3.45 pm: The replacement of the Planning Commission by Niti Aayog will help change the emphasis from projects and programmes to policy and institutions, from expenditure inputs to real outcomes through better governance, and from political disputation over incremental allocations to new challenges and opportunities. > Read here
3.28 pm: The Planning Commission was set up by a Resolution of the Government of India in March 1950. Since then, it has seen some of India's top minds at its helm. > In Pictures
3.25 pm: According to Economist Saumitra Chaudhuri who resigned from the Planning Commission last year, the Aayog must be made a government body which is responsible for the implementation of its plans. > Read here
3.20 pm: Emphasised on the need to expedite growth, investment, job creation, elimination of poverty & moving away from 'one size fits all' approach: PM Modi
PM Modi, Haryana CM ML Khattar, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chauhan during the first meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog in New Delhi. Photo: PTI
3.10 pm: State CMs gave many insightful views during the meeting. This spirit of cooperative federalism will enhance India's progress & prosperity, tweeted PM Modi.
3.05 pm:
PM >@narendramodi chairing the 1st meeting of the Governing Council, NITI Aayog. >pic.twitter.com/kovUeAJUWV
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) >February 8, 2015
3.00 pm FM Arun Jaitley: 31 States and UTs participated in PM Modi's Niti Aayog meeting today at his residence
2.58 pm: FM Arun Jaitley: States to form 2 task forces each on agri development policies and poverty alleviation policies at state level
2.55 pm: Two more sub-groups of State CMs constituted by PM/Niti Aayog on swatch bharat and skill development:Arun Jaitley
2.50 pm: " A sub group of CMs constituted to decide which of 66 centrally sponsored groups should continue, which shelved
2.45 pm: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley says,"State CMs demanded greater financial devolution at first Niti Aayog meeting chaired by PM Modi."
2.40 pm: The first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog begins.
At the first meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought the views of Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors on Budget 2015-16, flagship schemes and infrastructure projects.
The meeting is expected to provide suggestions on setting up efficient processes and mechanisms for interaction between the Centre and states as also between NITI and other stakeholders to ensure synergy between different levels of government for a shared national development framework.
The meeting is also expected deliberate on the stalled infrastructure projects, especially rail and highways, for the development of the hinterland.
The states have also been requested to give suggestion to make a success of the new central initiatives like Swachh Mission, Make in India campaign, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Smart Cities, Housing for All by 2022, Digital India, Skill India, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
TN pitches for higher fund flows to States
Pitching for higher flow of funds from the Centre to the States, Tamil Nadu on Sunday demanded flexibility in the design of the flagship programmes and limiting the State’s share to 25 per cent for such schemes.
In his presentation at the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said vertical devolution of share to the States should be at least 50 per cent of the aggregate resources available with the Centre.
“We believe that the non-transparent, discretionary and uncertain fashion in which funds were allocated and disbursed to States by the erstwhile Planning Commission and by different Central Ministries under various centrally sponsored schemes must be comprehensively overhauled,” he said.
The Chief Minister demanded that funds under the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme should be routed through state governments for efficient delivery.
On the issue of interlinking of rivers, the Chief Minister reiterated Tamil Nadu’s demand for interlinking of the Mahanadhi—Godavari—Krishna—Pennar—Palar—Cauvery and then on to Gundar and diversion of waters of the west flowing rivers of Pamba and Achankovil to Vaippar in Tamil Nadu under the Peninsular Rivers Development Component.
