Question : DELAY IN PROJECTS UNDER JNNURM

(a) whether delay in land acquisition, poor response from contractors and re-tendering tend to delay projects sanctioned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM);

(b) if so, the reaction of the Union Government thereto;

(c) whether some State Governments have failed to reap the benefits accruing to them under the JNNURM;

(d) if so, the details of the sanctioned projects pending in various States alongwith the reasons for their pendency, State-wise; and

(e) the steps taken by the Union Government to achieve the goals under JNNURM?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT(SHRI SAUGATA ROY)

(a)to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (e) of LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 126 POSITION 06th FOR ANSWER ON 27.11.2009 REGARDING DELAY IN PROJECTS UNDER JNNURM.

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The implementation of the projects is the responsibility of the respective Urban Local Bodies(ULBs)/ State Government and their Implementing Agencies(IA). The State Governments/ULBs are required to indicate the status of the land availability while obtaining sanction to new projects.The delay in implementation of projects is reviewed periodically in the monthly review meetings by the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) and the State Governments are requested to expedite the pace of implementation of the projects and to sort out the constraints if any, through monthly D.O. letters i.e. from Secretary (Urban Development) of the Ministry.

(c): The 7 years’ Mission allocation for the Mission cities is Rs.25,500.00 crore. In addition, the Planning Commission vide its O.M. dated 24.12.2008 made additional allocation of Rs.100 crore for million plus cities & capital cities and Rs.50 crore for the remaining cities.Out of these, an amount of Rs. 24546.77 crore has been committed. So far the State of Goa/city of Panaji is yet to avail of any funds. Some States such as Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh, West Bengal have significant balance on their account to be utilized.

(d): A State-wise list of sanctioned projects not reporting any utilization of funds is at annexure. There are a variety of reasons for non-utilization of funds in implementation of projects such as delay in land acquisition, removal of encroachments, shifting of utility, delay in finalization of tenders and awarding work, shortage of material/stock, skilled labour, etc.

(e): To persuade the State/cities to proactive, the following steps are taken:-

i. CSMC reviews the progress of implementation of the Mission every month.The representatives from select States/UTs are also asked to attend these meetings with a view to expediting the implementation of the Mission.

ii. Every year a meeting of the State Secretaries of Urban Development is held under the chairmanship of Secretary (UD) where the implementation of the Mission is reviewed.

iii. Regional Review Meetings are also hold by Secretary (UD) with States and ULBs for different regions of the country.

iv. D.O. letters at the level of Secretary (UD) are written to the Chief Secretaries of the States/UTs every month bringing to their notice issues requiring urgent action.

v. Capacity building measures such as conducting Rapid Training Programme of the officials of ULBs/parastatals, supporting Programme Management Units (PMU) at the state level and Project Implementation Units (PIUs) at the ULB level, and Independent Review and Monitoring Authority (IRMA) at the state level, preparing and providing toolkits for preparation of City Development Plans (CDPs), Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) along with their reimbursement etc has been taken by the Mission Directorate.

vi. The status of reforms and project implementation of the already sanctioned projects of a State/UT is considered by the CSMC at the time of sanctioning of a new project or any second or subsequent installment.