Latest news with #UrbanDevelopmentDepartment
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mechanised sewer cleaning: Maharashtra govt to relax minimum service duration for sanitation workers
Mumbai: Maharashtra government has decided to reduce the minimum service duration for sanitation workers under a programme aimed at transitioning sewer hole cleaning to a mechanised mode, to 20 years from the existing 25-year norm. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review issues concerning sanitation workers. He instructed Urban Development Department officials to tweak the minimum service criterion, an official release stated. The 'Manhole to Machinehole' programme promotes mechanised cleaning of sewers, septic tanks, and drainage lines through the procurement of modern vehicles, robotic units, and sanitation tools. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The initiative aims to reduce the human interface in sewer cleaning, and manpower will be used only for supervisory work. An outlay of Rs 504 crore has been approved for the scheme, with Rs 100 crore allocated through supplementary demand in the 2024-25 monsoon session. Procurement of machinery and emergency vehicles has begun. The agencies involved will be responsible for maintaining these vehicles for three years and must also train sanitation workers to operate them, officials said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Pawar directed all municipal corporations and councils to strictly implement the government resolution (GR) based on the Lad-Page Committee's recommendations. Non-compliance will attract action, he said. Pawar stated that civic bodies should submit detailed reports on the number of sanitation workers working in their respective jurisdictions to the Urban Development Department. The Maharashtra government provides free housing units to sanitation workers either upon retirement or to their legal heirs in the event of death during service under the Babasaheb Ambedkar Shram Safalya Awas Yojana.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra launches ‘Manhole to Machinehole' scheme to end manual scavenging, Rs 504 crore sanctioned
Days after Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister and Finance minister Ajit Pawar announced in the state legislative assembly that the government will implement time bound program to completely stop manual scavenging, the 'Manhole to Machinehole' scheme was announced on Wednesday. Under the scheme, drains, sewer lines, and septic tanks shall be cleaned using mechanised equipment. The scheme includes procurement of cleaning machinery, modern vehicles, and emergency response sanitation units. It is being implemented by the Urban Development Department (UDD) with an approved funding of Rs 504 crore and an additional RS 100 crore was sanctioned in the Monsoon Session of 2024–25 and disbursed to the department by March 31, 2025. Procurement of robotic units, cleaning equipment, and emergency vehicles has also begun. Pawar directed that maintenance of these vehicles for three years and training of sanitation workers for operating them must be ensured by the respective agency. He also directed the UDD to prepare a special proposal for the housing of sanitation workers. Under the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Shram Safalya Awas Yojana, dwelling units are provided free of cost and on ownership basis to the eligible heirs of conservancy workers post their retirement or in the event of death while in service. At present, the benefit is extended only to sanitation workers who have completed 25 years or more of service. Pawar has directed the UDD to prepare a proposal to reduce this service requirement from 25 years to 20 years and present it before the Cabinet. Pawar has also directed all municipal corporations and councils to strictly implement the government resolution (GR) based on the Lad-Page Committee's recommendations. He said that non-compliance will attract action. The committee established in 1972 to address issues related to the employment of sanitation workers. Pawar stated that civic bodies should submit detailed reports on the number of sanitation workers working in their respective jurisdictions to the UDD.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar directs effective implementation of ‘Manhole to Machinehole' scheme
Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar asked the administration to effectively implement the 'Manhole to Machinehole' scheme in a serious bid to do away with the practice of manual scavenging. Under the scheme, drains, sewer lines, and septic tanks will be cleaned using mechanised equipment. The scheme includes procurement of cleaning machinery, modern vehicles, and emergency response sanitation units. Ajit Pawar, who chaired the meeting to discuss the issues concerning sanitation workers, said the scheme is being implemented by the urban development department with an approved funding of Rs 504 crore. He said that an additional 100 crore was sanctioned in the Monsoon Session of 2024–25 and disbursed to the department by March 31, 2025. Procurement of robotic units, cleaning equipment, and emergency vehicles has also begun. He directed that maintenance of these vehicles for three years and training of sanitation workers for operating them must be ensured by the respective agency. The meeting on Wednesday came days after Ajit Pawar had told the state assembly during the monsoon session that the government will implement a time bound programme to completely stop the manual scavenging and cleaning drains and severe lines across Maharashtra by replacing it by machines. He had also assured the House that the government will make available necessary funds. 'Under the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Shram Safalya Awas Yojana, dwelling units are provided free of cost and on ownership basis to the eligible heirs of conservancy workers post their retirement or in the event of death while in service. At present, the benefit is extended only to sanitation workers who have completed 25 years or more of service,' said Ajit Pawar. He directed the Urban Development Department to prepare a proposal to reduce this service requirement from 25 years to 20 years and present it before the Cabinet. "The state government resolution issued based on the recommendations of the Lad-Page Committee must be implemented by all municipal corporations and councils at the earliest. Failure to comply will attract strict action," he warned. He further instructed that every municipal corporation and council must submit a detailed report to the Urban Development Department regarding the number of sanitation workers currently employed in their jurisdiction.
Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What Karnataka's move to exempt small plots from Occupancy Certificates means for Bengaluru's real estate market
In a move that could reshape building compliance norms across Karnataka, the state's Urban Development Department (UDD) has proposed exempting residential buildings constructed on plots measuring up to 1,200 square feet from the mandatory requirement of obtaining Occupancy Certificates (OCs). In a move that could reshape building compliance norms across Karnataka, the state's Urban Development Department (UDD) has proposed exempting residential buildings constructed on plots measuring up to 1,200 square feet from the mandatory requirement of obtaining OCs. (Representational Image)(Souptik Datta ) "Buildings up to ground + 2 floors or stilt + 3 floors on plots exceeding 1200 sq ft may be exempted from obtaining occupancy certificate (OC)," the proposal signed by Tushar Giri Nath, additional chief secretary at UDD and accessed by showed. The meeting, chaired by Giri Nath, recommended amendments to key legislations, including the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, and the model building regulations under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. The proposal to waive OCs for buildings under 1,200 sq ft has sparked a mix of relief and concern among builders, homeowners, and urban planners. While the exemption could ease regulatory burdens on thousands of small property owners, especially in Bengaluru's dense and unplanned neighbourhood, experts fear it may open the floodgates to unsafe, unregulated construction and further strain the city's fragile infrastructure. Also Read: Karnataka Cabinet approves regularisation of B-Khata properties in Bengaluru. Here's what it means for property owners What the proposed exemption means Occupancy Certificates are currently required to ensure a completed building adheres to approved plans, municipal by-laws, and safety norms. Without an OC, a property is technically unfit for occupation and is ineligible for utilities such as water and electricity from government agencies. However, many smaller buildings in Bengaluru and other urban areas are constructed informally, often without OCs, Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, director of the Karnataka Home Buyers Forum, pointed out. If approved, the exemption would essentially legalise properties, at least those on plots under 1,200 sq ft, offering relief to homeowners who struggle with compliance or whose builders failed to secure the necessary approvals. The move could also reduce red tape for first-time homebuyers or those constructing budget homes, experts say. Also Read: Good news for tenants: Rents may stabilise in 2025 as new supply and infra improve connectivity to peripheral locations Bengaluru needs better real estate regulation, say experts 'If you go to any locality in Bengaluru today, you will find that most buildings have some form of violation; they've deviated from the sanctioned plan in one way or another,' said Padmanabhachar, an expert familiar with the matter. 'As per the Supreme Court's directives, it is the responsibility of the city corporation to regulate and take action against such violations. But under the new amendment, individuals will be allowed to construct on plots below 1,200 sq ft without an occupancy certificate, and the corporation will no longer be held accountable for any deviations.' He cautioned that this could open the door to widespread misuse. 'Instead of enforcing stricter zoning regulations and ensuring planned development, this move may actually encourage more illegal constructions,' he said, pointing out that builders may exploit the exemption to erect ground-plus-two floor structures without adhering to any formal approval norms. 'This move will almost certainly lead to a rise in illegal constructions,' said Vittal BR, an advocate at the Karnataka High Court. 'People will get one sanctioned plan on paper and construct something entirely different in reality, knowing that no occupancy certificate will be required to validate it later.' He said that the exemption could trigger a rush of new construction in smaller plots across the city. 'More and more people will start building on small sites because there's no OC needed. It becomes extremely difficult for authorities to monitor or control these developments, especially when deviations from the approved plan go unchecked. In the long run, it might impact the city's planning and safety standards.'
India Today
23-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Devendra Fadnavis curbs funds for developmental projects amid misuse allegations
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has moved to tighten control over the Urban Development Department's (UDD) spending, amid concerns of excessive and uneven fund allocation ahead of local body to departmental sources, all project approvals under UDD schemes will now require the Chief Minister's direct consent. The decision aims to rein in extravagant expenditures and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources across coalition partners, BJP, Shiv Sena, and the previous tenure of then-Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the department had reportedly allocated substantial funds to allied MLAs and corporators under schemes such as the Swachh Maharashtra Mission (Urban), Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Shramsafalya Awas Yojana, Nagrotthan Abhiyan, and the AMRUT programme. However, funds were allegedly disbursed without adequate project proposals, feasibility studies, or proper approvals, resulting in misuse or underutilisation in several municipal one recent instance, the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation proposed spending Rs 19 crore on waste bins under the Basic Infrastructure Development Scheme, quoting inflated prices. The state government halted the tender process once the irregularities came to preparation for the upcoming municipal polls, the government recently allocated 989 crore for infrastructure development and Rs 1,500 crore for specialised projects through supplementary budget have emerged within the ruling coalition about biased fund disbursement, with Shiv Sena-dominated municipal corporations receiving preferential treatment, while BJP and NCP-led bodies were allegedly sidelined. Several MLAs raised the issue during the recent assembly serious note of these concerns, CM Fadnavis has made it mandatory for all Urban Development project approvals to go through his office. While the official reasoning cites the need for transparency and fairness, political observers suggest the move also serves to curb the growing influence of Deputy Chief Minister Shinde, fueling speculation about shifting power dynamics within the state government.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Maharashtra#Devendra Fadnavis#Bharatiya Janta Party#Mumbai
