Ronnie peeved as Centre says no to State’s Smart City fund proposal

SHILLONG: Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V. Lyngdoh is peeved at the Centre’s apathy to give financial aid to the State Government for implementing the Smart City project.
The minister said the funding pattern for the project is 50:50, which is difficult for the cash-strapped State.
“I have spoken to Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu at a meeting in Guwahati to assist the State Government but he disagreed as the funding policy (of 50:50) cannot be changed,” he said.
The State Government was looking for 90:10 funding mode where the Centre would bear 90 percent of the project cost.
“Since the Centre did not listen to us, we will have to find other ways and means to implement the Smart City project in the State,” he added.
On cleanliness, he admitted that the State is getting dirtier, which is a matter of “shame and dishonour”.
However, he added that the blame should not be solely on the government as it is a cooperative effort of the society to maintain cleanliness.