SOME UNRESOLVED ISSUES
STATUS OF CANTONMENT BOARDS
The state finance commissions review the financial position of the local bodies and make recommendations with regard to the principles governing the distribution of net proceeds of taxes, duties, tolls and fees to the municipal boards. The finance commissions also recommend the principles governing disbursement of grants in aid given to them. The Cantonment Boards are considered to be the deemed municipalities and the residents living therein contribute to the revenue of the state government. So, the Cantonment Boards should be considered for a share in the state’s taxes. The state government, however, feels that appropriate constitutional amendment be considered in this matter to clarify the deemed municipality status of the Cantonment Boards.
NTC’S REQUEST
National Textile Corporation (NTC) has 11 units in Uttar Pradesh. The state govern- ment has been requested to permit/allow change of land use of these units from industrial to residential/commercial. The NTC also wants the change of land use of three units from leasehold to freehold.
ETHANOL-BLENDED PETROL
The union ministry of petroleum and natural gas had launched the ethanol blending programme (EBP) in 2003 for supply of 5% ethanol blended petrol. This programme was extended all across the country except the North Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshwadeep with effect from November 1, 2006. A gazette notification has been now issued asking the oil marketing companies to allow sell of ethanol blended petrol with 10% ethanol as per BIS specifications to achieve 5% ethanol blending across India. The oil marketing companies are however facing constraints in the inter-state movement of ethanol for the EBP programme. The state government has been requested for restoration of the method of giving export permission to oil marketing companies for ethanol supplies. The state government, however, has not accepted the proposal, saying issuing a one-time permission on an annual basis was not a good idea. Verification of import permits/NOCs received from importing states is necessary for keeping check on the exit of ethanol from states on fake permits as it may be used to make illicit liquor and cause the loss of human lives.
PIPELINE PROJECT
The HPCL Rewari-Kanpur pipeline project involves laying of 441-kilometre-long crosscountry white oil multi-product pipeline from Rewari to Kanpur. This project with an estimated cost of Rs 1210.64 crore has been delayed due to delay in land acquisition for inter mediate pigging station at Saiyyaadpur-Pran, Mainpuri.
FUNDS DELAYED
The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) through State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) works with vulnerable populations for prevention and control of HIV. NACO releases funds to state treasury for onward release to SACS. There is a delay in release of funds. The state governments have been requested to ensure timely release of funds as delay hampers implementation of key prevention activities.
MORE MRUs NEED APPROVAL
As many as 80 multi-disciplinary research units (MRUs) are required to be set up. UP has 15 medical colleges. Only 49 MRUs have been approved so far.
LAND ACQUISITION
Land acquisition needs to be expedited in the Bareilly-Sitapur section, Sitarganj-Bareilly-Ambed karnagar-Rae Bareli section, Varanasi-India-Nepal Border (Ghaghra bridge) section where there is a delay in compensation. There are also issues related to utility shifting in Moradabad Bareilly, Delhi-Agra and Sitarganj- Bareilly sections.