GMDA must meet at least once a month, not once or twice a year, says Rao Inderjit Singh
Rao Inderjit Singh
said at TOI's #WeMakeGurgaon Townhall on Saturday.
"Despite the intention of creating a one-window powerhouse, the existence of both the municipal corporation and GMDA, according to Singh, resulted in a lack of clarity regarding their respective areas of influence and administration.
Conceived as a Noida Authority-like body, GMDA doesn't function as one. Formed in 2018, the development authority is now seven years old, so there's been enough time to steer it in the direction of its purpose.
But the state govt has not quite been able to take it there. One of the main criticisms of GMDA is that its execution is slow and its contributions to the city's infrastructure improvements not very apparent.
You Can Also Check:
Gurgaon AQI
|
Weather in Gurgaon
|
Bank Holidays in Gurgaon
|
Public Holidays in Gurgaon
Singh said when GMDA was formed, its CEO was allowed to sanction only projects up to Rs 50 lakh. Only recently, it was enhanced to Rs 2.5 crore. "The power of the MCG house (to sanction projects) was earlier Rs 2 crore only and now it has become Rs 10 crore.
If you have a project which is over Rs 10 crore, it has to go to the minister, and if it is over Rs 25 crore, to the high-powered purchase committee sitting in Chandigarh. Now, this is a remote-controlled administrative setup with which I am not really very happy," said Singh, referring to the slowness of project execution in Gurgaon.
In Noida, he added, Noida Authority operates through a single-window system. But Gurgaon is hobbled by multiple agencies, creating a complex administrative structure.
Noida manages licences for residential colonies and plotted areas, while in Gurgaon, developers independently acquire land from farmers, aggregate it and then seek licences from the town and country planning department, said the minister, pointing out structural flaws in Gurgaon's governance.
"Persistent flooding in Gurgaon stems from developers incorporating perennial waterways into their projects and constructing buildings upon them.
With these natural water channels obstructed, water seeks alternative paths, resulting in widespread flooding throughout the city," he said.
"Steps are being taken to establish a unified authority for issuing licences. There are concerns that the next developing city might face similar challenges as Gurgaon. It is crucial to avoid replicating the mistakes made in Gurgaon's development process in future urban expansion projects," he added.
Singh also pointed out that GMDA has a meeting once a year or perhaps twice a year, which is not enough. "I mean, Gurgaon is generating so many problems every day. This is something that I'm trying to ask the chief minister to do. The GMDA meeting should not be held six-monthly. It should at least be held once a month. Even if the chief minister, who is the head of GMDA, cannot come, at least the officers should all convene once a month here in Gurgaon," said Singh.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
17 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Meghalaya MP seeks ILP implementation amidst fears of influx from Assam
Shillong, With growing concerns over possible influx of illegal settlers evicted from Assam, an MP from Meghalaya on Friday urged the Union home ministry to implement the Inner Line Permit system in the state, a long-pending demand that has been consistently voiced by the people over the years. Meghalaya MP seeks ILP implementation amidst fears of influx from Assam During a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Voice of the People Party MP Ricky Syngkon expressed deep concern over the demographic pressures facing the state, citing increasing incidents of unauthorised settlements and encroachments, particularly in sensitive border and fringe areas, including along the international boundary with Bangladesh and those along the interstate boundary with Assam. "The unchecked influx of migrants poses a grave threat to the cultural identity, land rights, and socio-economic security of the tribal population of Meghalaya," Syngkon stated, while calling for urgent intervention from the Centre. The MP pointed out that neighbouring states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland are already under the ILP regime, which serves as a protective mechanism to regulate the entry of non-locals and safeguard the rights of indigenous communities. The appeal gains urgency in light of Assam's ongoing eviction drives targeting illegal settlers and undocumented immigrants, which, the MP fears, could lead to spillover migration into Meghalaya's vulnerable regions. "The implementation of ILP would fulfil a long-standing aspiration of the people and reinforce their trust in constitutional safeguards provided under the Sixth Schedule," the MP said. The demand for ILP is not new. The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution in December 2019 urging the Centre to extend the ILP system to the state. Despite multiple follow-ups, the matter remains pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The MP also raised the issue of constitutional recognition of the Khasi language, describing it as a vital marker of Meghalaya's cultural and historical identity, and urged the Centre to act on the 2018 Assembly resolution seeking its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule. Additionally, the MP requested that directives be issued to ensure preferential employment opportunities for local tribal youth, particularly in Group 'C' and support staff positions, within central establishments in the state, in alignment with the constitutional provisions under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules. The MP further called for the revival of currently non-operational air routes such as Shillong-Dimapur, Shillong-Agartala, and Shillong-Silchar to improve regional mobility, reduce travel hardship, and integrate Meghalaya more closely with the Northeast and the rest of the country. Syngkon also urged the Ministry of Tourism to upgrade the Shillong Centre of the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management into a full-fledged institute, citing its potential to emerge as a hub for tourism studies, skill development, and entrepreneurship in the region. As of now, the Centre has not taken a final decision on any of the demands. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Economic Times
