(a) whether the Planning Commission had suggested ways to effect improvement in the implementation of the Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns Schemes;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any improvements in the implementation of IDSMT have come to notice after termination of the Ninth Plan; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT & POVERTY ALLEVIATION ( SHRI PON RADHAKRISHNAN )
(a)&(b): Yes, Sir. The following suggestions were made by the
Planning Commission for improvement in the implementation of
Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT)
Scheme:-
- Revision of guidelines to cover all the cities upto one million population under IDSMT.
- Categories to towns to be provided assistance under IDSMT be reduced from 5 to 3.
- IDSMT outlay be allocated in the ratio of 7:23:30 to A,B and C categories of towns.
- 66% of A category, 50% of B category and 25% of C category
towns be covered during the Tenth Five Year Plan.
- The project cost (excluding institutional finance) of
Rs.4.5 crores for A category, Rs.2.25 crores for B
category and Rs.1 crore for C category towns was proposed.
- For release of subsequent instalment, qualifying
expenditure must exceed 50% of the Central assistance plus
State share released and the share of financial
institutions/other sources.
- Central assistance @ 50% for A category, 60% for B
category and 75% for C Category towns was proposed.
- State share @ 20% for A and B category towns and 15% for C
category towns was proposed.
- Institutional finance @ 30% for A category towns, 20% for
B category and 10% for C category towns was proposed.
- Minimum 40% of the project cost to be used for water
supply and sanitation including solid waste management and
drainage.
- Proposals under IDSMT should be processed by TCPO/Ministry
of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation only after
town/city development plans are finalized by the State
Government.
- Guidelines for the formulation of State Urban Development Strategy should be incorporated.
- Releases under IDSMT should be made to the State only
after the concerned State has created and operationalised
the State Urban/Municipal Development fund.
- State level Sanctioning Committee must meet every Quarter.
- An indicative list of projects eligible under IDSMT be included.
(c)&(d): Yes, Sir. The Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty
Alleviation takes review of the implementation of the scheme
with the State Governments/Union Territories twice in a year.
The annual Central releases under the scheme has been increased
to Rs.86.43 crores in the year 2002-03 (first year of 10th Plan)
as against the release of Rs.76.71 crores in the last year
(2001-02) of the Ninth Plan. The number of towns covered during
the year 2001-02 was 114 only whereas in 2002-03, 168 new towns
were covered.