The Hindu 22.04.2013
State to help local bodies make more money on their own
The State government will shortly prepare a
comprehensive roadmap for municipalities and corporations to equip them
better for creating independent income generating assets, Minister for
Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi Ali has said.
This plan is to help the local bodies tide over the shortage of financial resources for local development.
Mr.
Ali was speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by the Graduates
Association of Consultant Engineers (GRACE) at Gateway Hotel, here, on
Sunday.
Pointing out that the municipalities and
corporations in Kerala were far behind in setting up revenue generating
enterprises, Mr. Ali said it could be changed by venturing into more
Public Private Partnership (PPP) programmes in the State. He quoted the
new bus stand in Kannur as an example for successful ventures on the
part of municipalities to generate additional income.
The
Minister also said a special investors’ meet would be convened in
Kozhikode, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts, in August to
think of the possible regional developmental projects for the districts.
On April 23, a preliminary discussion on the subject would be held in
Thiruvananthapuram, he added.
Explaining the high
flow of NRI investments to Kerala, the Minister said it should be
channelised fruitfully for the local infrastructure development.
“As
per official figures, the annual revenue coming to our country through
Non-Resident Indians is around Rs.3.50 lakh crore of which a major share
is from Non Resident Keralites,” he observed.
Referring
to a latest action plan of the government to support the restructuring
of old buildings in urban areas, Mr. Ali said the project would help
several building owners to complete the rebuilding work without any
fears of decrease in the existing space.
“Till now,
the owners of such buildings were keeping away from such attempts
fearing it would cause them a huge loss of existing space due to the
rigid rules and regulations in the sector,” he added.
Reiterating
the open stance of the government towards constructive criticisms
against the proposed city master plans, the Minister said the concerns
of all sections would be taken care of by the government. The master
plans would be implemented only after clearing all anxieties of the
public and rectifying the slip-ups, he assured.
The
Urban Affairs Minister also made it clear that the government would not
ask for any relaxation of the existing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
rules in favour of the construction industry. “The limit fixed on
construction activities by the CRZ should be continued as such for the
wellbeing of the coming generation,” he said.
Anil Joseph, State president of GRACE, presided over the face-to-face programme.
