Recommendation to revive district level development authorities of Uttarakhand state
Dhami government can reactivate the suspended District Development Authorities amid heavy protests in Uttarakhand state. The housing department has recommended to make them smooth again so that development can be done in the plains and hilly districts according to the master plan. Its proposal can be brought in the cabinet.
In fact, on November 13, 2017, the Trivendra government set up district level development authorities in 11 districts, taking over the powers related to the development authority of local authorities and municipal bodies of all districts. The Haridwar-Roorkee Development Authority (HRDA) subsumed the areas of Haridwar while the Doon Valley Development Authority was subsumed into the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA). Later there were protests against them. People’s representatives also openly protested.
Committee constituted under the chairmanship of the then Bageshwar MLA Chandan Ramdas, while submitting its report to the VIS, had recommended cancellation of these authorizations. Later Tirath Sarkar and then Dhami Sarkar suspended all the District Development Authorities.
Focus on the rescue of Joshimath
As soon as the issue of construction arose in the midst of Joshimath landslide, the housing department has sent a recommendation to the government to revive them, stating the need for the district development authorities. These are being discussed at the government level. In the matter, Urban Development Minister Premchand Aggarwal says that right now the focus is on the rescue of Joshimath, district development authorities will be discussed later.
District Development Authority from 2017 and areas included in them
Chamoli- Local Development Authority Gairsain, Gochar, Chamoli-Gopeshwar, Auli, Badrinath, all local development bodies of Chamoli such as Municipality, Nagar Panchayat, revenue villages up to 200 meters on both sides of the middle of NH and State Highway.
Rudraprayag- Local Development Authority, Municipality and Nagar Panchayat coming under the district, villages within 200 meters of NH, SH.
Pauri – Local Development Authority Srinagar, all municipalities and town panchayats of Pauri district, villages within 200 meters.
Uttarkashi- Gangotri Special Area Development Authority, Local Development Authority, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat, villages around 200 meters.
Tehri- Tehri Lake Area Development Authority, New Tehri Special Area Development Authority, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat, villages around 200 meters.
Pithoragarh – Local Development Authority, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat, 200 m village.
Bageshwar – Local Development Authority Bageshwar, Kausani, Lveshal, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat, villages of 200 meters7
Champawat- Local Development Authority, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat, Village of 200 mts.
Almora – Notified area under erstwhile UP notification of 30 October 1980, Nagar Palika, Nagar Panchayat, 200 meter villages.
Nainital- Nainital Lake Area Special Area Development Authority, Local Development Authority Ramnagar,
Haldwani – Kathgodam, Municipal Corporation, Municipalities, Nagar Panchayat and villages within 200 meters.
HRDA – Areas of Haridwar which were not notified earlier under any development authority. Municipal Corporation, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat and villages within 200 meters.
MDDA – Doon Valley Development Authority, Rishikesh, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat etc.
(Currently suspended. These areas will be included in the authority when activated again)
This was the reason for the protest
- It was made mandatory to pass the map for the construction of buildings in the areas which were included in the District Development Authorities.
- In the name of getting the map passed, many employees were facing allegations of illegal recovery.
- After 2017, there was also opposition on the selection of new areas included.
- In many cities the authority had become a political issue. The MLAs of the party seemed to have authority against public sentiment.
If there is no authority, how will master plan be implemented?
Master plan of 63 cities is being prepared in the state. This blueprint for the planned development of those cities will be ready within the next one year, but the question is arising as to who will implement it. The Housing Department has also demanded to reactivate the authorities on the basis of this.
Additional Chief Secretary Anandvardhan says that discussions are going on with the Housing Department regarding district level development authorities. After preparing the master plans of hill cities, a regulatory body to implement them will also be necessary.
