Setu Commission submitted report to the Chief Minister to empower urban local bodies in Uttarakhand

The Setu Commission handed over an in-depth analysis based report towards the empowerment of urban bodies to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Secretariat on Wednesday. While handing over the report, Vice Chairman of the Setu Commission Raj Shekhar Joshi said that suggestions have been given towards making the Municipal Corporation and bodies self-reliant and empowered, urban development of the state and improving the problems of the cities. The key points of the report are to increase financial autonomy and revenue raising capacity to make the bodies self-reliant and to transfer 18 functions (such as water supply, public health, urban planning) included in the 12th Schedule of the Indian Constitution to the bodies.

The report aims to promote smart governance, GIS mapping and data-based decision making for technological innovation. It has been suggested to organize training programs for the employees and elected representatives of the bodies. The report also gives detailed information about the reforms made in this direction in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha etc. Suggestions have also been given to effectively adapt the models of successful urban bodies of the country to the specific needs of Uttarakhand. The report also mentions giving priority to the opinion of the common people in disaster-resistant planning and landslide management planning.

On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, CEO of Setu Aayog Shatrughan Singh, Secretary Urban Development Secretary Nitesh Jha, Mrs. Radhika Jha, Chandresh Yadav, Dr. Bhavna Sindhe, Dr. Priya Bhardwaj, Ankit Kumar and Shahzad Ahmed Malik from Setu Aayog were present.