10th NITI Aayog Council Meeting Begins at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi
The 10th meeting of the NITI Aayog Governing Council, a crucial platform for cooperative federalism in India, began today at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This meeting holds national significance as it brings together the Prime Minister and all Chief Ministers of Indian states to discuss the nation’s development strategies and financial allocations.
Formed on January 1, 2015, NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission. It serves as the central think tank of the Indian government and plays a pivotal role in charting out the country’s developmental agenda. Unlike the top-down model of the Planning Commission, NITI Aayog promotes a bottom-up approach, emphasizing state-specific strategies, innovation, and cooperative governance.
Chief Ministers from all states have been invited to attend the meeting. Notably, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin departed for Delhi yesterday to participate in the council meeting. During the session, he is expected to directly urge the Prime Minister to release the necessary funds for Tamil Nadu’s development projects. Similarly, other state leaders are anticipated to place their own demands for financial assistance and special packages to support their regional development goals.
One of the key aims of this annual council meeting is to coordinate between the Centre and states in determining developmental priorities, sharing resources, and evaluating implementation of centrally sponsored schemes. The meeting also helps align national development goals with regional interests, making it a vital process in India’s multi-tier governance structure.
This year’s meeting carries special significance as it follows a year in which several states, particularly those from the opposition-led INDIA alliance such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, had boycotted the previous NITI Aayog meeting. Their absence then was seen as a symbolic protest against the perceived centralization of power and insufficient state consultation. However, their presence this year indicates a renewed willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiation with the central government.
The topics of discussion at the 10th meeting are expected to include resource allocation, infrastructure development, poverty alleviation programs, climate change adaptation strategies, digital transformation, agriculture reforms, and healthcare improvements. Emphasis will also be laid on data-driven governance, skilling the youth, and inclusive growth policies.
Prime Minister Modi, in his address, is likely to emphasize the importance of joint efforts in achieving Viksit Bharat @2047, a vision to make India a developed country by the 100th year of independence. The outcomes of the meeting are expected to play a key role in shaping the policies and resource distribution in the upcoming financial year.
In summary, the 10th NITI Aayog Council meeting serves as a critical forum for discussing India’s economic and social development at both central and state levels. It strengthens the cooperative spirit of Indian federalism and sets the tone for a collaborative approach to building a prosperous and inclusive India.
