JNNURM update

The national capital is lagging way behind other metros when it comes to the execution of path-breaking reforms under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which aims at revamping infrastructure and urban governance in cities. But there’s good news for the financial capital as Mumbai, along with Chennai and Kolkata, has achieved most of the reforms, even optional ones, at the local body and the state level. Delhi, though, appears to be postponing timelines for them.
According to the latest report on the status of urban and state-level reforms to be carried out by mission cities to get funding for projects, Mumbai and Chennai have already achieved the reform target of property tax coverage of 80% along with Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad and Surat. Collection efficiency of 90% has been met by Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
When it comes to introducing egovernance in city administration, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata have already implemented the reforms, while other cities like Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad and Surat have also executed reforms aimed at ensuring online utilities for people. But Delhi has failed to do so even after four years of the launch of the JNNURM.
Chennai, Kolkata and Greater Mumbai have shifted to accrual-based double accounting system and have published their balance sheets after valuation of their assets and liabilities. But, Mumbai is missing from the list.
Under the JNNURM, the Centre introduced a condition asking local bodies to internally earmark funds for the poor, aiming to ensure flow of funds to provide basic services to the urban poor. Forty-five cities, including Chennai, Kolkata and Greater Mumbai, have done so. But Delhi is missing from the list.
Delhi does figure along with 47 cities, including Chennai, Kolkata and Greater Mumbai, in undertaking revision of building bye-laws for mandatory rainwater harvesting in all buildings. Mumbai, facing a huge water crisis, has failed to meet this condition.