Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the ninth Governing Council Meeting of Niti Aayog, where the Approach Paper for the Vision Document on Viksit Bharat @2047 will be discussed. However, most of the Chief Ministers of Opposition ruled States have given a call for boycott. The meeting aims to foster participative governance and collaboration between the Centre and State governments to enhance the quality of life for both rural and urban populations.
Boycott of Niti Aayog Meeting: A Growing Divide Between Centre and States
The upcoming Niti Aayog governing council meeting, scheduled for June 15, has become a flashpoint for growing tensions between the central government and opposition-ruled states. Chief ministers from West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh have announced their boycott of the meeting, citing concerns over the Centre's alleged bias against non-BJP-ruled states.
Background:
Niti Aayog, established in 2015, replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission as the primary government think tank. It comprises the Prime Minister as its chairman, chief ministers of all states and Union Territories, and other nominated experts. The mandate of Niti Aayog is to foster cooperative federalism, develop national and regional plans, and promote sustainable development.
Reasons for Boycott:
The opposition chief ministers have accused the Centre of using Niti Aayog to bypass the established channels of inter-governmental consultation and cooperation. They allege that the central government has repeatedly ignored the concerns and recommendations of opposition-ruled states, leading to a loss of trust.
Specific concerns raised by the chief ministers include:
Implications:
The boycott of the Niti Aayog meeting by opposition chief ministers is a significant development that threatens to further strain relations between the Centre and non-BJP-ruled states. It highlights the deep divisions within the country and the challenges facing the spirit of cooperative federalism.
The boycott could also have practical implications for the work of Niti Aayog. With key states absent, it will be difficult for the body to achieve its mandate of promoting consensus and collaboration on national and regional plans.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Why are opposition chief ministers boycotting the Niti Aayog meeting? A: They are alleging discrimination by the Centre, lack of consultation, and erosion of states' autonomy.
2. Which states are boycotting the meeting? A: West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh.
3. What is the mandate of Niti Aayog? A: To foster cooperative federalism, develop national and regional plans, and promote sustainable development.
4. What are the key concerns raised by the boycotting chief ministers? A: Discrimination in resource allocation, centralization of power, and insufficient funding for key projects.
5. What are the implications of the boycott for Niti Aayog's work? A: It could hinder the body's ability to achieve consensus and promote collaboration on national and regional plans.
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