New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Saturday gave a call to the states for a "collective fight against poverty, unemployment, drought, flood, pollution, corruption and violence." In his opening remarks at the governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog, the government''s think tank, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, he asked the states to focus on export promotion as he felt exports are vital for boosting income and employment. He said the goal to make India a 5 trillion dollar economy by 2024, is "challeng-
ing but achievable" with the concerted efforts of the states. Modi told the meeting how vital is the key role of NITI Aayog that was created five years ago dissolving the Planning Commission in fulfilling the government''s "mantra of sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas."
He said empowerment and ease of living have to be provided to each and every Indian, stressing on accomplishing the goals set for the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, by October 2, and work should begin in earnest towards the goals for 2022, the 75th anniversary of Independence. The Prime Minister said that everyone at this platform has a common goal of achieving a New India by 2022. He described Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan and PM AwaasYojana as illustrations of what the Centre and the States can accomplish together.
He said the newly created Jal Shakti Ministry will help provide an integrated approach to water and asked the states to integrate various efforts towards water conservation and management. The PM underlined his government's goal to provide piped water to every rural home by 2024, noting how the poor have to bear the brunt of insufficient water conservation efforts.
The meeting which held in a "very positive atmosphere" was attended by senior union ministers and almost all the chief ministers, except for Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal) and K Chandrashekhar Rao (Telangana). Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh could not attend the meeting due to health reasons. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur too could not attend the meeting as he was in Germany.
