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.
In an effort to combat rising drug abuse rates, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced the implementation of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Campaign) in all medical colleges across India. Along with this, the NMC has also requested the formation of drug-free hostel committees, a schedule of activities, and awareness programs for students, faculty, and staff. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the NMC, is also planning to launch Tobacco Cessation Centres in all medical colleges to help individuals quit tobacco consumption and reduce tobacco-related diseases.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued detailed guidelines for All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), medical colleges, and other higher educational institutions to implement Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan activities to tackle the growing issue of substance abuse among students. These measures include forming committees, conducting awareness campaigns, and creating referral systems to provide support to students. The government hopes that this collaborative approach will help curb drug trafficking and protect the student population from falling prey to substance abuse.
The Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, announced a major step towards inclusive mobility by offering a 50% concession on bus fares for women employed in the private sector. This move aims to make daily commuting more affordable and encourage more women to join the workforce. The announcement was made at the launch of the Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025 in Sanquelim, which also includes benefits for private bus operators such as operational subsidies and upgraded technology. Sawant assured current operators that they will not be left out during the system's upgrade and urged them to join the scheme for significant annual benefits.
Former Member of the Scottish Parliament, Wendy Alexander, has accused Dundee University of pressuring her to leave her position as Vice Principal International due to her questioning of the institution's financial practices. She claims she was offered a "package and trips" as a way to leave quietly. This revelation comes after a recent report revealing financial mismanagement at the university, with the former principal, Prof Iain Gillespie, resigning last year. Alexander's comments were made in a statement to Holyrood's education committee, which also heard evidence from other former university officials expressing regret for not implementing cost-cutting measures earlier and acknowledging the pain caused to students and staff.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has announced a rally in Rajgir – the hometown of his alliance partner and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar – strategically aimed at expanding his base among other Bahujan communities. The LJP (RV) has called the event "Bahujan sankalp samagam" where the 42-year-old leader will focus on a "new leadership" for the state and aim to claim a larger share in the upcoming state Assembly polls. With the key allies of the BJP-led NDA locking horns over seat-sharing, Chirag seems to be positioning himself as a major player in Bihar politics and is set to make an announcement that could potentially change the political landscape of the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, fulfilling a major demand of farmers in Telangana. The event was attended by various BJP leaders, who welcomed Shah at the Begumpet airport. The establishment of the Turmeric Board was a key election promise by BJP Lok Sabha member D Arvind, who defeated K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This move is aimed at improving the quality and income of turmeric farmers in the region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana. The ceremony was attended by several prominent leaders such as Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, Union MoDS (Home) Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BJP MP K Laxman, and BJP Lok Sabha member from Nizamabad, D Arvind. This move is expected to boost the production and export of turmeric, a key spice in Indian cuisine, and support the farmers in the region.
With the latest news and developments surrounding Justice PG Ajithkumar, stay informed about the famous judge's groundbreaking cases and decisions. Stay connected and up-to-date with the latest verdicts and judgments made by the well-known Justice as he continues to make waves in the legal world. Don't miss out on any crucial updates and stay on top of the current political landscape with this exciting news piece featuring Justice PG Ajithkumar.
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday heard arguments from ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido, as well as the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, challenging a state-wide ban on bike taxis. Advocates for the petitioners argued that the ban violated their right to livelihood and hindered the service's potential to decongest roads and bridge last-mile connectivity gaps in urban areas. The ban was put in place following an expert committee report opposing bike taxis, but was later reversed to allow operations until the state issues specific guidelines. The matter is set for further hearing on July 2.
In a press conference held in Hyderabad, BRS leader P Karthik Reddy voiced his concerns over the alleged discrimination against Rangareddy district by the Telangana government. He has given an ultimatum of one week for the government to release the Rythu Bandhu funds to the farmers, threatening to go on an indefinite hunger strike if his demands are not met. Reddy also questioned the chief minister about his knowledge of the combined Rangareddy district and accused him of neglecting the district due to lack of support from the Congress.