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A graft free smart city
It is not enough to have grandiose plans. What is important is systematic implementation of the vision and ideas by making use of technology. Only then will the TRS be able to win the next Assembly elections in 2019 and GHMC elections thereafter, says K Taraka Rama Rao who is set to take charge as the new minister for MAUD in an exclusive interview to V Ramu Sarma
KTR outlines vision for Hyderabad
It is not enough to have grandiose plans. What is important is systematic implementation of the vision and ideas by making use of technology. Only then will the TRS be able to win the next Assembly elections in 2019 and GHMC elections thereafter, says K Taraka Rama Rao who is set to take charge as the new minister for MAUD in an exclusive interview to V Ramu Sarma
- Massive reforms needed to transform Hyd into a global city
- Committees to guide corporators in prioritising development works
- Middle class housing will get impetus; govt will provide bank linkage and bear part of cost
- Will visit Old City to work out road map to develop it
The promise of two-bedroom houses for BPL families seems to have worked wonders for the party in the GHMC elections. But there is also a large percentage of middle class population. What about them?
How can we ignore the middle class population? While we have started construction of two-bedroom houses for the BPL families, we are also working on a proposal to introduce a scheme for the middle class families.
Can you elaborate on that?
I have not yet taken charge and I do not know to what extent I should talk about it but what we have in mind is to introduce a scheme where the state will subsidise part of the cost, will provide bank linkage for some amount and the balance the beneficiary will pay. For example, if the cost of a unit is Rs 6 lakh then the State government would subsidise to the extent of Rs 2 lakh, the banks will give loan of about Rs two lakh and the beneficiary will pay Rs two lakh. While the BPL houses will be in about 600 sft, the middle class houses will be around 1,000 sft.
It is a fact that there is no coordination among various wings of MAUD. While the Roads and Buildings lays the roads, the water board takes up road cutting and does not bother to fill it properly. Will this situation ever change?
What you said is hundred per cent correct. I have myself seen for example in Malkajgiri constituency where R&B had laid a road and the very next day the water wing dug it up. Soon after I take charge of the department bringing coordination with the help of technology will assume top priority. Even by using a popular tool like WhatsApp, we can bring coordination between various wings of the corporation.
TRS promises corruption-free administration but as far as GHMC is concerned, nothing moves without money. Do you have any remedy for this menace?
Certainly, this has to be done on top priority or else people will lose confidence in us. Again since I have yet to take charge it may not be proper to say much about it but certainly I will ensure that there is minimum interface between the general public, the corporator and the officials in getting various works done.
We can do that by having online system for building plan approval within stipulated time. For example, if we say that the plans have to be cleared in 15 days, if that does not happen on 16th day it will be deemed to have been approved. Similarly, we may even do away with building regularisation scheme. We will also have mohalla level consultations. We will have committees which will guide the corporators in prioritising developmental works.
Along with grandiose plans the civic body requires funds. How do you propose to mobilise the funds?
We are mulling to introduce the Tamil Nadu system of reforms. Tamil Nadu had gone in for accounting reforms. It had achieved the unique feat of converting all the municipal bodies of the state (five municipal corporations and 102 municipalities) from the single entry cash-based accounting system to the double entry accrual-based accounting system. The entire conversion/process has been achieved within the short span of three years (1998–2001).
What about old city development? Do you think you would be able to have your say there?
Definitely, Old City is part of Hyderabad and we have to develop it. Yes. It is a very complex issue as the topography of the area is something which needs to be studied in depth. There are lanes and bylanes which are very narrow. The buildings are very old and in a dilapidated condition. There is acute shortage of water supply. After I take charge as MAUD minister I will visit the area again and in coordination and cooperation of the MIM and other people of Old City we will work out a plan to develop it.
