Niti Aayog lauds CM, says UP on top priority
LUCKNOW: Five months after its first visit to Uttar Pradesh, Niti Aayog has lauded the work being done by chief minister Yogi Adityanath and said development was back on track in the state.
Led by its chief executive officer Amitabh Kant, the Niti Aayog team met CM Yogi Adityanath and chief secretary Rajive Kumar on Thursday to discuss the way ahead on the development blueprint for UP drafted by a group of experts.
The planning think-tank has been mandated by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to ensure that UP becomes a modern state and meets all benchmarks of development.
Presenting the action plan, chief secretary Rajive Kumar said a blueprint had been prepared keeping in mind the UP government’s commitment for overall development.
Kumar gave a presentation on the road map and said it would be implemented within the set timelines.
The eight sectors that have been initially identified include nutrition, health education, rural development, water and sanitation, irrigation, water resources, industries and agriculture.
The Niti Aayog team assured the government that it would clear all roadblocks in the way of UP’s development.
Nine groups, each headed by an officer of the secretary rank, have been formed to oversee the plan. A presentation for each sector was made by respective members of the group. Health minister Siddharth Nath Singh and senior officials were also present during the interaction.
Niti Aayog’s CEO said the group members had been asked to send in their suggestions and report by August 20 next year so that the way forward could be chalked out.
“On-ground progress in UP is visible now. UP will be top priority for the Aayog because if we
move ahead, India will also march on the path of progress,” said Kumar, adding that the Aayog was different from Yojana Aayog (Planning Commission).
To fast-track development projects, the state has partnered with UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, Tata Trust and Foundation, Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation and
Shiv Nadar Foundation in their respective areas of expertise.
Meanwhile, at the Indian Sociological Society and Department of Sociology, University of Lucknow, vice-chairman of Niti Aayog Rajiv Kumar pointed out the decisive role of elites in main currents of neo-liberalism in the development of the country.