not well-founded. For example, even while it was vehemently protesting the non-transparent way in which the ADB project was carried out, it still fully cooperated with the authorities, conducted seminars on the subject to educate both the public and the city corporators on various aspects of the project, actively worked to obtain citizens cooperation and feedback in various localities, monitored the works in various areas and submitted reports on them to the concerned authorities. If MGP were merely obstructionist, it would not have done any of these things.
But whenever it encounters foolish and impractical proposals from the government, MGP feels it is its bounden duty to raise objections, especially if the proposal involves the expenditure of public money. The quality of governance at all levels and the vast majority of laws, regulations, programmes and projects proposed and enacted by the government are done without a detailed study, without cost/benefit analysis, without considering the pros and cons and without a debate in which inputs from experts can be obtained. The unending saga of SAS property tax amendments is an example of the amateurishness of the government in law enactment. When it comes to projects, people want to build toll highways, subways, ropeways and flyovers without identifying the real problem. As a result, when the projects are undertaken and finished, the actual returns are nothing compared to the premised world class infrastructure, solution of water problems for the next twenty years, etc. is a case in point.
Why does MGP not make constructive suggestions ?
MGP has made hundreds of constructive suggestions to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the administration. We just give five random samples:
Coupon system for the sale of the kerosene
The suggestion which was implemented on a trial basis in three areas in Karnataka proved a tremendous success in stopping black marketing of kerosene sold under the public distribution system. It was probably too successful for its own good because pressure from vested groups forced the government to withdraw it.
Objective self-assessment for property tax
The system was introduced many years after it was suggested by MGP, but the system that was introduced left out important features that made it simple and transparent. With each amendment, the SAS system has become more and more complicated. MGP had also argued that tax based on property value is intrinsically unfair in that there is no one-to-one relation between the tax paid and the services received and so a head tax is probably a more equitable option. But this suggestion has not been considered at all.
Computerization of property records
MGP made the suggestion that the property and water tax records of all citizens must be computerized and made available to the public. This would put an end to all shenanigans in the assessment and collection of taxes by the city corporation. Mr P. Bore Gowda, the former Commissioner of MCC had appreciated the merit in the argument and ordered accordingly. But the Commissioners since him have not shown any interest in the matter.
Commercial parking
Almost none of the commercial buildings provide the parking space that they are mandated by the law to provide. So MGP has suggested that this law should be scrapped and instead MCC or MUDA should provide the parking for all vehicles coming to the commercial area and the cost of the land for parking passed on to the owners of the commercial properties. Again, this idea has not had any takers yet.
Replacing the motors used in Water Supply with energy-efficient motors
One can replace each motor in the present water supply system with two energy-efficient motors with onetime expenditure of about Rs 1.2 crores. This will save the Corporation Rs 3-4 crores every year in the power bill. Unfortunately, the corporators, the officials, and even the media have ignored this suggestion.
All the above seem like foolproof ideas which are bound to work. But unfortunately none of them have been accepted by the powers that be.
THE FUTURE
MGP believes that once people start exercising their civic rights in earnest and start fighting for them, organisations such as MGP will vanish away. After all, we are here to empower the people and if people are empowered, where is the need for the empowerer? So if we succeed in achieving our objectives, we will be sounding our own death knell. We are looking forward to that day.