Mayors call for empowerment of local bodies and city development

Hindustan Times, Jaipur, April 16, 2015

JAIPUR: Resolving challenges created by rapid urbanisation and empowering local bodies are keys to delivering municipal services, said participants at the first-ever Rajasthan Mayors’ Conference held here on Wednesday.

Prof VS Vyas, former deputy chairman of the State Planning Boar, said there had to be a fine balance in all parts of the city in development work.

He spoke on finance, the need to mobilise resources, capacity building and sensitisation of municipal staffers and citizen engagement through ward committees.

The conference was organised by CUTS International, a consumer Unity and Trust Society.

Jaipur mayor Nirmal Nahata said the government was working to improve the condition of urban local bodies. He said he was trying to generate more revenue and enhance public participation in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation.

Kota mayor Mahesh Vijayvargiya said 47% of posts in Kota municipality were vacant. Some services in the municipality are being monopolised by certain groups which can only be broken by creating alternative means and using more machine power, he said.

Bharatpur mayor Shiv Singh Bhont called for more powers to initiate action or transfer of an erring official.

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