C-TAG Varanasi : some news clippings

Limited invites to heritage plan presentation ruffle feathers

Binay Singh, TNN Dec 22, 2009, 05.35am IST

VARANASI: The detailed project report (DPR) of heritage development plan of Varanasi will be presented on December 30 during a programme organised by the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA). But, the scheduled event has ruffled many feathers as only a handful of people have been invited.

According to a letter sent by VDA secretary RP Singh, the power-point presentation of DPR would be made by the Delhi unit of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). Howver, VDA has sent invitation to only 11 persons, including eight government officials and three citizens. Even the local unit of INTACH, members of the city technical advisory group (CTAG) of JNNRUM and mayor have not been intimated about the proposed DPR presentation programme.

'Varanasi Nagar Nigam cold-shouldering public opinion panel'

TNN Mar 15, 2011, 10.18pm IST

VARANASI: The members of City Technical Advisory Group (C-TAG), a body formed under the provisions of Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), alleged that Varanasi Nagar Nigam continued to ignore the C-TAG.

Talking to mediapersons on Tuesday, its chairman R C Jain said that the municipal corporation had formed the C-TAG with the help of Delhi based organisation, Priya, and Lucknow based, Sahbhagi Shikshan Sansthan, in February, 2009. The basic purpose of C-TAG is to seek support and suggestion from the society in relation to urban renewal projects. But, the municipal corporation is yet to arrange for a room for C-TAG members at the VNN office. Also, the detailed project report (DPR) of departments has not been made available to them, he said.

                  A letter in this regard was forwarded to the municipal commissioner and other authorities on March 4. "We are waiting for a reply, and if the VNN authorities continue to ignore people's participation in JNNURM projects, we may approach the court to resolve the matter,'' said Vyomesh Chitravansh, a C-TAG member.

 Brainstorm to end water, sanitation problems

TNN Jun 26, 2010, 09.16pm IST

VARANASI: Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra (SSK), a state-level resource organisation working on the issue of strengthening institutions of local self-governance, is going to hold a consultation on the issue of water and sanitation in the city under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

"As part of its initiative on reforms in urban governance, SSK has been intervening in Varanasi Municipal Corporation for the past two years on the issue of water and sanitation," Ritu Rai of SSK told TOI on Saturday. In this process, SSK has conducted studies particularly on issues of water and sanitation and citizen report card survey. The findings can be vital in view of initiating reforms in Varanasi Municipal Corporation. "In this regard, SSK and City Technical Advisory Group (C-TAG) would organise a state-level consultation on Sunday to share the study findings and the burning issues of the city and their probable solutions," said Rai. She said the meeting would be attended by experts from institutions like Banaras Hindu University(BHU) and Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth (MGKV), members of civil societies and authorities of municipal corporation of Varanasi and UP Jal Nigam.