Hyderabad, Jan 5 (IANS) The central government has asked municipal bodies to mobilise resources by levying taxes wherever necessary to improve basic civic amenities.
Underlining the need for reforms for better urban governance, union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu urged the urban bodies to go for credit rating and bring transparency and accountability in their functioning.
He advised them to mobilise resources locally by levying or revising existing taxes after convincing people that they will get better infrastructure and services.
He also suggested that they raise loans from banks and national and international financial institutions by improving credit rating.
Naidu said they should not merely look to the central government and the states for funds.
He was addressing municipal commissioners of cities with a population of more than a lakh.
Municipal commissioners from over 70 cities and officials of urban development departments from the five southern states - Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh - and the union territory of Puducherry are attending the day-long consultative workshop.
This is the first workshop organised by the ministry before launching its new initiatives on urban development and housing.
The minister asked the municipal bodies to take up digitisation of properties, revenues, assets and other details, saying the central government will provide the necessary funds for the project.
Naidu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants all municipal bodies to start a website and an electronic news digest, giving details of its activities and prepare a list of the poor.
The minister also wanted them to frame rules and regulations for better governance in their respective areas without approaching state governments.
Stating that every state will get two to three smart cities, Naidu made it clear that the central government will provide no funds and that the urban bodies will have to raise private investment and go for public-private partnership model.
Major action in killing of sadhus, CRPF reached Palghar, area completely sealed
Mumbai: CRPF deployed CRPF has been deployed in Gadchinchale village of Palghar, 9 days after the killing of the sadhus. It was here that a fierce mob beaten up three people, including two sadhus.
Smart package ordered to promote tourism in Jammu
Jammu, March 13 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Friday ordered preparation of an all inclusive smart package to promote ideal tourist destinations in Jammu region
Australia power to 328/7 against India
Sydney, March 26 (IANS) Powered by a 182-run stand between Steven Smith (105) and Aaron Finch (81), Australia reached a strong total of 328/7 in 50 overs against India in the second cricket World
G20 Summit In Delhi: All the information from Metro, train, bus, and food delivery between 8 to 10, where to complain; know everything
Preparations have been completed for the G-20 conference to be held in the capital Delhi on 10 September. Tight security has been imposed in Delhi. Police are constantly trying to make the G-20
Arms race: North Korea again did hypersonic missile test, dictator Kim Jong Un himself was present; Know why this missile is dangerous
North Korea has claimed that it conducted a hypersonic missile test on Tuesday and it was successful. On Wednesday and Thursday last week in the new year, North Korea conducted two missile tests and
VITEEE Result 2023: VIT Engineering Entrance Exam Result declared, download score card from this link
Big news for the candidates who appeared at VIT Engineering Entrance. Vellore Institute of Technology has announced the result of the VIT Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE) 2023. The engineering
Four leopard skins seized in Himachal, two held
Shimla, Feb 3 (IANS) Two people were arrested in Himachal Pradesh and four leopard skins seized from them, a police official said Tuesday.The accused, Karan Singh, 22, and Satish Kumar, 33, were
Three major railway stations including Delhi will be rejuvenated, the government told the plan to invest 10 thousand crores
The Union Cabinet took three major decisions on Wednesday. It also includes the rejuvenation of railway stations. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav informed the media that the proposal of Indian
India-US Arrive at Modus vivendi on Nuclear Deal (Comment:Special to IANS)
The much awaited and long-delayed modus-vivendi between India and the US over the finalization of the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement that began in July 2005 has finally been achieved Sunday
Gujarat Ram Navami Violence: 'When you had the IB report, were you sleeping? You should have stopped the violence', Owaisi furious at the state government
Asaduddin Owaisi on the violence that took place in Gujarat during the Ram Navami procession said that if there is violence, it is not right for anyone. If violence erupts, the onus is on the state
