Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired Niti Aayog meeting.
The meet, which is underway at his residence, 7 Race Course Road, is expected to discuss the Land Acquisition Bill and also deliberate on issues like poverty, health and centrally sponsored schemes (CSS).
Reports say that the Congress chief ministers skipped the high-level meet convened by the Prime Minister.
Besides the Congress leaders, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also didn’t attend the meet, as her Trinamool Congress is against the proposed land bill.
However, PM Modi’s bête noire Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended the Niti Aayog meeting. It is being said that the Janata Dal (United) leader is likely to strongly oppose the land bill during his encounter with the Prime Minister.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also gave the meet a miss. Official sources said that the Samajwadi Party leader has a number of engagements lined up today in the state capital.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa, who also didn’t attend the meet, sent a letter of her written speech.
PM Modi will also have separate meetings chief ministers of Northeastern states, including Sikkim later today.
The Governing Council, which comprises all Chief Ministers and Lt Governors of Union Territories is headed by Prime Minister.
The council is also likely to review the work done by three sub-groups of chief ministers and two task forces under the NITI Aayog.
The other issues which may come up for discussion include Goods and Services Tax (GST) and devolution of taxes between the Centre and states as per the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.
The government had constituted three sub-groups of chief ministers under the NITI Aayog on Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Skill Development and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan which are led by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu respectively.
The two task forces on poverty and agriculture are being headed by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya.
These sub-groups and task forces are working on the responsibilities entrusted to them and are in the process of submitting their reports.
The sub-group on CSS has almost completed its work and its report is expected to tabled before the council for its perusal.
The source said the report of the group on CSS is likely to be tabled during the meeting of the Governing Council.
The panel had broad consensus on reducing CSS to 30 from 72 and increasing the share of flexi funds to 25 percent from the current 10 percent under the social sector schemes.
The other two sub-groups on Skill Development and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have sought extension till August 15 to submit their reports.
The source said the reports of the task forces on poverty and agriculture could be tabled during the meeting for perusal of the council.
