Discussion with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Orissa on Urban Infrastructure Development & Governance including institutional strengthening, capacity building & training and interventions required to meet the new urban challenges

On 03^rd December 2007 the Department of Housing & Urban Development, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, made a presentation before Hon’ble Chief Minister of Orissa on Urban Infrastructure Development & Governance including institutional strengthening, capacity building & training and interventions required to meet the new urban challenges.

The discussion was attended by  Hon’ble Minister, Finance, Chief Secretary & Chief Development Commissioner, Principal Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Revenue Department, Special Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Vice Chairman , Bhubaneswar Development Authority, Municipal Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Director, Municipal Administration, Chief Engineer, PH (Urban) and Director, Town Planning.

The area of discussion includes Urban Planning, Housing for the Urban Poor, Urban Reforms & Governance, Urban Forestry and Institutional strengthening.  Much stress was given for bringing professionalism in urban management. Important outcomes of the discussion include:

(a)                   Focus on proper urban planning in the urban areas of all the Development Authorities and the Jharsuguda Industrial Township Area.

(b)                   In order to overcome the frequent fire accidents in slum areas, provision for housing facilities to the urban poor would be explored.

(c)                  The following Reforms in Urban Administration have been initiated/ contemplated in order to improve Municipal Governance;

(a)               Accrual based double entry accounting system,

(b)               property tax reforms,

(c)               E-Governance,

(d)               Rationalization  of stamp duty,

(e)              Devolving of various functions such as planning, municipal services, urban forestry and fire services to the Urban Local Bodies.

(d)                  Possibility of arranging funds from different industries would be explored for plantation in other urban areas and it would be ascertained if the contributing companies can avail tax exemption for such grants.

(e)                  H&UD department to initiate setting up a pool of chief executives for urban local bodies.

 The meeting ended with thanks to the chair.