The Hindu 16.07.2009

Master plans for 18 towns ready: Paloli

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has already got ready master plans for 18 urban centres in the State and work is on for the preparation of those for the other towns also, Minister for Local Self-Government Paloli Mohammed Kutty told the Assembly on Wednesday.

Answering a question, he said a sum of Rs.2.5 crore would be provided for the work connected with the preparation of master plans during the current financial year.

To another question, he said 20,955 files were pending disposal at the city Corporation office in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Engineering and Town Planning section had 4,129 files pending, Fort Zonal Office 3,534 files pending and the Revenue Non-Tax section 2,676 files pending.

SHGs to run bazaars

He said the Kudumbasree self-help groups (SHGs) would run more than 1,000 bazaars in as many places in the State during Onam.

Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, answering a question, said the Mahila Pradhan agents in the State would be given the pending honorarium for the last six months before Onam this year.

Quarters for police

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, in reply to a question, said that only 22 per cent of the police officials were being provided residential quarters now.

The government would step by step ensure that officials attached to all police stations were provided residential quarters in the vicinity of their place of work. Seventy-eight police stations were in rented buildings now, he added.