Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged newly-elected Mayors to take pledge for comprehensive development of cities. The State Government will extend all possible cooperation for rebuilding of cities. He said that the financial cooperation given to urban bodies in the State is an example before entire country. He urged urban bodies for effective use of funds provided by the state government for effective implementation of its schemes. The Chief Minister said that institutional arrangements should be made separately for this. The Chief Minister said that good governance is top priority of the Government. The Chief Minister was addressing convention of newly elected Mayor at Paryavaran Parisar on Tuesday.
Describing cities as mirrors to development, Chouhan said that institutional arrangements should be made for sanitation. He said that the State Government will extend full financial cooperation. But urban bodies should also strengthen their financial resources. The Chief Minister said that all departments will be directed to hold consultation of Mayors on all issues pertaining to urban development. He said that time has come now to live upto people’s expectations. Referring to urban development of Singapore, he said that everything is possible through strong will power for hard work for development. If Mayors make up their minds to perform miracles, scenario of cities can be changed. He expressed happiness that Mayors have started innovations with self-inspiration.
Referring to Mukhyamantri Adhosanrachna Vikas Fund, Mukhyamantri Shahari Swachchhata Mission, Mukhyamantri Shahari Peyjal Yojana, Atal Ashray Yojana and other innovative schemes for changing face of cities, Chouhan said that there is no dearth of funds for urban development. He urged Mayors that funds received from state government for urban development should be used in time with total transparency. Giving example of Sagar Municipal Corporation, he said that if corporators decide jointly then new paradigms of good governance in urban administration can be set.
Referring to housing facilities for the urban poor, Chouhan urged Mayors to chalk out such schemes that illegal colonies do not come up. He said that slums can be got rid of only through providing constructed pucca houses. Until this arrangement is made, it would be inhuman to evacuate people from area they are living at for decades. It is the first duty after becoming Mayor that maximum efforts should be made to ensure prosperous life of urban poor. For this, all poverty alleviation schemes of State Government should be implemented effectively. He urged Mayors that e-governance methods should be used upto maximum to end corruption in services like building permission.