Panel told to find funds for CSML

D Dhanuraj, Chairman of CPPR, comments on the news ‘Panel told to find funds for CSML’. The news was published on Time of India (21-07-2023)

Kochi: In an effort to retain the Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) as a major body to improve quality of people life, the local self-government department (LSGD) has issued an order constituting a committee to examine and suggest revenue source for the CSML once the mission term concludes next year.

CSML is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed for the implementation of the Smart City Mission in the city. Kochi was among the first 20 cities selected under the Government of India Smart Cities Mission which was launched in June 2015. The period of smart cities mission will end on June 30, 2024.

As per the order issued on July 13, the government has constituted the five member committee with additional chief secretary, LSGD, principal secretary LSGD, CEO, CSML, CEO of Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited, and CEO of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to suggest revenue source for CSML. The order says the committee should submit a report to the state government within a month.

It is learnt that the government move is to find a revenue source to retain the SPV as the Centre will stop funding once the period of Smart Cities Mission concludes.

But, it is being pointed out that it would be an uphill task for the authorities to find a large amount of funds for implementing the various developmental projects under the SPV.

Former mayor and activist K J Sohan has pointed out that the Smart Cities Mission was allotted a whopping amount of Rs 2,074 for various development works across the city, but the agency managed to spend only around Rs 500 crore so far.

D Dhanuraj of Centre for Public Policy and Research Centre has also opined that it would be a difficult task to gather funds for the project if the government stops supporting the SPV.