Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today criticised the BJP-led NDA government’s idea of developing 100 Smart Cities and termed it wrong.
"Smart Cities idea is wrong and its theory is also wrong. Under the Smart Cities mission, state governments will need to contribute Rs 500 crore in five years, i.e., Rs 100 crore in every year while central government will spend Rs 100 crore a year for five years. This is to be spent for setting up a building with A to Z facilities, not the entire area or the city. What about other areas or cities?" she asked.
"It would be better not to spend Rs 500 crore. Instead, we can do much more if the money is with us," she said.
Felicitated by all the leading business chambers on Tuesday, Banerjee urged businessmen not to be afraid while implementing development projects and advised them to take legal action if local 'agency' creates disturbances for various political reasons.
"Six cities in Bengal are ready. These will be over the smart cities project. We have land banks, land map and land use pattern urging businessmen to take up projects. Please tell us what is easy and what is not. There is no point wasting time for preparing detailed project reports and follow the tendering process," she told the captains of industry.
She also asked why the Credai (Confederation Of Real Estate Developers' Associations Of India) was not taking up projects and why was it so silent.
"There is no point of saying about the downturn of the economy. Is the market subdued or we keep the market subdued," she asked.
The Chief Minister reiterated her government support to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) formula.
"We are fighting for the GST because one tax formula will work for the industries. It will easier for industries so that they will be able to pay single tax instead of multiple taxes they pay," she said.
"People are fed up with multiple taxation. This (GST) is a positive proposal. We have been supporting it," she said, while stressing that she is against the BJP government at the centre but will support pro-people policies.
"I am opposing the BJP government politically. But I assure you, I will be the first to stand for pro-people policies like the GST," she said.
Banerjee also instructed West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra, who is chairman of the Empowered Committee of Finance Ministers on GST, to "sort it out in the next two meetings".
"GST is long-pending. Within the next two meetings, you (Mitra) sort it out, build a consensus and do it," she said.
Banerjee also said there is no point talking and it is time to deliver it now.
"I heard of more than 70,000 industries left India. They fear in investing in India. Industrialists are even harassed by multiple government agencies like income tax departments, enforcement directorate, CBI. They are afraid of expanding their businesses. It is not the way out," she claimed.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill to roll out the GST is currently stuck in the Rajya Sabha due to stiff opposition from the Congress, which is demanding the inclusion of a provision to cap the maximum rate at 18 per cent.
With IANS Inputs
