Jaipur worst in urban governance index slot

BELOW PAR With a population of over three million, the city has been placed at 20th position with Thiruvananthapuram on the top

When it comes to urban governance, Jaipur’s performance seems to be far from satisfactory. The Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems (ASICS), a 21-city survey, has ranked Jaipur at a dismal 20, with Chandigarh coming last.

The survey conducted by Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy, a nonprofit organisation, looks at 83 governance patterns to rank 21 cities across 18 states.

The survey evaluates India’s city-systems keeping in mind factors such as laws, policies, institutions, processes and accountability mechanisms that strongly influence the quality of life in cities.

Jaipur, with a population of over three million, has fared poorly on three aspects of urban governance — urban capacities and resources of municipalities to undertake reform; empowered and legitimate political representation; transparency, accountability and participation.

The only parameter on which Jaipur’s score is above average is urban planning and design (UPD). The average UPD score is 2.4 and that of Jaipur is 2.9.

“We are taking steps to improve the urban governance parameters. Rajasthan has been praised for its urban land reforms in the same survey,” said state principal secretary (local self-government) Dr Manji Singh.

The survey found that the 21 cities generate just 37% of the amount they spend on average, with Jaipur raising only 25% on its own. Jaipur’s per capita spend on capital expenditure is ₹1,834.

The survey says none of the Indian cities have effective policies to deter plan violations.

Cities were ranked on the basis of scores on four key components of governance: urban planning and design; urban capacities and resources; empowered and legitimate political representation; transparency, accountability and participation.

“Rajasthan ushering in urban land titling reforms is an excellent example from this year of how we can move forward and help our cities serve their citizens better,” the survey notes.

The Rajasthan urban land (certification of titles) Bill 2016, is aimed at ushering in a system for guaranteed ownership by providing clear land titles. The survey recommends amending planning laws, constituting a metropolitan planning committee anchored by municipal elected representatives for formulating city’s metropolitan plan among others to address the deficiencies in city planning.

Thiruvananthapuram was ranked at number one in the 2016 survey.

We are taking steps to improve the urban governance parameters. Rajasthan has been praised for its urban land reforms in the same survey MANJI SINGH, principal secretary (local self-government)