Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar on Thursday released the maiden issue of the quarterly newsletter of his department. He said that this initiative would act as a report card of the Local Government department.
Releasing this newsletter here at Municipal Bhawan, Dr. Nijjar said that under the visionary and dynamic leadership of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government is committed to striving for the comprehensive development of the municipal towns of the state and to report its initiatives to the general masses in a transparent manner.
“The intent of this newsletter is to reach out to all the relevant stakeholders and make them conversant about the works being carried out. Further, it shall help in making the residents aware of various important projects”, said Mr. Nijjar while adding that this newsletter has shown the seriousness of the Government through initiatives taken by the State as well as ULBs to ensure transparent, accountable and responsive Governance.
Divulging further, Dr. Nijjar said that the quarterly newsletter (March-2023) released today has reported the progress under key projects like Smart City Mission, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission, MSeva (e-Governance), Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Projects (PMSIP).
“Apart from this, information regarding World Bank/Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, GIS-enabled geospatial planning, urban transport (Bus Rapid Transit System - BRTS), housing for the urban poor, affordable housing projects, credit link subsidy scheme, urban livelihood missions, business process re-engineering and municipal fire services has been also carried in this newsletter”, he added.
Cabinet Minister said that this issue has also highlighted the financial support provided to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under AMRUT and Swachh Bharat Mission besides mentioning the new initiatives in the field of e-governance such as instant issuance of trade license for non-hazardous trades, Public Works Integrated Management System and Integrated Financial Management System.
On this occasion, Mr. Vivek Pratap Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, Local Government, Ms. Isha Kalia, IAS, Chief Executive Officer-PMIDC, Mr. Uma Shankar Gupta, IAS, Director Local Government and other departmental officers were present.