Mohammed Yousuf

Bengaluru, 30 June

Congress MLA NA Haris, who has been representing Bengaluru’s Shanthinagar constituency since 2008, is among the few legislators seen as a “walk-the-talk” public servant. Speaking to Salar News, the 59-year-old leader reflects on his 18-month tenure as BDA Chairman, development work in his constituency, and community representation.

1. It’s been 18 months since you took charge as BDA Chairman. What are the measures initiated by you for a makeover of the agency, which has lost the trust of those who dream of owning a site in Bengaluru?
I have been the BDA Chairman for 18 months, and buying sites in Bengaluru is not a difficult task. The BDA has given thousands of sites, and people are yet to build houses there. But there are some issues — after a layout has been formed, courts have intervened and cancelled the acquisition. This has been happening over the last 15 to 20 years, with courts cancelling acquisitions and ordering the land to be returned to the original owners. Whether the BDA is responsible or who is to be blamed is a question. In some cases, the government has taken a U-turn. Hence, I will not say the BDA is perfect.

2. How do you plan to infuse confidence in prospective buyers of BDA land, given that the courts have come down heavily on the agency for delays in acquiring land for layout formation? In February 2024, the High Court said it was time to shut down the BDA by ordinance.
Democracy has given us a good opportunity to work for the people, but in reality, it’s not happening the proper way. Officials are transferred within a year or stay longer than required. As Chairman, I should have a targeted time to deliver projects. I’m happy that during the last 18 months, I’ve tried to clean up things and address people’s problems. I monitor the complaint register, and issues are being redressed within a week or 10 days. I’ve reduced the 10-year waiting period for complaint resolution to 10 days.

3. Do you agree that corruption is rampant in the BDA and that no government, since the agency was set up in 1976, has been able to check it?
Digitisation of records has started in the BDA. In the next two to three months, the process will be 100 per cent complete. All files will be online. I’ve implemented this with the help of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who has a great vision for the BDA. Now, one does not have to visit the BDA office for khata transfers, tax payments or plan sanctions.

4. Some ruling party MLAs have recently complained about no developmental works being taken up or grants being released for their constituencies. Do you face the same problem?
I’m getting sufficient funds, and a lot of good development work is happening in my constituency.

5. You’ve been representing Shanthinagar without a break since 2008. What were the landmark projects you initiated and completed in these 17 years?
I have got a 300-bed hospital sanctioned in Shanthinagar. Four convention centres are coming up in Jogupalya, Akkithimmanahalli and Austin Town, one of them being developed like a mini Vidhana Soudha. Three educational institutions are coming up, as education is something I work closely with. There was no government degree college in my constituency since Independence — that too has now started. I am a 24/7 person and available via WhatsApp. My constituents don’t have to come meet me; their work is done through a message. When I first became an MLA, I had to visit my constituency the same night due to flooding caused by heavy rains. I work closely with Shivakumar, who is also in charge of Bengaluru and is committed to bettering the City.

6. As one of the senior Congress MLAs, what hurdles have kept you from getting a Cabinet berth?
There’s no doubt I deserve a Cabinet post, especially since many of my juniors are already there. But I’m not going to make a hue and cry if I don’t get it. After the elections, I told my constituents that no matter whom they voted for, I am their MLA and they can approach me for any help. Inshallah, if God wills, nobody can stop me from becoming a minister. If I don’t get a berth, it’s not a loss for me — it’s a loss for the State.

7. What is your take on the scrapped caste census report, which seemed to hold some promise for the Muslim community as per leaked data? The report suggested reservation for Muslims should go up from 4 per cent to 8 per cent under Category IIB.
It’s not just about minorities — it’s about every citizen. A caste census gives clarity on population distribution, and accordingly, reservations can be fairly divided among communities. So, if the Muslim population is larger, they should automatically get higher reservations. Nobody is doing anyone a favour.

8. Is the Muslim community in Karnataka bereft of leadership?
No. All Muslim legislators in Congress are united. We’ve formed the Muslim Legislators’ Forum. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed is the President, and I’m the secretary. We’re committed to uplifting the downtrodden and uneducated sections of the community. We’ve agreed not to fight each other, but instead to fight for the community. When I was young, my father used to say: “When you live only for yourself, your wife and your children, that’s not life. If you can live for others, then your life has meaning.”

Watch the interview on Salar Youtube channel @dailysalardigital

Link: https://youtu.be/9LbuHVMwI0w?si=uORod24-f1dciPAl