Prime Minister Narendra Modi held the seventh meeting of the NITI Aayog’s Governing Council at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre in the national capital. During the first in-person meeting of the Governing Council since July 2019, 23 CMs and 3 LGs presented the best practices from their states.
PM Modi asked states to focus on crop diversification expressing the importance of agriculture diversification and the need to be self-sufficient, especially in edible oils. “We’re meeting nearly half of our total demand for edible oil from imports. Overall, states were quite cooperative and are working on this aspect,” said Ramesh Chand, NITI Aayog member.
There were presentations on NEP 2020, G20, and the importance of exports.
In the meeting moderated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the PM noted that the meeting was a culmination of months of rigorous brainstorming and consultations between the Centre and States to identify national priorities.
The Governing Council discussed four key agenda items:
(i) crop diversification and achieving self-sufficiency in pulses, oilseeds and other agri-commodities;
(ii) implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) in school education;
(iii) implementation of National Education Policy in higher education; and
(iv) urban governance.
PM Modi underscored the importance of all of the above issues, especially the need for India to focus on modernised agriculture, animal husbandry, and food processing to become self-sufficient and a global leader in the agriculture sector. Rapid urbanisation can become India’s strength, PM stated.
India’s G20 presidency
Speaking about India’s G20 presidency in 2023, the PM called it a unique opportunity to show the world that India is not just Delhi—it is every state and UT of the country. “The G20 Presidency presents a great opportunity and a great responsibility. For the first time in the history of G20, India will host the G20 meetings over the year, not only in Delhi, but in every State and Union Territory,” Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar said.
On the National Education Policy, the PM said it has been formulated after considerable deliberations and we should involve all stakeholders in its implementation and develop a clear, timebound roadmap for the same.
On the increased GST collections, PM Modi emphasised that our potential is much greater. “Increasing GST collection requires collective action by the Centre and States. It is crucial for strengthening our economic position and becoming a USD 5 trillion economy,” he said.
Promotion of 3Ts
In his closing remarks, the PM said each state should focus on promoting its 3Ts, Trade, Tourism, Technology, through every Indian Mission around the world. He said the states must focus on reducing imports, increasing exports and identifying opportunities for the same in every state.
“We should encourage people to use local goods wherever possible,” he said adding that ‘Vocal for local’ is not the agenda of an individual political party but a common goal.
PM Modi added that NITI Aayog will study the states’ concerns, challenges, and best practices and subsequently plan the way forward. He said the issues discussed in this meeting will define the national priorities for the next 25 years, adding that the seeds we sow today will define the fruits reaped by India in 2047.
