Niti Aayog's 5th Governing Council meet begins

June 15, 2019 15:57

The fifth meeting of Niti Aayog's Governing Council began with the main agenda of deliberating upon drought situation, farm distress and security concerns over Naxal-affected districts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing the meeting, which is being held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This will be the first governing council meeting under the new Modi government.

Among others attending the meet are Union ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajnath Singh.

The agenda for the meeting also includes rain-water harvesting, aspirational districts programme and structural reforms in the agriculture sector.

The council, the apex body of Niti Aayog, includes all chief ministers, lieutenant governors of union territories, several union ministers and senior government officials.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath are among the heads of states attending the meeting.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, has refused to attend the meeting, saying it is "fruitless" as Niti Aayog has no financial powers to support state plans.

The Governing Council reviews the action taken on the agenda items of the previous meeting and deliberates upon the future developmental priorities.

The first meeting the Governing Council was held on February 8, 2015, at which the PM laid down the key mandates of Niti Aayog such as fostering cooperative federalism and addressing national issues through active participation of the states.

-- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

T20 bowlers must adapt or get left behind: Southee

The mountain of runs being scored in the Indian Premier League shows Twenty20 cricket is changing and bowlers must move with the times or be left behind, New Zealand paceman Tim Southee said.

'There Is No Modi Wave'

'I am shocked that the BJP makes so many commitments. What did they deliver as the NDA?'

Gandhis are not fighting from Amethi shows...: Smriti Irani

Irani said that Rahul Gandhi's candidature from Raebareli is a "victory" for the people in Amethi.

One of the strongest people I know: Nayar backs Shreyas amid career setbacks

Ahead of his side's Indian Premier League match against Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Abhishek Nayar hailed skipper Shreyas Iyer for his mental strength and positive approach to life.

Arey daro maat, bhaago maat: Modi taunts Rahul over Rae Bareli move

Modi said that Congress' tally in the Lok Sabha polls will be an "all-time low"