Naidu bats for faster development of cities

Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu today stressed the need for development of cities at a faster pace by adopting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'mantra' of reform, perform and transform.
"The Prime Minister has given a mantra of reform, perform and transform for bringing change in the country and there is a need to implement this at a faster pace in view of the rising population in urban areas," Naidu said addressing a workshop on urban development here.
He also called upon the participants to work in "MODI (Making of developed India) mode" for development of the country.
The Union Minister also assured Madhya Pradesh that the Centre will fully support the proposed Metro rail project for Bhopal and Indore.

He said the civic bodies should frame schemes keeping in mind the requirement of next ten years as the population in urban areas is constantly increasing and added that the Centre is providing adequate funds for urban development.
He also informed that under the new policy, 45 per cent of tax revenue will be given to the states but added that urban development will take place only with the participation of the people.

"To make the cities totally open defecation free we have to bring change in their mindset. There is a need to turn 'Swachh Bharat' into a movement. In smart cities, people should also have smart thinking," he said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in next three years Rs 83,000 crore will be spent in the state.
On the occasion, Chouhan also gave a call to make to make all the cities in the state open defecation free by December 2017.