The State government will shortly prepare a comprehensive roadmap for municipalities and corporations to equip them better for creating independent income generating assets, Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi Ali has said.
This plan is to help the local bodies tide over the shortage of financial resources for local development.
Mr. Ali was speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by the Graduates Association of Consultant Engineers (GRACE) at Gateway Hotel, here, on Sunday.
Pointing out that the municipalities and corporations in Kerala were far behind in setting up revenue generating enterprises, Mr. Ali said it could be changed by venturing into more Public Private Partnership (PPP) programmes in the State. He quoted the new bus stand in Kannur as an example for successful ventures on the part of municipalities to generate additional income.
The Minister also said a special investors’ meet would be convened in Kozhikode, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts, in August to think of the possible regional developmental projects for the districts. On April 23, a preliminary discussion on the subject would be held in Thiruvananthapuram, he added.
Explaining the high flow of NRI investments to Kerala, the Minister said it should be channelised fruitfully for the local infrastructure development. “As per official figures, the annual revenue coming to our country through Non-Resident Indians is around Rs.3.50 lakh crore of which a major share is from Non Resident Keralites,” he observed.
Referring to a latest action plan of the government to support the restructuring of old buildings in urban areas, Mr. Ali said the project would help several building owners to complete the rebuilding work without any fears of decrease in the existing space.
Reiterating the open stance of the government towards constructive criticisms against the proposed city master plans, the Minister said the concerns of all sections would be taken care of by the government. The master plans would be implemented only after clearing all anxieties of the public and rectifying the slip-ups, he assured.
The Urban Affairs Minister also made it clear that the government would not ask for any relaxation of the existing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules in favour of the construction industry.
