Mizoram bend rules for urbanization

Aizawl, Jun 9 : Mizoram's reluctance in decentralising power has once again forced it to bend rules as it prepares to implement the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

While JNNURM envisages renovations of cities through municipals, the scheme would be carried out through the Local Administration Department in Mizoram because the state is yet to decentralise powers through the 73rd and 74th Constitution amendments, which calls for panchayati raj systems in rural areas and municipalities in towns and cities.

The state has roped in the services of Gurgoan-based Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) to draw up plans for renovating Aizawl at a cost of Rs 19 lakhs. Officials of this company have already visited the state and conducted a preliminary study.

However, WAPCOS officials were disappointed to find that the state had no city development plans and that it would have to work from scratch to prepare a viable plan.

Local administration director B. Darkhuma said the state would not be breaking rules and guidelines in implementing the JNNURM through his department.

In terms of the state not having municipalities, cities in the North East region have been given exemption for some period by the Centre. As a result of this, implementation of the JNNURM by the LAD would not amount to breaking rules and guidelines, he said.

An organisation pressuring the state government to set up a municipality for Aizawl, Mizoram Municipal Steering Committee (MMSC), has recently voiced objections against the scheme being implemented by the LAD. However, the state government has said it cannot be helped since there is a need to expedite drawing up of plans and that there was no time to set up a municipality.

UNI