Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed the Centre and States should work together and make cooperative federalism more meaningful which, he said, should “trickle down to districts in order to promote growth.”
The PM also made a strong case for giving the private sector “full opportunity to become a part of Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme.”
Addressing the sixth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, Modi said farm reforms are to give technology to agriculture.
Highlighting need to change in agriculture sector, he pointed out that the country still imported grain worth Rs 65,000 crore that can be put in farmers pocket. Modi said farmers need to be given incentives to invest in agriculture.
The Prime Minister urged to focus on storage and processing of agricultural products to reduce wastage. He stressed on the need to export processed foods rather than raw foods to increase profits.
Modi said reforms are very important for country’s farmers to get the necessary economic resources, better infrastructure and modern technology.
The Prime Minister said that the private sector should be given full opportunity to become a part of Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme.
“Centre and States should work together for the nation’s progress... Government has to respect and give due representation to the private sector for economic progress,” Modi said.
The Governing Council presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues. It comprises the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories with legislators and Lieutenant Governors of other UTs.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy reiterated that the Central Government was obliged to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh as per the commitment given in Parliament as a precondition to bifurcation.
“Rapid industrialization of the State is possible only if SCS is accorded,” he asserted in his speech during the virtual meeting. He also sought quick approval of revised estimates of Polavaram project.
Punjab Chief Minister skipped the meeting as he was reportedly indisposed.
The agenda of the meeting included deliberations on agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, human resource development, service delivery at grassroots level, health and nutrition.
The sixth meeting witnessed the entry of Ladakh for the first time, in addition to the participation of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory.
Prime Minister said India has made up its mind to progress rapidly and doesn’t want to lose time.
He said the positive response received for this year’s Budget has expressed the mood of the nation and the youth is playing a pivotal role in setting the mood.
“AatmaNirbhar Bharat campaign is the way to build an India that produces not only for its own needs but also for the world. He said, country’s private sector is also coming forward with energy”, said Modi.
He said the fund allocated for infrastructure in the current Budget is highly appreciated and it will generate employment for thousands.
Modi said, since 2014, over 2.4 crore houses have been built in rural and urban India. He said, another innovative initiative is going on in which houses are being built by modern technology in six cities.
In the last 18 months since Jal Jeevan Mission came into existence over 3.5 crore rural households have been connected with piped water connections.
He said, ‘BharatNet scheme’ has also become a major game changing feature to give internet connectivity to remote villages across the nation.
Prime Minister said the Central Government has introduced Production Linked Incentive, PLI schemes for various sectors. He said, this is an excellent opportunity to increase manufacturing in the country and States should also take full advantage of this scheme and attract more and more investment. He said policy framework and cooperation between Centre and state is also very important.
Modi said a holistic approach has been adopted over the years, from agriculture to animal husbandry to fisheries. He said, as a result, the country’s agricultural exports have increased significantly even during Corona.
Prime Minister said ease of living and ease of doing business will go hand in hand. Laws and regulations have to be amended for brighter future of the nation.
He made a strong pitch for repealing archaic laws and making it easier to do business in India stating that the centre and states need to work closely to boost economic growth.
Prime Minister stressed on the need to promote innovation and use technology as much as possible. He said every State and every district in the country has a speciality and potential and government is shortlisting and value-adding to these thousands of products hailing from different districts through marketing for exports.
Modi said in past few years opening of bank accounts, increase in vaccination and health facilities, free electricity connection, free gas connection to empower the poor has reflected a phenomenal change in their lives.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that during the COVID period people saw how Centre and States worked together.