Manohar Lal Promotes Urban Development at National Conference

Gurugram, July 4 (PTI): Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, graced the National Conference of Chairpersons of Urban Local Bodies in Manesar, Gurugram, as the chief guest on Friday.

In an official statement, the minister highlighted the pivotal role these conferences play in building capacity for urban governance. He stressed the importance of regularly organising such events across the nation while leveraging online platforms to enable broader participation. He stated, "Wider engagement will empower more people to contribute and help transform the face of our cities."

Manohar Lal also urged the implementation of best practices exhibited during the conference, particularly by urban bodies showcasing exemplary work, to enhance the quality of life and infrastructure in cities.

Emphasizing the need for urban development to go hand-in-hand with environmental protection, the minister insisted on keeping environmental sustainability at the forefront while pursuing developmental initiatives.

He announced that urban redevelopment projects would be supported through the central government's Urban Challenge Fund, which will allocate Rs one lakh crore for these initiatives.

Incorporating global best practices, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has recently been signed with Spain to facilitate the exchange of successful urban development models.

Furthermore, Manohar Lal emphasized the significance of skill development for municipal body employees and officers. He advocated for the use of the iGOT Karmayogi platform (https://www.igotkarmayogi.gov.in) to promote continuous learning and capacity building. Thus far, 21 states have signed MoUs to adopt this platform.

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