 "Venkaiah Naidu")
Government is planning to push for the passage of crucial bills like GST and Real Estate in the next session of Parliament to accelerate reforms and spur growth and employment in the country.
The government is in the process of accelerating reforms and transforming India, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said at a function here.
"A number of crucial Bills including that of introduction of GST, Real Estate Regulation and Development Bill, for bringing accountability and transparency and enhancing employment generation are expected to be taken up for approval in the next session of Parliament," he said.
Despite the concerted efforts, government could not get through the GST due to the stiff resistance from Congress and other opposition parties in Parliament
These Bills are important from the perspective of spurring growth and employment which is necessary for faster poverty reduction, Naidu said.
He said the government is also focusing on skill development, both in rural and urban areas in order to alleviate poverty.
On Smart City Mission, Naidu said ever since it was announced it has really brought the urban issues firmly on the agenda of the nation and all stakeholders including political class, media and the common man.
Stating that the country is urbanising with a furious speed, he said urban issues need to be addressed sooner than later.
Raising question whether one can rise to the challenge and deliver the goals under the Smart City Mission, Naidu emphatically said "answer is clear yes."
Drawing the broad contours of the proposed Smart City, he said "a necessary core infrastructure, sanitation, health and education facilities, clean and sustainable environment, good city governance and adoption of smart technologies to ensure decent living, and catalyses economic growth which is the need of the hour."
He said the success of India growth story is hugely dependent on the success one can make on the urban front.
"The centre has committed itself to support states and urban local bodies with central assistance of over Rs 3 lakh crore over the next five years, he said and added "The future of the aspirational India lies in the future of our cities.
