Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao today announced special funds to those civic bodies which achieve targets in completing development works. At a review meeting along with Minister T Harish Rao, Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy, MLAs, MPs of Sanga Reddy, Medak and Siddipet districts and officials he said that plans are being prepared to encourage the civic bodies to focus on development works. The meeting discussed on development works, LED fixing, open defecation, sanitation, roads, drinking water and others.
KTR asked the officials to come up with new master plans to get adequate funds. The Government will provide funds for facilities and infrastructure are given priority including roads, street lights, solid waste management and supply of drinking water during Summer. The municipalities have to take the responsibility to overcome the shortage of drinking water he said and asked finance secretary Navin Mittal to give free hand to local bodies and directions to commissioners concerned to make use of funds for the purpose. He also said that funds will be spent for repair of old bores and not for digging new borewells. The flagship program of Mission Bhagiratha will cater to the needs of people next year he said. The civic officials should spend funds for supply of drinking water and achieving target of constructing 100 per cent of individual toilets and overcome the problem of open defecation KTR stated. The civic bodies perform well will get more funds and incentives. He expressed displeasure at the officials for poor collection of taxes. Stating that there will be no waiver of fine for failing to pay taxes from this year, KTR asked the officials to focus on the issue to collect adequate taxes and spend the funds for development. (NSS)