The Hindu 18.09.2013
City corporations should form ward committees: Sorake
Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake said
on Tuesday that the authorities of all city corporations in the State
have been instructed to form ward committees.
The
process of forming the committees was under progress in the jurisdiction
of Mysore City Corporation, while ward committees will be formed in the
jurisdiction of Mangalore City Corporation by the end of this year, he
said.
Replying to questions at a “meet the press”
programme at Patrika Bhavan here, the minister said the committees would
have to conduct ward sabhas at regular intervals to discuss the
problems of residents and reach them to the corporation for timely
redressal.
He said the urban local bodies had been instructed to plan infrastructure projects keeping the growth scene of 2040 in view.
The
main hurdle in urban development is lack of land and litigations
relating to land acquisition, which delayed implementation of the
projects. Hence urban local bodies have been instructed to keep a bank
of land for implementing projects keeping in view the growth of
population in 2040.
Revolving fund
Mr.
Sorake said the government had set up a revolving fund of Rs. 3,250
crore to help urban local bodies in need of fund for infrastructure
development. The local bodies that required assistance under this fund
could avail it in the form of loan at low interest rate.
To
a question he said the government would make officials concerned
responsible for permitting illegal constructions in urban areas.
Regarding
Karnataka High Court order on September 5 staying the roster of
reservation of the posts of Mayors and Deputy Mayors of some city
corporations, the minister said the State had filed an appeal with the
court to vacate the stay.
