Functions of the Authority

The Authority shall - (1) undertake preparation of comprehensive and integrated development plan for - (a) socio-economic development, (b) development of urban, civic, economic, and social infrastructure with special emphasis on roads, bridges, tunnels and transport infrastructure, (c) ecological and environment management, (d) overseeing the implementation of its development plans, and (e) management of, and overseeing, local government institutions, (2) provide, by law, in the overall planning process, for - (a) preparation of - (i) settlement plan, (ii) economic plan with emphasis on management of rural and urban poverty, and (iii) land-use plan, (b) control of development, (c) infrastructure development plan with special emphasis on infrastructure for transport and tourism, (d) investment plan, (e) financing plan, (f) urban and rural management plan, (g) environment management plan, and (h) management of ecological and environmental aspects of the State, having regard to the flora and the fauna of the State including the hilly terrain, (3) ensure that democratic decentralization of local governments contributes to the improvement of the performance of such governments, both in urban and rural areas, and the quality of life of the citizens at large, (4) facilitate realization of local autonomy through improved coordination of national and the State Government policies and programmes and extension of adequate technical and material assistance to the less developed and hence deserving units of the local governments by instituting alternative arrangements for service delivery of urban, civic, economic, and social infrastructure, (5) make adequate provisions for resources with powers, responsibility, and accountability to enable the local governments, both in rural and urban areas, to effectively carry out their functions and to have enabling powers to create and broaden their own sources of revenue and to have a just share of the State taxes and other revenues of the State, and (6) to ensure the participation of the private sector in the efforts of the State to secure social and economic advancement of, and delivery of basic services to, the people of Sikkim.