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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Officer asked to call for tender immediately for road widening in Aland
In a move to improve traffic flow in Aland town, Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzia Taranum has directed Chief Officer Sangamesh Panashetty to immediately call for tenders for road widening work. During her visit to Aland recently, Ms. Taranum chaired a review meeting at the Tahsildar's office along with Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Vice-Chairperson and local MLA B.R. Patil. Reviewing the progress of various municipal initiatives, she noted that ₹11 crore has been earmarked by the town municipality for road widening and emphasised the need for its effective utilisation. She also instructed municipal officials to ensure quality and timely completion of works currently under way across the town under the 15th Finance Commission and State Finance Commission grants. Earlier in the day, the Deputy Commissioner, along with Mr. Patil, visited the Aland Municipality's Solid Waste Management Unit and observed the scientific composting process of converting waste into organic fertiliser. She also inaugurated newly procured equipment under the Swachh Bharat Mission, including a tractor, composting machine and baling machine. As part of her visit, the Deputy Commissioner also inspected the ongoing water supply pipeline work and overhead tank construction under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. She obtained updates from Executive Engineer Narasimha Reddy of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (Kalaburagi division) regarding the progress of work. She later visited the Indira Canteen construction site and instructed those in charge there that the remaining minor works be completed immediately so that the facility can be dedicated to the public without delay. Tricycles distributed On the same occasion, a tricycle distribution programme was held at the Aland municipal office, where Mr. Patil handed over tricycles, procured with Special Component Plan (SCP) funds, to seven persons with disabilities.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Scheme sanction limit of mukhiyas up
Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday made several key announcements for representatives of the three-tier panchayati raj system, including a 1.5-fold increase in their monthly allowances. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He also declared that mukhiyas of gram panchayats would now be able to approve administrative works up to Rs 10 lakh under MGNREGA, up from the previous limit of Rs 5 lakh. The announcements were made during a meeting with gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and zila parishad representatives at the CM Secretariat here. Nitish also said that the construction of panchayat sarkar bhawans would be completed in all panchayats before the upcoming assembly elections. According to an official statement, the CM made six major decisions. These included an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to be given in case of normal deaths of panchayat representatives during their tenure. Earlier, this amount was only provided in cases of accidental deaths. In addition, panchayat representatives suffering from illness will be eligible for health assistance through the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Fund. The CM also asked district officials to process applications for arms licences submitted by panchayat representatives within the stipulated time frame, in accordance with rules. "We have set a target to complete the panchayat sarkar bhawans in all gram panchayats before the elections," the CM said. "For this, the state govt has also approved the remaining 1,069 new panchayat sarkar bhawans. Orders are being issued to transfer the construction responsibility to the respective gram panchayats. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now If land is not available in the headquarters village, it can be acquired from a nearby village. I hope you will select the land soon and begin the work so that construction is completed ahead of schedule," the statement added. To enhance the utilisation of funds from the 15th Finance Commission and State Finance Commission, departmental schemes of up to Rs 15 lakh can now be implemented directly. Addressing the PRI representatives, Nitish said, "It is a matter of great happiness that this meeting has been organised. I was informed about your demands by the chief secretary and departmental officials. The panchayati raj department is taking action on most of them in line with the rules. Many of your demands have been fulfilled today." The CM also recalled the introduction of 50% reservation for women in the panchayati raj system in 2006 and in municipal bodies in 2007. "A large number of women are now leading society as elected representatives. We have worked for the development of all sections. We continue to engage with the representatives," he said.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
UP to tap MLA/MP, other funds to build 75 model fair price shops in each district
: In a fresh bid to overhaul the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Uttar Pradesh government has issued a directive allowing the use of MLA and MP Local Area Development funds, among others, to speed up the construction of Annapurna Buildings—dedicated model structures for fair price shops. This is the first time such a diverse basket of funding sources has been formally permitted for the initiative, as per a GO issued by principal secretary, food and civil supplies, Ranveer Prasad on June 9. 'The state has already completed 3,534 Annapurna Buildings, with another 2,000 under construction. The new target is to build 75 such structures in each district,' the GO said. Earlier provisions allowed construction through village panchayats and municipal bodies using MGNREGA or local funds. The latest order significantly widens the funding scope to include resources from the State Finance Commission, Purvanchal and Bundelkhand Development Funds, and other state or central government schemes. Where none of these apply, the food and supply department will provide funds. Each Annapurna Building will span 484 square feet, featuring a large room for the ration shop, another for Common Service Centre operations, and a 24x4 ft veranda for waiting beneficiaries. The estimated cost per unit is ₹8.462 lakh. In urban areas with space constraints, the order allows for 'cluster' buildings accommodating two to five shops. Site selection will be overseen by a committee led by the sub-divisional magistrate, with representation from revenue, development, and food supply officials. Fair price shop dealers will operate from these buildings rent-free but must cover electricity through prepaid meters and handle maintenance. The district supply officer will transfer the buildings via formal agreements. 'The department will continue allowing the sale of permitted utility items through PDS shops as per earlier orders. The move is aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding service access and ensuring smoother delivery of subsidised food grains across the state,' a senior food and civil supplies department official said. Services/Facilities at Annapurna Bhavans (Model FP Shops) Public Facilitation Centre – Services like income, caste, birth, and residence certificates; Aadhaar, pension, and other related services General store Facility to deposit various types of bills 5 kg LPG cylinder distribution E-stamp sale Micro ATM Purified drinking water (Wi-Fi enabled) Photocopying and scanning machine Fire extinguisher
