NEW DELHI: The Centre will dole out the biggest ever incentive of Rs 10,000 crore to municipalities and states in the next two years to push urban reforms . The housing ministry has put up the proposal before the Cabinet for approval.The ministry had introduced parameters for competition among states and municipalities last year and Rs 900 crore in incentives was disbursed based on their performance for two years.“Since the parameters have been redefined and we are increasing the total incentive amount, we are seeking the Cabinet approval. This will indirectly help municipal bodies to become empowered ones and for states to delegate more powers to these entities for efficient delivery of services.Until and unless municipalities undertake reforms, there is hardly any hope of urban government improving in the near future,” a ministry official said.The reforms are aimed at making a difference in urban governance and service delivery besides resource mobilisation by urban local bodies themselves.The five parameters include trust and verify, credit rating, land titling, value capture finance to improve municipal finance and professionalising the municipal cadre.Under the trust and verify reform, municipalities are expected to issue birth and death certificates and building permissions within 24 hours from filing an application. Officials can verify later and there will be provision for penalty for misrepresentation by the applicant.States are also expected to enact land titling law and operationalise it with rules. Initially, titles may be made available on demand and eventually, titles will be made available for all properties.As per guidelines set by the Centre, states will come out with a policy to facilitate value capture financing and under this mechanism, the revenue generated has to be shared with municipalities.Credit rating of municipalities is also aimed at helping municipal bodies raise finance from market through bonds. To bring professionalism in the municipal administration, states and municipalities will have to have staffing norms. Municipalities are expected to recruit new employees through lateral entry for professionals.