CHENNAI: The State government is creating a common cadre of qualified town planners with separate service regulations to ensure sustainable urban development.Tamil Nadu, which is one of the most urbanised States in the country, has been functioning without proper service rules and qualified planners. Because of this, responsibility and accountability could not be fixed for planning lapses.
Recently, after Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced creation of a separate cadre of town planners at the State-level, a proposal has been submitted. Sources said orders are being awaited from the government.The move also comes in the wake of the Centre urging the State government to file a status report on posting of qualified town planners under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) in urban local bodies.
Presently, in municipal corporations, municipalities and town panchayats, there is no qualified town planner. Even Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), which is considered to have qualified planners, seems to have been relaxing service rules to promote unqualified professionals.
Sources said once the common cadre is established, it will pave the way for professionalism. Professional town planners under this cadre will be posted to CMDA, urban local bodies, rural local bodies, Tamil Nadu housing Board, State slum clearance board and other agencies.
The common cadre is also being established as for the last 25 years CMDA is functioning without service rules. It was in 1992 that CMDA amended the service rules, which govern the recruitment and service of its staff. But, failure to notify the rules has led to occasional bending of rules and also confusion in service rules.
Scarcity of experts
There is lack of qualified planners in municipal corporations, municipalities and town panchayats
In the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, there are less than 10 planners who have post-graduate qualifications
In CMDA, there are 56 qualified town planners now
The common cadre will result in having town planners specialised in transport, environment and heritage