Ranchi, Jun 19 (PTI) Union minister Manohar Lal on Friday said around Rs 1,900 crore will be spent in Jharkhand over four years under the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) to improve civic amenities, develop cities as economic hubs and enhance living conditions.
He said the Centre has also sought projects worth Rs 7,600 crore from the state under the scheme.
“The Centre announced the UCF with a total assistance of Rs 1 lakh crore in the Budget. Three times this amount will come from external sources — Rs 1 lakh crore from states and Rs 2 lakh crore from financial institutions — to create projects worth Rs 4 lakh crore across the country,” Lal, the Union housing and urban affairs minister, said at a press conference here.
“Based on this, Jharkhand’s share is Rs 1,900 crore. Projects worth four times this amount — Rs 7,600 crore — will be submitted by the state for consideration by the national-level apex committee,” the minister said.
He said the committee would evaluate the proposals to improve urban infrastructure, develop cities into economic hubs and enhance living standards.
Lal said the scheme covers around 80 categories of projects.
“States will select suitable projects, which will be approved. Within six months, selection and preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) will be completed. The funds will be utilised over the next four years,” he added.
Lal was in Ranchi for an extensive discussion on various issues related to urban development and energy with state officials.
The minister said various issues of urban development department related to sewage treatment plant (STP), community toilet and dump sites were discussed during the meeting.
He said community and public toilets are needed in crowded areas, individual household facilities also need to be addressed and improved.
“We are also focusing on how to strengthen the sewerage and drainage systems,” he added.
Lal also held a detailed discussion on energy-related issues.
“Every aspect — from power generation to distribution — was deliberated upon during the meeting. Our target is to bring down the line losses from 24 per cent to 20 per cent by next year and gradually reduce them further thereafter in Jharkhand,” he added. PTI SAN MNB
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