Several MPs on Wednesday suggested that a share from the proposed GST (Goods and Service Tax) collection be earmarked for the urban bodies to boost their financial condition. The MPs, while discussing new urban schemes at the Consultative Committee of Urban Development and Housing and Poverty Alleviation Ministries, called for assured flow of GST revenue to urban local bodies.
Members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee also discussed shortcomings in the implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and improvements being made for better implementation of new urban schemes. Urban Development and HUPA Minister M Venkaiah Naidu gave a detailed account of the new initiatives and improvements and said that States were being given flexibility in designing, resource mobilisation and implementation of the new schemes.
Naidu said that States and urban local bodies were being extended central assistance of Rs4,000 per toilet under Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas and this could be leveraged with other sources like the share of States and urban local bodies, contribution of corporates under CSR, NGOs, private organisations for construction of household toilets.
Naidu informed the MPs that in the light of the experience of implementation of JNNURM, effective implementation of new schemes is being ensured through assured land availability before sanction of projects, release of funds within seven days of approval, inclusion of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) expenditure in capital costs and extensive consultations with States and urban local bodies to promote ‘bottom-up’ approach.
MPs like Motilal Vora (Congress), Bhartruhari Mahtab (Biju Janta Dal), Kirit Simaiyya, Vijay Goel, Raghav lakhanpal, Ratan lal Kataria, Parvesh Saheb Singh Verma and Raghav lakhanpal (All from BJP) Vandana Chavan and Dhananjay Bhimrao Mahadik (both from NCP), Baburao Vichare (Shiv Sena), and Saumitra Khan (TMC) attended the meeting.