Rs1729 crores distributed among 8 Municipal Corporations; Class 'A': Rs88 crore allocated to 22 Municipalities; Class 'B': Rs90 crore allocated to 30 municipalities; Class 'A': Rs135 crores allocated to 60 Municipalities; Class 'D': Rs69 crore allocated to 45 municipalities
FinTech BizNews Service
Gandhinagar, 13 June 2024: Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel emphasized prioritizing human life security as paramount. He stated that there can be no compromise on this aspect. The CM emphasized the need to ensure the well-being of those for whom development efforts are intended, amidst our rapid pace of progress. Addressing the occasion, the Chief Minister distributed Rs. 2111 crore in grants for development projects to the state's municipal corporations and municipalities, facilitated by the Urban Development Department.
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel noted that municipalities and metropolitan cities in the state have undertaken many praiseworthy development projects. Despite this, the CM highlighted remaining instances of incomplete or substandard work. He urged officials to address these issues and emphasized the importance of regular monitoring to ensure the quality of development projects. Moreover, addressing even the smallest complaints of the people promptly and effectively is crucial for advancing in the right direction of development. CM Shri Bhupendra Patel mentioned the availability of generous funding for development projects in municipalities and metropolitan areas under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He emphasized that the state government is prepared to allocate additional funds for public welfare projects in municipalities and metropolitan areas showing significant progress. The Chief Minister advocated for adopting the mantra "Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas, Sauno Vishwas, Sauno Prayas" and emphasized the importance of integrating the Prime Minister's "Mission Life" initiative into daily life through intimate tree planting in urban areas. He also called upon everyone to contribute to Gujarat's progress towards achieving comprehensive and environmentally sustainable development, aiming for Viksit Bharat.
Chief Secretary Shri Raj Kumar emphasized that Gujarat holds the distinction of being the most urbanized state in the country. He noted that in 2009-10, then Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi initiated the "Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana" to bolster urban infrastructure in alignment with India's increasing urbanization. Under this initiative, the state government has earmarked Rs 38,000 crore by 2023-24 to elevate Gujarat's cities to world-class standards.
He stated that the developed cities of Gujarat will be instrumental in realizing the Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. A grant of Rs25,000 crore was allocated for various major projects across different cities in Gujarat, with 90 percent of these projects already completed. Also, 95 percent of the road resurfacing projects sanctioned under Mukhyamantri Sadak Yojana have been completed. He reported that 76 percent of the development projects in the outgrowth areas of the cities have been completed. Under Amrit Yojana, 90 percent of the 452 projects, valued at Rs5167 crore, have been completed. Also, 357 projects worth Rs11,650 crore were sanctioned for the development of six cities in Gujarat under the Smart City Mission, with 90 percent of these projects also completed. Gujarat has achieved the remarkable milestone of completing 8.57 lakh housing units under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), earning six national-level awards in recognition. Additionally, by recycling wastewater under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the state government is generating an annual revenue of Rs1,000 crore.
Shri Ashwini Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Department of Urban Development and Urban Housing, highlighted in his welcome speech that with roughly 50 percent of the state's population living in urban areas, substantial urban development work has been undertaken over the past year under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel to provide essential facilities to citizens. Approximately Rs5,707 crore has been allocated for these initiatives under Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana. Twenty years ago, approximately Rs200 crore was allocated for city development. However, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, this year's budget has allocated an estimated Rs21,654 crore for the comprehensive development of cities, marking a 100 percent increase in the Urban Development Department's budget, he added. During the ceremony, a documentary film providing an overview of urban development was screened. Shri B.B. Vahonia, CEO of the Gujarat Municipal Finance Board, delivered the vote of thanks.
It is worth mentioning that during the check distribution ceremony, the Chief Minister presented checks to several municipal corporations: Rs. 673 crore to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Rs. 516 crore to Surat Municipal Corporation, Rs. 188 crore to Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Rs. 148 crore to Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Rs. 69 crore to Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation, Rs. 66 crore to Jamnagar Municipal Corporation, Rs. 34 crore to Junagadh Municipal Corporation, and Rs. 35 crore to Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation. Additionally, grants totaling Rs. 2,111 crore were distributed, including Rs. 382 crore allocated to the state's municipalities. This included Rs. 4 crore to each of the 22 'A' category municipalities, Rs. 3 crore to each of the 30 'B' category municipalities, Rs. 2.25 crore to each of the 60 'C' category municipalities, and Rs. 1.5 crore to each of the 45 'D' category municipalities.
Present at the event were Minister of State for Education Shri Praful Pansheriya, Members of Parliament, MLAs, Mayor of Gandhinagar Municipality Shri Hitesh Makwana, Mayors from various Municipal Corporations across the state, Deputy Mayors, Presidents of Municipal Corporations, Additional Chief Secretary Shri Pankaj Joshi, Commissioner of Municipal Administration Shri Rajkumar Beniwal, Secretary of Housing Board Shri R.G. Gohil, Municipal Commissioners, Chief Officers, and other dignitaries.
