H.C. Balakrishna Directs ULBs to Boost Revenue and Clear Infrastructure Delays

Minister for Municipal Administration H.C. Balakrishna has called for a stronger focus on resource mobilisation by urban local bodies (ULBs), noting that while urban areas account for roughly 40% of the population, they receive only about 30% of funding from the Centre and State. He made these observations during a review meeting with officials of ULBs from Hassan and Mandya districts at the Regional Commissioner’s office in Mysuru on Tuesday, September 1.

During the meeting, Mr. Balakrishna instructed municipal officials to step up local revenue collection and create public awareness among property owners to get their properties assessed for obtaining A or B khata documents, as applicable.

Addressing revenue leakages from municipal assets, the Minister directed authorities to ensure that tenants of commercial shops rented out by ULBs clear their rent within the stipulated timeframe. He instructed officials to issue notices and shut down shops belonging to defaulting merchants. He further warned that disciplinary action would be initiated against municipal officials if rent from commercial establishments was left uncollected due to official negligence.

To resolve pending infrastructure concerns, officials were asked to prepare district-wise lists of delayed drinking water and underground drainage projects. The Minister directed that separate meetings be scheduled between the respective local MLAs, contractors, and department officials to address bottlenecks and expedite work on stalled projects.

Regarding welfare measures for sanitation workers, Mr. Balakrishna stated that ULBs had already been instructed to reserve two acres of land to develop residential layouts for pourakarmikas, with work currently in progress. In addition, the Department of Municipal Administration will write to district administrations requesting the reservation of five acres of land, either on the outskirts of ULBs or in rural areas, to allocate housing sites to pourakarmikas following their retirement.

Excise Minister Shivalinge Gowda, who attended the meeting, highlighted that several town panchayats in Hassan district were grappling with personnel shortages and requested that the minimum required staff be posted. In response, Mr. Balakrishna said officials and staff currently deputed to other departments would be recalled and posted to vacancies within the Municipal Administration Department. He added that ULBs generating higher revenues should engage eligible personnel through outsourcing in compliance with the rules.

The meeting was attended by MLAs A. Manju and A.B. Ramesh Babu Bandisiddegowda, Municipal Administration Department Director P. Ravindra, and other officials.