Image Credits - Deccan Chronicle
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to chair the NITI Aayog’s crucial meeting on Saturday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi, despite a significant boycott by several opposition-ruled states. The meeting is expected to address vital issues including economic reforms, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs aimed at making India a developed nation by 2047.
The boycott has been spearheaded by opposition-ruled states such as Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Kerala, and Delhi. These states have expressed dissatisfaction with the central government’s approach, citing insufficient consultation and a lack of meaningful engagement in the policy-making process. They argue that their exclusion from key discussions undermines the principles of cooperative federalism and equitable state representation.
Despite this boycott, representatives from several other states, including those governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, will attend the meeting. This includes states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan etc. The central government remains hopeful that the discussions will proceed constructively and provide a platform for addressing pressing national issues.
NITI Aayog, established in 2015, serves as the premier policy think tank of the Indian government. PM serves as the chairman of NITI Aayog. It aims to foster cooperative federalism by involving state governments in the planning and implementation of policies. The agency plays a crucial role in formulating strategic plans and evaluating their impact, making this meeting an important event for aligning national and state-level objectives.