The mandatory reforms at the state level call for implementation of decentralized planning and development as envisaged in the 74th CM of 1992; repeal of Urban Land Ceiling & Regulation Act (ULCRA); reform of Rent Control Laws towards balancing the interest of landlords and tenants; bringing down Stamp Duty to 5% by the end of JNNURM tenure; enactment of Public Disclosure Law; enactment of Community Participation Law; and assigning or associating elected ULBs with city planning functions.

In West Bengal, the District Planning Committee (DPC) Act and West Bengal Metropolitan Planning Committee Act were legislated in 1994 with a view to implementing the paradigm of decentralization, as envisioned in 74th CAA. Not only DPCs have been formed in all the districts of the State, but also the State Government has constituted Kolkata Metropolitan Planning Committee (KMPC) for KMA - the first of its kind in India. Subsequently, an Executive Committee & five Sectoral Committees in the fields of Drainage, Sewerage and Sanitation; Traffic, Transportation, Railways, Waterways; Education, Health, Employment & Industry; Environment, Wetlands, Urban Amenities & Heritage; and Water Supply were formed to facilitate the working of KMPC.

The Perspective Plan for KMA (2001 -2025), titled Vision-2025' and the Draft Master Plans in the aforesaid fields, prepared by KMDA were examined and fine tuned by KMPC and its Sectoral Committees which helped preparing the CDP of Kolkata. Through these initiatives, association of elected ULBs with the planning and development process and also enlistment of community participation at grassroots level by formation of Ward Committees and CDSs have been successfully practised.

The Rent Control Act has already been thoroughly amended to provide for safeguard of interest of both landlords and tenants. The Stamp Duty has already been brought down to 6% and expected to be further reduced to 5% within the JNNURM tenure. The State Government has set up a high-powered committee to look into the West Bengal Urban Land (Ceiling & Regulation) Act of 1976 towards consideration of repeal of the Act, as asked for under JNNURM guideline.

JNNURM provides a good deal of opportunity for West Bengal to up-grade infrastructure and services and also have targeted interventions for the urban poor in the two major cities viz. Kolkata and Asansol. It has been made amply evident that development of infrastructure and services, especially those in major cities and towns, is key to realization of the economic growth potential that the State is now faced with. Resurgence of industries that the State is experiencing in recent years has enhanced the importance of JNNURM. It should be worthwhile to mention that CDPs for both the cities have already been prepared. A host of projects in the basic sectors of infrastructure has been lined up for implementation under JNNURM. The elected ULBs in the two cities have been effectively involved in preparation of CDPs as well as identification, prioritization and formulation of project proposals under JNNURM.

KMDA has been designated as the nodal agency for implementation of JNNURM projects in West Bengal. With a view to enlisting participatory process in identification and prioritization of project proposals, the State Government has constituted State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) under chairmanship of the Minister-in-charge of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Govt. of West Bengal.