Jaipal Reddy asks all States to adopt Disclosure Act

Bangalore, Aug 19 (UNI) Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy today called upon all States to adopt the Disclosure Act to ensure transparency and accountability in every organisation.

''Transparency and accountability are rightly the buzz words and will lead to elimination of administrative ineptness and change in public attitude,'' he said, speaking at a discussion on Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BMP) annual performance for 2005-06, organised by the Public Record of Operations and Finance (PROOF) here.

Calling for a change in the mindset of the people, Mr Reddy said Mahatma Gandhi had only emphasised that villages should not be neglected. At the beginning of the 18th century, only two per cent of the population lived in urban areas, but industralisation had led to growth of urban areas, which posed a challenge and also led to progress.

Referring to the Centre's Rs 50,000 crore Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, the Minister said financial assistance would be provided to each State for urban development, but for availing the aid, the States should reduce Stamp Duty to five per cent and abolish the Urban Land Ceiling Act. He complimented the West Bengal Government for reducing the stamp duty to six per cent and Karnataka for abolishing the Urban Land Ceiling Act.

Lauding the role played by PROOF since its inception four years ago, he urged it to involve elected representatives and Corporators in its activities so that they could also know the importance of transparency and accountability.

PROOF Trustee Mr Ramesh Ramnathan, in his address, said that besides the Right To Information Act, there was a need for regular disclosure of performance of a department. ''The information should be made public periodically within a time limit and standardisation should be adopted in dissemination of information.'' He Said BMP Commissioner Mr Jairaj, in his address, said it was proposed to simplify the process of obtaining Katha certificate by delivering the property title document at one's doorsteps within 30 days of applying instead of going to the office concerned.

IT giant, Infosys Chairman and Managing Director Mr Nandan M Nilekani said it was a pity that Karnataka was yet to sign an MoU with the Centre for availing benefits under JNURM.

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