Alternative ways and means, to deliver existing key municipal services, need to be developed so that municipal services can be made more effective and accessible. This can be done through adopting innovative ways and means of implementing services and usage of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) tools and methods. These views were unanimously expressed in the first ever ‘Rajasthan Mayor’s Conference’ organised by CUTS International in Jaipur. Mayors of various cities of Rajasthan participated in the conference.
Nirmal Nahata, Mayor, Jaipur said that discussions on the present condition of the Urban Local Bodies are going on at various levels in the government and as a result some good decisions are taken by the present government for empowering boards etc. At the Jaipur Municipal Corporation level, they are trying to generate more and more revenues and enhancing public participation.
Mahesh Vijayvargiya, Mayor, Kota stated that some of the services in the Kota municipality are monopolised by certain groups which can only be broken through creating alternative means of using machines replacing men. He said that 47 percent of posts are vacant in Kota municipality.
Shiv Singh Bhont, Mayor, Bharatpur opined that Mayor is such a weak position that he cannot even initiate an action or transfer an erring official who is not working well. Necessary steps to provide required power to Mayors’ are the need of the hour. He requested all Mayors to meet with the concerned minister and discuss issues.
Prof. VS Vyas, former Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board Rajasthan in his keynote address mentioned that there has to be fine balance in all parts of the city in development work. He spoke on issues of finance, need to mobilise own resources, capacity building and sensitisation of municipal staff, citizen engagement through ward committees.
George Cheriyan, Director, CUTS in his opening remarks said that urban rapid growth is facing several challenges in front of municipalities and as a result slums are cropping up, inadequate civic infrastructure is there and solid waste management is becoming a serious issue. He further said that the concept of three Fs, i.e. Fund, Functionaries and Functions need to be evolved.
Amar Deep Singh, Project Coordinator, CUTS welcomed delegates and presented highlights of MyCity project which is being implemented in Jaipur city since last three years based on urban governance. Rajasthan Mayors’ Conference was organised under MyCity project implemented in partnership with The Asia Foundation.
It was decided to have the next Mayor’s conference in Kota in which CUTS will document and share best practices from various cities of India.
For more details, please contact
Amar Deep Singh, Project Coordinator
CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training (CUTS CART)
D-218, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302016
Mobile: 93146 17532 Phone: 0141-5133259, 2282821
Email: ads@cuts.org; Website: http://www.cuts-international.org/cart