Making a strong pitch for ‘Co-operative Federalism,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured States that the Centre will move away from ‘one size fits all’ schemes. Centre and States have also decided to form three groups to address issues such as restructuring centrally sponsored schemes, skill development and making Swatchh Bharat Abhiyaan as a permanent programme.

Terming the Governing Council of NITI Aayog as ‘Team India’, Modi said that , India could move away from ‘one size fits all’ schemes, and forge a better match between the schemes and the needs of the States. He said that for federalism to work well, States must also fulfil their role in promoting the shared national objectives. Further, he added that the critical element for cooperative federalism to flourish is that States commit to the path they choose within the context of the shared national objectives and then deliver on that commitment.

Modi was addressing first meeting of the Governing Council here in New Delhi on Sunday. It was attended by Chief Ministers of States, Lt. Governors of Union Territories and Governor of Jammu & Kashmir. Though, the Government claimed that Chief Ministers of all the States were present, but Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamta Mukherjee was not seen.

Chart common course

Modi called upon all Chief Ministers to work with the Centre to forge a model of cooperative federalism, whereby the Centre and the States, TEAM INDIA, can come together to resolve differences, and chart a common course to progress and prosperity. He emphasised that the Centre wished to empower the States with finances, with technology and knowledge so that they are able to plan better and execute even better.

He said that the world has started looking at India differently, but "our biggest challenge still is how to eliminate poverty." He said jobs cannot be created, and poverty cannot be removed without growth. “First and foremost we should aim at a high rate of growth,” he added.

Project execution

Noting delay in project execution due to lack of timely decision, he felt that this prevents the people from getting benefits of the projects, and also leads to cost escalation. He requested the Chief Ministers to give personal attention to such factors which slow down projects. He also urged all Chief Ministers to focus on the cycle of Investment, growth, job creation and prosperity. He also suggested that an officer be identified in the state governments to monitor and ensure a smooth resolution of the pending issues so as to expedite the project implementation.

The Prime Minister noted that in the last two-and-a-half decades, the Indian economy has been transforming itself from a planned to a market economy. He called upon the gathering to deliberate on how the planning process should be reshaped.

"Our focus on good governance is the need of the hour," he said, adding that "whatever we do it should be well thought, it should be well-executed and it should have desired outcome.

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