B’lore yet to submit development plan

B’lore yet to submit development plan
Deccan Herald

While cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahm-edabad and Chandigarh have already submitted their City Development Plans (CDP) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, and some have even received approval, Bangalore is still lagging behind.


While cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahm-edabad and Chandigarh have already submitted their City Development Plans (CDP) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, and some have even received approval, Bangalore is still lagging behind.

Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) Commissioner K Jairaj on Saturday admitted they are still “engaged in certain processes” as far as the CDP is concerned. These are in its final stage and will be finalised soon.” Incidentally, Bangalore was the first metro to submit the CDP, but it was rejected by the Union Urban Development Ministry as it did not comply with the recommended procedures.

Meanwhile, Union Urban Development Department Minister Jaipal Reddy said 41 cities have already submitted their CDPs, out of which 23 were approved. Nineteen cities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre in this connection, he revealed.

Mr Reddy added that Bangalore will receive 35 per cent of the fund requirement as grant from the Centre, and the rest should be met by the urban local body or the State Government or through bonds. Mysore will receive 50 per cent as Central Government grant. Priority will be given to development projects related to water supply, sanitation, drainage and transport, “areas that affect the rich and poor alike”. “JN-NURM gives importance to delivery of services, especially to the urban poor.

“The CDP is in its final stages. The consultative process with the public and appraisal of the draft is completed. We only have to get approvals from the State-level steering committee, which is expected shortly,” said BMP Special Commissioner Gaurav Gupta. Meanwhile, Mr Reddy clarified that the delay in submission of the CDP will have no impact on the scheme’s funding aspects.

Calling for a reduction in stamp duty from the existing 10 per cent, Reddy stated that when the duty is lowered, compliance will increase. Citing the example of Kolkata where stamp duty was reduced to six per cent, Reddy said there was a positive response to West Bengalís move.

He said Public Disclosure reforms would eliminate administrative ineptnes.