Managing Urbanization

[chanana.ak@nic.in]

What should be done to make ULBs financially self sustainable?

[pankajrahate@yahoo.com]

What is ULB ?
Are you looking for urban-development models ?

[ramandeep.bakshi@gmail.com]

I have worked for a pvt firm where we built software for Municipalities and I have a fair understanding on how they work. Here are my suggestions.
1. REMOVE POLITICIANS – This is a must for any progress of our nation ☺ . ULBs should not have Politicians because they are the worst of the lot who are here to manage our city with zero knowledge on how a city should be run. They have their own business/contractors and assign most of the work to themselves. They don’t allow for any progress in the right direction. There are also instances when the state has a different govt whereas the Municipality has a different govt. This ensures that no work gets done.
2. CITY ADMINS TO RUN THE CITY – Eminent people should be chosen to run the cities rather than Politicians. Because they have an understanding of the city needs to be managed
3. P-GOVERNANCE – Participative governance means inclusive governance where the public of the area is included in every decision for that area. This will ensure that quality works take place under the watchful eyes of the public. Public Meetings if that areas need to take place and plans laid out for general public for viewing.
4. MUNICIPAL ERP – Implementation of Software in every dept will ensure that there is transparency in the running of the organization. This will ensure that fictitious employees are not on the payrolls of the ULB.
5. ROAD CONSTRUCTION – The biggest money spinner is the road construction. Road construction should not be given to small time contractors because the quality of the road suffers due to which roads have to be constructed after every rain. Quality Audit of the roads needs to be done by external Agency. Ensure that Roads after construction live their committed life of 3-5 years and that the contractor is help accountable for the same.
6. REMOVE L1 – L1 ensures that the worst possible work gets done, this is because the contractor needs to pay bribes to get his payment and in the end due to low profitability he ensures he makes a cheap construction which eventually means rework. ULBs should be allowed to pay more for quality work without interference.
7. STANDARDISATION – Standardization needs to happen for every type of construction of a ULB, this will ensure consistency and quality work.

[manik.sikka@gmail.com]

I agree with the above post, all politicians should be barred from municipality. Instead as suggested eminent citizens should be chosen to run the municipalities. Also, elections should be held to choose these eminent personalities