GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO. 2456

ANSWERED ON 03.01.2019

Transparency in Municipal Governance Through Smart Cities Mission

2456. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR        

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Central Government is aware of the deep-rooted corruption and negligence in contract, land dealings and illegal constructions in Bengaluru and many other Municipal corporations; and

(b) whether the Smart Cities Mission would improve and create transparency in municipal governance?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) Urban Development is a State subject and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) function under the laws enacted by State Governments. As such, matters relating to corruption, negligence in contract, land dealing and illegal construction come under the purview of State Governments/ULBs.

(b) The objective of Smart Cities Mission is to promote cities which provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart solutions’. The Mission has adopted a two-pronged strategy namely:

(i) Area Based Development wherein, certain areas are taken up for development either on greenfield or retrofitting/redevelopment models through integration of the physical, social, institutional and economic infrastructure, and deployment of essential features.
(ii) Pan City solutions wherein cities implement at least one or more smart solutions in areas of priority for the entire city.
Smart Cities Mission is being implemented by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a limited company incorporated under the Companies’ Act, 2013, in which the State/Union Territory (UT) Government and the ULB are the promoters having 50:50 equity shareholding.

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