NB Explains | CMs of 11 states didn't attend NITI Aayog's 8th Governing Council Meeting

ANew Delhi, May 29: Chief ministers from 11 states did not attend the 8th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired on Saturday (May 27). The meeting was attended by chief ministers and lieutenant governors representing 19 states and six UTs.

 

 

 

 

The meeting was held at the New Convention Centre, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. According to sources, the CMs of states/UT which weren't present were Telangana, Punjab, West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Manipur and Kerala. During the meeting, Prime Minister stressed that the Centre, states and Union Territories (UTs) should work as Team India and fulfil the dreams and aspirations of people for a Viksit Bharat @ 2047, according to a statement.

 

He said 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. He urged the states and UTs to work with NITI Aayog so that the country can take a quantum leap towards achieving its vision for the Amrit Kaal. Prime Minister mentioned that NITI Aayog is 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 grass-roots level. Prime Minister Modi stressed on the 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.

Prime Minister spoke about the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline at the State levels. He urged 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Governing Council is the premier body tasked with evolving a shared vision of national priorities and strategies, with the active involvement of States, in shaping the development narrative. The Governing Council, which embodies the objectives of cooperative federalism, presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues to accelerate the implementation of the national development agenda.

 

 

 

The Planning Commission was replaced by a new institution – NITI Aayog on Jan 1, 2015 with emphasis on ‘Bottom –Up’ approach to envisage the vision of Maximum Governance, Minimum Government, echoing the spirit of ‘Cooperative Federalism’.

 

The Governing Council meeting is the most important event for anyone involved in governance and hence, not attending such an important event resembles the disinterest of parties that have remained absent, in governance itself.

 

 

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