Any move to structure urban planning is welcome as long it is either empowered itself or the empowered entity is mandated to adopt feasible suggestions from such institutions. Probably it might be a good idea for the Government to adopt and publish a publicly visible Balance Score Card for all such bodies and collaborations that it sets up. A yearly review of the scorecard can then determine the funding available to each such institution.

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A Long overdue Multi disciplinary research center like this one is very appropriate addition to the premier institute of our nation. 

It is indeed a very exciting development for us in Praja. The realities on ground are exasperating. However it is important to re - search though in theory to get an insight to the problem facing us on the ground. 

Politics and research are two different entities both important in there own merit / context. They need not be confused to be contradictory.

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 The Union Urban Development Department has written to every state to fix annual renewal fees for DLs, and taxes for diesel cars for personal use. These funds are to be used towards Urban Transport Fund which would take care of funding needs for ULB (Urban Local Body) transport infrastructure.

http://www.starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=news&item=19328

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 RENEWAL CHARGES FOR DLS SOON 

Bangalore, Jan. 15- The Union Urban Development Ministry has asked the States to set up a dedicated Urban Transport Fund through collecting annual renewal charges for Driving Licences (DLs) from motorists, additional registration charges for two-wheelers and four-wheelers and registration charges for diesel vehicles for personal use.

The Ministry, in its order to all the Chief Secretaries and State Urban Ministries on Monday, suggested various measures to generate money to set up an Urban Transport Fund at the State-level that could be utilised to address urban transport issues.

According to Union Urban Development Ministry officials, the directive suggests that States should levy additional charges and new fees in various sectors.

"The measure aims at financially enabling State Governments to handle transport issues. Though there are different grants and aids under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and annual budgetary allocations, the funds available are insufficient to carry out transport reforms. Such a system exists in many countries in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific as well as European countries," the officials say.

Further, the Ministry which is in the final stages of formulating a National Commission on Urbani-sation is of the opinion that if India has to move forward, reforms in the transport sector is essential.

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GoK should heavily tax personal transport. This is the only way public transport can be encouraged.

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 Registration charges for personal diesel cars should be the highest. These cars not just consume diesel meant for commericial transportation purposes, but also are more enviromentally harmful.

High registration charges on an annual basis should be applied for cars of various classes. For example, a costly Honda CR-V which runs on diesel can be slapped an annual registration charge of Rs. 50,000 and a simple Maruti 800 could be slapped a registration charge at Rs. 10,000.

This along with additional Driver's License renewal charges should be in place.

Such measures should ensure that personal transport is taxed in a way that encourages public transport.

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I am not in favour of huge increases in license renewal fees, nor any drastic changes in the license validity periods from what it is currently. I am all for increased levies on fuel consumption.

Now, supposing the government relaxes the licensing regime, and "Muralidhar Rao associates bus services" comes into operation, I'll be using it for over say 75% of my travel requirements. And, if it becomes really good over time, the percentage can increase to over 90. But, there will still be the 10% emergency and leisure requirements, for which I will need to keep my license valid, and that should not cost me too heavy. Of course, for these 10% trips, I'll be buying fuel at the increased charges. And, that should be a good enough disincentive.

Muralidhar Rao

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Electric cars should be encouraged. There can be many incentives for that:

1.) Excise duty reduction
2.) Registration tax reduction
3.) Longer loan tenure and lower interest rates

All the three above could be raised for conventional cars. 

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Mr. Cadambi thinks that electric cars are the ultimate as far as environment is concerned. It is difficult to visualize that it is not so, I agree. However for your information, even a search on Google involves carbon credit. The values did appear in the news papers. It can be easily verified please.


PSA

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