Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
REPORT ON
CONSULTATIVE SEMINAR FOR CITY TECHNICAL
ADVISORY GROUP (CTAG)
&
CITY VOLUNTEERS TECHNICAL CORPS (CVTC)
UNDER JNNURM IN VARANASI CITY
DATE: - 06/ 02/ 09
VENUE: - RECREATION HALL, MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, VARANASI
ORGANISED BY- MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, VARANASI
FACILITATED BYSahbhagi
Shikshan Kendra
Behind Police Fire Station, Chatta
Meel, Sitapur Road,
Lucknow- 227208
Tel/ Fax- 0522- 2734888/2734889,
6980124
Website- www.sahbhagi.org e-mail:
info@sahbhagi.org
PRIA
42, Tughlakabad Institutional
Area, New Delhi – 110062
Tel.: +91-11-29960931/32/33
Fax: +91-11-2996 55183
Website: www.pria.org e-mail :
info@pria.org
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
Mayor Varanasi, Mr. Kaushalendra Singh
inaugurating the workshop
A Colloquium for establishing City
Technical Advisory Group under
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission was organized by
Municipal Corporation Varanasi in
collaboration with anchor NGO
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra Lucknow
and PRIA New Delhi on 6th Feb 2009,
with the participation of 50 participants.
The one-day consultation was chaired
by Chief Guest Mr Kaushalendra Singh,
Honorable Mayor of the Varanasi. The
other dignitaries who shared the dais
with guest of honor included Dr Nand
Kishor (Municipal Commissioner -
Varanasi), Mr Satya Prakash Pandey
(Additional Municipal Commissioner –
Varanasi), Ms Nitika Arora (Program
Officer National Technical Advisory
Group), Mr Sacchidanand Singh
(Deputy Municipal Commissioner-
Varanasi) and Mr K.K Bandhopadhaya
Director PRIA.
Inaugural Session
Colloquium started with lightening of
the lamp by the honorable guests on the
dais followed by the opening speech by
the Mayor Sri Kaushalendra Singh. He
started by extending a warm welcome
to the participants and introduction of
the dignitaries on the dais. He explained
in brief the objective of the consultation.
While describing key strategy of
JNNURM he emphasized on the
component of community participation
which forms the backbone of mission
strategy, which makes this mission
different from others. He said that
citizens had an important role in the
development of city, which will be
assured through formation of C-TAG in
JNNURM. He enthusiastically
welcomed the process of formulation of
C-TAG in Varanasi Municipal
Corporation.
This was followed by the inaugural
speech of Dr Nand Kishor, Municipal
Commissioner Varanasi; he stated that
the community participation leads to
development which is sustainable in
nature. Community participation leads
to a sense of responsibility and
ownership among citizens about their
city and promotes a model of systematic
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Varanasi
sharing his views
development. He also extended his best
wishes to the members of CTAG and
promised to provide full support for
proper functioning to the CTAG.
Technical Session –I
Relevance and Functioning of the CTAG-
CVTC under JNNURM
Inaugural session was followed by
Technical session –I focusing on the
Relevance and Functioning of the
CTAG- CVTC under JNNURM. The
session was chaired by honorable
Mayor of the Varanasi Mr Kaushalendra
Singh.
The session began with the presentation
of Mr Kaustub (Director) PRIA, who in
his presentation threw light on the
structural linkages between C-TAG and
CVTC. He also briefly explained the five
sub groups of CVTC that are Urban
Poverty, Urban Engineering and
Infrastructure, Urban Planning, Urban
Governance and Urban Finance and
their functions. He also shared the
statistical data of Report Card Survey
conducted in Varanasi Municipal
Corporation in which only 1.79 %
people expressed that water supply in
Varanasi is excellent and rest of the
population was unsatisfied with the
water supply services. Mr Kaustub also
pointed in his presentation that C-TAG
can play a significant role in minimizing
the grievances of the residents. In his
presentation he also added about the
facilities to be provided by Municipal
Corporation towards efficient
functioning of advisory group. He
concluded his session by extending his
best wishes to the advisory group for
their proper functioning.
