New Delhi: In order to support development of smart cities, the government on Wednesday approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Urban Development Ministry and Bloomberg Philanthropies. 


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A meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the proposal entailing Bloomberg Philanthropies, New York, to work as Knowledge Partner and support development and execution of a Cities Challenge under the Smart Cities Mission. 


The Cabinet has already approved the Smart Cities Mission in April this year and subsequently the Prime Minister launched this Mission on June 25, when the Mission Statementand Guidelines were also released. 


The proposal under the Smart Cities Mission seeks to facilitate creation of quality urban infrastructure which will lead to improvement in the quality of urban life. 


There will be total 100 Smart Cities across the country out of which 20 will be selected in the first phase in 2016. Bloomberg Philanthropies Government Innovation Initiatives equip mayors and local leaders with practical tools and approaches to solve major challenges and enable public sector innovation to flourish. 


As Knowledge Partner, Bloomberg Philanthropies will also support the UD Ministry in helping design and manage the cities challenge. 


There is no financial implication to the Centre as the cost implications to the activities done in supporting the Mission will be incurred by Bloomberg Philanthropies.