Latest news with #UrbanLocalBodies
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Lapses in Haryana's e-tenders spark probe by urban local bodies
The department of Urban Local Bodies (ULB), Haryana, has launched a wide-ranging inquiry into procedural lapses in the state's e-Tenders Haryana procurement system, following a scathing audit by the principal accountant general (audit), Haryana. The audit flagged significant irregularities in sanitation and solid waste management contracts awarded between 2018-19 and 2022-23, officials said, adding that eight contractors and four tenders have been affected. In a memo dated June 3, the ULB directed all municipal commissioners and district municipal commissioners to submit detailed clarifications and corrective actions taken on the flagged discrepancies. The deadline for submission is one week. 'A consolidated and comprehensive response is essential to address the audit observations made by the Principal Accountant General. Any procedural lapses that compromise transparency and fairness in public procurement will be dealt with firmly,' said a senior ULB official, requesting anonymity. According to the audit report, three major areas of concern have emerged. First, several tenders were cancelled despite valid and competitive lowest (L-1) bids. These include Tender IDs 2022_HRY_231151_1 and 2022_HRY_231157_1 (related to Manesar Division I and II) and 2022_HRY_218507_1 (pertaining to the Integrated Solid Waste Management project for the Panchkula Cluster). Additionally, tenders for dumpsite remediation in Sector 23, Panchkula—IDs 2022_HRY_251382_1 and 2022_HRY_231622_3—were also cancelled without documented justification. Second, the report noted that certain tenders allowed insufficient time for bid submission, potentially restricting fair competition. This was observed in tenders related to mini tippers with hoppers, among others. Third, the audit pointed to inadequate time provided for bidder representation during technical evaluation stages—critical for fair assessment of eligibility and capacity. This was flagged in tenders related to door-to-door waste collection in Division-II, Manesar, and again in the Panchkula remediation tenders. Beyond these specific issues, the audit cited systemic non-compliance with mandatory timelines and disclosure norms. Key project details and evaluation outcomes were either delayed or not uploaded on the public procurement portal, undermining transparency.
Hans India
2 days ago
- General
- Hans India
100-day action plan begins: Revanth shifts focus to ULBs
The 100-day action plan initiative got an inspiring start on Tuesday with a record 36,900 citizens joining hands in a spirited rally spanning over 250 km, marking a bold step towards transformation Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has now shifted focus to streamlining administration in urban areas. Following his directions, the Municipal Administration Department has launched a 100-day action plan with emphasis on improving urban governance, public health, environmental sustainability, and citizen engagement across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). According to officials, the key objectives of the action plan include enhancing solid waste management and sanitation systems, ensuring monsoon preparedness through critical civic infrastructure improvements, driving behavioural change and community participation through extensive IEC (information education and communication) campaigns on solid waste management, promoting urban greenery and beautification efforts for cleaner cities, conducting a comprehensive Bhuvan Survey for identification of unassessed and under-assessed properties in ULBs and bring them in tax net. The officials said that the 100-day action plan initiative got an inspiring start on Tuesday with a record 36,900 citizens joining hands in a spirited rally spanning over 250 km, marking a bold step towards transformation. The official said that products of 280 self-help groups were assembled for display-cum-sales at stalls across ULBs, which generated a revenue of Rs 3.94 lakh. From local residents to public representatives, bureaucrats, SHGs, NGOs, etc everyone marched together with a mission 'cleaner, healthier and more resilient urban areas'. The activities proposed to be taken up in the ULBs include campaign launch and IEC drive focusing on awareness through media rallies, door-to-door outreach, de-siltation of storm water drains and removal of debris to prevent water-logging, waste segregation and c omposting at household level, supported by audits and community outreach, updation of water connections and taking up Bhuvan Survey for improved municipal records and enforcement, improving water quality and ensuring mosquito control through chlorination, oil balls, and gambusia fish release, launching Vana mahotsavam, avenue plantation, and Shramadanam, development of at least 1 junction, park and inauguration, training programs for staff and newly formed ULBs to enhance capacity, kalajatha activities, competitions and waste-to-art exhibits. The official said that the plan was a strategic step toward building cleaner, healthier, and more resilient urban areas. By combining infrastructure, innovation, and involvement, it would reinforce Telangana's commitment to sustainable urban development through a people-first approach.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Special cell formed to expedite high-rise building approvals
