PANAJI: The state government has issued a notification constituting a special purpose vehicle called Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd, which has been given complete flexibility and financial autonomy to implement and manage smart city projects.
The Smart Cities Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015, is implemented through the Union ministry of urban development as per the Smart Cities Mission guidelines.
The notification has said the SPV has full autonomy to discharge its functions as prescribed under the articles of association to meet the objectives enunciated in the memorandum of association including exercise of financial powers within the framework of the Companies Act, 2013.
The committee under the chairmanship of the Minister for Urban Development had recommended that delegation of powers to the SPV were absolutely needed to ensure success of the mission in a time-bound and organised manner.
The Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd or Smart City SPV has been vested with decision making powers as regards smart city projects. These powers also cover functions of the urban development department/municipal administration department, the North Goa Planning and Development Authority, the town and country planning department, and the Corporation of the City of Panaji, as may be applicable to the board of directors of the IPSCDL.
The SPV has been delegated powers as regards the matters that require approval of the state government to the state-level high powered steering committee vis-a-vis smart city/AMRUT Mission so as to ensure smooth and fast implementation of projects.
As per the notification, now any planned development work in Panaji must have approval of the IPSCDL prior to executing the project as it has been observed that due to multiple agencies working in the city often there is a lack of clarity on developmental works leading to duplication and repetition.
It is anticipated that duplication of work in the city would be avoided by this process as majority of the departments providing services to the citizens are represented at the IPSCDL board and, therefore, will be able to address all concerns.