Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the structure of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) is national in real terms. In it, key persons of all States and Centre are contemplating on giving direction to the States’ development. He said that in the previous Planning Commission, States’ allocations were already fixed. Meetings were a mere formality and the States used to return with increase of Rs25-50 crore.
Chouhan was addressing a meeting of NITI under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Sunday. NITI’s Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya, full-time member duo Bibek Debroy and VK Saraswat, other members, special invitees, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of the States and lt. Governors of the Union Territories attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister said that at large meeting of NITI, it is not possible to discuss issues of all the States simultaneously. He suggested that it would be more useful if decisions are taken after discussions by forming 3-4 groups. Chouhan said that entire world is looking towards India with new attitude and hope. Due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic acumen and foreign policy, India has carved out a new identity in the world.
He described success of his recent America visit as emergence of new vision of India. He said that NRIs are keen to contribute development of to their native States and country. Every State should take initiative on Madhya Pradesh’s pattern to create Global Talent Pool. He said that these Talent Pools will prove helpful in every situation.
After the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long experience as Chief Minister. He knows how to bring about creative changes in situations and working styles of States. Nation will be developed at a rapid pace with strong federal cooperative arrangement and healthy competition between States.
Besides, ties between Centre and States will also strengthen. Chouhan said that spirit of Team India led by the Prime Minister came to the fore explicitly at Sunday’s meeting. He informed that the maiden meeting of governing council of NITI decided to constitute 3 sub-committees, effective implementation of 66 Centrally-funded schemes, skill development keeping in view specific areas and to carry out the ambitious work of developing an institutionalized arrangement for brining probity in Indian life. The Prime Minister suggested constitution of 2 task forces in all States. One task force will ensure poverty alleviation in the state and another one will take concrete steps to ensure State’s future development, agriculture growth and seek Centre’s cooperation in these tasks. Apart from repairing school toilets during summer vacation, the Prime Minister also stressed the need for use of MP and MlA funds in this work.