Ranchi, May 23: The cabinet today approved GIS-based master plans of as many as 18 district towns to ensure their development was in tune with the population growth of these semi-urban centres.
Urban development department principal secretary Arun Kumar Singh maintained that the master plans, that favour construction of multi-storeyed residential complexes keeping in mind population growth in the next 25 years, had been okayed by municipal bodies of the towns after accommodating suggestions from various sections of society.
Master plans were approved for Simdega, Chakuliya, Chatra, Jhumri Tilaiya, Vishrampur, Latehar, Hazaribagh, Rajmahal, Hussainabad, Chaibasa, Daltonganj, Madhupur, Seraikela, Lohardaga, Gumla, Bundu, Godda and Giridih.
"This is the first time that so many master plans have been approved in one go. The master plans for remaining places would be approved soon," he added. In another decision, the cabinet resolved to nominate private consultant India Report Card Media to handle state government publicity for three years, in place of Ernst & Young and Prabhatan Advertising.
E&Y and Prabhatan, were hired four months back on a 40-month contract.
Sources said E&Y, which helped the government frame various sector-wise policies in the run up to the February Global Investors Summit, would continue to work as knowledge partners with various state government departments like industries, sports, information technology and urban development.
E&Y is also manning the government's single window system of clearances.
"An MoU will be signed with India Report Card soon. Over Rs 14.48 crore would be given to the new consultant in lieu of its services," said cabinet coordination department secretary S.S. Meena. However, India Report Card Media's performance would be reviewed after six months.
Information and public relations department principal secretary Sanjay Kumar, who is also principal secretary to the chief minister, added that the state government was impressed by the presentations made by India Report Card Media.
