Cooperative federalism will enhance India's progress: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the first meeting of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog here on Sunday, said the spirit of cooperative federalism will enhance India's progress and prosperity.

"State CMs gave many insightful views during the meeting. This spirit of cooperative federalism will enhance India's progress and prosperity. Emphasised on the need to expedite growth, investment, job creation, elimination of poverty and moving away from 'one size fits all' approach," Prime Minister Modi said in a series of tweets.

The Prime Minister, who met the Chief Ministers of the north-eastern states before the NITI Aayog meeting, also underscored the focus on good governance through well thought out policies.

"Our focus is good governance through well thought out polices combined with proper execution for desired outcomes," he added.

Prime Minister Modi today announced the constitution of three sub-groups within the NITI Aayog and asked all states to set up two task forces under aegis of NITI Aayog.

One task force would focus on poverty alleviation, while the other would focus on future development of agriculture in the state and how the Centre can assist the state in this regard.

The members of the sub-groups will be decided later, after Chief Ministers indicate their preferences.

The Prime Minister urged all states to use the upcoming school vacations as an opportunity to build and upgrade toilets so as to ensure that the target of toilets for all schools is achieved.

He also suggested that a portion of the funds under the MPLAD and MLALAD schemes can be earmarked for cleanliness-related activities until 2019.

The Prime Minister appreciated the team spirit shown by all participating Chief Ministers in the thoughts and vision expressed by them during the meeting.

The formation of the NITI Aayog was announced on August 15 last year by Prime Minister Modi during his maiden Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.