Latest news with #Municipal
New Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Robust steps to protect Vijayawada from floods
VIJAYAWADA: Following last monsoon's catastrophic floods that caused three breaches in the Budameru canal, inundating parts of Vijayawada, the Andhra Pradesh government is implementing robust measures to ensure the city's long-term safety. Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu announced the construction of a retaining wall to strengthen the affected areas, with concrete work slated to begin soon. On Wednesday, Ramanaidu, along with Mylavaram MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad, ENC M Venkateswara Rao, and project engineers, inspected the ongoing work at the site. He instructed officials and agencies to start construction immediately, and complete the retaining wall by June 10, before the monsoon season. Additional machinery will be mobilised to meet this deadline. For a permanent solution, the government is planning to increase the Budameru Diversion Canal's capacity to 37,500 cusecs by completing pending works. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) is under preparation to channel floodwaters through Enikepadu, Kolleru and Upputeru into the sea. Additionally, a new parallel channel with a 20,000-cusec capacity is being planned alongside the existing Budameru Old Channel. To support these initiatives, plans are being made to secure financial and technical assistance from the Centre under the disaster management framework. Proposals are being finalised, in coordination with the Municipal, Revenue, and Disaster Management departments to present a comprehensive plan to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Hans India
Retaining wall to prevent flooding of Vijayawada
Vijayawada: In order to provide a permanent solution to prevent flooding in Vijayawada from Budameru, Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Ramanaidu stated that a retaining wall is being constructed to connect the three breached areas and concrete construction work will commence soon. He recalled that during the last rainy season, sudden flooding caused three breaches in Budameru, submerging Vijayawada. Emergency measures were taken on a war-footing, with efforts carried out even during heavy rains to fill the breaches and prevent flooding in Vijayawada. On Wednesday, along with Mylavaram MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad, E'N'C M Venkateswara Rao and project engineers, he inspected the ongoing work site. He directed the officials and agencies to start construction immediately, procure additional machinery, and complete the retaining wall by June 10, before the rainy season begins. Additionally, proposals have been prepared to increase the capacity of the Budameru Diversion Canal to 37,500 cusecs and complete pending works to permanently protect Vijayawada from flooding. To manage Budameru floods, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared to channelise flood water through Enikepadu to Kolleru and Upputeru into the sea. Plans are also underway to develop a new channel parallel to the Budameru old channel with a capacity of 20,000 cusecs. Proposals have been made under disaster management with central government support, and the Municipal, Revenue, and Disaster Management departments will coordinate to present the proposal to the Chief Minister, the minister clarified.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Himachal government includes female domestic helps in Pyari Behna Yojana
Live Events Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the inclusion of female domestic workers in the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behana Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna, making them eligible to receive Rs 1,500 per month as pension. Women who have completed at least 100 days as domestic help, along with their daughters aged 21 years and above, will now be eligible for benefits under the scheme, a statement issued here Cabinet also gave its nod to open the feasible basement floor for parking to address the problem of roadside parking and congestion issues.A heavy penalty would be levied if the designated parking floor is used for any purpose other than newly constituted 14 Nagar Panchayats and the merged areas of the upgraded Municipal Corporations of Hamirpur, Una and Baddi, as well as the Municipal Councils of Nadaun and Baijnath-Paprola, Jwalamukhi, Dehra, Paonta Sahib and the Nagar Panchayat of Jwali will continue to be charged water tariffs at rural rates for the next three years, the official statement Cabinet also approved an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for naturally grown crops and raised the MSP of wheat from Rs 40 to Rs. 60 per kilogram and maize from Rs 30 to Rs. 40 per kg. The Cabinet also okayed the MSP for naturally grown raw turmeric at Rs 90 per kg and barley at Rs 60 per kg.A new homestay policy has also been sanctioned. The government has also decided to open a new division of the Jal Shakti Vibhag at Sujanpur in Hamirpur district.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Take up Budameru Canal repairs immediately: Andhra Pradesh Minister
VIJAYAWADA: With the finalisation of tenders for repairing three breaches in the Budameru Canal caused by severe floods last year, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has directed officials to commence work without delay and ensure completion before the onset of the monsoon season. Chairing a review meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Nimmala stressed the urgency of flood preparedness and the modernisation of the Budameru Canal, along with progress on the Polavaram Left Canal. During the meeting, Nimmala instructed the officials to evolve an action plan to increase the discharge capacity of the Budameru Diversion Canal to 37,500 cusecs by completing pending works. A detailed project report has been sought to channel floodwaters through Kolleru and Upputeru into the sea. He also proposed constructing a parallel channel with a 10,000-cusec capacity to complement the existing Budameru Old Channel. To bolster flood control efforts, Nimmala also asked the officials to script proposals under the Disaster Management framework with the Centre's assistance, ensuring coordination among the Revenue, Municipal, and Disaster Management Departments. A report will be submitted to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. On the Polavaram Left Canal, the Water Resources Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of manpower and machinery at construction sites, insisting that work be completed by June. ENC M Venkateswara Rao, senior engineers, agency representatives, and department officials were present.
Arab News
30-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia raises undeveloped land tax to 10%, expands scope to vacant properties
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has raised the annual fee on undeveloped land from 2.5 percent to up to 10 percent of property value, as part of Cabinet-approved reforms to address market imbalances. The amendments to the White Land Tax Law expand its scope for the first time to include levies on long-vacant buildings and revised land-size thresholds for taxation. The changes, ratified by the Cabinet on April 29, mark the most significant overhaul of the law since its inception in 2016. They come as part of a broader effort to accelerate development, counter speculation, and address supply-demand imbalances in the Kingdom's real estate sector, which has seen mounting pressure in key cities such as Riyadh. The reforms support broader efforts to curb speculation, boost land utilization, and enhance access to affordable housing in line with Vision 2030. In a post on his official X account, Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail said: 'The amendments included stimulating the use of vacant properties, and amending the targeted areas and the amount of the fee on undeveloped and developed vacant lands within the urban area, by up to 10 percent.' The revised framework sets a minimum land area of 5,000 sq. meters for the application of the fee, covering both individual plots and contiguous holdings in designated urban areas. It also broadens the tax base to include vacant buildings — defined as ready-to-use buildings prepared for occupancy within the urban area that have not been used for a long period without acceptable justification, and whose lack of use or exploitation affects the availability of sufficient supply in the real estate market. These vacant properties will now face an annual levy of up to 5 percent of their estimated rental value, as specified in forthcoming regulations. The updated law introduces clearer criteria, phased implementation, and enhanced enforcement mechanisms, including grievance channels and unified property databases. The Kingdom originally launched the White Land Tax Law to discourage land hoarding and promote more equitable development. According to the Saudi Press Agency, Al-Hogail stated that the revised system is expected to enhance the efficient use of idle land and buildings, align supply with demand, and promote the productive use of real estate assets. It also seeks to encourage the development of undeveloped land and increase the overall availability of real estate, particularly residential properties. The changes come as Saudi authorities intensify efforts to stabilize the housing market in cities like Riyadh, where surging land values and rental rates have strained affordability. A study by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Council of Economic and Development Affairs recently prompted a series of measures, including lifting development restrictions in large swaths of northern Riyadh. The government will issue executive regulations for the amended White Land Tax Law within 90 days of its publication in the official gazette. Regulations governing vacant property taxation are expected within one year, according to SPA.
