All of us have heard about the financial woes of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). We have grown increasingly tired of it as well. But not many know that the civic agency itself is responsible for the financial mess it finds itself in.

Here’s whyThe BBMP has leased out a two-storied indoor stadium, located in posh Basavanagudi, on Bull Temple Road to the Rastrothana Yoga Vijnana Samsthe. The building, measuring 100x80 ft, is used by the organisation to conduct yoga classes. There is nothing wrong with leasing and nothing wrong with conducting yoga classes. So what’s the problem?

Well, this building has been leased out for a meagre amount of Rs1.80 lakh per year (that is, Rs15,000 every month) when the price on Bull Temple Road is not less than Rs100 to Rs150 per sq ft. In other words, the rent amount fixed for the yoga centre measuring 100x80 ft can be fetched by commercial spaces measuring 10x10 ft in Basavanagudi.

Here’s more: the place is represented by counsellor PN Sadashiva, who also happens to be the chairman of the standing committee on taxation and finance. This benevolent gesture on part of the BBMP has come to light through an RTI document which is in possession of DNA.

A representative of the Rastrothana Yoga Vijnana Samsthe said they charge Rs1,200 for two months and subsequently ` 300 per month for the classes. They run six batches every day.

So why is a bankrupt organisation not tapping its revenue sources? Is it because the yoga centre is run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)? May be, may be not. But what is true is that such acts of generosity are costing the civic agency crores of rupees in revenue.

Reacting to the news, BBMP commissioner MK Shankarlinge Gowda said lakhs of such properties were given away for a meagre amount of rent. “The rates are fixed by standing committees. I will try to place the matter before standing committees and try to get the correct market value.”

JD(S) leader in the BBMP, Padmanabha Reddy, said it was illegal to give such a building on lease. “When HD Kumaraswamy was the chief minister, he had rejected the proposal. They were granted permission during the tenure of former CM BS Yeddyurappa’’.Local counsellor PN Sadashiva remained unavailable for comment.