Bengaluru: The cabinet decision on Aug 21 to relax restrictions and allow commercialisation of 5% of parks and open spaces in Bengaluru has drawn allegations from BJP leaders that the move is intended to benefit chief minister DK Shivakumar’s loyalists and Congress cadre, particularly by facilitating the establishment of Nandini milk parlours.According to BJP leaders from the city, the state govt’s decision to amend the Karnataka Parks (Prevention) Act, 1975 is aimed at providing perks to party workers and CM loyalists. “There already exists a provision to allow 5% deviation to construct structures within parks for public use and purpose. This decision is only to facilitate Nandini milk parlours, not even milk booths, to be handled by the CM’s loyalists,” BJP leaders alleged.While Nandini milk booths sell products made by Karnataka Milk Federation, milk parlours offer a wider range of local and national products and, in some places, also serve tea and coffee.The allegations come in the backdrop of Bengaluru Urban, Rural and Ramanagara District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Societies Union Ltd (Bamul) being headed by former Bangalore Rural MP and Shivakumar’s brother, DK Suresh. The Bamul president was unavailable for comment.Speaking to TOI, Malleswaram MLA and former deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan said the Congress govt’s decision was unacceptable and amounted to commercialisation of public spaces. “There are very limited parks and public spaces in Bengaluru. While we can welcome the intent of govt to build toilets and other public-use spaces, the decision to commercialise these spaces by building gazebos and allowing commercial activity cannot be agreed to. We strongly condemn this action,” he said.Meanwhile, BJP leaders BY Vijayendra, R Ashoka and Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya also targeted govt over the decision.The opposition has raised concerns, particularly in the context of discussions over the proposed tunnel road in Bengaluru, a small portion of which requires around five acres of Lalbagh for the tunnel and shaft. Both Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, Bengaluru’s biggest lung spaces, are governed under the same law.
