Haryana Government has decided to enhance the financial powers for according administrative approval of estimates of developments works in urban local bodies ofthe state.
Besides, it has also been decided to enhance the monthly minimum wages of Safai Karamcharis working in the municipalities on contract basis from Rs 8100 to Rs 11,500 or DC rate, whichever is higher.
The announcements in this regard were made by Chief Minister Manohar lal while presiding over a meeting to review the functioning of Urban local Bodies Department here. Finance Minister, Capt. Abhimanyu and Urban local Bodies Minister, Kavita Jain were also present in the meeting.
From onwards, in case of Municipal Corporation, the Commissioner MC would have the power to accord administrative approval to the estimates of upto Rs one crore instead of Rs 50 lakh earlier. Similarly, the Municipal Corporation would have the power to accord administrative approval to the estimates of above Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.50 crore instead of Rs 1 crore earlier.
The Director, Urban local Bodies would have the power to accord administrative approval to the estimates costing above Rs 1crore to Rs 3 crore instead of Rs 1 crore whereas, for estimates above Rs 3 crore, the power to accord administrative approval would rest with Administrative Secretary, Urban local Bodies Department. Earlier, this limit was above Rs 1crore.
The Municipal Council would now have the power to accord administrative approval to the estimates upto Rs 25 lakh instead of Rs 10 lakh earlier. The Deputy Commissioner would have the power to accord approval to the estimates of above Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore instead of Rs 25 lakh earlier.
Similarly, Municipal Committee would have the power to accord administrative approval to the estimates costing upto Rs 15 lakh instead of Rs 5 lakh.
While reviewing the progress of development works, the Chief Minister directed the Urban local Bodies Department that roads in 163 sectors of Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) which has been transferred to the Department should be repaired well before the onset of rainy season.
As many as 163 sectors of HSVP spanning across 33 towns in the state were transferred to urban local bodies department for maintenance. Funds to the tune of Rs 265.97 crore would be provided by HSVP for this purpose.
He also directed the department to prepare an online module for all the municipalities in 20 towns of the state regarding the development works to be carried out during the year on the pattern of Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) as envisaged under the e-Panchayat system.
The Chief Minister also asked the department to evolve an online system for the installation of advertising boards in the municipal areas of the State. On this, Principal Secretary, Urban local Bodies, Anand Mohan Sharan apprised the Chief Minister that a provision has been made in the policy as per which; the hoardings would be installed only through e-tendering process.
He said that concept of night sweeping in Karnal has been very successful and got tremendous response from the public. He directed the department to start night sweeping in all municipalities across the state. He also asked the municipalities to enhance their own source of income through land monetization and innovating funding.
It was informed in the meeting that work of Rs 782 crore is in progress under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) Scheme in the state. It was also informed that funds to the tune of Rs 1126 crore is likely to be incurred during the Financial Year 2018-19 under the scheme.