Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked states to set ambitious growth targets for their economies, saying the world expected India to become a $5 trillion economy even as he emphasised on the need to reach welfare schemes to the last beneficiary. The PM’s exhortation at the meeting of the Niti Aayog governing council on Sunday came even as he yet again touched on the need for simultaneous elections to states and Lok Sabha, as this would ensure saving in costs and provide a break from a cycle of elections that takes away from governance due to long periods of the code of conduct, which restricts decision making, being in force. The PM advised states to pay special attention to expanding their exports and attracting export oriented investments while organising investment summits.
Speaking later, Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar said there was a consensus that the population 2011 census would remain the key benchmark for devolution of funds. This was significant in the light of concerns expressed by some southern states that their better population control would disadvantage them. It was pointed out that meeting such goals would be given due weightage.
Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said, “The crux of the PM’s address was that we need to focus and transform backward blocks, backward districts, backward regions and identify the ‘last people in the line’ so that benefits of governance can reach them.”
