SunstarTV Bureau: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday chaired the sixth meeting of the Governing Council of the NITI Aayog via video conferencing, during which he made a strong case for repealing archaic laws and making it easier to do business in India stating that the center and states need to work closely to boost economic growth.
The country does not want to lose growth. “Everyone’s positive response to the budget reflects the sentiments of the people,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said that the private sector should be given full opportunity to become a part of the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme.
“Centre and states should work together for the nation’s progress and head towards a certain direction and make cooperative federalism even more meaningful. Not only this, we have to try to bring competitive, cooperative federalism not only among states but also districts. Government has to respect and give due representation to the private sector for economic progress,” Modi said.
“Since 2014, we have changed the lives of the poor,” he said. India is the foundation for India’s development by working together to make the co-operative federal system more meaningful.
The sixth meeting is also witnessing the entry of Ladakh for the first time, in addition to the participation of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory. This time, other UTs headed by administrators have also been invited to join.
The Governing Council, which comprises PM Modi, chief ministers of states and UTs, legislators and Lieutenant Governors of other UTs, presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues.
Those who attended the meeting include Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. Among those who skipped Saturday’s meeting was Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh — state Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal was present in his place — and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.Others including ex-officio members of the Governing Council, Union ministers, Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar, CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant, and other senior officials.
