JAIPUR: The Urban Development and Housing (UDH) department is all set to increase the powers of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in all the districts to expedite and simplify land-related processes before Resurgent Rajasthan. A proposal has been drafted to give powers such as issuing lease deeds, layout plan approval and conversions to ULBs. 

According to a senior official, "the approval has been given by UDH additional chief secretary Ashok Jain and now it will be sent to the minister for final approval". 

Official explained the proposal has been drafted to expedite the procedure of clearing files. "At present, the ULBs have to send the files to state government for the final approval, which is time consuming. If the powers are given to the local bodies these files can be disposed at their level that can speed up the process," added the official. 

The UDH has also proposed that local bodies in Neemrana and Bhiwadi can carry out the land conversion process (90 A). The UDH department has recently sig ned 27 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 12,478 crore ahead of Resurgent Rajasthan. 

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It is to be mentioned that Rajasthan is among the first few states to identify 40 cities that will be included in the first phase of implementing `Housing for All' scheme of the Central government.The National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) will provide Rs 500 crore to the state government for affordable housing. "The investors need policies which do not affect the pace of their projects. This move will ensure speedy completion," said an official.