Centre, states to partner in growth plans: NITI Aayog

NEW DELHI: The Centre will partner with states on key development-related initiatives after a decision on this regard was taken at the fourth meeting of NITI Aayog’s governing council on Sunday, the government think tank’s vice-chairman, Rajiv Kumar, said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who heads the council asked the think tank to take note of the “actionable points” raised by chief ministers during the meeting and get back to them within three months, he added.

Modi also urged NITI Aayog officials to coordinate with the states on getting recommendations to improve the ease of doing business parameters, as well as focusing on improving the ease of living standards.

The PM asked the chief ministers to “give fresh ideas” to the 15th Finance Commission for incentivising “outcome based allocations” and expenditure correction.

According to the PM, India has no shortage of capabilities, capacities and resources and in the current financial year, the states would receive ₹11.1 lakh crore from the Centre -- an increase of about ₹6 lakh crore from the devolution in the last year of the previous government.