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Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Footfall, crowd handing to funds: UP govt comes up with SOP for holding state fairs
The Uttar Pradesh government for the first time has come up with a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) for conducting state fairs attracting more than 5 lakh visitors, which once cleared will get a funding of Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, officials said. The funding will depend on the number of the visitors to these religious, traditional and historical fairs. Special committees under of the district magistrates concerned will scrutinise the various parameters of holding the fairs. The SOP has been issued by the state Urban Development Department and will be applicable to melas taking place under urban local bodies. Thus, for fairs getting 5 lakh to 10 lakh visitors, the government will provide an assistance of Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh; Rs 50 lakh to Rs 75 lakh for fairs getting 10 lakh-20 lakh visitors, Rs 75 lakh to Rs 1 crore for the fairs witnessing 20 lakh to 40 lakh visitors, and Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.25 crore for those with a footfall of 40 lakh to 60 lakh. 'The idea is to formalise and standardise the organisation of these fairs with proper amenities, safety and management. While melas have been declared as state fairs in the past and funds were also provided, the SOP will make the system more transparent and organised with a set criteria from declaring these as state fair, releasing and utilising the money,' said Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department. A proper detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared before and after holding these fairs followed by a third-party verification to ensure proper planning and management at the venues, which see large gatherings. Urban Development Department officials said the need for the SOP was felt for at least 22 state fairs — big and small — and set the standards and guidelines for organising and planning. The SOP will also comprise factors like determining the standards for making special arrangements to provide urban amenities to the visitors, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation, allotment of shops and sites in a transparent manner, administrative operations of the fair, financial and crowd management and promotion. The special committee under the district magistrates concerned will have representatives from various departments, including police, municipal bodies, Public Works Department, Tourism Department etc will be formed in the districts, where these fairs take place. The committee will review the religious, mythological and historical importance of the fair, the time when it is organised, or whether it is inter-state or international in scale. The minimum average number of visitors attending the fair would be 5 lakh. Also, no proposal would be made to organise any new fair under the category, it is learnt. The SOP also lays down the norms on which funds can be used, creating amenities for the visitors like temporary tents, barricading, temporary toilets, water arrangement, temporary roads, arrangement of boats and boatmen where required and signboards etc. For verification of works, a third-party agency will be deployed, while the annual report of the fair would have to be submitted to the divisional commissioner concerned, along with mandatory provisions within a month of its conclusion. The footfall factor for funding Rs 25 lakh-Rs 50 lakh: Fairs getting 5 lakh to 10 lakh visitors. Rs 50 lakh-Rs 50-Rs 75 lakh: Fairs getting 10 lakh-20 lakh visitors Rs 75 lakh-Rs 1 crore: Fairs witnessing 20 lakh to 40 lakh visitors Rs 1 crore-Rs 1.25 crore: Those getting a footfall of 40 lakh to 60 lakh
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
UP to launch cleanliness campaign ahead of Kanwar Yatra
1 2 Lucknow: The urban development department has launched a campaign to ensure cleanliness, lighting, and drinking water arrangements in urban bodies in view of the upcoming Kanwar Yatra. Acting on the directives of CM Yogi Adityanath, the state govt will also be conducting a communicable disease control campaign from July 1 to July 31 and the Dastak campaign from July 11 to July 31. A meeting was held under principal secretary Amrit Abhijat to discuss these preparations. The govt officials instructed all urban bodies to conduct daily cleaning campaigns from 5am to 8am. Micro-plans will be created locally to assign specific beats to sanitation workers, ensuring regular cleaning of roads, streets, and main routes. Special attention will be given to ghats and Kanwar Yatra routes, with dedicated sanitation workers deployed. Instructions were issued to immediately transport collected waste and sludge to landfill sites or designated locations to prevent littering on roads. To address waterlogging issues, micro-plans will be created for identified areas, with regular anti-larvae spraying during the day and fogging in the evening. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรด CFDs ด้วยเทคโนโลยีเทรดสุดล้ำ และ รวดเร็วกว่า IC Markets อ่านเพิ่มเติม Undo Daily anti-larvae spraying and fogging will also be mandatory at Kanwar camp sites. Regular sprinkling of bleaching powder, malathion, and lime will be conducted on travel routes and other urban areas. Separate mobile and temporary toilets for men and women will be set up along Kanwar routes and camp sites, to be cleaned at least twice a day. Priority will be given to cleaning bushes and unwanted vegetation along travel routes, cleaning drains, and ensuring proper water drainage. Water tanks and drinking water stations will be set up at regular intervals along Kanwar routes. Monitoring and repair of hand pumps, pipelines, and other water supply equipment will be ensured. Water samples will undergo OT tests, viral, bacterial, and chemical testing jointly by urban bodies and the health department. Any damage to sewer and water pipelines will be promptly repaired. Mechanical departments of urban bodies will ensure all streetlights are operational. Repairs, maintenance, or replacements will be carried out where necessary. Adequate lighting arrangements will be ensured along Kanwar Yatra routes and camp sites with regular power supply.
