Chief Minister Harish Rawat has stressed on the need for urban local bodies (UlB) to work for increasing their resources and protect their lands from encroachment and other factors.
He said that the UlBs should also play their part in facilitating the protection of Government property in urban areas. Rawat said this at a meet of municipality heads at Mussoorie on Saturday.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the CM said that the local bodies will also have to become active in tax collection. The UlBs will also have to focus on regular cleaning of drains, water conservation and rain water harvesting while grant will be provided to the UlBs according to their sources of revenue. “The UlBs will have to play their role in developmental efforts. Monthly meetings will be held with the chief secretary and other officials concerned for redressal of problems being faced by the UlBs. Action will be taken soon regarding the five tasks yet to the transferred to the UlBs under the 74th constitutional amendment. The fourth finance commission will also be formed in a month,” said the CM.
Directing the officials to soon release Rs25 crore to the UlBs, Rawat said that a cadre of executive officers will be formed to bring about the required speed in working of the local bodies. The proposal for reorganisation of the local bodies’ structure will also be presented in the Cabinet meeting soon, said Rawat.
State Urban Development minister Pritam Singh Panwar, local bodies association head Manmohan Singh Mall, secretary, Urban Development, DS Garbyal and various public representatives were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, addressing a water conservation rally organised by students of various schools and organisation representatives in Mussoorie, the CM said that a Rs200 crore potable water scheme had been approved for Mussoorie. Stressing on the need for rain water harvesting, Rawat said that home owners who participate in water conservation will be given tax rebate.