Urban News

The Pioneer  17.08.2010

‘Improve conditions at Ekant Park, Bittan Market’

Staff Reporter | Bhopal

Urban Administration and Development Minister Babulal Gaur on Monday visited Ekant Park and Bittan Market and directed the officials to initiate steps to improve the conditions of the both the sites. He also planted saplings in Ekant Park on the occasion.

Gaur directed officials to work for the beautification of the park and make arrangements for better cleanliness system of the park. He also directed officials to make the Bittan market as no vehicle zone, aiming to provide more facilities to citizens, approaching market. He further asked officials to deploy adequate number of employees for managing cleanliness at the market.

During the visit of these sites, the minister was accompanied by BMC in-charge Commissioner Kumar Purshottam, corporator Archana Pande, zonal president Surjeet Singh and PWD officials.

The Deccan Herald  13.08.2010

Rs 600 cr to implement ‘Nagarutthana’ scheme in State: Minister

Udupi: Aug 12, DHNS:

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has granted Rs 600 crore for the implementation of ‘Nagarutthana,’ a government scheme aimed at developing Municipal Corporations, City and Town Municipalities and Town Panchayaths in the State, said Minister for Municipal Administration Balachandra Jarakiholi.

Speaking after inaugurating the two-day State-level conference of civic bodies and platinum jubilee celebrations of Udupi City Municipality here on Thursday, he said that the process of releasing the grant is on. “Each civic body is expected to get an average of Rs 5 to Rs 6 crore under the scheme. The elected members and officials from civic bodies should work in coordination and understanding. This will enable good results in the implementation of schemes to provide better amenities to the public,” he added.

The Minister said that he came across many instances where government grands were being distributed among councillors for the implementation of development works in their respective wards. The fund released by the government should be distributed equally to some wards and remaining wards should be given preference in the next year, he added.

He said that the civic bodies in Karwar, Udupi and Mangalore have become models to other districts with their different type of working styles, he added.

Lauding the novel health insurance scheme that is being introduced by Udupi Municipality for 1800 identified SC/ST families within the city limit, Jarakiholi called upon other civic bodies in the State to take up such schemes. He assured that recommendations of the two days’ deliberations during the conference will be considered by the government for necessary follow up action.

Speaking after releasing the volume ‘Abhivriddiyatta Daapugalu’ on the occasion, Home Minister Dr V S Acharya said all the 814 municipalities across the State should achieve benchmark in providing amenities to its citizens such as 24 hours treated water, better road, electricity, water body preservation and better drainage system. Competence should need to be improved in providing all required basic infrastructure, he added.

Acharya said besides making use of various grants from both the Centre and the State, the civic bodies should also give special attention on revenue resource mobilisation for providing enhanced facilities to the public. There should be fool proof mechanism to attend and solve the people’s problems, he added

Acharya assured that the government is committed to bring suitable amendments to the Municipal Act after considering the outcome of the two day conference.

Udupi-Chickmagalur MP D V Sadananda Gowda, Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat, CMC President Dinaker Shetty, Kaup MLA Lalaji Mendon, 3rd Finance Commission Chairman A G Kodgi, Karnataka State Advisor A Ravindra, DC Hemalatha and others were present.