The Local Government department, Punjab, has chalked out a comprehensive plan to totally transform all the cities and towns of the state and the necessary funds are being arranged and released for development of cities. This was disclosed by the Local Government Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu here today at Punjab Municipal Bhawan, Sector 35 while interacting with the media-persons.The minister further said that no stone would be left unturned to develop the cities as per the instructions and under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh. He also divulged that funds to the tune of total of Rs. 2127 crore have been approved for the development of the cities and these would be released soon. He also said that now is the time to execute the policies framed during past 6 months by the department.The minister spelling out the plans for implementing the plans said that the state government would release with in a week funds worth Rs. 1540 crore aimed at the development of cities.
Disclosing more, he said that the previous regime had approved Rs. 2054.05 crore for 122 cities out of which only Rs. 567.60 crore were released in December, 2016. He also divulged that the developmental works pertaining to the cities were stalled owing to the non-release of rest of the funds. He also elaborated that now the present government is releasing rest of the Rs. 1540 crore amount. Adding more, he said that the Congress Government had decided to review the works done during it's 6 months tenure till date and now the amount is in the process of being released after reviewing all the works. Apart from this, under the urban mission Rs. 587 crore have been approved for the cities. Disclosing about developmental works with regard to the big corporation cities, Mr. Sidhu said that Rs. 139 crore and Rs. 125 crore have been approved for the development of Ludhiana and Amritsar respectively while the amount for Jalandhar and Patiala would be approved soon. Divulging more, he said that the kaptaan e-Sewa is being initialized which would lead to every urban household getting maps passed online. He said that the main purpose of the government is to do everything in a transparent manner. Adding more, he said that every site of developmental work would see a board being installed depicting the name and contact number of the contractor, time of starting and ending of work, name of officer of concerned department and specifications of the work.
Mr. Sidhu said that the previous regime didn't pay any attention to fire and emergency services but the present government has formed a separate fire directorate as per the directions of the Chief Minister. He also divulged that till now 68 fire tenders have been provided to the cities and 28 more new fire tenders would be provided soon. Fire week would be observed every year from next year.The minister further elaborated that the department has chalked out a plan to make all the local bodies self dependent. He also added that a target of generating Rs. 500 crore has been set as per the new outdoor advertising and parking policy which is being prepared at present. He also divulged that Ludhiana alone has the capability to generate income of Rs. 100 crore.Mr. Sidhu also elaborated that the sewerages were clogged due to non-cleaning during previous years. He also divulged that the department would start the cleaning work next year four months prior to the monsoon season. Besides that, 16 super suction machines are also being provided to the cities. The closed sewerage treatment plants would be re-started and the treated water would be made fit for irrigational purposes. He further said during coming 6 to 12 months, L.E.D. lights would be installed in all the cities and towns.On the occasion, Advisor of the Local Government department Mr. Amar Singh, Director Mr. K.K. Yadav and CEO of PMIDC Mr. Ajoy Sharma were also present.