Andhra Pradesh to spend Rs 2,637 crore for 'Amrut' scheme

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh will spend Rs 2,637 crore on the ambitious Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) over a period of five years. Of this, the Centre will bear Rs 1,318 crore.
The scheme will be implemented in 30 towns across the state. The local bodies will contribute Rs 791 crore as their share.
Amrut is meant for towns with a population of above one lakh population.
Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Eluru, Vijayawada, Guntur, Nellore, Kurnool, Anantapur, Kadapa and Tirupati municipal corporations will be covered under the scheme.
Big municipalities including Vizianagaram, Machilipatnam, Tenali, Ongole, Nandyal, Adoni, Proddatur, Chittoor, Hindupur, Bhimavaram, Madanapalle, Guntakal, Srikakulam, Dharmavaram, Gudivada, Narasaraopet, Tadipatri, Tadepalligudem and Chilakaluripet will also benefit under Amrut.
The government will lay emphasis on infrastructure projects including water supply, sewerage, storm water drains and urban transport. Development of green spaces and parks are also included. The Union govern ment has already issued guidelines on the scheme.
The parameters set by the Centre are e-governance, professionalisation of the municipal cadre, augmenting double entry accounting, chalking out urban plans and city level plans using GIS maps, devolution of funds, review of buildings by-laws, municipal tax and fee improvement, improvement in levy and collection of user charges, credit rating, energy and water audit and participation in Swachh Bharat.
According to officials, AP is finalising the plan to implement the scheme.A state-level high powered steering committee (SHPSC) will be formed to monitor the project implementation.