Smart City Mission: First list to be out by month-end

Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu said that an expert committee set up by the Ministry of Urban Development will announce the first list of 20 cities out of 98 cities selected under Smart City Mission for the implementation of Smart City Project by this month-end.

Briefing media persons here on Wednesday, he said the ministry has no role in the selection process. The committee is going through the proposals of the cities. Twenty cities will be selected in the first year. The project will be implemented in the next two years. The Urban Development Ministry will provide Rs 100 crore to each to the selected cities, over the next five years for development he added.

Naidu said the NDA government believes in ‘1D Formula’ of development. Here ‘D’ means development, he said.

 “When the world economy has slowed down, India is attracting foreign investments. Even the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Economic Forum have stated that India is the most preferred destination for investments. Investors are looking towards investment in India. It, in turn, will strengthen the economy, create jobs and accelerate development pr-ocess,” he observed.

Naidu said Congress prevented the passing of progressive bills like Goods and Service Taxes (GST) and Real Estate Bills by disrupting the Parliament proceedings. The GST Bill was introduced by the Congress in 2008. A committee of ministers and officials had visited 16 countries before finalising the bill. In fact, GST is being implemented effectively in 116 countries and it will be helpful in reducing the tax in the long run, he added.

“The Opposition leaders are obstructing the development of the country. The Congress is demanding a cap on tax in the proposed GST Bill. “If it is so important, Congress could have brought it in the original bill which it had introduced. Pranab Mukherjee was the finance minister at that time and when he brought the bill, the cap was not there. Subsequently, P Chidambar-am  was steering the bill and he, too, did not think it necessary. Now, suddenly the party has said that there should be a cap,” he said.

Naidu said the NDA government is determined pursue the path of development to revive the economy. Under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, banks have disbursed a sum of Rs 92,000 crore (till January 19) among the weaker sections of the society, including autorickshaw drivers, fishermen and others. He hoped that the Real Estate Bill will be passed in the coming budget session of the Parliament.