The Hindu Business Line : `Rajiv Nagara Bata programme impresses several States'

ANDHRA Pradesh is emerging as a role model in people-centric governance to several States through the performance of the Rajiv Nagara Bata (RNB) programme launched by the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

The States which have shown interest in replicating RNB include such progressive and reform-oriented ones like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan, an official release claimed here on Sunday.

These States found RNB as an effective approach to involve communities, increase convergence and coordination of departments and bring about improvements in service delivery.

This perception was conveyed by senior officials of the above States to the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), the nodal agency for RNB. ASCI, in turn, sent a communication to the Chief Minister's Office conveying them, the release said.

During the Chief Minister's discussion with officials, the latter came up with a proposal that the State could prepare a blueprint of its urban water supply project and seek an additional special package from the Centre when the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, visits Sriharikota on September 21.

Availability of more funds will help cover more number of municipalities and complete the project even earlier than the three-year schedule.

The Chief Minister said the Government could consider making the plea to the Prime Minister during his visit, subject to the code of conduct in force in connection with the municipal elections.

Dr Reddy observed that the state of affairs in urban areas should be improved for which the Government is programmed to spend as much as Rs 2,000 crore during this year. For the purpose of planning the civic amenities/infrastructure projects, a street should be taken as a unit so that the needs of each and every household are properly addressed.

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