Dehradun: The SETU Commission on Wednesday submitted a comprehensive, research-based report to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Secretariat, focusing on the empowerment and self-reliance of urban local bodies in Uttarakhand.
Presenting the report, Vice Chairman of the Commission, Raj Shekhar Joshi, emphasized that it offers concrete suggestions to strengthen the functioning of municipal corporations and other urban bodies. The recommendations aim to enhance urban development across the state and address persistent challenges faced by cities.
Key Recommendations:
Financial Autonomy: Proposals include increasing the financial independence of urban local bodies by enhancing their revenue-generating capacities.
Devolution of Powers: The report advocates for the transfer of 18 functions listed under the 12th Schedule of the Indian Constitution—including water supply, urban planning, and public health—to the control of urban bodies.
Smart Governance and Technology: It promotes the adoption of smart governance practices, including GIS mapping and data-driven decision-making to modernize administrative functioning.
Capacity Building: The report suggests regular training programs for both elected representatives and municipal staff to build administrative and technical competencies.
Learning from Other States: It provides insights from reforms successfully implemented in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, and recommends adapting these models to suit Uttarakhand’s unique requirements.
Disaster-Resilient Planning: A special focus is placed on incorporating public opinion into disaster management strategies, particularly in planning for landslides and other urban vulnerabilities.
The report highlights the urgent need for institutional strengthening and participatory governance in Uttarakhand’s urban landscape.
On this occasion, several dignitaries were present including Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Setu Commission CEO Shatrughan Singh, Urban Development Secretary Nitesh Jha, and commission members Radhika Jha, Chandresh Yadav, Dr. Bhavna Sindhe, Dr. Priya Bhardwaj, Ankit Kumar, and Shahzad Ahmed Malik.
