HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 17: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday reviewed the development
activities undertaken by the state housing and urban affairs department in the presence of state housing
and urban affairs minister, Ashok Singhal at the Raj Bhawan in the city.
Commissioner and secretary of the department, Kavitha Padmanabhan presented an overview of all
verticals of the department. She initiated the proceeding by elucidating the amalgamation of three
erstwhile distinct departments, namely urban development department, Guwahati development
department, and town and country planning department, a consolidation that happened in 2021.
She underscored the ongoing efforts towards the systematic reassessment of property tax and the
department’s commitment to enhancing public service accessibility through the development of a
unified portal and applications. The commissioner also shed light on the strides in solid waste processing
across 103 municipalities and the significant accomplishments in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri
Awas Yojana – Urban, with the construction of 68 thousand houses since 2021.
Governor Kataria, recognizing the role of well-developed cities in bolstering the tourism sector in Assam,
emphasized the need for robust infrastructure and amenities. He particularly stressed on the
improvement of the drainage system and waste management projects, especially within the framework
of the smart city initiative.
Delving into fiscal matters, the Governor took stock of the department’s budget over the past three
years, emphasizing the meticulous monitoring of budget utilization and a requisite increase in capital
expenditure. He underscored the indispensability of timely utilization certificates (UC) for securing funds
from the central government, thereby urging the department to prioritize the expeditious preparation
of such documents.
In another meeting, Governor Kataria also took stock of the activities of the welfare of minorities and
development department. Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary outlined various initiatives undertaken by
the department for the welfare of religious and linguistic minorities in the state. Secretary to the welfare
of minorities and development department, Adil Khan provided an overview, highlighting the
department’s commitment to addressing the needs of the sizable minority population in Assam.
Kataria also emphasized on the paramount importance of the development of minority communities,
advocating for comprehensive measures including education, skill development, and agricultural
facilities. He further underscored the need for specialized training, including coaching for UPSC and APSC
exams, to empower minority students and contribute to their overall well-being and fulfillment.
The meetings were attended by a host of senior officials from the housing and urban affairs department
and the welfare of minorities and development department.