Presentation of Mr Kaustub was
followed by deliberation by Mr
Sacchidanand Singh (Deputy Municipal
Commissioner) Varanasi. He started his
address with extending thanks to PRIA
and SSK Lucknow for their support in
constitution of City Technical Advisory
Group. He told that the responsibility of
constituting City Technical Advisory
Group is of Municipal Cooperation but
anchor NGO PRIA and SSK played a
very significant role in this process of
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
Ms. Nitika sharing her experiences with
participants
formulation of C-TAG. He informed
that the initiatives of Municipal
Corporation regarding improving status
of drinking water in Varanasi, in this
context he informed that the Detailed
Project Report worth Rs 86 Crore for the
project of Drinking water supply has
been formulated and submitted, the
decision in this regard is awaited. The
GIS survey of the city was conducted
and was also published in newspaper
and the objections on the same were
invited on the information collected
through GIS Survey. He also informed
that Double entry accounting system
was introduced and E- Governance has
been initiated in Varanasi Municipal
Corporation. Citizens welcomed this
initiative of Nager Nigam and extended
full Cooperation. The Mr. Sacchidanand
also informed in his deliberation that
Tax collection counters has been
established at different locations and
after introducing provision of
computerized bill has led to increase in
the percentage of tax collocation
remarkably. He also informed that the
City Technical Advisory Group formed
would be function as support and
supplement unit for Nager Nigam and
enhance the functioning of Nager
Nigam. . He also informed that the
committee of City Technical Advisory
group will be notified with in a week
time. He also promises to extend
support to the advisory group as
mentioned in the JNNURM.
There after Mr Satya Prakash Pandey
additional Municipal Commissioner
presented his views, that public
participation is a mantra for structured
development. He stressed that city
would not be solely developed by the
officials without involving community.
He also laid pressure on the need of
awareness generation for assuring
community participation. He concluded
with assurance of extending his support
towards efficient functioning of C-TAG.
Ms Ritu, anchor for the program
thanked Mr Pandey for sharing his
views and invited Ms Nitika Arora
Program Officer N-TAG, Ministry of
Urban Planning. Ms. Arora started her
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
sharing by congratulating the Varanasi
Municipal Corporation for the
initiatives undertaken for constitution of
City Technical Advisory Group. She
also thanked Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra
LKO and PRIA New Delhi for the
efforts in the same. She informed that
till now C-TAG has been constituted in
only 7 cities out of 63 JNNURM cities.
Madurai was first in constituting C-TAG
among all the seven cities. She also
shared the achievements of C-TAG in
Madurai, that C-TAG along with the
Municipal Corporation has revised the
DPR (Detailed Project Report) by
focusing the Heritage component of the
city. She also added that successes and
space of work for C- TAG and C-VTC is
depends on two factors the first one -
support from Municipal Corporation
and readiness of C-TAG members. With
the aim of boosting the confidence of CTAG
members she also shared the
achievements of C-TAG formulated in
other cities. Ms. Arora also threw light
on CPF (Community Participation
Fund). She informed that this fund
would give full scope to the community
to identify needs of their area and work
for holistic development of the city. The
total amount of the fund sanctioned
under CPF is about 100 Crore. She also
added that the total project budget
under CPF must have 10% of Public
contribution and must be endorsed by
2/3rd population of the area. She also
gave few examples of the type of project
submitted under the CPF which
included Community toilets, Local
Market, local resource center etc. CPF
also has scope for the projects focusing
on the renovations of heritage buildings.
She concluded her session by assurance
to CTAG members for handholding
support from N-TAG. Ms Ritu thanked
Ms Nitika for her session and
announced the Technical Session II on
Issues and Challenges in Urban Reform
in Varanasi
Technical Session II –
Issues and Challenges in Urban
Reform in Varanasi
The second session invited deliberations
on the issues and challenges in urban
reform in Varanasi was again chaired by
Honorable Mayor of Varanasi Mr
Kaushalendra Singh.
Ms Ritu invited Mr R.C.Jain (Nominee
for C-TAG) for sharing her views. Mr
Jain said that Varanasi is unique because
of its historical, mythological and
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
Mr. R.C. Jain member C-TAG Varanasi sharing
his views
cultural aspects. He pointed out the
Pakka Mahal area of the Varanasi which
was known for its poor drainage system
and web of electricity wires. The other
brighter side of the coin is the newly
developed area in which proper
planning was done .The new colonies
were formed having proper drainage
system, parks, wide roads etc. He
stressed that in Varanasi there is need of
Zonal planning along with the Master
Plan. He also informed that sewage
system was constructed after approval
of Maps but unfortunately now days
most of the construction work was done
without taking approval from VDA
(Varanasi Development Authority).
Sometime approval for construction of 3
Floors was taken and actual
construction was upto 6 Floors, these
factors in Varanasi have very adversely
affected the drainage and Sewage
system. He stressed upon having
effective monitoring system for proper
development of the area. He also
pointed the provisions for Parking
system and development of outer areas
of the city which would develop
Varanasi City as a fusion of Cultural
heritage and advanced technology. He
concluded his session by developing a
dream of beautiful city.
