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Nodal officer appointed for Kochi city projects

Thursday, 12 November 2009 07:51 administrator
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The Hindu 12.11.2009

Nodal officer appointed for Kochi city projects

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAUPRAM: T.K. Jose has been appointed as the nodal officer for coordinating and speeding up the development projects being implemented in Kochi city.

Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty said here on Wednesday that new projects would have to be taken up taking into consideration the development requirements of the future. Land had to be identified for them.

He said time-bound work was necessary for shifting the utilities along the roads also. The development of basic facilities with funds from the Centre and other agencies was a must. There had to be machinery for the completion of the JNNURM and the KSUDP in a time-bound manner and for solving problems which cropped up during their implementation. It was after taking into consideration all those factors that the former Local Self Government Secretary was being posted as nodal officer, the Minister said.

A coordination committee had also been set up under his chairmanship. The members of the committee were the District Collector, Chief Engineer, Kerala Water Authority Central Region; Superintending Engineer, Kerala Roads and Bridges Corporation; Project Implementation Officers of KSUDP and JNNURM, Regional Joint Director of Urban Affairs and the Secretaries of GCDA and Kochi City Corporation.

 

TERI studies AMC's grievance redressal system

Wednesday, 04 November 2009 07:18 administrator
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The Times of India 04.11.2009

TERI studies AMC's grievance redressal system

Paul John, TNN 4 November 2009, 12:35am IST

AHMEDABAD: Consumer grievance redressal system of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), including the methodology adopted for water charges and e-governance, is being studied by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

The project analyses two cities Ahmedabad and Hyderabad which according to TERI, are progressive in their approach. The study is being conducted by Union ministry's urban development department. In fact, policies that will promote green buildings in the city are also being looked at.

"A crucial aspect of the study is to assess reasons why area committees, which are mandatory under the 74th amendment for all JnNURM-funded cities, are yet not formed. The area committees would consist of people from all walks of life and be allowed to participate in the decision-making process of the municipal corporation. This issue is yet to seen threadbare, including methods to choose members from the public to form this panel," said a senior AMC official.

Scope of introducing water charges is also being examined under the study.

"Many of the models like the SMS grievance redressal, green processes involved in civic functions and the use of e-governance for simplifying a citizen's life are under study. The TERI team will also share its recommendations with us," said municipal commissioner IP Gautam.

TERI team member Veena Agarwal told TOI, "We are looking at cities that have proactively introduced reforms, implemented e-governance tools for simplifying municipal functions, civic service delivery systems, consumer grievance redressal and green buildings. We are seeing whether these models can be replicated elsewhere in the country. If these systems need improvement, we would make recommedations in our report."

TERI is looking at 18 cities and studying their civic delivery systems. For instance, the political bodies standing committee and general body are being examined as well as function of the executive wing of the AMC.

Citizens' grievances analysis examines the avenues available to people to register complaints, time taken to redress them, whether periodic reports are generated of complaint redressal and whether consumer has a means to give its feedback to the AMC.

 

Study to fix rents in city

Tuesday, 03 November 2009 10:41 administrator
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The New Indian Express 03.11.2009

Study to fix rents in city

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), based at Ameerpet will conduct a study for fixation of standard rent of buildings in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area at a percentage of the capital value of the building. Establishing new Rent Control Legislation is one of the mandatory reforms committed by State Government to Government of India under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and should be completed by March, 2010.

The State Government has entrusted the preparation of Rent Control Legislation to NALSAR University of Law. Fixation of standard rent is one of the most important items in the Rent Control Legislation. NALSAR University of Law has tentatively suggested that standard rent may be calculated on the basis of ten percent per annum of the aggregate amount of cost of construction and the market value of the land comprised in the premises on the date of commencement of the construction.

The CESS has submitted a proposal to Government for the study on fixation of standard rent of buildings in GHMC area at a percentage of the capital value of the buildings at a cost of Rs 6.70 lakh. GHMC officials said that under JNNURM preparation of New Rent Control Legislation is mandatory.

JNNURM was launched in 2005-06 at an estimated cost of Rs 50,000 crore. JNNURM wanted the State Governments to undertake seven mandatory reforms and ten optional reforms at State-level over a period of seven years to have access for financial assistance from Government of India. Establishing new Rent Control Legislation is one of the mandatory reforms, is one such reforms.

As the State Government has issued orders, the study will be taken up soon.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 03 November 2009 10:49
 
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