Urban Development Minister Francis D’Sousa on Tuesday said that people have the power to make their cities really ‘smart cities’ without depending on government help and assistance.
MARGAO
Speaking at an exhibition-cum-sale organised by Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) under the National Urban Livelihood Mission for urban self help groups from South Goa at Lohia Maidan on Tuesday, D’Souza reminded that selection of cities as smart cities is an ongoing process. “This year, they have selected 100 cities as smart cities. Next year, other cities will be nominated for the project. But, I feel that people of respective cities have the power to make their cities as smart cities without depending on government’s help. Tomorrow Margao can become a smart city. And, so is the case with Mormugao or Canacona. It all depends on the people of the area,” he said.
The Urban Development Minister was reacting to a statement made by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai that the government has meted out injustice for Margao, saying that Margao is neither a smart city nor ‘swaach’ on the
sanitation front.
D’Souza appealed to municipal councils to ensure that the urban SHGs are reserved space in the municipal buildings or elsewhere to sell the products manufactured
by them.
“Unless these SHGs have an outlet, they will not be able to sell their produce, and in the bargain it will hit their functioning,” he said.
Earlier, in his address, the Fatorda legislator said the government should stop meting out injustice to Margao Municipal Council. “Margao is not a smart city, neither it is ‘swaach’ on the sanitation front. Stop the injustice done to MMC. The government should feel that MMC is its council,” he said, while emphasising that the government should lend stability to Margao Municipal Council.
He appealed to the Urban Development Minister for help in the restoration of the century old Camara building that is lying in ruins.
In his address, Director of Municipal Administration, Elvis Gomes urged the SHGs under the National Urban Livelihood Mission to carry forward the good work, while underling the need to implement the mission with zeal and enthusiasm. “The municipalities should provide the SHGs space to carry forward the programme on a permanent basis,” added Gomes.
MMC chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai, CMC chairperson Lavita Mascarenhas, Canacona chairperson P Naik Goankar and National Livelihood Mission coordinator Celsa Antao were also present at the function.
