Lok Sabha Question No. 2415 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-03
Subject: Functioning of NURPA
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dayanidhi Maran

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2415 TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 03, 2022 FUNCTIONING OF NURPA

NO. 2415.  SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

- (a) The details and manner in which the proposed National Urban and Regional Planning  Authority  (NURPA)  would  function  under  the  leadership  of  the Prime Minister;
- (b) The specific measures taken/ being taken to address the shortage of urban planners in tier-2 and tier-3 cities;
- (c) Whether the Government has allocated or proposes to allocate funds to the States for the recruitment of urban  planners  and  if so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) The details of the provisions that would be included in the proposed Town and Country Planners Bill;
- (e) Whether  the  development  of  city-regions  as  economic  gateways   would attract foreign investment and talent and if so, the details of the parameters for measuring the success;
- (f) The  cities   which   have   been   identified  for  funding  under  the  national economic  gateway  programme  along  with  the  initiatives  to  integrate  the informal  economy  and  emphasize  skill-building  in  the  economic  gateway programme; and
- (g) The details of the criteria for selecting cities for funding the rejuvenation of riverfronts?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

- (a), (d) & (f): No such proposal/ provision is being proposed as of now.
- (b) & (c)  The shortage of urban planners is being addressed through 'The Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24'. Its first reform 'Augmentation of Human Resources for Strengthening Urban Planning  Ecosystem'  mandates  provisions  to  recruit  urban  planners  in States and Cities under the following sub-reforms for incentives:
- Sanction of post for planners - No. of Planners desirable according to the population of the cities as per Census 2011:
- 5 urban planners per city (in 4 million plus cities)
- 3 urban planners per city (in million plus cities with population less than 4 million)
- 2 urban planners per city (in 1 million to 0.5 million cities)
- 1 urban planner per city (in below 0.5 million to 0.1 million cities)
- 1 urban planner per city (in below 0.1 million to 0.05 million cities)
- It also mandates the below mentioned sub-reforms for incentives:
- Completion of recruitment on at least 50% of vacant posts on regular basis
- Additional Planners may be hired on contract basis with specific expertise
- States/  ULBs  may  build  strong  collaboration  with  private  expertise  to engage them at State level or for substantial work at city level

(e) As per the 12 th  Schedule of Indian Constitution, Urban Planning including Town Planning is the responsibility of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The 12 th Schedule deals with the provisions that specify the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Municipalities.

(g)  'The  Scheme  for  Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Investment 2023-24', in one of its reforms 'Strengthening Natural Ecosystems of Urban Areas  through  Urban  Planning'  mentions  restoration  of  cities'  capacity  to absorb,  infiltrate,  store,  purify,  drain,  and  manage  rainwater  and  regulate the water cycle as an objective. There are provisions to promote Riverfront Development in States and Cities under its sub-reform, and incentives have been mandated for each riverfront development.

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