Centre gives incentive of Rs 264 cr to U’khand for urban development & housing reforms

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun

The Union government has approved an incentive of Rs 264.5 crore for Uttarakhand for various reforms implemented by the Urban Development and Housing Department.

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development had asked the States to implement various policy reforms related to urban development and housing. To implement these reforms, the Ministry has given the incentive to Uttarakhand under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2025-26. This includes Rs three crore for GIS-based utility mapping (sewer, drinking water, drainage work), Rs 6.5 crore for mapping government lands and buildings and Rs 10 crore for increasing sources of income at the municipal level.

The officials of the Urban Development and Housing department informed that the Union ministry has approved the largest incentive amount for reforms implemented under the Housing Department. Under the urban land and planning reforms, the Uttarakhand Housing Department implemented the Town Planning Scheme and Land Pooling Scheme, for which the Ministry has approved Rs 100 crore. Similarly, Rs 140 crore has been approved for the Rejuvenation Programme for old urban areas. Additionally, an incentive of Rs five crore has been approved for implementing green building standards in building bylaws.

 The Housing secretary R Rajesh Kumar stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Housing Department is committed to providing affordable housing to every citizen of Uttarakhand and making Uttarakhand one of the leading States in the country.

Expressing happiness on the development, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “Uttarakhand government is diligently implementing all central government guidelines. In this regard, an incentive of Rs 264.5 crore has been approved for reforms in the Housing and Urban Development Department. Previously, the central government also provided Rs 200 crore for reforms in the mining sector.’’