Mayors demand more powers for elected representatives

Chandigarh, Dec 9 (UNI) The Mayors from all over the country today demanded more powers be delegated to the elected representatives in order to discharge their duties for the welfare of the society and to reduce red-tapism.

The freedom of framing policies should be left to the elected bodies, the Declaration adopted on the concluding day of the two day All India Mayors Conference (AICM) stated.

The 74th Amendment of the Constitution of India should be implemented in toto, the Declaration further demanded.

Acknowledging the fact that in the coming decades cities would play an increasingly dominant role in the affairs of the nation's around the world, the Declaration stated that it was cruicial that the concept of good governance should be recognised and implemented at the ground level.

The Declaration supported the institutionalisation of community participation to bring around urban regeneration in partnership with the citizens. '' There should be a commitment on our part to set targets to upgrade urban infrastructure by providng affordable housing to the poor and creating slum free cities'', the Declaration stated while accepting the fact that poverty was absolutely a local matter requiring local interventions.

Admitting that pressures generated on cities on account of population growth, globalisation and demands of urban infrastructure, the Declaration called for evolving new concepts in urban governance and having a fresh look at strategies and tools of planning, including safety, security and disaster management.

Referring to environmental needs, the Conference called for immediate initiatives for greening the cities and managing the Solid Waste Material, as an effective answer to the problem of global warming. As climate change is an issue that affects all, both nationally and locally, the cityies should work towards reducing carbon footprints.

The Conference also called for gender budgeting as it was the need of the hour for urban governance.

''Capacity building module be prepared for the technical twinning of the elected representatives to ensure their qualitative participation in civic management'', the Declaration stated.

UNI