Centre, States must work closely for progress: PM

February 21, 2021 28 Views No Comment

NEW DELHI, FEB 20 (Agencies):Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong case 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.

Addressing the sixth Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog via video conferencing, Modi said that the private sector should be given full opportunity to become a part of government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme.

As many as 26 chief ministers, three Lt. Governors and two administrators participated in the conference. The chief ministers of West Bengal, Punjab, Telangana and Gujarat did not attend the meeting. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani could not attend due to health reasons, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar told reporters after the meeting.

Prime Minister Modi in his opening remarks, said the whole country succeeded and managed to build a good image when states and the Centre worked together during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The basis of the country’s progress is cooperative federalism and today’s meeting is to brainstorm to make it more meaningful and move towards competitive cooperative federalism,” Modi said.

There is a need to bring competitive cooperative federalism not only among states but districts too, he added. Modi also underlined the need for reducing compliance burden and repealing obsolete laws. He asked the states to form committees to reduce regulations which are no longer relevant in the wake of technology growth.

Observing that the positive response received on the Union Budget for 2021-22 expressed the mood of the nation, he said, “the country has made up its mind, wants to move fast and does not want to waste time.”

Modi further said that the private sector is coming forward with more enthusiasm in the country’s development journey.

“As a government, we also have to honour this enthusiasm, the energy of the private sector, and give it as much opportunity in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign,” he added.

Referring to the farm sector, the prime minister said that efforts should be made to produce agriculture items like edible oil and reduce their imports.

The prime minister said government policies will help farmers raise productivity and cut imports, adding that reforms needed to provide funds and technology for the farm sector.

He also said the government is spending on infrastructure to boost demand and create jobs.

Further, the prime minister noted that bank accounts, free electricity and gas connection and proper vaccinations have brought changes in the lives of the poor.

He also urged states to form committees to celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day.

Briefing reporters, the Niti Aayog vice-chairman said the meeting focused on six agenda items which included making India a manufacturing powerhouse, reimagining agriculture, infrastructure, human resources development, improving service delivery and health and nutrition.

Kumar said the prime minister wanted the states to set up district exports promotion council to accelerate development at grassroots level.

He said that Niti Aayog will chalk out a strategy for promoting education standard and reducing school dropout number which was about 3 crore.

In his remarks, the prime minister announced that there would be a major increase in the economic resources of local bodies in the 15th Finance Commission.

Rio highlights Agri, health, HR issues

Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, who also attended the sixth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, said that he had shared points relevant to the state such as Agriculture, physical infrastructure, human resource development, improving service delivery at grassroots level, health and nutrition.

“I’m confident of continued support to small states like Nagaland & help NE to be an equal partner in transformation to a brighter India,” he said in a tweet after the meeting. Rio also thanked PM Modi for convening the meeting and for the opportunity to share views on the agenda items, critical for transforming the nation to New India.

Most of the chief ministers emphasised on developmental agenda and timely completion of infrastructure projects.