IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

8th GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING OF THE NITI AAYOG

27th May, 2023 POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

Copyright infringement not intended

Context: NITI Aayog, the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, is all set to host its 8th Governing Council Meeting on May 27, 2023, at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Details

  • The meeting will be chaired by the Prime Minister of India and will have the participation of all the Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and Union Ministers.
  • The main theme of the meeting is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Role of Team India’, which reflects the vision of a developed and prosperous India by the centenary year of independence.

Prominent themes will be discussed during the Meeting

  • Viksit Bharat@2047
  • Thrust on MSMEs
  • Infrastructure and Investments
  • Minimising Compliances
  • Women Empowerment
  • Health and Nutrition
  • Skill Development
  • Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure

Agenda of the Council discussion

  • The meeting will deliberate on various issues related to the socio-economic development of the country, such as health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, innovation and digital transformation.
  • The meeting will also review the progress of various flagship schemes and initiatives of the Government of India and discuss the way forward for achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.
  • It is expected to be a fruitful and productive platform for fostering cooperative federalism and strengthening the spirit of Team India.

NITI Aayog Governing Council

About

  • NITI Aayog, which stands for National Institution for Transforming India, is a policy think tank of the Government of India that aims to achieve sustainable development goals and cooperative federalism.
    • It was formed on 1 January 2015 by a resolution of the Union Cabinet, replacing the Planning Commission, which was established in 1950.
  • One of the key features of NITI Aayog is its Governing Council, which is the premier body entrusted with developing a shared vision of national priorities and strategies with the active involvement of States and Union Territories.
  • It is also a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues and to foster a spirit of cooperative federalism.

The Governing Council consists of the following members:

  • The Prime Minister of India (Chairperson)
  • Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories with the legislature
  • Lt Governors of other Union Territories
  • Ex-Officio Members
  • Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog
  • Full-Time Members, NITI Aayog
  • Special Invitees

Some of the challenges faced by the Governing Council are:

  • Balancing the interests and aspirations of different regions and groups while formulating national policies and strategies.
  • Ensuring effective coordination and implementation of policies and programmes across different levels of governance.
  • Addressing the gaps and disparities in development outcomes among states and regions.
  • Strengthening the institutional capacity and accountability of NITI Aayog and its partners.

The way forward for the Governing Council is to:

  • Continue to foster a culture of cooperative federalism and mutual trust among the Centre and the States/UTs.
  • Focus on outcome-oriented planning and monitoring rather than input-based planning.
  • Promote innovation and best practices in governance and service delivery.
  • Leverage technology and data for evidence-based policy-making and evaluation.
  • Engage with various stakeholders such as civil society, academia, media, private sector, etc. for wider participation and feedback.

Conclusion

  • The Governing Council of NITI Aayog plays a vital role in shaping India's development agenda and ensuring that it reflects the aspirations and needs of all the stakeholders. It also facilitates collaborative action among different levels of government and fosters a culture of innovation and excellence. It has the potential to transform India into a more inclusive, equitable and prosperous nation by harnessing the collective wisdom and strength of its diverse constituents.

Must Read Articles:

NITI Aayog: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/niti-aayog

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. NITI Aayog is a policy think tank of the Government of India that aims to achieve sustainable development goals and enhance cooperative federalism. It was established in 2015 as a replacement for the Planning Commission. What are the significance, challenges and way forward for NITI Aayog in the context of India's socio-economic development?

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1927196