This refers to the editorial, “Smart Cities challenge” (January 30). The Union Government’s framework for 20 Smart Cities is a first step towards creating world class cities in the country and must be welcomed. It must be kept in mind that these cities have been chosen on the basis of certain criteria and, therefore, it is futile for the Opposition to criticise this selection as being ‘politically-motivated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's own constituency Varanasi has failed to make it to the top ‘20 Smart Cities' list.
Moreover, there can be no case for electoral consideration as West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh have not been included in the smart cities list, even as elections in these two States are due in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Availability of funds, support of the private sector to provide technological know-how, sponsors of beautification projects, economic development and governance-ability were some of the considerations for the initial selection of cities in the first phase, to boost development in a systematic manner.