PM Modi To Lead NITI Aayog Meeting Despite Opposition States’ Boycott

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the 9th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting on Saturday, focusing on the vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, according to an official release from the government think tank. This year’s theme is ‘Viksit Bharat @2047,’ emphasizing India’s development goals. The meeting will address several key issues, including the Approach Paper for the Vision Document on Viksit Bharat @2047. Discussions will center on fostering participative governance and enhancing collaboration between the Centre and State Governments to improve the quality of life for both rural and urban populations by strengthening government intervention mechanisms.

The session will also explore the role of states in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047. India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, with a GDP expected to cross USD 5 trillion and aspirations to reach a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047. Realizing this vision will necessitate a collaborative effort between the Centre and State governments, and the 9th Governing Council Meeting aims to create a comprehensive roadmap for this ambitious goal. Additionally, the meeting will review recommendations from the 3rd National Conference of Chief Secretaries held from December 27-29, 2023. This conference covered critical topics such as cybersecurity, the aspirational districts and blocks program, the role of states, and the integration of AI in governance.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who plans to attend, has emphasized the importance of raising voices on a common platform. In contrast, Tamil Nadu’s MK Stalin, Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan, and the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab and Delhi governments have announced their boycott of the meeting. The Governing Council of NITI Aayog will include Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of States and Union Territories, Union Ministers as Ex-officio Members and Special Invitees, as well as the Vice Chairman and members of NITI Aayog.