Twin cities get nod for JnNURM

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Hubli/Twin-cities-get-nod-for-JnNURM/articleshow/4834919.cms

HUBLI: The Union government has indicated that Hubli-Dharwad is on the list of cities to be included under the centrally funded urban infrastructure development scheme JnNURM.

Union urban development minister Jaipal Reddy said that the twin cities figure on the list of 28 cities where JnNURM will be implemented this year. Reddy made an assurance before a delegation comprising of MP Prahlad Joshi, HDMC members Chinchore and Yasin Haveripet, and some officials.

HDMC officials hope to receive Rs 600 crore under this programme. External affairs minister S M Krishna has also offered to help, he said during the general body meeting in Hubli on Wednesday.

Central urban development officials have asked HDMC officials to send a fresh proposal with details of projects envisaged under JnNURM, mayor Veeranna Savadi said. He also said that HDMC will consider regularizing land use violations under a Akrama Sakrama scheme. HDMC will consider modelling the scheme after the state government's scheme, he said. The mayor will discuss the issue with the CM B S Yeddyurappa during his visit to Hubli on August 10. According to him, officials had identified over 60,000 buildings that had violated land use norms.

Member H A Doddamani raised the issue of awarding of contracts for developing road medians. He alleged that awards were given away in violation of norms. He also said that tax payers money was wasted due to HDMC's irregular actions. He sought complete details of how the contracts were awarded and to whom.

In charge commissioner R N Shanbhag said that the contracts were issued to NGOs on BOOT basis. Savadi directed officials to provide necessary information to members.