The relentless efforts made by IT & Industries Minister KT Rama Rao fructified with the Centre giving nod for including Karimnagar in the list of Smart Cities.
Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has announced a total of 30 places in the third phase of smart cities list comprising Karimanagar in Telangana (in addition to Warangal previously announced) and Amaravathi in Andhra Pradesh among others. Venkaiah said Rs 57,393 crore has been allotted for Smart Cities Development with infrastructure and facilities. Stating that Smart Cities Mission and PMEY schemes will be launched on June 25, Venkaiah recalled that the Centre has already launched Amruth, Swachcha Bharath, Hruday schemes.
Hailing the Centre’s decision, IT Minister KTR thanked Venkaiah Naidu and urged the Centre to immediately release the funds to Telangana under various heads. He also stressed the need for funds for smart cities by dividing Metro, Corporation, Municipality, Nagara Panchayats and Village Panchayats. KTR said it was not correct for the Centre to see all the big and small cities as equal.
KTR opposed that the releasing of funds in a similar way is not suggestible as one city differs from the other. Since the every city small or big are not equal in terms of its infrastructure, facilities and geographical conditions. The Minister expressed concern that GST will have its impact and Rs 10,000 crore burden will fall on Telangana State on sectors like drinking and irrigation projects. Beedi workers are likely to lose employment opportunity due to GST implementation. “We have urged the Centre to exempt Beedi workers, granite industry, textiles, handloom sectors from the new tax regime to be effective from July 1”, he added. (NSS)