Prepare a 15-year development road map: PM Modi asks NITI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked National Institution for Transforming India or NITI Aayog to make a visionary road map for country's development to bring "transformational changes" in the next 15 years. Modi added the time for "incremental change" is over and "transformational change" is the need of the hour. He emphasized the need to lay the foundation for India's growth in the 21st century.
What is NITI Aayog?
The National Institution for Transforming India or NITI Aayog is policy think-tank or forum established by the NDA Government; it was formed on 1 Jan'15. NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission with an aim to foster the participation and involvement of State Governments. NITI includes leaders of all 29 Indian states and also the seven union territories; the Prime Minister serves as the Chairman.
The war of policies
Amitabh Kant, NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Prime Minister has stressed transformational changes rather than having incremental changes. He said that we need to win the war of policies and chase things according to the changing (technology) World."
Courage and ability to deliver the transformational change
PM Modi said the Government has the courage and ability to deliver the "transformational change" to better people's lives. He added that historically, policy-makers have lamented constraints rather than playing strengths. Listing untapped solar energy potential, mineral wealth, and sub-optimally utilized coastlines, Modi said the wise and intelligent utilization of the country's natural and human resources are the heart of the transformational change.
NITI Aayog meeting
Apart from PM Narendra Modi, Minister of State for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh, NITI Aayog members, and senior officers of the NITI Aayog, Prime Minister's Office, and the Cabinet Secretariat also attended the meeting.
Partnership of the State Governments
PM Modi stated the partnership with the State Governments for promoting and boosting development and exports was not only a cooperative federalism element but also "the need of the hour". Modi also stressed upon the necessity to build the required capacities for good governance. The importance of availability of real-time data has also been highlighted by Modi during the meeting.
People are motivated by the larger public good
Urging NITI to take inspiration from Swachh Abhiyan, Give-It-Up Campaign, and other events, Modi said: "This experience disproves the assumption commonly made by experts that people are only interested in benefits for themselves; it shows that people are motivated by the larger public good."
Technology, tourism, exports and skill development
Modi underlined the significance of technology sector as an "emerging driver of change" for the past three decades. On the tourism potential, he suggested identifying and developing ten out of 1,300 islands for developing tourism. He added exports should come from states while the Centre acts as a catalyst. The need to improve skill development and to focus on creating opportunities was also highlighted.
Overall development of the vibrant rural economy
PM Modi said that apart from increasing agricultural productivity, overall development of rural economy should also be given importance. Citing an example of Mid-East nations that depend on importing food item, Modi suggested that the farmers can have long-term contracts with such nations to supply their agricultural produce. He also emphasized the significance of technology inputs and warehouse development in the food processing industry.
