Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting of the NITI Aayog at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, bringing together Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors from across India.
The meeting, held under the banner of cooperative federalism, aimed to outline a long-term developmental roadmap leading up to the centenary of India’s independence in 2047.
PM Modi’s Vision For Balanced Growth
During the meeting, PM Modi emphasised the importance of bridging the development gap between India’s states. His focus on creating a more balanced national growth strategy received support from multiple quarters.
Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan welcomed the initiative, stating, “This is a very important meeting. The Prime Minister’s vision for 2047 focuses on narrowing the development gaps between backward and advanced states. Unequal resource distribution remains a major challenge.”
Ranjan also noted that the presence of state leaders from various political backgrounds underlined the seriousness of the Centre’s intentions.
Backing From BJP-Ruled States
Officials from several BJP-governed states echoed support for the PM’s approach, citing flagship programmes such as PM Gati Shakti, Jal Jeevan Mission, and efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure as successful examples of Centre-State cooperation.
Also Read: PM Modi Urges Speedy Development, Future-Ready Cities At NITI Aayog Meet
They argued that such schemes illustrate how states and the Centre can work in tandem to realise shared developmental goals.
Opposition Voices Concerns
Despite the support, the meeting drew criticism from the Opposition. Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad questioned the current role and accountability mechanisms within NITI Aayog.
“It’s good that such meetings are happening, but earlier we had the Planning Commission. Today, NITI Aayog operates with its own appointees. If a scheme was cancelled or corruption took place, the Planning Commission would publish a report. Just look at the CAG and NITI Aayog reports now,” she remarked.
Fellow Congress leader Pawan Khera challenged the credibility of long-term promises made by the government, saying: “Why talk about 2047 now? Every few years, they announce a new target. They promised to double farmers’ incomes by 2022. That didn’t happen.”
Context Of National Security And Governance
This meeting marked the first major Centre-State interaction following India’s Operation Sindoor, in which Indian armed forces reportedly neutralised nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
While the meeting’s focus remained economic and developmental, the backdrop of recent security successes lent additional gravity to the Centre’s call for unity and long-term planning.
Towards ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’
As the government pushes forward with its vision for Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047, Saturday’s NITI Aayog meeting served as a platform for both collaboration and critique.
While many endorsed the roadmap, others questioned the mechanisms of implementation and accountability.
The coming months will reveal whether this renewed emphasis on cooperative federalism can translate into tangible outcomes, or remain a vision debated across party lines.
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
