Udupi CMC to reinforce urban planning and management through JnNURM

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Sep 12, 2014: The Udupi CMC is set for a Comprehensive Capacity Building Programme (CCBP) along with 15 other urban local bodies in the State to plan, envisage and execute the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM)

The programme is taken up to strengthen the urban management. A Reforms and Performance Management Cell (RPMC) at the State level, 16 City RPMCs, preparation of State capacity building plan and integrated city plan are the highlights of the plan proposals cleared under JnNURM for Karnataka. The CCBP involves establishment of City RPMC in each urban local body selected for the purpose.

Preparation of business and financial plan for projects, systems for asset management and value creation and putting in place fiscal tools for revenue enhancement are also the purpose of the programme.

RPMCell in 2 months : CMC Commissioner Srikanth Rao told media that RPMC would be set up by another two months in Udupi CMC. The cell will be in place for three years. However, training  for officials will be held for a year. RPMC comprises of the team leader who plays the role of urban planner, municipal finance specialist, institutional strengthening specialist, IT cum evaluation and monitoring specialist, municipal environment specialist, public health engineer, computer operator and office assistant. The team will be selected by Director, Municipal Administration. The State has been asked to set up a monitoring system for the effective implementation of the capacity building activities. The proposed RPMCs should be constituted exclusively for capacity building for urban development, the CMC Commissioner added.

Methodology :  The other urban local bodies chosen for CCBP include Mangalore, Mandya, Kolar, Hospet, Belgaum, Shimoga, Hassan, Chikballapur, Bidar, Gulburga, Bijapur and Davangere. Rao said the RPM cell would help the urban local body to prepare detailed project report after the completion of the training programme.  Besides, it will also help to address infrastructure issues in urban local bodies.

Following the training, the urban local body will be asked to prepare a comprehensive capacity building plan, taking into account the requirements of the area with year wise physical as well as financial targets. Once the detailed project report was prepared, it will be sent to SLSC (State Level Steering Committee). Once SLSC approves the detailed project report, it will be forwarded to Ministry of Urban Development for the approval. Finally, funds are released, he added.

The problems pertaining to Udupi CMC limits will be kept in mind before designing the layout of the proposed projects. The CMC Commissioner said the most basic requirements will be taken up on priority.