Vijayawada: In a significant move to promote rapid urban development and create an industry-friendly ecosystem, the State government has constituted a dedicated Special Cell under the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) for fast-track clearance of development permissions for high-rise buildings with 12 floors and above (including TDR floors). The cell is mandated to process and approve applications within a Service Level Agreement (SLA) period of 72 hours. This decision follows detailed deliberations at the government level, where it was recognized that large-scale high-rise projects are key drivers of urban growth and can catalyze the development of surrounding areas. However, the government also noted persistent delays in the approval of such projects at the level of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Urban Development Authorities (UDAs), which have been acting as bottlenecks to progress. To address these challenges and facilitate a seamless approval process, the Director of Town and Country Planning was instructed to submit a comprehensive proposal for setting up the Special Cell. Following submission and review, the Government on Tuesday formally directed the establishment of the cell at the Office of the DTCP, empowering the Director to issue necessary approvals within the stipulated 72-hour timeframe. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department in a statement said 'This initiative reflects our commitment to creating an industry-friendly environment and ensuring ease of doing business in the State. It will significantly reduce approval timelines and promote hassle-free development for citizens and builders alike. The Special Cell is expected to streamline procedures, enhance transparency, and accelerate urban infrastructure development across Andhra Pradesh. The orders will be beneficial to the entrepreneurs and builders, who wish to construct the high rise buildings in the urban and semi urban areas and in the areas like Amaravati, where the government is getting ready to invest one Rs.1 lakh crore for capital construction and infrastructure development and in the cities like Vizag, the biggest city in Andhra Pradesh with vibrant prospects for industrial and commercial development.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Councillors flag irregular pickup to MCG chief as garbage mounts in Gurgaon
Gurgaon: MCG councillors flagged the city's poor waste management in their introductory meeting with new MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya on Monday. The commissioner notified councillors that a comprehensive door-to-door waste collection tender is prepared and will be sent to the state govt for approval within three days. Sources said the estimated cost of the project is Rs 487 crore. The door-to-door waste collection tender will be given to a private firm for a period of seven years. During the meet, Ward 11 councillor Kuldeep Yadav said the city's population estimates, according to MCG, lie between 20 and 24 lakh, while Gurgaon's actual population is over 40 lakh. "Anyone who resides in the city is a waste generator," he said. "If the estimates are made as per the actual population, the city's sanitation will certainly improve. For example, my ward requires 200 sanitation workers; however, we get only 50% of the work force based on MCG's population estimate. This gap needs to be filled to improve the city's cleanliness standards," he added. "We proposed that the forthcoming sanitation tender should explicitly state the number of sanitation workers allocated for each ward, unlike the current MCG sweeping tender which focuses solely on service delivery. We emphasised that the tender specifications should consider the population density variations across wards, with worker allocation proportionate to the actual population of respective areas. The current deployment of sanitation workers appears insufficient when assessed against the actual population figures," said Vikas Yadav, councillor of Ward commissioner told the councillors that the door-to-door waste management tender of the entire city is ready and will be sent to the state govt for approval within three days. Moreover, the commissioner said new technology will be introduced to ensure better surveillance and improve the city's waste reported on April 15 that the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) department questioned the accuracy of a survey, which estimated Gurgaon's population at 26.16 lakh in 2022. ULB commissioner and secretary Vikas Gupta told MCG that the estimate was "inaccurate" and "unreliable".In the last census conducted by the Centre in 2011, Gurgaon district's population was 15.1 lakh, and residents living in areas under MCG's jurisdiction came down to 9 lakh. Since then, the city has rapidly grown, and so has MCG's jurisdiction. Currently, MCG has 36 wards across the city that fall under its jurisdiction.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Departments must complete all short-term projects before monsoon: CM Saini
Chandigarh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday reviewed ongoing short-term projects across the state ahead of the upcoming monsoon season. He directed officials to complete all essential work on a priority basis before monsoon. Any kind of negligence in this regard will not be tolerated, he said. While chairing a meeting with officials from the departments of Irrigation and Water Resources, Public Health Engineering and Urban Local Bodies, the chief minister directed that all the drains in the state should be cleaned immediately to prevent waterlogging and potential flood situations during the rainy season. He directed the officials to ensure immediate removal of water hyacinth from drains and other water channels to prevent any obstruction to the flow of water. In addition, all the dams in the state should be inspected in advance and if any deficiency or damage is found anywhere, it should be repaired promptly, he added, according to an official statement. The chief minister stressed that all short-term projects must be executed on a war-footing ahead of the monsoon. He also directed that details of the work being undertaken by the Irrigation and Water Resources and Public Health Engineering departments should be shared with local public representatives and the respective deputy commissioners. While reviewing the condition of 'khaals' , the chief minister instructed officials to compile a list of all khaals over 20 years old, so that an action plan can be developed for their cleaning and repair. Saini, while issuing special directives to keep the Yamuna river free from pollution, said that no untreated or contaminated water should be discharged into it. He said that in areas where industrial waste is currently flowing into the river, the establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants must be ensured without delay. He also instructed officials to prepare comprehensive proposals for CETP projects in the cities concerned. He further said that a separate system be developed to utilise the treated water from CETPs for irrigation purposes, thereby promoting sustainable water management.
