Chandigarh, May 22 : Local bodies minister , Punjab Bhagat Chunni Lal today said that HUDCO has sanctioned Rs 2000 crore for the overall development of major cities in Punjab.

Presiding over the meeting with V.P. Baligar, CMD, HUDCO at Punjab Bhawan, Bhagat Chunni Lal today reviewed the various loan schemes of HUDCO for development of cities across the state. Mr Chunni Lal said that there was no lack of funds for the development of cities in the state and the amount sanctioned by HUDCO would ensure the overall development of Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Patiala including various towns and small cities of Punjab.

Baligar informed the minister that HUDCO provides long term finance for construction of houses , undertake housing and urban development programmes in the country. He said that vision and mission of the HUDCO is "to be among the leading knowledge hubs and financial facilitating organizations for habitat settlement" and "to promote sustainable habitat development to enhance the quality of life."

The Minister further said that Punjab Government have already started many ambitious projects, one of them is Municipal Bhawan being constructed in Sector 35, Chandigarh where all branches of Local Bodies Department of the Punjab would work under one roof from December 2013 onward. Among others who were present in the meeting was Priyank Bharti, Director Local bodies, Sunil Jyoti, mayor, municipal corporation jalandhar, Vinay Bublani, commissioner and from PMIDC Ridesh Kalra.