Punjab CM announces slew of welfare and development initiatives for Amritsar

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today announced a slew of welfare and development schemes for Amritsar including a Rs 3000-crore World Bank aided project to provide UNDC (Surface) Water based drinking water supply system in the city. The surface water scheme will replace the existing ground water based drinking water supply scheme, thus addressing a serious concern of the region, which is facing severe depletion of the ground water and cases of vector borne diseases. Stating this at a press conference here, the Chief Minister also announced several new development projects, entailing a total cost of Rs 556.90-crore, for Amritsar, which was being developed as a Smart City at a Rs 200-crore investment, of which Rs 100-crore will be shared by the State Government. Capt Amarinder announced the establishment of a Directorate of Fire Services at state level in Amritsar, along with 50 per cent seat reservation for women in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), in line with his government’s decision to make such reservation across the state. Another key decision of the Government relates to provision of free homes for the homeless people and subsidised houses for the economically weaker section under the Shehari Awas Yojana. The Chief Minister also announced devolution of proprietary rights to old tenants on residential and commercial properties of municipal bodies, besides one-time settlement of old arrears of water and sewerage charges and property/house tax.