This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4757, posed on August 21, 2025, regarding the exclusion of Jhunjhunu city in Rajasthan from the Smart Cities Mission (SCM). The query, raised by Shri Brijendra Singh Ola, inquired about the reasons for Jhunjhunu's exclusion despite its rapid urbanization, and whether the government intended to include it in the SCM in the future.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu, clarified that 100 cities were selected for the SCM through a two-stage challenge process. In Rajasthan, Ajmer, Jaipur, Kota, and Udaipur were selected. Jhunjhunu was not among the cities recommended by the State Government of Rajasthan for consideration in the national competition. Furthermore, with the SCM concluding on March 31, 2025, no further budgetary provisions exist to include new cities, including Jhunjhunu, under the mission.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for housing and urban development.
Smart Cities Mission: A Government of India initiative to develop smart and sustainable cities across the country.
Jhunjhunu city, Rajasthan: A city in the state of Rajasthan, India, which is the subject of the question regarding its exclusion from the Smart Cities Mission.
SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH OLA: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
SHRI TOKHAN SAHU: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
Ajmer, Rajasthan: A city in the state of Rajasthan, India, selected under the Smart Cities Mission.
Jaipur, Rajasthan: A city in the state of Rajasthan, India, selected under the Smart Cities Mission.
Kota, Rajasthan: A city in the state of Rajasthan, India, selected under the Smart Cities Mission.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4757
TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 21, 2025
SCM IN JHUNJHUNU
NO. 4757. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH OLA:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that a fast-growing urban area like Jhunjhunu city in
Rajasthan has been left out of the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) while
many other smaller cities have been included;
(b) if so, the justification/reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to provide budget for the
development of the urban area by including Jhunjhunu city under SCM
in future;
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be
done; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) & (b): 100 cities have been selected under Smart Cities Mission (SCM)
after 2 stages of challenge process. In the first stage, State/UT
Government shortlisted potential smart cities within the State/UT.
Cities emerging successful in first stage, were then recommended by
the State/ UT Government to Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
(MoHUA) for the second stage of National competitions. Under Smart
Cities Mission (SCM) four cities, viz. Ajmer, Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur
have been selected in the State of Rajasthan. Jhunjhunu was not
included in the cities recommended by the State Government of
Rajasthan for selection under SCM.
(c) to (e) With the closure of SCM on 31st March, 2025, there is no further
budgetary provision under SCM to add new cities under SCM.
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