Raipur, August 21, 2024: Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Administration and Development, Mr. Arun Saw, addressed a press conference today at his residence office in Civil Lines, Raipur. During this conference, he detailed the activities of the Urban Administration Department, improvements made in urban areas, and the financial assistance being provided to urban local bodies by the government. He also discussed the applications received and their resolutions during the Jan Samasya Nivaran Pakhwada (Public Grievance Redressal Fortnight) held from July 27 to August 10 across all urban local bodies in the state.
Outline of Development Activities
Mr. Arun Saw explained that the Urban Administration Department has prioritized development activities across all urban local bodies in the state. He mentioned that the state government is committed to the development of urban areas, with comprehensive plans being made for improvements in roads, sewerage systems, drinking water supply, parks, and other basic facilities. Substantial financial assistance is being provided to the department to enhance urban infrastructure.
He noted that timely and adequate financial support is being provided to urban local bodies, enabling them to expedite development projects in their areas. In this context, Mr. Saw highlighted that the state government has allocated sufficient budget for urban development to ensure smooth execution of projects in cities and towns.
Public Grievance Redressal Fortnight
The Deputy Chief Minister reported that the Jan Samasya Nivaran Pakhwada, held from July 27 to August 10, was successfully completed in all urban local bodies. The primary objective of this fortnight was to provide swift resolutions to citizens’ problems and offer them relief. Mr. Saw noted that during this period, thousands of applications were received from citizens, most of which were resolved during the fortnight itself.
He affirmed that the state government is fully committed to resolving citizens’ issues and will regularly organize such fortnights to ensure prompt redressal of public grievances. Mr. Saw emphasized that the government’s priority is to provide services at the citizens’ doorsteps and to minimize their exposure to urban life’s problems.
Role of Urban Local Bodies
Mr. Arun Saw shed light on the role of urban local bodies, stating that efforts are being made to empower them to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Urban Administration Department. He mentioned that necessary reforms are being implemented to grant financial and administrative autonomy to local bodies, allowing them to manage development projects more effectively at the local level.
He also informed that the government is empowering urban local bodies through modern technology and digital platforms to improve service quality and accessibility. Additionally, the government is focusing on the training and capacity building of urban local body employees to ensure they complete their tasks with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Overall Development of Urban Areas in the State
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the state government aims for comprehensive development of urban areas and ensuring that every citizen benefits from basic facilities. He mentioned that the Urban Administration Department is continuously working on this objective and successfully implementing various schemes. Mr. Saw said that regular monitoring and inspections of development activities are being conducted in all urban local bodies to ensure proper execution of plans.
He highlighted that the state government is paying special attention to housing schemes for urban poor, urban water supply, and sanitation programs. Moreover, under the Smart City Mission, modern infrastructure is being developed in Raipur and other cities. He stated that these efforts aim to make the state’s urban areas livable and modern, providing citizens with high-quality amenities.
Conclusion
In the press conference, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Arun Saw provided extensive information about the various activities and schemes of the Urban Administration Department. He emphasized the state government’s total commitment to urban development and the steps being taken in this direction. He assured that urban local bodies will continue to receive financial and administrative support to complete development projects efficiently and swiftly. Mr. Saw affirmed that the government’s priority is to ensure a better quality of life for every citizen and to keep making continuous efforts in urban development.
