New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today seek views of Chief Ministers and Lt Governors on Budget 2015-16, flagship schemes and infrastructure projects like rail and roads to put the economy on high growth trajectory during the first meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog on Sunday.
"The Prime Minister will interact with the Chief Ministers tomorrow to know their views about the first full year budget of the Centre to be presented on February 28. Besides, he will seek their view on improving efficiency of the flagship schemes and processes to put India on high growth path," a source said.
The meeting will 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.
During the meeting Aayog's vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya is likely to brief the council about the role to be played by the newly created body.
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.
In a meeting on Friday, Modi along with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had met economists at NITI Aayog to seek their suggestion on Budget and other policies to bring economy back on track.
The economists had asked the government to work towards high growth, predictable tax regime, fiscal prudence and rapid infrastructure development. The economists have asked Modi government to increase public spending.
The latest data showed fixed capital formation rose only 3 per cent in FY14 after contracting 0.3 per cent in the year before. The argument against fiscal expansion is that credit-rating agencies would take a negative view of this and it could also delay monetary easing.
Setting the tone for the discussion, Modi had emphasised on the need for cooperative federalism and added that he favoured healthy competition for development amongst states.
Government set up NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) on January 1 to replace 65-year old socialist-era Planning Commission.
(With agencies input)
