Date:17/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/17/stories/2004081702121900.htm

Back Focus on urban poor: Minister

Our Bureau

PAVING THE WAY: Work in progress at the filtration plant in Narava village, being constructed by the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, to bring the Godavari waters to the city. The site was visited by the Municipal Administration Minister, Mr K. Ranga Rao, on Monday. - K.R. Deepak

Visakhapatnam , Aug. 16

THE Andhra Pradesh Government is focussing on improving the lot of the urban poor and all municipalities and corporations in the State have been directed to issue water connections to the urban poor (the white card-holders below the poverty line) at a cost of below Rs 1200 from September, said Mr K. Ranga Rao, Municipal Administration Minister.

At a press meet here on Monday, after visiting the work site at the Godavari water filtration plant at Narava village, the Minister said the Government is aiming at provision of water, sanitation facilities and lighting to the urban poor at reasonable rates. "Forty per cent of the grants will be spent on slums in the municipalities and the Government will help the poorer municipalities," he said.

He said there is no need for any apprehensions that Godavari waters would be too costly for the common man in Visakhapatnam. "By increasing the number of connections and by provision of water to the industries, the company will be able to recover the cost. However, the whole project is under review and we will do everything possible to bring down the burden on the common man."

Mr Ranga Rao said the staff pattern, the tax structure and other features relating to the functioning of municipalities would be studied and the necessary changes brought in soon.

"There are many unviable municipalities in the State with hardly any resources. We have to help them somehow."

On the question of municipal elections, he said the Congress Government had not taken any decision to advance the polls.