17 minutes ago
- Economic Times
10 year yield spikes amid a decline in bets on August rate cut
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Yields of the 10-year benchmark government security spiked six basis points to 6.37% on Friday, before softening slightly and closing at 6.34%.The spike in yields came after the central bank governor said price stability will be the primary concern for the central bank amid cooling retail inflation, despite Mint Road winning the 'battle' against 10-year yield had closed at 6.31% the previous day.A section of the market started pricing in another rate cut in August after India's retail inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), hit a six-year low of 2.1%, data released on July 14 change in expectations of the rate cut trajectory also impacted auction of the 10 year paper conducted on Friday, pushing prices below 100 at 99.95, with cut off yield at 6.33%. The auction was for Rs 30,000 crores'When people are not positive about the rate cut next month, why would someone hold the security, they would want to sell,' said a bond trader at a primary dealership. 'There were quite a few people who had priced in a cut in the August policy, but after the interview, markets were not very positive about it,' the trader said.'The battle against inflation is won, but war continues,' RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said at a banking summit organised by the newspaper in Mumbai on Friday. 'Our primary objective is to maintain price stability and we have mentioned that it is not inconsistent with the other objectives we have of growth because that is a prerequisite.'This comes just a few days before the monetary policy committee (MPC) is set to announce its rate decision on August 6. During the last MPC meet, the repo rate was reduced by a larger-than-expected 50 basis points to 5.50%'The rates went up because the market was anyway long, and those positions increased after the inflation data. Maybe because inflation was lower, markets thought that the RBI would be more open to further rate cuts in August. The governor today did not say anything different, but maintained what he has said in his previous encounters,' said a senior bond trader at another primary dealership.
The Hindu
17 minutes ago
- The Hindu
185 displaced persons granted Indian citizenship under CAA in Gujarat
After years of uncertainty, 185 displaced persons from Pakistan were granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019. The recipients, many of whom have been residing in Gujarat's Rajkot, Morbi, and Kutch districts for several years, were handed over citizenship documents at an event in Rajkot. 'You are now citizens of the great nation - India,' Gujarat Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghavi told the gathering. The announcement was met with chants of 'Bharat mata ki jai (Victory to mother India)' from the audience, with several recipients becoming emotional as they received their certificates. The beneficiaries included men, women, and children who migrated from Pakistan citing religious persecution and lack of security. Many belong to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities - groups recognised under the CAA as eligible for naturalisation. Among those granted citizenship was a young woman doctor who had completed her medical education in Pakistan. 'Just as she was about to begin her career, her family was forced to flee the country,' Mr. Sanghavi said. 'After years of waiting in India without legal status, she now holds official Indian citizenship,' he said. Mr. Sanghavi added that she was just one example of the many lives impacted by the law. Other beneficiaries included daily wage earners, homemakers, and elderly persons who had lived without formal citizenship for several years. Mr. Sanghavi said the Government of India is committed to supporting those who have suffered due to religious discrimination in neighbouring countries. 'This is not just the distribution of a certificate - it is the return of dignity, safety, and rights,' he said. He added that India, guided by the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), respects all religions and safeguards the rights of the vulnerable. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the implementation of the CAA, calling it a step that has saved lives and restored identity to many. Mr. Sanghavi also directed local officials to facilitate the integration of the new citizens into government systems and ensure their access to schemes related to education, healthcare, housing, and livelihood. 'From today, your children will grow up with access to the same opportunities as any other Indian citizen,' he told them. Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude after receiving their citizenship certificates. 'From today, I am part of India. I feel safe. I feel recognised,' said Asha Ben Becharbhai, a resident of Rajkot. Bhavna Ben Maheshwari, who has lived in Rajkot for the past 10 years and has been working for the past eight, said, 'Now I can say without hesitation - I am an Indian citizen. I thank the government for supporting us.'
