Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 14: A panel headed by Chief Secretary, Mohd Iqbal Khandey would soon work out modality to ensure transfer of 18 functions, functionaries and funds of various departments to Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations at the initial stage and to other Urban Local Bodies like Municipal Councils and Committees across the State at the later stage.
Highly placed sources told EXCELSIOR that Housing and Urban Development Department, which has the administrative control over the Urban Local Bodies including Municipal Corporations, Councils and Committees, has decided to formally approach the Chief Secretary, Mohd Iqbal Khandey within next few days to convene meeting of a committee headed by him so that model could be worked out and process of transferring 18 mandatory funds, functions and functionaries of different departments could be set in motion.
The committee with Chief Secretary as its Chairman and Administrative Secretaries of Planning and Development, Finance and Housing and Urban Development Departments as its Members was constituted last month in order to give practical shape to the decision of State Cabinet dated March 15, 2013 whereby nod was given for transfer of 18 madatory functions to Urban Local Bodies as a part of implementation of reforms under Centrally sponsored scheme—Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM).
Stating that the committee could not meet soon after its constitution due to Darbar Move, sources said, “keeping in view the keenness of Housing and Urban Development Department Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora to get the Cabinet decision translated into reality, committee is likely to meet during the current month itself to work out modality for transfer of 3Fs to ULBs on the pattern of powers transferred to Panchayats”.
In response to a question, sources said, “the primary task before the committee is to suggest whether the concerned divisions or sub-divisons of different departments should be transferred to the ULBs or new divisions/sub-divisions created in the ULBs”, adding “keeping in view the daunting exercise required in this regard, the committee may consider transfer of 18 mandatory functions initially to the Municipal Corporations of Jammu and Srinagar and to Municipal Committees and Councils at the later stage”.
When contacted, Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Jeet Lal Gupta confirmed that committee would meet very shortly. “Efforts will be made to work out the model for transfer of 18 mandatory functions within shortest possible time”, he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that pursuant to the agreement signed by the State Government with the Union Government for implementation of JNNURM, the Union Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation sanctioned 108 projects for an amount of Rs 1312.68 crore for the State. So far against the committed ACA of Rs 1139.36 crore, an amount of only Rs 771.71 crore has been released.
Following the transfer of 18 functions, functionaries and funds to the Urban Local Bodies the State would be able to get balance amount of Rs 367.64 crore from the Union Government.
The functions which are being performed currently by various departments and which will be transferred to ULBs include urban and town planning, regulation of land use, maintenance and up keep of roads and buildings excluding National and State Highways, water supply, sanitation, urban forestry, fire services, slum improvement and urban poverty alleviation etc.
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