Telangana’s new ordinance bolsters HYDRAA

Hyderabad: In a significant move to bolster Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), the Telangana Government has issued an ordinance amending the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Act, 1955. The ordinance, signed by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, grants new powers to the GHMC Commissioner to engage specialized agencies like HYDRAA for disaster response and asset protection.

The ordinance may be called the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024. The ordinance comes in the wake of recent heavy rains and floods that exposed Hyderabad’s vulnerability to natural calamities. The ordinance acknowledges the city’s critical role in Telangana’s economy, noting that despite occupying just 0.58% of the state’s geographical area, Hyderabad contributes over a third of the state’s tax revenue and Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Governor Jishnu Dev Varma signed the ordinance on September 30, 2024, invoking Article 213 of the Constitution of India. He cited the immediate necessity for action while the State Legislature is not in session. The amendment introduces a new section, 374-B, to the GHMC Act, empowering the government to authorize any officer, agency, or authority to exercise the powers of the Corporation and the Commissioner to protect public assets.

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Telangana prioritizes disaster preparedness, empowers GHMC

Key features of the ordinance include authorization for the GHMC to empower any officer or any agency or authority to exercise any power of Corporations. The ordinance also includes provisions to protect public assets like roads, drains, streets, water bodies, open spaces, and parks from illegal encroachments, in a manner prescribed by the Government it deems fit from time to time for the purpose of Disaster Response and Protection of public assets.

It highlights Hyderabad’s status as one of the world’s most livable cities and a preferred destination for Fortune 500 companies in sectors like Pharma, Biotechnology, IT, and ITES. It emphasizes the city administration’s commitment to maintaining this business attractiveness through progressive policies.

Keywords:, ordinance, amended, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma,, powers, GHMC Commissioner, specialized agencies, HYDRAA.