NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid stress on the government’s vision for economic development by 2022, while speaking at the third meeting of NITI Aayog’s Governing Council on Sunday. With 30 Chief Ministers in attendance, Modi exhorted them to work together as ‘Team India’, and discussed his 15-year Vision Document.
Stating the Vision Document was only a draft, Modi said views of States would be considered before finalising it. While the government had already made it clear it was ending the five-year plans, with all schemes ending this year, its strategy for the next seven years, and a three-year action plan were also discussed.
The Centre also indicated that it might change the financial year from existing April-March to January-December. Based on suggestions made by several States, the Prime Minister urged others to also take initiatives in this regard. In a country where agricultural income is exceedingly important, he said, budgets should be prepared immediately after receipts of farm incomes for the year.
Modi also said that several Chief Ministers had raised the issue of regional imbalance in the country and said those had to be addressed on a priority basis, both nationally and within States. He also called upon States to make legislative arrangements for the rollout of GST, the universal and uniform taxation regime, by July 1.