States seek financial help to develop Smart Cities

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September 13, 2014

Urban Development Minister reviewed suggestions and views from States and Union Territories expressed at the national conclave recently and directed officials to examine the suggestions in detail

September 13, 2014

Urban Development Minister reviewed suggestions and views from States and Union Territories expressed at the national conclave recently and directed officials to examine the suggestions in detail

New Delhi: Unanimously welcoming the Smart City initiative of the Centre, States have demanded technical help to prepare project reports and higher financial assistance.

Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu reviewed suggestions and views from States and Union Territories expressed at the national conclave recently and directed officials to examine the suggestions in detail.

He has also asked the concerned officials to prepare a proposal for discussion at an inter-ministerial meeting that Ministers of Finance and Defence, Highways and Surface Transport, Railways, Power, Environment and Forests are likely to attend.

Reiterating the importance of smart leadership in developing smart cities, Naidu said he would write to all Chief Ministers on the need for proper decision making.

States have made ten broad suggestions for developing Smart Cities including seeking flexibility in implementation, capacity building, higher central assistance in view of the resource constraints of urban local bodies and expeditious clearances by the Centre, said a senior Urban Development official.


Courtesy: PTI