‘Not a scheme that works’

The survey struck down other schemes for urban infrastructure development in mega cities and integrated development of small and medium towns, saying they ‘‘do not meet the requirements of development of infrastructure, development of cities/towns’’. It also says schemes such as Urban Reform Incentive Fund, formulated during the NDA regime as a carrot for the states, be ‘‘subsumed with the comprehensive scheme’’.

On water supply and sanitation, the survey accepts figures supplied by the states which show 89 per cent in the urban population as having access to water supply and 63 per cent, to sewage and sanitation facilities. It does, however, underline that the data relates to access, not ‘‘quality of water’’ and ‘‘quality of services’’. And, the funds to deliver all that is Rs 53,000 crore.

Survey suggests urban reforms under

MANDATORY

• Repeal of Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act;

• Reform of rent control laws

• Rationalisation of stamp duty to bring it down to no more than 5 pc in five years

• Introduction of independent regulators for urban services

OPTIONAL

• Revision of bylaws

• Simplification of legal and procedural framework for conversion of agricultural land for non-agriculture purposes

• Introduction of property title

• Computerisation of land and property registration