Malik blames govt for not releasing funds

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 13

Rajya Sabha MP Shwait Malik accused the Capt Amarinder Singh government for not releasing matching grants under the Smart City project.

Addressing mediapersons here today, he said the Union government had released Rs 25 crore under the project, but the contribution of the state government was nil.

The delay in releasing the share for the project was creating hurdles in implementing the project aimed to provide modern infrastructure and improve the quality of life of people living in the cities. Smart cities are for common people and the strategies are ought to be made focusing the people, he said.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitely and Hardeep Singh Puri Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs (Independent Charge) for providing the city with the status of smart city.

Accompanied by Deepti Uppal, CEO, Amritsar Smart City Limited, he said the city is smart only when the people living in the city are smart. Every citizen has the feeling of homeliness in the the public property and same type of care and affection is given to the public amenities created by the government. Citizens should understand these rights and should be well conversant about their duties also.

Elaborating the facilities under the project, he said it will have best primary education and healthcare facilities, better local roads and public transport facilities, adequate drinking water and sewerage provision, waste handling facilities and water treatment services, focus on slums upgradation, better street lights, sufficient public parks and playgrounds, footpath and clear walkway cycle tracks, vehicle parking, pedestrian crossings, speed breakers, storm water and rain water management facilities, garbage containers and public toilet facilities, plantation and basic utility services like ambulance services, fire brigade services and pollution control programmes.

Besides, maintenance of cremation and burial grounds, preserving and developing open spaces like parks, playgrounds, and recreational spaces in order to enhance the quality of life of citizens, reduce the urban heat effects in areas, promote eco-balance and save people from the effect of Global warming.