Bangalore gets a PAC seeking to revamp governance

The PAC or Political Action Committee has been in the vocabulary of those familiar with happenings in the US during and since the US presidential elections. In the US, the PACs fund the candidates and also select candidates. Now, Bangalore has its own PAC — B.PAC. But, it has a different agenda, though.

B.PAC (Bangalore Political Action Committee) is a citizen’s collective that aims to build a better Bangalore and enhance the quality of life of every citizen. It on Sunday launched the organisation’s charter and its Agenda for Bangalore (AfB). B.PAC will mostly try to connect with the citizens and use the social media to a great extant.

 

The key goals as outlined by the B.PAC include good governance practices; integrity and transparency in all arms of the government; improving quality of infrastructure in the city; identification and support of strong candidates for public office at all levels of governance; and the creation of a better Bangalore where the rule of law is followed and ensured for all citizens. To achieve the same, the B.PAC will support candidates financially to the maximum permissible amount of funds which is Rs 25 lakh. With members from diverse walks of life including several eminent personalities from the fields of politics, business, sports, the arts and entertainment, the B.PAC aims to change the political face by trying to root out corruption in politics and backing only those who are not “corrupt”.

B.PAC will work to develop and maintain a public outreach programme that provides a steady stream of information and programs aimed at the public to educate them about the AfB and the progress that is being achieved. A network of supportive citizens known as ‘Friends of B.PAC’ will be formed to advocate B.PAC’s agenda in various parts and across different levels, in the city.

N R Narayana Murthy, chairman emeritus, Infosys Ltd, who was the chief guest at the launch of the B.PAC’s charter and agenda said: “This is the right time to wake up and build an aspirational dream and an action plan to make such a dream a reality. The members will address a much-needed effort to make our public governance system purposeful, efficient and effective.”

Speaking on the occasion, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Managing Trustee and President, B.PAC, said, “As Bangaloreans, it is disheartening to see the city’s governance structure failing to such low levels coupled with the lack of accountability and indifference towards issues. The onus is, I believe, on each and every one of us to take responsibility and become agents of change to bridge the governance deficit through concerted efforts led by a defined set of objectives. B.PAC is a forum that aims to be a “rating agency “ on governance that will help to build administrative excellence within Government to better serve the citizens of Bangalore .”

“One of our major strategic interventions will be in voter education and voter registration in order to maximise people’s participation. We will also look to support candidates standing for electoral office. We will carefully screen candidates and endorse those who have an agenda that is in line with our Agenda for Bangalore.” said T V Mohandas Pai, rrustee and vice president, B.PAC.