[Urbanstudy] SIDDARAMAIAH’S VISION GROUP HAS GOOD I-SIGHT

[Vinay Baindur]

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/cover-story/Siddaramaiahs-vision-group-has-good-i-sight/articleshow/52229670.cms



SIDDARAMAIAH’S VISION GROUP
HAS GOOD I-SIGHT



Bangalore Mirror Bureau | May 12, 2016, 04.00 AM IST
*Members of CM's 'elite' team are either too busy or have a chequered past;
this doesn't bode well for Namma Bengaluru*



The Bengaluru Vision Group members are all set to implement a blueprint for
the city. But some of them don't have a clean record.


*The lake polluter*

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's firm Biocon is under the Karnataka State Pollution
Control Board scanner for polluting three vital water bodies around its
facilities in Hebbagodi and Jigani. Biocon had allegedly violated the
provisions of Water Act, 1974 and exceeding KSPCB's CFO (Consent for
Operation).

Social activist, Wg Cdr G B Athri first blew the lid off the alleged Biocon
violations in 2014. Based on his complaint, a committee comprising Athri
and KSPCB officials visited and inspected Biocon's Hebbagodi and Jigani
facilities. The officials found that the lakes were being polluted due to
untreated lead and arsenic being pumped into them. Following the findings,
Shaw volunteered to rejuvenate three lakes -- Hebbagodi, Kammasandra and
Bommasandara lakes -- that were so polluted the water was not even fit for
cattle.

Dr Arun Chandavarkar, the CEO and joint MD, Biocon assured that steps would
be taken by Sept 30, 2015 to address the pollution-related issues.

More recently, KSPCB chairman Lakshman visited the Hebbagodi facility in
April and it was decided that Hebbagodi lake would be taken up first for
revival. The Doddaballpur police also registered a case against Biocon in
July 2015, for dumping waste in Terra Firma.



*In the twilight zone*

Mohandas Pai spearheaded the city's first public wi-fi project. However,
his son's business venture recently got him into a spot of bother. A
restaurant in Koramangala was in the news for all wrong reasons after it
allegedly functioned in contravention of town planning laws. Pai's son
Pranav is one of the restaurant's owners. The BBMP, on its part, overlooked
violations in land use and zoning regulations of the BDA Masterplan 2015
and gave the go-ahead for the establishment. The BBMP commissioner at the
time, M Lakshminarayana, has also been blamed for facilitating the
restaurant. A case between the Koramangala residents and the establishment
is pending.


*The busy B*

Sachin Bansal, founder of Flipkart and resident of Koramangala III block
has, for more than a year, ignored the residents' welfare group that has
been trying to get him involved in community activities. "For the last 14
months, we have been trying to get through to Sachin Bansal to introduce
ourselves and make him a part of the association. But every time the answer
is: 'He is busy, he is travelling, etc'. For a man so obviously
preoccupied, how will Bansal find time to be part of the Vision Group,''
said a senior member of the welfare association.


*Conflict of interest?*

Vivek Menon was brought on board the Bangalore Vision group on Tuesday
evening. His illustrious profile reads: BE (Civil), MSCE (USA), PE (USA),
managing director, Invicus; prominent advisor, Directorate of Urban Land
Transport, GOK; prominent member, CiSTUP, IISc; prominent member, Bangalore
City Connect Foundation (BCCF); board of advisors, Sherwood Institute;
steering committee member, Houston Metropolitan Study (HMS).
Menon has been associated with a few city projects. However, with his civil
engineering background, he is also a consultant at a well-known realty
house. The key issue here is whether it's a conflict of interest to be a
part of a city planning group and have a professional commitment to a real
estate house.
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