New Delhi, May 15 (IANS): The urban development ministry will cooperate with Bloomberg Philanthropies in organising a competition for selecting cities for the smart cities mission of the government.

The ministry has accepted the offer of Bloomberg Philanthropies (BP) for cooperation in conducting the 'Cities Challenge' competition for selecting the cities for financing under the smart cities mission of the government, an official release said here.

A letter of acceptance in this regard was issued by the urban development ministry to BP.

Bloomberg Philanthropies will act as knowledge partner for the smart cities mission.

Its support for the mission includes assisting the ministry in the design and implementation of the process for selection of cities, designing and delivery of a capacity development programme for applicant urban local bodies, participation in the competition based selection of cities with focus on innovation and citizen participation in formulating smart city proposals.

It will also formulate and execute effective communication and branding strategy for cities.

The mission for building 100 smart cities was approved by the union cabinet on April 29, 2015.

Under this mission, central government will spend Rs.48,000 crore over the next five years for providing an assistance of Rs.100 crore per year for each selected city.

In the first phase of the selection of smart city aspirants, each state will nominate a set of cities based on urban population and number of statutory cities for inclusion under the smart cities mission.

This nomination will be based on a set of identified criteria to be suggested by the Ministry of Urban Development. All such 100 nominated cities will be rigorously scrutinized against identified criteria for extending financial support by the centre.

Cities which are found to be deficient in some aspects would be given to address the same and participate in the next round of competition.