State wants separate central funds for heritage structures

He stated that Centre should give separate funds for maintenance,repair works and renovation of forts,palaces and other heritage structures as these properties do not come under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Suggesting to put on track the bus service facilities in small cities on public-private partnership mode,Patel said the viability gap fund or support grant should be provided for promotion of bus services in cities where sufficient public transport services are not available. He also urged for viability gap fund to be made available for Metro projects.

The Central Government should also make provisions for education,health,sanitation for urban poor under the JNNURM-II.

The government should provide 100 per cent funds for water,drainage system,education,health,sanitation for urban poor,the minister requested.

Referring to the project approved under JNNURM-I,Patel said Centre allots funds on the basis of estimated amount of the project when the proposal is submitted,but by the time the grants are allotted,it is found that 50 per cent escalation in the estimated amount has already taken place and therefore municipalities face financial problem during the implementation of projects.

The minister also demanded that the Central Government should also give financial assistance for multilevel parking,purchasing of CCTV cameras for enhancement of traffic system,construction of ring-roads and by-pass roads.

A number of projects are held up in the state due

to sanction pending in the Ministry of Railways. He

demanded that some power should be given to zonal level officers to execute projects

in times. I P Gautam,Principal Secretary (UD) and Guruprasad Mohapatra,Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner also remained

present in the meeting.