People have to shed their attitude of expecting everything to be done by the Government or the officials, they have to be active partners in the development process, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said.
Speaking at the launch of Citizen Connect initiative of the VIzagpatnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Wednesday, the Minister said that the citizens had to take active interest and not be content with paying taxes. When the citizens take interest in the development process they ensure that the elected representatives and officials are careful and perform properly.
The citizens should realise that paying of taxes is essential for funding of development works, he said and urged them to pay taxes and ensure work is done.
Smart City works would be taken up under private-public partnership. The proposals have to reflect the Indian ethos and culture and not try to replicate western cities.
The American companies through the USTDA would be helping draw up the guidelines and prepare the detailed project report for making Visakhapatnam a Smart City. The US companies would then compete with other international companies to bag the contract, there would be no favouritism shown, he clarified.
Visakhapatnam member of Parliament and State BJP President Khambampati Haribabu wanted people to be ready to have their property taxes hiked year-on-year basis to help fund the development process. President of Vizagpatnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kancharla Ramabrahmam was present.
Earlier, there were two panel discussions on citizen participation and industry requirements. Joint Secretary Union Urban Development Ministry Pravin Prakash, Commissioner Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Pravin Kumar and Vice Chairman Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority T Baburao Naidu and others were present.
