Jammu, Mar 15: Failure of state government to implement Critical Urban Local Reforms has led to the blockade of the two installments under Additional Central Assistance (ACA) by the Union government for the projects sanctioned under Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) in Jammu and Kashmir.
 As per the official figures out of total 23 critical urban local reforms sanctioned by Union government to state government, only 10 are completed in both the capital cities of state.
 “Due to non implementation of critical urban local reforms, the Union Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) Union has withheld the second and final instalment of ACA for the projects sanctioned under UIDSSMT for non implementation of some critical urban sector reforms including imposition and collection of Property tax, User charges, transfer of functions to the Urban Local Bodies etc.” the official said.
 They further maintained that it has failed to complete 13 critical urban local reforms asked by Union government. “In Urban Local Bodies level reforms, out of six, only 2 are achieved while 4 are not completed which included E-governance setup, property tax (80 percent coverage), Property tax (90 percent collection efficiency), 100 percent cost recovery (water supply), 100 percent recovery (Solid waste).
 Out of seven State Level Reforms the state government has been managed to complete only three while four remained non-implemented which include 74th CAA (Constitution of DPC and MPC), transfer-city planning function, transfer water supply and sanitation, reform in rent control, stamp duty rationalization to 5 percent.
 Out of 10 Optional Reforms five have been implemented while five were not completed which include introduction of property title certification system ULBs, simplification of legal and procedural framework for conversion of agricultural land for non agricultural purposes, introduction of computerized process of registration of land and property, administrative reforms and structural reforms, the reply revealed.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
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