Atal Shresth Shahar Yojna

Description
The scheme "Atal Shresth Shahar Yojna ASSY ” was launched by the Urban Development Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh on 1st April 2018 to select the best Municipal Council and best Nagar Panchayat. The scheme aims to reward and incentivize the best performing Urban Local Bodies ULBs in Himachal Pradesh Municipal Council/Nagar Panchyat on the indicators of sanitation/cleanliness, increase utilization, public infrastructure, and official work. The Government has started this scheme to encourage Urban Local Bodies ULBs under which the best performing 3 Municipal Councils and three 3 Nagar Panchyats are given cash rewards. The top performing 1 Municipal Corporation, 3 Municipal Councils and 3 Nagar Panchyats will be felicitated with “Atal Shrestha Shahar Puruskar” on 25th December of every year on the birth anniversary of Late Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee former Prime Minister of India or any other date as decided by the Government. Fund Allocation: Sl. No. Component Total Allocation in Lacs Remarks 1Prize Distribution₹500.00Every year: Requirement for Each Year2A&OE Fund including Prize Distribution function ₹10.00Every year: A&OE will be based on actual expenditure every year 3Third Party Agency TPA ₹15.00Every year: TPA expenditure will be based on the quoted cost. 4Online Platform with Annual maintenance cost AMC for 5 years.₹15.00One time: Online platform cost Every year: AMC as per actuals Total₹540.00<br>

Benefits
• Incentive Pattern:

Eligibility Criteria
1. The scheme applies to all the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the State.
2. It is mandatory for all the ULBs of the state to participate in the scheme.
3. There will be no bar on any ULB to participate in the scheme even if it has won an ASSY prize in the preceding year(s).
4. Any ULB making a false claim will be penalized suitably by deduction of its grant and disciplinary action will be initiated.
5. **Indicator for Assessment:**
6. The top-performing ULBs will be selected on the basis of their performance on various indicators as given below.
7. Sl. No.ParameterIndicatorsMax Score1Swachh Survekshan Parameter1. Swachh SurvekshanAs fixed by GoI on year to year basis.2State Parameter1. Public Service Delivery15002. Increase in Income20003. Fund Utilisation15004. Public Infrastructure5005. Audit Paras settlement and audited account1000The ULBs will be ranked on the basis of the score obtained in Swachh Survekshan of the preceding year and the score obtained in the other five (5) State Parameters. The format for self-assessment of ULBs on which a claim is to be made by the ULBs is given at [Annexure-A](https://ud.hp.gov.in/sites/default/files/DAY%20NULM/AMRUT/ASSY_Guidlines_2022.pdf). There will be an online platform on which information will be submitted by the ULBs on or before the fixed date of the submission every year.
8. **Note:**
9. - The first parameter i.e. Swachh Survekshan will be evaluated as per Swachh Servekshan criteria fixed by GoI on a year-to-year basis.
10. - Marks obtained by ULB in the assessment made by GoI in Swachh Survekshan of the previous year will be taken into account for inclusion every year.

Required Documents
• Report of Fund utilization in respect of funds provided during preceding the last FY
• Details of the number of sheets registered beneficiaries under Mukhya Mantri Shahri Ajeevika Guarantee Yojna
• Details of increase in ULB's own income (i.e. Property Tax, user charges, rent, and Income from other sources) during the last FY
• Details of Audit Paras settled and audited accounts

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the 'Atal Shresth Shahar Yojna (ASSY)'?
A: The Atal Shresth Shahar Yojna is a scheme initiated by the State Government to recognize and reward the top-performing Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state based on various performance indicators.

Q: Who is eligible to participate in ASSY?
A: The scheme is applicable to all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state, and it is mandatory for all ULBs to participate. There is no bar on any ULB, even if it has won the ASSY prize in previous years.

Q: What are the indicators for assessment under ASSY?
A: The top-performing ULBs will be assessed based on indicators such as Swachh Survekshan, public service delivery, increase in ULB income, fund utilization, public infrastructure, and audit paras settlement and audited accounts.

Q: How are ULBs ranked in the scheme?
A: ULBs will be ranked based on the scores obtained in Swachh Survekshan of the preceding year and the scores obtained in the other five State Parameters.

Q: How is the prize money distributed among the winners?
A: The top-performing Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, and Nagar Panchayat will be awarded cash prizes, with the first, second, and third prizes having specified amounts. In case of a tie, the prize money will be distributed equally among the tied ULBs.

Q: Can ULBs use the award money for any purpose?
A: The award money is provided as an un-tied grant and should not form part of the income of the ULBs. It cannot be spent on salaries/wages of ULB employees. However, ULBs may formulate a scheme to reward their employees for outstanding contributions within certain limits.

Q: What is the timeline for the ASSY competition?
A: ULBs need to submit their claims by September 30th each year. The screening process occurs by October 20th, followed by field assessment/verification by a Third Party Agency (TPA) by November 20th. Prize distribution takes place on December 25th.

Q: How is the final decision on the winners made?
A: The field assessment/verification is conducted by a Third Party Agency (TPA), and based on their report, the Director of Urban Development recommends the names of the winning ULBs to the State Level Apex Committee for final approval. The Apex Committee's decision is final.

Q: Is there any provision for rectification of mistakes in the claims?
A: ULBs will be given additional time to rectify any clerical mistakes. The Department may provide this additional time after the field verification stage.