The Hindu       06.08.2014  

GHMC poll notification after delimitation of wards

The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday made it clear that the election notification to conduct polls to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) can be notified after delimitation of wards as per the GOMs 570 and census figures of 2011.

Justice M.S.Ramachandra Rao was disposing of a writ petition filed by Buchi Reddy, Basavaraj and others complaining that there were a large number of voters in their wards, while in some wards the voters were less. In the affidavit filed by GR Karunakar of old Malakpet on behalf of the petitioners it was contended that Ghansi Bazar has 18,000 voters, whereas in Chandanagar the voters were over 85,000. The GOMs 570 declared the procedure for delimitation of wards. The population in each ward shall not vary more than 10 per cent of average population. The census figures of 2011 are to be taken into account and each ward shall have 44,000 voters with permissible variation.

The deponent affidavit contended that representation was made to correct this by fresh delimitation but there was no response.

The Hindu               15.02.2014

Push for drinking water schemes, underground drainage in urban areas

Earmarking Rs. 9,995 crore for urban development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the focus will be on providing drinking water and underground drainage (UGD) system in urban areas.

Costing Rs. 697 crore

Presenting the 2014-15 budget here, Mr. Siddaramaiah said as many as 14 drinking water supply schemes and 10 underground drainage schemes will be taken up at a cost of Rs. 697 crore.

Another six water supply and seven UGD schemes under Centrally-sponsored schemes will be implemented at Rs. 247.2 crore, he said.

As many as 26,323 houses with basic infrastructure will be constructed in 39 cities for residents of 124 slums.

These houses will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,335 crore to make Karnataka a slum-free State, Mr. Siddaramaiah said. Setting apart Rs. 75 crore to undertake solid waste management, the Chief Minister said three modern abattoirs will be constructed with Central assistance.

Infrastructure

Improving road infrastructure has been the government’s priority, the Chief Minister said, and added 544 km of most underdeveloped roads will be improved under special development programmes.

Special grant

He also provided a special grant of Rs. 50 crore for repair of battered roads and bridges due to torrential rain in Kodagu district.

On railway projects, Mr. Siddaramaiah said action will be taken to ensure timely completion of all ongoing projects.

The government will release Rs. 540 crore for this. Lands and other facilities will be provided for rail coach factories at Kolar and Yadgir, he added. Taking paperless office a step forward, Mr. Siddaramaiah announced that online services will be introduced in all regional transport offices across the State for various works. They include filing of applications for registration of vehicles, learner’s licences and driver’s licences.

RTO services

At the same time, vehicle inspection and certification centres will be established in Gulbarga, Mangalore and Shimoga, to issue fitness certificates to commercial vehicles. To take forward the automated driving test track concept, such tracks will be set up in Bellary, Gadag and Madikeri, Mr. Siddaramaiah said.