Haryana to enhance powers of Municipal Commissioners in urban areas

The Haryana Government will enhance the powers of municipal commissioners and given them the responsibility of District Urban Affairs Officer to ensure better coordination and faster execution of development works in the urban areas.

Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain on Saturday said this decision would do away with the technical issues involved in solving matters between Municipal Corporation and Municipal Councils and facilitate direct communication with the headquarters.

The technical problem caused for want of direct administrative control resting with Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils has been solved on the pattern of Panchayati Raj Department. The way District Development and Panchayat Officer holds the responsibility of coordination and control in his  department, the Municipal Commissioner has been given same responsibility in the form of District Urban Affairs Officer, Jain said.

In keeping with the Haryana Municipality Services Act, 2010, Deputy Commissioners have been ensuring compliance of all necessary directions regarding municipal areas through local fund branch in their office. But due to non-availability of liaison officer in the office of DC to deal with matters related to municipalities, people were facing difficulties since long, she added.