Making India $5 trillion economy by 2024 challenging, but achievable: PM

mangaloretoday network

New Delhi, June 15, 2019: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the fifth meeting of NITI Aayog’s governing council at the Rashtrapati Bhawan Saturday. Addressing the meet, the Prime Minister said, "Niti Aayog has a key role to play in the fulfilling mantra of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas."

Speaking on economic goals for India, Modi stressed that with the concerted efforts of states, "goal to make India a $5 trillion economy by 2024 is challenging but achievable." He also called for effective steps to tackle drought and said, " newly created Jal Shakti Ministry will help provide an integrated approach to water."

The meeting with the chief ministers of all states was the first since Modi returned to power and inducted new members into the governing body, including Amit Shah who is the Union Home Minister. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Telangana Chief Minsiter K Chandrashekhar Rao skipped the meeting.

During the meeting, the governing council addressed the core issues such as the current shortage of water in various parts of the country as well as relief measures along with rainwater harvesting. Modi spoke of a collective fight against poverty, unemployment, drought, flood, pollution, corruption and violence.

Urging members of Governing Council to help create a govt setup which works & has the people’s trust, Modi said, " We are now moving towards a governance system characterised by performance, transparency and delivery." He also added that the on-ground implementation of schemes is vital.

With the chief ministers of various states reaching Delhi, the Punjab government is hoping to push Centre to help the state replenish its drained aquifers through rain-water harvesting. Meanwhile, the states of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh are expected to once again raise the demand for special status for their respective states. Newly-elected chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy had met Amit Shah in Delhi on Friday to reiterate the demand for special status.

Jagan said the agenda of his visit to the capital was to try and prevail on him (Shah) and also soften the PM s (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) heart on the issue of the special category status, which we ll definitely be asking for in the NITI Aayog meeting".

Meanwhile, Congress-ruled states are likely to raise the issue of the farm crisis, a meeting-cum-dinner was organised by Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath in the absence of party president Rahul Gandhi. However, several chief ministers including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Telangana’s K Chandrashekhar Rao are giving the meet a skip. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh will also be missing the gathering due to health reasons.

It is to be noted that the NITI Ayog was launched by PM Modi during his first tenure in 2014 as a replacement for the ageing Planning Commission formed during former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure.