In a significant push towards eradicating poverty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a target of zero poverty starting from the grassroots level, specifically focusing on villages. This directive was announced during the 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi on Saturday.
PM Modi highlighted India’s significant economic progress, noting, “From being the 10th largest economy in 2014, India has risen to the 5th position by 2024. Our goal is to become the third largest economy globally,” according to a statement from NITI Aayog. He called for visionary planning at the state and district levels to ensure comprehensive development, stating, “The vision for Viksit Bharat can be achieved through the development of Viksit States. Every state and district should have a clear vision for 2047 to ensure progress reaches all areas.”
The Prime Minister praised the Aspirational Districts Programme, which has encouraged healthy competition through continuous monitoring. He also emphasized the importance of skill development, remarking that India is viewed favorably for its skilled workforce.
Additionally, PM Modi encouraged states to create an investment-friendly climate and tasked NITI Aayog with drafting an ‘Investment-friendly Charter’ to attract investments, noting that good governance, law and order, and infrastructure are crucial.
On water resource management, he proposed establishing River Grids at the state level and recommended creating Demographic Management Plans to address future population challenges. He urged states to enhance agricultural productivity, market linkages, and promote Natural Farming for sustainable agriculture.
The meeting concluded with PM Modi directing NITI Aayog to review the states’ suggestions and expressed gratitude to all participants, affirming confidence in achieving the Viksit Bharat vision through collaborative federalism.