Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel accelerates development works carried out by municipalities in state's urban areas

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], September 3 (ANI): In line with the Urban Development Year, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has made a significant decision to accelerate citizen-centric projects carried out by local authorities in urban areas, according to a release from the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
The Chief Minister has raised the approval limits for municipalities by 50% for projects funded under Urban Development Department schemes and the State's Decentralised District Planning Programme.
The release said, "In 2005, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, laid the foundation of planned urban development by initiating the celebration of the Urban Development Year."
Marking two decades of progress, CM has declared 2025 as the Urban Development Year to foster smart and sustainable urban growth. "To achieve this goal, the enhanced financial authority limits will help accelerate development works in cities and ensure the quick implementation of urban civic amenities, making the decision highly effective," the release further said.
For this purpose, CM has raised the approval limit for technical and administrative approvals of development works for 'A' category municipalities from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 70 lakh, an increase of Rs 20 lakh. Additionally, approval limits have been raised: from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for 'B' category municipalities; from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh for 'C' category'; and from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh for 'D' category municipalities.
CM further directed that once technical and administrative approval is granted by the municipal-level committee, the Regional Municipal Commissioner (RCM) office shall release the grant to the concerned municipality within five days of receiving the proposal.
Furthermore, 100% of such grants will be disbursed in two instalments. The release said that this will help prevent delays in commencing development works in municipal areas and ensure optimal utilisation of grants.
Responding positively to the representations made by MLAs of urban areas and office-bearers of local self-government institutions, the CM has increased the financial authority limits.
"Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's decision will foster planned urban development, realise the vision of "Earning Well - Living Well," and ensure timely, quality completion of public welfare and other development works in urban areas," the release added. (ANI)