Question : Urban Development Schemes

(a) the funds allocated and utilised under urban development schemes during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b) whether a large part of funds allocated for urban development to the States during the said period remains unspent;

(c) if so, the State-wise, scheme/project-wise details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(d) whether there is any mechanism to monitor the utilisation of funds allocated to the States;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/likely to be taken to strengthen this mechanism; and

(f) the steps taken to make urban local bodies more efficient and to empower them in order to make demand for funds and utilise them?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a): The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) facilitates and assists States/Union Territories(UTs), through its Missions/Schemes in development of cities and towns covered under these Missions/Schemes. Funds released and utilized under these urban development Schemes during last three years and current year are in Annex.

(b) : No, Sir.

(c): Does not arise.

(d) & (e): Yes, Sir. Monitoring of utilization of funds allocated to the States under the Missions is a continuous process carried out through institutional frameworks, progress reports, field visits of senior officers, review meetings in States/UTs and video conferences.

(f): In order to strengthen capacities of Urban Local Bodies, States and other stakeholders towards implementation of its Missions viz. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM), Housing for All (HFA), the MoHUA is implementing the Integrated Capacity Building Programme (ICBP).Under this, training is provided to elected representatives, functionaries from ULBs, state departments/ parastatal agencies involved in implementation of the urban missions in the cities. There are five functional areas of training viz. Finance & Revenue; Engineering & Public Health; Town Planning; Administration; and Urban Social Aspects.

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