Bengaluru: The Union Ministry of Urban Development has asked 28 states, including Karnataka, to equip 3,784 “Census Towns” with statutory Urban Local Bodies for planned urban development.
A Census Town is an area with a minimum population of 5,000 and population density of at least 400 persons per sq. km.. Also, it must have at least 75 per cent of its male working force engaged in non-agricultural activity As per the 2011 Census, there are 3,784 Census Towns today as against 1,362 in 2001.
The selected towns will get financial aid from the Union government under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
Mr Rajiv Gauba, secretary (urban development) has written to the Chief Secretaries of the 28 states highlighting the need for statutory Urban Local Bodies for planned and coordinated infrastructure development, enhancement of revenue and efficient delivery of services to citizens, leading to overall growth of economic activity.
Mr. Gauba also informed the states that conversion of Census Towns into statutory ULBs entitled them to Central assistance. A Statutory Town is one with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board or a notified town area committee. As per 2011 Census, there are 4,041 such towns as against 3,799 in 2001.