Ms Ritu extended thanks to Mr Jain and
invited Mr Indukant (Nominated
member for C-TAG) for sharing his
experiences. Mr Indukant said that
Varanasi has very rich and diverse
cultural dimensions. He welcomed the
idea of community participation fund
pointed out that dwellers of the city
were ready to contribute 50% instead of
10% in CPF on the issue of development
of the city. He indicated that Varanasi is
famous for its water bodies there were
many Ponds in the city having some
mythological importance they need to
be renovated for the purpose of
promoting tourism. He also expressed
that Mr Kaushalendra Singh is an
Optimistic person and they were
expecting his providing full cooperation
in execution of the role of C-TAG.
Mr Rajiv Singh representative of (SRF)
CSO shared his experience of working
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
with Urban Poor specially Vendors and
Paddlers. He stated that there are 236
Slums in official records but total there
are 500 unauthorized Slums in Varanasi.
He requested Mayor for his attention on
the problems of slum dwellers and
vendors. He also requested that there is
a scope of representation of these
unprivileged groups under C-TAG and
JNNURM program.
Mr Rajiv was followed by Mr Ambrish;
Member of Kautilya Society working as
part of INTAC for promoting Heritage
component of Varanasi. He expressed
his happiness on constitution of City
Technical Advisory Group under
JNNURM and was hopeful that C-TAG
would take up some model building
initiatives in Varanasi. He also extended
thanks to Mr Kaushalendra Singh
Mayor for support in any initiatives
taken up in the city for its development.
He informed that the Ghat areas of
Varanasi are under the heritage zone of
the city and the area is being developed
in close consultation with the people
live in these heritage zones.
Ms. Ritu extended thanks to Mr
Ambrish and invited Mr Manoj Rai
(Councilor) for sharing his views. Mr
Rai said that elected representatives are
very much aware about the problems of
the area and can play a vital role in the
development of city. He suggested that
the Minutes of the Meeting of C-TAG
members must be circulated so that
everybody would be aware about their
functioning and initiatives of C-TAG
needs to be shared on a bigger platform.
He also requested for circulation of
report of Consultation workshop of CTAG
to all the participants.
His deliberation was followed by the
views of Mr. O.P. Singh (Councilor). Mr.
Singh informed the participants that
master plan was developed in year 1971
and then in 2001. But surprisingly the
width of roads near Sigra area was
decreased to 80 feet’s in 2001 master
plan while in 1971 it was proposed for
120 feet’s. He raised the burning issues
of Varanasi city for e.g. drainage and
drinking water problem which needs to
be taken with the priority. He pointed
that due to lack of proper planning lots
of funds remains unspent and returns
back and no one cares for improving the
basic services of the area.
Ms Ritu thanked Mr Singh and invited
Ms Shalini representative from SSK, for
sharing the process of Catalyzing CTAG
and CVTC under JNNURM. Ms
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
C-TAG members of Varanasi in picture with
Mayor
Shalini explained the whole process of
formulation of C-TAG and CVTC
undertaken by SSK and Nager Nigam.
The first phase was of Rapport Building
in which structured meeting were
undertaken with Nager Nigam officials
and to bring out the strategy to facilitate
the process of C-TAG and C-VTC
formation. The second phase was of
environment building in which Media
consultation workshop was conducted
with the media personnel’s. The last
phase aimed at identification and
nominations process in which
individual consultations were done and
profiling of nominations was done.
Listing of Nominations under CVTC
was done and shared with the Mayor
and Municipal Commissioner and other
concerned officials. Ms Ritu thanked Ms
Shalini and thereafter invited mayor of
Varanasi to formally announce the name
of proposed members of CTAG and
CVTC. Mayor very enthusiactically
announced the names of the members
with due focus on their specialization.
Thereafter Mr Kausalendra Singh
(Mayor) congratulated the members of
CTAG and CVTC. In his concluding
remarks he shared that for effective
functioning of elected representative
there is a need of regular feedback from
public. As if now CTAG and CVTC
have experts from different sector who
will now put their efforts collectively for
the development of the city. Now
through CTAG they get an authentic
platform for their joint initiatives. He
extended his best wishes and hope that
C-TAG Varanasi will be model for the
other JNNURM cities.
Consultation was concluded by Mr
Sacchidanand Singh, Deputy Municipal
Commissioner who extended his thanks
to all the people for in making this
consultation a success. He also
acknowledged the support of SSK and
PRIA for their active role in constitution
of CTAG. He also requested SSK and
PRIA in perspective building of CTAG
and facilitating further meetings.
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
MEDIA CLIPPINGSReport
on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
Annexure 1-
Date: 6th February 2009
Venue: Varanasi Municipal Corporation Hall
10.30 – 11.00 Registration
11.00 – 11.15
Inaugural Session
Introduction and welcome address by Mr. Kausalendra Singh Commissioner, Varanasi
Municipal Corporation
11.15 – 01.00
Technical Session I: Relevance and Functions of CTAG and CVTC in JNNURM
Chair: Mr. Kaushlendra Singh, Mayor, Varanasi Municipal Corporation
Speakers:
• Dr. Kaustuv K Bandyopadhyay, Director, PRIA
Urban Reforms, Citizen Participation and Role of CTAG and CVTC (15 Min)
• Mr. Sacchidanand, Deputy Municipal Corporation, Varanasi Municipal
Corporation.
