Cities can absorb poverty, says Modi

Saying that 'cities have the ability to digest poverty', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for planned development of cities with people's participation while maintaining its intrinsic heritage.

"Every city cannot be just by the width of the road or height of buildings. Every city has its soul and identity and this has to be incorporated in the process of development," Modi said at the launch of 83 projects in the first batch of 20 smart cities, coinciding with the one year of completion of Smart Cities Mission.

At the indoor stadium of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex at Balewadi in Pune, the Prime Minister said, "Urbanisation should not be considered as a problem but an opportunity. Cities are referred to as growth centres. In fact, cities can absorb poverty and for this purpose, development of cities is a must."

Crediting the citizens for the selection of smart cities, Modi put the onus on them to develop urban spaces. "Officials who met me wondered how we will select the cities. We did not select anything, the credit goes to the citizens of the cities selected," Modi said. People of the cities have to decide about the development of their urban spaces. These decisions cannot be taken in Delhi, Modi added. Highlighting the spirit of participative governance, Modi said, "Spirit of participative governance is vital." There is a positive atmosphere, of competing on development works and that too in the spirit of ‘Jan Bhagidari’, he said.

Modi stressed that it should not be seen as a fancy concept since the mission is meant for ensuring availability of all basic services to the people including houses for urban poor in a comprehensive manner.

He referred to extensive use of digital technology in the smart city plans for improving the quality of governance.  

PM takes dig at media over IPL

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a dig at the media for what he said making hue and cry that led to shifting of IPL cricket matches from Maharashtra, DHNS reports from Pune.

Though he did not make any reference to IPL, the comparison was but obvious - as matches from Pune too had to be shifted in the wake of the orders of the Bombay High Court.

"Our media friends can take things from here to there.... you can't play cricket...," he said.