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
UP govt revises SOP to boost financial autonomy of urban local bodies
The Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Department has revised the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining financial and administrative powers of urban local bodies (ULBs) in the state. Under the new guidelines, Nagar Panchayats will now be empowered to independently sanction development projects up to Rs 1 crore, while municipal Councils can undertake projects worth up to Rs 2 crore. This marks a significant jump from the earlier limit of Rs 40 lakh set in the 2021 SOP. Officials said the updated SOP is part of a broader set of reforms aimed at promoting decentralisation, improving transparency, and strengthening urban governance. One of the key changes allows the use of interlocking tiles on roads up to 3.75 metres in width, an infrastructure upgrade that aligns with modern urban planning needs. In addition to enhancing financial autonomy, the revised SOP has also introduced stronger accountability mechanisms. If a construction project is found to be substandard, 50% of the cost recovery will be borne by the contractor, while the remaining 50% will be recovered from the concerned engineers and administrative officials of the respective ULB. The district magistrate will oversee this recovery process. Urban local bodies have also been instructed to maintain ward-wise road directories and conduct GIS mapping of existing infrastructure to aid in more efficient future planning. 'It is a step towards reforms and would improve the quality and effectiveness of urban governance and at the same time increase transparency. These revised SOP norms also aim to promote decentralization,' claimed Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘New SOPs, higher spending limit set to empower ULBs'
Lucknow: In a significant step to strengthen the financial and administrative autonomy of urban local bodies (ULBs), the urban development department has increased the spending limits. By revising the standard operating procedure after a gap of four years, the department has made provisions to provide additional flexibility and authority to nagar palikas (city councils) and nagar panchayats (town councils). "Increasing their spending limit, the govt has given the authority to nagar panchayats to undertake works up to Rs 1 crore while nagar palikas can take up works up to Rs 2 crore. Their spending limit was capped at Rs 40 lakh so far," an official said. To uphold the integrity of urban development projects, the revised SOP mandates a shared accountability framework. In cases of substandard construction or measurement discrepancies, 50% of the financial recovery will be made from the contractor and the remaining 50% from the engineers and administrative officers concerned. The recovery process will be overseen by the district magistrate and, if required, recovery would be done from the erring contractors and companies by attaching their properties as per the revenue recovery code and laws. The newly introduced SOP also paves way to acclerate the pace of development with the help of latest technology and tools. Sharing an example, a senior officer from the department said that a method that encourages recycling of old debris and bitumen for road construction would be followed. Urban bodies have been instructed to maintain ward-wise road directories, complete documentation, and conduct GIS mapping of infrastructure for long-term monitoring and project execution. Principal secretary, urban development, Amrit Abhijat said that the SOP and reforms notified recently would not only enhance the financial independence of local bodies but also improve the quality, transparency, and effectiveness of urban governance.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Now, UP cities to be monitored on basis of green initiatives
LUCKNOW The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Friday approved the urban green policy aimed at driving sustainable, eco-friendly growth in urban local bodies. Under this, a green city monitoring system will be developed to evaluate and award green star ratings to cities based on their environmental efforts and green infrastructure. The policy will give new shape to cities with development of vertical and rooftop gardens besides Miyawaki forests. (Pic for representation) The policy will give new shape to cities with development of vertical and rooftop gardens besides Miyawaki forests. The state cabinet by circulation approved the proposal, which was a revolutionary step for environment conservation in accordance with the vision of chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The urban green policy was an important step in the direction of environment conservation and help reduce the impact of climate change, said an official spokesman. The objective of the policy is to boost green initiatives and efforts for sustainable and inclusive development. 'This policy will be a game changer and targeted intervention for urban greening,' said principal secretary Amrit Abhijat. Under the provisions of the policy, a three-tier strategy would be adopted to boost green initiatives at the level of cities, localities and buildings. Mini dense forests would be developed expeditiously in urban areas through the Miyawaki forest concept. At the same time, green fairs would be organised in cities to boost green initiatives and develop green belts, sponge parks and low emission zones. At the locality level, schemes would be worked out for development of community gardens, pocket parks and adoption of parks. Green building standards would be made mandatory for construction of new buildings with use of environment friendly material, energy saving technology and green roofs would be encouraged. The policy provides for financial assistance with coordination between the centre and the state government. The financial assistance may be procured from Amrut 2.0, national clean air programme, central and state finance commissions. Besides, urban local bodies may mobilise their own resources and also get funds from CSR and other sources. The policy paves way for setting up of green city monitoring framework and the state's cities will be ranked as green +, green ++ and green +++ on the basis of green initiatives, and cities with high rankings will get awards. The policy will be implemented in three phases. In the first phase (2025-2027), it will focus on smart cities and main metropolitan towns. In the second phase (2027-2030), cities with a population of 1 lakh and above will be covered. The policy will be implemented in nagar palikas and nagar panchayats in the third phase after 2030.
