Kohima, November 9 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today spoke to the Union Minister for Urban Development, Venkaiah Naidu about the practical difficulties of smaller States to contribute 50% of funds for starting up activities for Smart City project.
Accompanied by Home Minister Y Patton, MP Rajya Sabha KG Kenye, and Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs Department, Tohanba, the Chief Minister met the Union Minister in New Delhi and thanked him for selecting Kohima as one of India’s cities to be taken up as a Smart City. However, he explained in detail how and why it is difficult for smaller states like Nagaland to contribute 50% of the fund required to develop the city into a Smart City, said a press release from Media Cell, Chief Minister's Office.
“Inspite of all the shortcomings that Kohima scored in going through the selection procedure, we are happy and grateful that Kohima has been selected in the third list to be included as one of the Smart Cities by the Government of India and we shall do whatever is in our capacity to rectify the shortcomings,” the Chief Minister told the Union Minister. “But to ask us, resource-famished states like those of the Northeast to contribute 50% of the funds to develop the Cities is not practical or fair,” he added.
The Union Minister appreciated the problems elaborated by the CM, who explained that States like Nagaland have a difficult time even contributing 10% of the requirements in projects requiring 90% Central funding and 10% state share. The Union Minister told Zeliang to ask the Chief Ministers of the North East region to collectively write to the Prime Minister to continue with the 90:10 funding pattern as was done in the past, according to the press release.
There should be a “special dispensation” for the North East, the Union Minister stressed and expressed optimism that the region will progress like no time ever under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NEDA (North East Democratic Alliance) formed in May 2016, it added.
