The 8th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in progress in New Delhi on May 27, 2023.
New Delhi: Chief Ministers of only 19 states attended the 8th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog today, making Prime Minister Narendra Modi remark that the Centre, States and Union Territories should work as ‘Team India’ and fulfil the dreams and aspirations of people for a developed India by 2047.
Significantly, Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal leader Naveen Patnaik, who is considered close to Modi, too, skipped the meeting on grounds of having a “prior appointment”.
Among the other Chief Ministers of Opposition ruled states who skipped the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, were Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal leader Nitish Kumar, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, Kerala Chief Minister and Communist Party of India – Marxist leader Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Chandrasekar Rao, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal along with his party colleague – Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of the Congress Party who cited health reasons for his absence.
Stressing that NITI Aayog can play a critical role in helping States to develop their strategies for the next 25 years and align the same with the National Development Agenda, Modi urged the States and UTs to work with the Aayog “so that the country can take a quantum leap towards achieving its vision for the Amrit Kaal“.
Prime Minister mentioned that NITI Aayog was taking multiple initiatives for strengthening cooperative and competitive federalism like the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP). “Both these programmes showcase the power of working together as Centre, States and Districts, and the impact of data-driven governance in improving the lives of common citizens at the grassroots level,” he said. He further stressed that there was a need for States and the Centre to promote Shree Anna in the International Year of Millets. He also deliberated on the need for working towards water conservation through the Amrit Sarovar programme.
Reminding the Chief Ministers about the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline at the State level, he called upon the States to proactively use the Gati Shakti Portal not only for infrastructure and logistics but also for local area development and the creation of social infrastructure.
Speaking about G20 meetings being held in the country, he said that while G20 has brought glory to India on the world stage, it has provided States with the opportunity for global exposure.
Prime Minister also spoke about the importance of skilling people with a view to meeting global requirements, supporting MSMEs, developing the tourism potential of the country, reducing compliances at the State level including decriminalisation of minor offences, creation of Ekta Malls. Talking about Nari Shakti, he highlighted the significance of women-led development. He also spoke about ending the menace of TB by 2025.
The NITI Aayog stated that the participating State Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors (of Union Territories) gave various policy-level suggestions. “They mentioned specific issues pertaining to the States which require Centre-State cooperation. Some of the key suggestions and best practices highlighted by them included areas like opting for green strategies, the need for zone-wise planning, tourism, urban planning, agriculture, quality of workmanship, and logistics, among others,” the Aayog said.
– global bihari bureau
