NURM? What is that, ask garam B’loreans

NURM? What is that, ask garam B’loreans
Deccan Herald

Even as the Union Government’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JN-NURM) has brought hope to the crumbling city, with its Rs 6,034 crore urban development package, those in the CMCs, who are fighting for basic ‘roadu, poweru and neeru’ , still remain ignorant about it.

“I don’t know of NU...er...what?”

Even as the Union Government’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JN-NURM) has brought hope to the crumbling city, with its Rs 6,034 crore urban development package, those in the CMCs, who are fighting for basic ‘roadu, poweru and neeru’ , still remain ignorant about it.

Dayanand, a young Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) district treasurer made a frustrated plea outside CMC Bommanahalli office, proclaiming, “We do not need an inefficient CMC. Give us a chance to participate. We will decide what our priorities are, we will chart action plans, we will evaluate the projects.”

When pointed out that what he has just asked for has already been provided under the NURM, it drew a blank stare. “NURM? What?” asked this resident of Vajpayeenagar.

The question on NURM elicited the same sheepish response from Bommanahalli CMC president Krishnappa.

“I don’t know about this scheme,” Krishnappa confessed. The awareness regarding JN-NURM is dismal among councillors and public alike in CMC Bommanahalli and CMC Rajarajeshwarinagar, despite the fact that public involvement is a compulsory clause in the reform scheme.

As per the investment plan of the JN-NURM, the seven CMCs have been allocated a total grant of Rs 1,154 crore, which by simple average, amounts to approximately Rs 165 crore. However, Bommahalli cou-ncillors seemed more preoccupied with issues like encroachment, drainage and problems of revenue pockets, rather than chart out action plans to meet future needs.

“The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has taken over sanction powers, and over 75 per cent of the properties are either BDA approved layouts or revenue pockets. We are left with no powers to plan,” complains M Lakshamana, Councillor of Ward 31.

“We want the government to regularise properties and bring it under our CMC. Only when this is done, can we participate in preparing any kind of future development sch-emes,” adds Muniram, Councillor of Ward 30.

Leader of the opposition Gopal Reddy of Ward 16 knowledgeably nodded when questioned on the NURM. “It has something to do with the green belt, isn’t it?” Reddy asked.

At Rajarajeshwarinagar CMC, President Indrani Kumar and Chairman of the Works Committee Govind Raju claimed ignorance when asked about NURM.

However, Accounts Superintendent Ramachandrappa said that he has got instructions to start “fund-based” accounting, in order to avail of central loan.

Rajarajeshwari CMC Commissioner D L Na-rayan, who is now in-charge of Bommahanalli (in place of Bommanahalli CMC Commissioner Uday Shankar who is on sick leave), said he has conducted one meeting in both the CMCs to educate councillors on NURM. Around eight-ten councillors in each CMC participated in the meeting.

“We do not have any definite schedule on holding similar meetings in future,” the CMC commissioner added.

PLANS FOR CMCs UNDER NURM

No of City Municipality Councils: 7

No of slums: 153

No of households: 81,842

Population: 3,15,798

Houses to be constructed: 37,830r

Allocation for housing: Rs 662 crore

Allocation for infrastructure: Rs 300 crore

Allocation for asset creation: Rs 192 crore

HAVE YOUR SAY

In a bid to help cities find their own standing, the Union government unveiled the JN-NURM in December 2005. As many as 63 cities have been chosen to receive central assistance for infrastructure development and basic services to the urban poor over the next 7 years.

Deccan Herald, in this special series, highlights different aspects of the JN-NURM. You can have your say in the City planning under the project and we will publish them. Send your responses with name, address, phone numbers to editor@deccanherald.co.in or fax it to 25880523 or post it to Deccan Herald, 75, MG Road, Bangalore-1.