The Hindu : New Delhi News : ‘Lack of basic services a matter of concern’

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Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008
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New Delhi

‘Lack of basic services a matter of concern’

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Union Urban Development Ministry Secretary M. Ramachandran has expressed concern over lack of quality infrastructure and basic services in the country’s cities and urban centres.

Delivering the keynote address at a seminar on “Financial leveraging for urban infrastructure investments in the context of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)” here, he said: “The quality of infrastructure in cities has had an impact on the overall quality of life of the citizens. It also has an impact on the ability of the city to address challenges of environmental degradation, poverty and the mounting expectations of a burgeoning population.”

Pointing out that the available public funding would not be sufficient to cover the infrastructure investment required for urban India, Mr. Ramachandran said: “Even though JNNURM will provide a significant boost to the overall quantum of funds available to the cities for undertaking infrastructure investments, it will not suffice in itself. Urban local bodies will need to leverage the funds available under the Mission in order to access alternate sources of funding and also to take necessary steps to improve their own financial health.”

Organised by the Urban Development Ministry in coordination with Union Bank of India, this was the fourth and final regional seminar.

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