Three mega schemes: States, UTs to have greater say

Operational guidelines for implementation of Smart Cities, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Housing for All by 2022 in urban areas were released at the launch of these three mega projects.

According to the guidelines, the states and Union Territories will have full liberty and flexibility in formulation, approval and execution of projects under the three missions.

Centre has virtually withdrawn from the earlier practice of appraising and sanctioning individual projects, thereby ending the scope for subjectivity and discretion. Based on the learnings of implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) that ended up in “sub-optimal physical and financial performance”, Urban Development and Housing for Urban Poverty Alleviation ministries have sought to ensure timely sanction and execution and certainty of resources for various projects and participation of citizens in identifying development needs under the new urban schemes.

The major new provisions incorporated in the guidelines and common to all the three urban missions include objective criteria for selection of cities and allocation of funds.

Smart City project aims development 100 Smart Cities while 500 cities are being identified under AMRUT. Housing for All renamed as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana envisages construction of 2 crore affordable houses for poor in urban areas.