Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao today said the State government has taken a decision to transform village panchayats with 15,000 population as city panchayats and municipalities. He said powers will be decentralized and adequate funds would be given for speedy development of towns and villages through municipalities and panchayats.
Launching a Diary of Municipal Commissioners Association at the Secretariat here today, the minister said all support would be extended to the civic officials for effective implementation of the schemes and early completion of developmental works. KTR said more funds and powers will be offered to the officials, who have to strive for development.
Stating that the GHMC will carve out some more circles and zones, the MA&UD Minister reiterated that decentralization of powers will definitely improve towns and villages as the government schemes will reach the people. The schemes should benefit the people and the officials should make coordinated efforts in this regard, he suggested. The State government was spending Rs 4,500 crore for Urban Mission Bhagiratha to provide safe drinking waters to the people.
It is time for the civic body officials to play a key role in the implementation of reforms taken in the municipal sector in order to complete development works on time, he said, adding that several schemes in the State were nearing completion and the officials concerned have to coordinate with the corporators and other local leaders. KTR also promised to give promotions to municipal commissioners and fill vacant posts. The matter was under active consideration of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Housing Minister A Indrakaran Reddy, MLA Srinivas Goud and others were present. (NSS)