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
To amp up tourism infrastructure, UP Cabinet gives nod to Homestay Policy
Aiming to provide comfortable accommodation options for devotees and tourists visiting the state's religious and tourist destinations, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Uttar Pradesh Bed and Breakfast (B&B) and Homestay Policy-2025. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. According to the Tourism Department, the new policy was necessitated as hotels at religious and tourist destinations usually get fully booked, leaving visitors with limited or no lodging options. The policy seeks to resolve this issue by enabling local residents to offer homestay accommodations, it said. Under the policy, only a small fee —ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 750 — will be charged to register homestays in rural areas. For urban and silver-category homestays, the application fee has been fixed at Rs 2,000. Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, state Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said under the policy, any individual residing in a proximity to a religious or tourist site will be allowed to register a homestay unit consisting of 1 to 6 rooms, with a capacity of a maximum of 12 beds. Tourists can avail of the facility for up to seven consecutive days, with provisions for extension through a renewal process, he said. The registration and approval of homestays will be overseen by a committee headed by the district magistrate and superintendent of police concerned to ensure safety and compliance. With no state-level policy for homestays till now, homestay operators had to register on the Central government's NIDHI+ portal. Under the new policy, they can now register easily by getting a no-objection certificate (NOC) from local authorities. Khanna further said that the policy also includes financial support and incentives to encourage residents to offer part of their homes for tourism purposes. It will not only provide affordable and convenient accommodation for tourists, but will also create new income and job opportunities for local people, he said, adding that the move is expected to strengthen the state's economy and tourism infrastructure. Khanna said 10 of the 11 proposals presented before the Cabinet were given approval. Among these were the approval for the construction of annapurna bhawans to strengthen the public distribution system (PDS) and ensure smooth availability of foodgrains to ration card holders. To speed up the construction process, the government has decided to use savings from the fiscal savings as well. The proposal gives the option of seeking funds for construction from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), State Finance Commission, MP and MLA funds, Purvanchal and Bundelkhand Development Funds, or any other state or Central government scheme that allows such construction. If funds are not available from these sources, the Food and Civil Supplies Department will arrange the money from its own savings, it is learnt. Around 75 to 100 Aannapurna Bhawans will be built in each district every year. The policy also includes provisions for maintaining these bhawans. Also, the Cabinet has approved incentive funds for five mega-category industrial units under the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy-2017. The government has approved the first installment to these industrial units.
Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Own-source income incentive scheme for low-population panchayats in U.P.
Small-population village panchayats in Uttar Pradesh will now receive government assistance equal to five times the revenue they generate on their own under a new incentive scheme aimed at strengthening financially weak rural bodies. The 'Own Resource Income-Based Panchayat Compensation and Incentive Scheme,' notified by the government, targets 12,087 gram panchayats with populations up to 1,500. These include 252 panchayats with fewer than 1,000 residents and 11,835 with populations between 1,001 and 1,500 as per the 2011 Census. Additional chief secretary, panchayati raj, Anil Kumar issued a GO (government order) introducing the scheme here early this week. The scheme is aimed at addressing the long-standing funding gap that hampers the functioning of smaller panchayats, which often struggle to meet routine expenses such as sanitation, drinking water, electricity, and maintenance of community assets. Population-based fund allocation leaves these panchayats with little support despite their critical role in grassroots governance. Many of these smaller panchayats, the GO points out, face a financial crunch due to increasing responsibilities at the village level. With the expansion of rural development activities and establishment of panchayat secretariats, they are now required to meet recurring expenses such as salaries of pradhans, panchayat assistants/accountants-cum-data entry operators, caretakers as well as pay electricity bills, like for stray cow shelters and panchayat secretariats etc. However, limited fund allocation based on population often falls short of meeting these obligations by small local rural bodies. Eligible panchayats under the new incentive-based scheme will be compensated based on verified own-source revenue (OSR) collected in the previous financial year from local resources like market stalls, ponds, waste collection, community halls, common service centres and other assets listed under Section 37 of the UP Panchayat Raj Act, 1947. They can collect revenue from local sources such as taxes, fees, fines and rents. District magistrates will certify these earnings. Funds under the scheme will be routed through the State Finance Commission and can only be used for approved development activities — not for honorariums or salaries. A dedicated digital portal will be developed to monitor panchayat income and disbursal, with 0.05% of the scheme's allocation set aside for its upkeep. As per the 2011 Census, out of over 57,,691 gram panchayats in the state, nearly 25% have populations below 1,500. These panchayats often get disproportionately lower funds compared to larger panchayats due to the 90:10 allocation ratio based on total and Scheduled Caste/Tribe populations respectively. The scheme will not only reward such panchayats but also promote transparency and accountability by mandating proper documentation of income sources through the OSMARO portal. Panchayats will have to upload records of income from markets, tourism-related receipts, community hall rentals, and other services. District-level committees led by the district magistrate will assess the eligibility of panchayats and recommend the amount of incentive to be awarded. The incentive could go up to five times the panchayat's own income deposited in the designated account. The GO mandates that all incentive amounts be used strictly as per the guidelines set by the state and central governments. 'Despite having functional secretariats and sanitation infrastructure, most gram panchayats lack mobility and operational resources. This scheme marks a shift towards rewarding self-reliance and incentivising rural bodies to build their own financial base,' a senior panchayati raj official said. The initiative, he pointed out, was in line with the spirit of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which sought to empower panchayati raj institutions and decentralise development planning to the grassroots.
