Milestones Ahead: NITI Aayog Puts States in the Driver’s Seat for 2047

In a concerted effort to accelerate India's development trajectory, NITI Aayog has urged all the states and Union Territories to commit to distinct, mid-term targets for 2030 and 2035 in accordance with the country's vision to become a developed country by 2047. This call was the highlight at the 10th Governing Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the agenda was based on the 'Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047' initiative.

The meeting, attended by chief ministers, lieutenant governors, and senior Union ministers, emphasized producing bold, inclusive vision documents that are locally driven and nationally linked. States were encouraged to leverage their own strengths, set time-bound goals, and drive game-changers in sectors such as human development, economic growth, sustainability, technology, and governance reforms.

NITI Aayog's 2030 and 2035 agenda includes aspirational targets like increasing 50% of India's energy needs from renewable sources by 2030, enhancing public health surveillance, and integrating SDGs in all state policies. The council also emphasized data-driven processes, robust monitoring systems, and creating entrepreneurship, employment, and skilling opportunities—especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

Prime Minister Modi stressed cooperative federalism, stating, "If the Centre and all the States come together and work like Team India, no goal is impossible." The initiative represents a new bid to use states as the basis of a developed India, with such intermediate milestones as crucial waypoints on the path to 2047.

Source: The Indian Express