PM Modi to Lead NITI Aayog Discussions Today

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to lead the ninth governing council meeting of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) on Saturday, July 27. This crucial assembly, which includes all state chief ministers, lieutenant governors of union territories, and several union ministers, is chaired by Modi himself. The meeting aims to promote participative governance and foster collaboration between the Centre and state governments, with a focus on improving the quality of life for both rural and urban populations by enhancing the efficiency of government intervention delivery mechanisms.

Chief ministers from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states are expected to participate. Confirmed attendees include Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Arunachal Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will also attend the meeting but plans to protest against what she views as the Centre’s “step-motherly attitude” towards opposition-ruled states, particularly in the Union Budget 2024-25. Speaking to the media before leaving for Delhi, Banerjee said, “Before the budget, I said I would attend the meeting. A copy of my written speech was also sent to NITI Aayog as per their requirement. When the budget was placed, I found how states ruled by opposition parties had been neglected. They had been shown a stepmotherly attitude. I want to speak about this. If they allow me to speak, it’s fine. If they don’t, I will protest and leave.”

The meeting’s agenda includes discussions on the ‘Approach Paper’ for the vision document Viksit Bharat @2047, which outlines the roadmap for India’s development over the coming decades. Additionally, the council will review recommendations from the third National Conference of Chief Secretaries held in December last year. Key themes from this conference include enhancing access, quality, and efficiency in sectors such as drinking water, electricity, healthcare, education, and land and property management.

The NITI Aayog’s ninth governing council meeting represents a pivotal platform for state and central leaders to deliberate on strategies that will shape India’s future. By uniting leaders from across the political spectrum, the meeting aims to foster a collaborative approach to governance and ensure equitable growth across all regions. The outcomes of these discussions are anticipated to have significant implications for the nation’s development, particularly in infrastructure, social services, and governance reforms.

Moreover, the meeting will feature special sessions on critical topics such as cyber security, the aspirational districts and blocks programme, the role of states, and the integration of artificial intelligence in governance. These discussions aim to address the pressing challenges facing the country and to find common ground that will advance India’s development agenda. The ninth governing council meeting of NITI Aayog is expected to chart a course for the nation’s progress, leveraging collaborative governance to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.