Cabinet to clear municipal draft Bill tomorrow

Hyderabad: The state cabinet scheduled to meet here on Wednesday will be taking important decisions like approving the new municipal draft bill which proposes to usher in new urban laws, aiming at providing better services to the urban people at their doorstep.

In all, the cabinet will give its nod for five bills which includes bills meant for GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation), all municipalities, town planning, HMDA (Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority) and urban development authorities.

Soon after the new Municipal Act comes into force, the State Election Commission will issue notification for the conduct of the elections to the 129 municipalities and Nizamabad and Ramagundam municipal corporations.

The cabinet will ratify the government's decision regarding enhancement of retirement age of the professors working in the government medical colleges from 58 to 65, required amendments to the GST Bill for the effective implementation of new tax collection system and shifting of the Secretariat to an iconic complex being planned, according to sources.

The Chief Minister will introduce the Municipal Bill during the two-day special session of the Assembly on July 18. Officials said that the government is taking several measures to strengthen the municipalities, including the GHMC, urban development authorities and also streamline the Town Planning department to ensure transparency in the municipal administration from ground level to Secretariat.

The officials working in the municipalities will be made accountable in delivering service to the people under the new Act. The urban development authorities will also get special powers for the development of the local bodies.