HDMC seeks govt nod to set up ward panels

HUBBALLI: The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) is pulling out all stops to ensure that the twin cities bag the tag of Smart Cities. It is in the final phase of constituting ward committees, a prerequisite rider for all contenders of the central government's Smart Cities project.
It is reportedly waiting for the green light from the government to initiate the establishment of such committees.
SH Naregal, special officer in HDMC, says the civic body had submitted a similar proposal in 2012, seeking its nod for formation of ward committees when it was trying to get Hubballi-Dharwad enlisted in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. "Since then, the file on the constitution of ward committees in Hubballi-Dharwad has been pending before the government. As the process of listing cities for the Smart Cities project has begun, the file has been brought to the notice of the ministers concerned by the commissioner. Once the proposal is cleared, ward committees will be formed and will begin functioning immediately."
Sources say if the go-ahead comes through, Hubballi-Dharwad will get 197 ward committees, each comprising 10 members. The plan is give two to three committees to each of the 72 wards, capping the limit for each at four. Each of the 12 zonal offices is likely to oversee the functioning of 15 ward committees - except zonal office 10, which will have jurisdiction over 23 panels. Each member of a ward committee will be allotted a portfolio based on expertise and interest, such as solid waste management, roads and drains, slum rehabilitation, poverty alleviation and environment preservation.
Dr MC Sindhur, a social activist, says the committees will help people at the grassroots level. "Different areas have different issues. Ward committees will help resolve them." He explains that individual focus groups can tackle a civic problem much better than a larger corporation.