The Hindu 16.05.2013
Urban Development Authority board meeting put off again
Many projects and works await approval of board
The Vijayawada Guntur Tenali Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority (VGTMUDA) Board meeting has been put off again. The Board meeting is postponed for third time consecutively in a row. The board was scheduled to meet on May 4.
It was postponed to May 10 and again rescheduled to Wednesday (May 15). However, the meeting was not convened.
The officials said the meeting scheduled on May 10 was postponed in view of Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s visit to the district. A meeting prior to that was postponed in view of hectic schedule of the district Collector, who is chairman of the UDA Board. And, Wednesday’s meeting was off as the Director of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), who is a member of the Board, was busy with the counselling regarding transfers in the department. The DTCP asked the UDA to convene the meeting at later date, sources say.
The present official board comprises of Chairman (Krishna District Collector), Vice-chairman, VMC Commissioner, Director of Town and Country Planning, Additional Secretary (Finance).
It is pertinent to mention here that the VGTMUDA Board has not met during last one year.
Consequently, decisions on many crucial issues are pending. The last board meeting was held on April 17, 2012.
The State government issued a GO more than a year ago expanding the horizons of the UDA. It is, however, unable to draw the master plans in the extended jurisdiction as the board has to approve the appointment of consultant.
Withdrawal of land acquisition notification issued for Ambapuram Township, the proposals made by the Assembly Speaker, MP and MLAs are also pending. Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao has deposited, source say, Rs.65 lakh as contribution from MP LADS, to lay an approach road to Pedakakani Temple in Gutur district. No action, however, has been taken for want of Board approval.
