UP's local body chiefs to meet Nov 13

All the heads of urban local bodies and "nagar panchayats" of Uttar Pradesh will meet in the state capital Nov 13, an official said Monday.

The meeting, to be presided over by state Urban Development Minister Azam Khan, will be attended by chairmen of 199 municipal corporations and 423 nagar panchayats.

The meeting will be the first since the Akhilesh Yadav government came to power last year.

Special Secretary (Urban Development) S.P. Singh said the meeting was aimed at making the local bodies realise their growing responsibilities.

Officials say the meeting is also likely to focus on the widening communication gap between the state government and the local bodies.

"The state government is committed to an all-round and balanced development of the cities and towns and the meeting is likely to be the pivotal formative step in this direction," an official told IANS.