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Karnataka State pollution control board (KSPCB) - active?

They have 10 offices in Bangalore alone (isnt that good news ;)
They have a lot of laboratories which are set up for KSPCB for data analysis and data gathering.
  
The site says "Samples collected by the Regional Offices of the Board, Industries, Organizations and from general public are analysed."
When i read this I only get evil ideas (evil because it might not be fun for a lot of people)

They have listed a number of parameter that they analyze.
Industrial waste water has: 41 parameters
Air: 6 parameters
Water: 26 parameters.

They have things like "monthly avg result of national ambient air quality" and "classification of river water quality as per GEMS and MINARS"
The only small, tiny winy problem is they have failed to update any new reports and the last one is of 2007.

The last annual plan has been put up for year 2006-2007.

So I have a simple question, what happened to KSPCB? Does it exist? If it does then where are the reports?
If they have reports then cant we file RTI to get it?

air sample parameters

Renewing DL at the RTO without touts/bribes

 My wife and I went yesterday to the Indiranagar RTO to renew her DL.  As soon as we stepped into "the zone" there were touts offering help.  We, of course, ignored them and walked up to the RTO.  

As we walked up we realized that my wife's DL said "RTO BNG CENTRAL" (Koramangala) and we wondered what trouble that would mean.  But we decided to check anyway.

There was a helpdesk there.  It was operational.  We asked the lady there if we could renew the license here.  She gave us the forms and asked us to check at Window 3 if it was possible.  We also realized there was a medical fitness certificate (completely in Kannada) to be got from a doctor.

At Window 3 there was a reasonably helpful lady.  She told my wife that it was possible to do it there.  She confirmed if the address remained unchanged.  She asked us to write a letter requesting that the license be renewed there.   

We paid the Rs.250 fee at the cash counter and my wife went to get her MC done.

Traffic alerts on signboards - Variable Message Signboards (VMS)

DH Reports :

Bangalore, the first City in the country to have Variable Message Signboards (VMS) on roads and junctions.

Four VMS were commissioned at Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road, Airport Road at Hebbal (two signboards - one towards airport and another towards City) and K R Puram (towards City). These boards are connected to Traffic Management Centre (TMC).
 

The Variable Message Signboards help alert travelling public about prevailing condition on roads ahead and also help them choose alternative directions to reach their destination.
According to the Home Minister V S Acharya, the City traffic police will install another 16 VMS soon. The City police have utilised funds sanctioned under B-Track.

 

Bangalore Patrol

Times of India along with Janaagrah launch Bangalore Patrol (starting tomorrow) says the cover page of TOI today. I tried to look for it online but couldnt find a thing about the same. But if you have a TOI around check it out, it is impossible to miss.

According to the Advertisement "Bangalore patrol involves a stringent ward infrastructure and services assessment programme with the singular aim of demanding direct evaluating and accountability from the local administrative and governance system."

They will start with 5 essential civic rights of water supply, Mobility, Sanitation, Environment and Public amenities.

It will measure the same in 198 wards. By doing so they intend to monitor the work of our newly elected representative's in each of the wards. In my opinion the best measure of performance and also at the same time we get a good idea about our city.
According to the article "Progress report will be based on simple objective performance evaluation criteria and will be freely available to the public, empowering them to demand answers" 

The Lok Satta Party public interactions meet with JP

 After the recent BBMP election JP is visiting Bangalore in carrying forward the new party’s agenda. This interaction reminded us the probable scenario which might have prevailed at the time of freedom struggle.  The fight now is against the middle class apathy ignorance and above all their pretence to know best according to JP. 

JP stressed on the importance of local government. An increase in per capita income alone may make the country rich but still a banana republic. He felt that with proper management the malaise like power cuts etc can be avoided altogether. 

To days scenario highlights the viciously guarded statues quo by our politicians. The confused nonchalance and apathy of the voters is a boon to them. Many levels of changes are needed. JP alluded to the two major types of corruption, the extortional and collusive type of corruption. Both kind of corruption are to be tackled. 

Monthly Praja Meet - Apr 2010

10 Apr 2010 07:30
10 Apr 2010 08:30
Asia/Calcutta

These meetings haven't been as regular of late. How about reviving our second Saturday early am meeting tradition? Pls leave a note here if you wish to attend. All are welcome.

Agenda: Discuss projects (Ongoing & Planned) & other Praja activities. Feel free to stay back for an open forum right after.

Venue: Open to your suggestions.

My office has moved out of Cunningham road; I can host it in my current location @ BTM Layout instead.

What's on FM radio about Bus Day this week!?

Just to keep all in the loop about what's on air about bus day.... 94.3 , radio one, started Monday this week.

Busday:

Apr 7 - Car Free Day

7 Apr 2010 00:01
7 Apr 2010 12:00
Asia/Calcutta

On occasion of World Health Day on 7/Apr/2010 under WHO's 1000 Cities campaign, People of India is planning for a Car Free Day

"Calling People of Bengaluru to observe Car Free Day from Midnight to Noon of 7th April 2010".

Proud of my Corporator?

I just went across the profile of the candidate whom has won the BBMP election from my ward. I 'shamefully' admit to have voted for this person. Given that I had little info on the three candidates contesting, I just went by the party.

Now, I do realise that this great person is a 2nd PUC failure!!

Do you have any better luck, corporators that you be proud of?

And, considering that we have pushed ourselves in the levels of education since the Constitution was drafted in 1950, and considering that the urban electorate is a little more educated than the semi-urban or rural parts - Isnt it the time for us to review the minimal educational requirements of our candidates, atleast for urban local bodies?

With only such candidates on offer, can we ever expect them to understand the various issues of administration, let alone solve them? Your thoughts, rants, and solutions appreciated!!

-Srivatsava V

Soapbox Session: Politics of 74th Amendment

11 Apr 2010 15:00
Asia/Calcutta

The BBMP elections are over. The results are out.

We have been hearing a lot about implementation of the 74th Amendment. What is it? Why is it so important? Why are our leaders wary of implementing it?

The next soapbox is "74th amendment" explained. I have a feeling. This topic will get our juices flowing :)

Speaker: Vishwanath Srikantaiah ( Zenrainman)
Topic: Politics of 74th Amendment
Category of Topic: Politics, Citizen Participation,Democracy
Time: 3pm
Venue: Cubbon Park, Opposite Tennis Stadium
Date: 11th April Sunday

 
In case you need help with directions feel free to get in touch with me (9611115671) or Bala Yesu (9980940872).

Confirm your presence. Mark your calendar.



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