The Union Government is committed to providing assistance to States and cities to create urban infrastructure, but Central funding will only be given to them if local Governments are willing to adopt reforms, said Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation.
While addressing 12th International Conference & Exhibition on Emerging Trends in Sustainable Habitat & Integrated Cities at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Naidu said that there was a need to change the mindset and the local authorities would perform well to collect taxes. “If good facilities would be given to the people, they wouldn't mind paying taxes,” he said while praising Gujarat Government's efforts of providing electricity 24X7.
He said that in many States, some political parties promised to provide free electricity but, people are not getting uninterrupted power. In the case of Gujarat, there is no demand for free electricity from the people as they receive uninterrupted power supply, he added.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naidu said that he changed the face of Gujarat and now he was set to change the face of the nation. He said that after BJP's thumping victory and formation of the Government at the Centre, the party was feeling the pressure of expectations. “People's expectations are extremely high from the Modi Government,” he said, adding that Modi is 'God's gift' to India.