Mohali Emerges on Top for ‘Smart City’ in Punjab
Among the top six contenders for the smart city tag in Punjab, Mohali has emerged at the top, beating other major cities such as Patiala, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Amritsar and Ludhiana. An intercity competition was conducted in Punjab for six cities by the local bodies department in which, Mohali came at the top with 93 percentile on the 13-point criteria laid down by the central government.
Bathinda came second in the contest with 80 percentile, Jalandhar got 65 percentile and the rest of the cities got 55 percentile each. Mohali and Bathinda also got an exemption from the JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) based ranking as the scheme had not been introduced in these districts.
13-point criteria for ‘Smart cities’
The central government launched the smart city mission on 25th June this year. A city challenge competition will be held to select the cities, towns and regions that will be developed as smart cities. According to this challenge, the state governments should submit the nominations for the cities in the respective states, which will be graded against certain criteria. The government also laid down four broad criteria with a total of 13 sub-criteria for selecting the towns and regions. The total weightage of these criteria will be 100 points/marks. The 13 sub-criteria are as follows:
1) Construction and increase in sanitation level under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Toilets need to be constructed in every phase and sector of the town.
2) Implementation of CRAMAT (Citizens’ Reporting and Mapping Tool) – an online grievance redressal system. It should be in an operable condition.
3) Monthly e-newsletter
4) Resolution of elected city council
5) Penalties for service delays
6) Electronic project-wise municipal budget information
7) Consultation with residents
8) Regular payment of salaries
9) Revenues that are generated internally from the town/city via taxes, fees and similar sources.
10) Establishment and efficient maintenance of water supply
11) Audit of accounts
12) Contribution of internal sources of revenue in capital works
13) Percentage contribution of tax revenue, user charges and fees, and other internal sources
According to the municipal commissioner of Mohali, the city municipal corporation is fulfilling the required criteria of a smart city. It received 75 out of 80 marks (excluding JNNURM) by the local bodies department.
