Latest news with #Kharkwal
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
LMC draws up strategies for waste mgmt, digital governance
Lucknow: The Lucknow Municipal Corporation will implement new urban management strategies, focusing on waste management, financial discipline, and technology. This was announced by mayor Sushma Kharkwal at a press conference at the Municipal Corporation Headquarters on Wednesday. The announcements followed the LMC's participation in the National Urban Local Bodies' President Conference, organised by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in Manesar, Haryana. Kharkwal outlined the LMC's plans for the coming months, which include establishing Portable Compactor Transfer Stations in all zones of the city within two months. This aims to organise waste collection and transfer. The LMC is also moving towards establishing a power plant to generate energy from waste. "Our aim is to make the city clean, smart, and sustainable," said the mayor. Additional municipal commissioner Lalit Kumar, who was also part of the delegation visiting Manesar, said that efforts are underway to adopt Indore's model for wet-dry waste segregation, bio-CNG plants, and municipal by Visakhapatnam, the LMC plans to strengthen the capacity of Waste-to-Energy Plants. Lucknow is also exploring Surat Municipal Corporation's initiative of providing treated water to industries, which offers both environmental benefits and revenue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Additionally, the Pune model for integrating waste pickers into cooperative societies is under consideration. According to officials, the city will soon have e-vehicle charging points at various locations, which will be installed by the LMC. Kharkwal emphasised the role of women leadership in urban governance. "Women leadership has become a strong foundation for policy making," she stated, while adding, "We need to empower women representatives through training, budget management, and digital governance." The mayor announced that the LMC collected Rs 202 crore in tax during the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26 (April-June). While over 3 lakh property owners paid their taxes, she noted that 4.33 lakh property owners remain defaulters. The mayor also highlighted a new tax exemption system, effective July 1. The property owners will receive a 10% discount on property tax only if the user charge is paid first. She urged citizens to pay their taxes to help make Lucknow a clean and smart city. LMC plans dedicated centre for stray dogs The LMC is exploring options to set up a dedicated centre for stray dogs, equipped with proper shelter, food, and medical care. Kharkwal said, "We're looking for a space where all necessary facilities can be provided for stray dogs. We'll also consult medical and legal experts before finalising the plan."
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mayor stresses women's role in governance
Lucknow: Mayor Sushma Kharkwal participated in a two-day national conference of urban local body (ULB) heads in Manesar (Haryana) and stressed on urban development and the role of women in local governance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Representatives from across the country, including mayors, municipal corporators, zila parishad heads, and urban planners, participated in the event. Kharkwal highlighted the need to implement the 74th Constitutional Amendment in full, to give ULBs more authority in decision-making, financial matters and administration. She presented steps taken by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, including the use of electric vehicles for waste collection, installation of smart toilets, digital property tax systems, open gyms, water ATMs, and mobile apps for public feedback. She also spoke about city's efforts toward becoming a Zero Waste City. The event included discussions on the role of local bodies in democracy, urban planning, and the need for practical innovation. Speakers included Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and other officials. In a session on women's participation in local bodies, Kharkwal noted that women now hold nearly 46% of municipal corporators posts. She called for better training, administrative exposure, and support for women leaders, particularly in areas like digital governance, climate planning and financial management.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Submit list of pending cases, trace missing letters: Mayor tells LMC property dept officials
LUCKNOW The functioning of Lucknow Municipal Corporation's property department drew sharp criticism after serious lapses surfaced in handling pending court cases and the disappearance of official correspondence. These issues have reportedly caused both financial losses and administrative setbacks to the civic body, stated an official release. Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, during a review meeting at the LMC head office on Monday, expressed concern over the situation and issued strict instructions to the department staff. She directed all lekhpals and officials concerned to immediately submit an updated list of all legal cases pending in courts, especially those related to the Public Premises Eviction (PPE) Act. She also demanded a date-wise breakdown and detailed status report of each case to assess delays in proceedings and departmental response, the release stated. The mayor warned that negligence in pursuing these cases is leading to losses to the corporation and such carelessness would not be tolerated. One of the most serious concerns raised during the meeting was the mishandling of correspondence sent from the mayor's office. Kharkwal said several official letters have gone missing within the property department and have not reached the designated lekhpals or officials. She directed that all missing letters be immediately traced, and going forward, a system be put in place to ensure timely written replies to all correspondence from her office. 'There must be strict accountability. No letter should go missing, and all must be responded to within a fixed time limit,' the mayor said. The mayor instructed the department to prepare a comprehensive report of all complaints received in the last two years from public representatives—including MPs, MLAs, MLCs and corporators. This report must include action taken and the current status of each complaint. She emphasised that grievances raised by elected representatives reflect public issues and should be resolved with top priority. Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar, additional municipal commissioner Namrata Singh, property incharge Sanjay Yadav, naib tehsildars and all lekhpals of the department were present during the meeting. Following the mayor's directives, the LMC is likely to initiate departmental audits, strengthen its legal follow-up system, and improve document tracking mechanisms to avoid such lapses in future.