• Ms. Nitika Arora, Programme Officer, National Technical Advisory Group
(NTAG) Secretariat, New Delhi
• Remarks by the Chair
01.00 – 02.00 Lunch
02.00 – 03.00
Technical Session II: Issues and Challenges of Urban Reforms and Development in
Varanasi
Chair: Mr.Kausalendra Singh, Mayor, Varanasi Municipal Corporation
• Remarks from the distinguished participants
• Response from the Chair
03.00 – 03.15 Tea Break
03.15 – 04.00
Technical Session III: Constitution of CTAG and CVTC in Varanasi and Setting
the Future Agenda
Chair: Mr. Kaushlendra Singh, Mayor, Varanasi Municipal Corporation
• Briefing on the process of identification and nomination of members for CTAG
and CVTC by Ms. Shalini Chaturvedi, Program Coordinator, Sahbhaghi
Shikshan Kendra, Uttar Pradesh
• Announcement of CTAG and CVTC by the Mayor, Varanasi Municipal
Corporation
04.00 – 04.15 Consolidation and Vote of Thanks by VMC and SSK
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
ANNEXURE IIPARTICIPANT
LIST
City Level Consultation on Constitution of City Technical Advisory
Group (CTAG) Under JNNURM
Date: 6th February, 2009
Sl. No. Name of Participants Organization
1. Dr. Vyomesh Chitravansh Convener HAMARI VARUNA
2. Surya Bhan Singh C.S.D.S., Varanasi
3. Indukant Dixit The Press Trust of India
4. Brijesh Singh Nov Bharat Nirman Samiti
5. Rishabh Chandra Jain Jain & Associates- Architect
6. Vinod Kumar Singh Lalta Shikshan Sansthan, Shivpur, Varanasi
7. Shashank Mehta Jain & Associates, Sigra, Varanasi
8. Sunil Shukla Aaj (Photographer)
9. Anand Kumar Maurya Aaj
10. Abhay kumar Srivastava H.H.S. Sunderpur
11. Nand Lal D.D.K.
12. Gunjan Srivastava Compact, Newpaper
13. Navneet Raman Convenor INTACH
14. Dr. D. K. Sharma Kashivarta
15. Raj Kumar Member, INTACH
16. Ambrish Singh Member, INTACH
17. Sanjay Kumar Mishra S.T.V.
18. Sachchidanand Singh Deputy Municipal Commissioner
19. Dr. R.A. Singh Sachchidanand Shikshan Sansthan,
A-28/29, Chandpura Varanasi
20. Rajmuni P.O. Duda, Varanasi
21. L.C. Gupta JE Duda, Varanasi
22. Navendu Prakash Singh Member, INTACH
23. Keshav Pandey Secretary, To Mayor
24. M.L.N. Singh Ex. CMO
Report on City Level Consultation for Formulation of CTAG/ CVTC in Varanasi
Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow
25. Satya Prakash A. Municipal Commissioner
26. Kaushalendra Singh Mayor, Varanasi
27. Nagesh Singh
28. Milind Kumar Singh 86, Kashi Enclave, Varanasi
29. Nitika Arora TAG Cell JNNURM MOUR, DELHI
30. Sonali TAG Dell JNNURM Ministry of Urban Dept.
Delhi
31. Rajeev Kumar Singh Dr. Shambhunath Singh Research
Foundation, Varanasi
32. Akhilesh
33. Pankaj Mishra Den Kashi
34. Utsav Sharma Pioneer
35. Satendra Kumar Manglam Defense Colony, Varanasi
36. Dilip Kumar Ojha United Bharat
37. Manoj Rai Member D.P.C.
38. Vijay Kumar Srivastava Member D.P.C.
39. Ashutosh Pandey I-NEXT, Varanasi
40. Dr. O.P. Singh Nagar Nigam, Varanasi
41. Vinod Kumar Singh Nagar Nigam, Varanasi
42. Muiz Ahmad Duda
43. Ranjana Gaur SARC
44. Dr. Nand Kishor Municipal Commissioner
45. Ritu Rai SSK, Varanasi
46. Shalini Chaturvedi SSK, Lucknow
47. K.K. Bandopdhyay PRIA, New Delhi
48. Avantika Srivastava SSK, Lucknow
49. Hasan Iftekhar SSK, Varanasi
50. Birbal Pal SSK, Varanasi
51. Sudhir Singh SSK, Varanasi
52. Ashok Kumar SSK, Mirzapur
