Question : AMRUT and HRIDAY

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be please to state:

(a) whether certain States have not utilised their funds released under National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and are still eagerly waiting for following year allocation;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for gross under utilisation of funds under the schemes;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to have a supervisory mechanism for more optimum utilization of funds under these schemes;

(d) the funds utilised under these schemes including for capacity building of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and the measures taken by the Ministry for capacity building of ULBs of various States; and

(e) whether any review of these schemes have been conducted and if so, the details thereof ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) : No, Madam.

(b) : Question does not arise.

(c): For optimal utilization of funds, amount for the project is released in installments. Only after verifying the physical progress on ground and financial progress of utilization of the already released amount, further releases are made.

(d): Under HRIDAY, out of the total allocation of Rs. 500 cr, an amount of Rs.169.60 cr including for capacity building has been released so far. For capacity building of ULBs under HRIDAY scheme, Stakeholder Consultation Workshops are being organized in each HRIDAY city. National Exposure Visits for officials of HRIDAY cities have also been organized in order to showcase the best practices in the field of heritage management.
Under AMRUT, a total of Rs.4347.18 crs has been released to the States so far. Capacity building of ULBs in states and UTs is being supported by the Mission. Apart from Mission funds, Ministry is also supporting the capacity building through an externally aided project and a total of 27 entities have been empanelled for the purpose.

(e): To monitor the progress of the implementation of the projects, regular review meetings, video-conferencing with the concerned State Government/ City officials, City Anchors alongwith site visits are carried out. State / City level nodal agencies are also required to send progress reports to the Ministry. The Apex Committee under the AMRUT Mission also undertakes review and monitors the progress.

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