When will city become garbage-free, kid asks CM

“When will Bangalore become a garbagefree city?”, “Why aren’t there seats reserved for children in BMTC buses?”, “I like to play badminton and want to win a medal for Karnataka.

But there aren’t enough playgrounds near my house.

Where I can go out and play? When will we get more grounds in Bangalore?” These were some of the questions asked by primary students of Heritage Academy School to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Thursday during an interaction at Children’s Day function.

Deeksha, class III student of the school, asked the CM why there are no reserved seats for children in buses.

Shettar said seats would soon be reserved for children in Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses.

Shettar also answered the queries on the garbage issue and bad roads. Hamsa, a class 3 student, asked, “My friend has come from Chandigarh and was asking me why Bangalore is so dirty.What do I tell her?”.

A hesitant Shettar said most of the problems were being managed and under the control of the government.

When Hamsa persisted with another question as to what were his plans to get rid of garbage, he downplayed the issue.

“Garbage is being managed very well. The city corporation has been instructed to solve the crisis. It will take some time before we solve the problem completely but the situation is under control,” he said.

A few children complained that there were not enough playgrounds in the city.

Responding to this, Shettar said required steps would be taken to ensure that the existing grounds were protected.

When Suresh, a student, asked Shettar, “I drink Bournvita. What do you drink?”, the CM said he liked to drink tea.

Shettar shared some of his experiences as a student and said his favourite place in the state was Madikeri.

Bharath, a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly tortured by police in Kamakshipalya police station last week, visited the chief minister on Thursday to ask for financial relief.

Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, Shettar said after discussions Bharath’s family got assistance.

“The home minister took action and the police officer concerned was suspended,” Shettar added.