In an attempt to ensure holistic growth of rural areas in a planned manner, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday directed the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) to amend relevant provisions of the Act to pave way for making investments on infrastructure development works in the villages.
The decision was taken in the joint meeting of the various development authorities —PUDA, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Greater ludhiana Area Development Authority (GlADA), Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA), Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) and Patiala Development Authority (PDA). Taking part in the deliberations, Chief Minister, accompanied by his Deputy Sukhbir Badal, said that the development of villages in a comprehensive manner was the need of hour and these authorities could play a proactive role in refurbishing the requisite infrastructure in the rural areas.
Highly appreciating the proposal, Sukhbir, who also holds the portfolio of Housing and Urban Development, asked its Secretary to bring agenda to this effect in the next Cabinet meeting for approval, so that a Bill related to this amendment could be brought in the ensuing budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Badal further asked Sukhbir to ensure that development works in all unauthorised colonies which had been recently regularised must be started at once without any further delay so that development works of roads, street-lighting, water supply and sewerage could be completed expeditiously to provide these basic civic amenities to the residents.
Acting swiftly, Sukhbir asked the Departments of local Government and Housing and Urban Development to jointly work out a mechanism for completing the entire work at the earliest.