NITI Aayog holds discussions with Uttar Pradesh delegation

Government think tank NITI Aayog today said its team held detailed discussions on central assistance to Uttar Pradesh with a delegation led by state's Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh.
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar and Chief Executive Amitabh Kant took part in the deliberations with Uttar Pradesh ministers of agriculture, energy, finance, women and child development and human resource development, an official statement said. Other advisers and officers of NITI Aayog too participated in the discussion.
The discussions were focused around issues related to central assistance worth Rs 38,000 crore sought by Uttar Pradesh, the NITI Aayog statement said.

Expressing optimism with regard to Uttar Pradesh's forwarding looking development path, Kumar hailed the state's progress in schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Grameen), saying that it has potential to transform the villages.
He emphasised the need to focus on areas within UP such as Bundelkhand.
Kant will hold a meeting next week to discuss various issues related to Bundelkhand. Also on the agenda will be performance of UP in utilising dedicated funds for development of the region.

Terming the meeting as satisfactory, the UP health minister said in a statement that the NITI Aayog has played a key role as a partner in the development of Uttar Pradesh. It has also been a forum for listening to the grievances of the state.

He lauded the efforts of the NITI Aayog to ensure that funds are allotted for the upcoming Kumbh Mela 2018.
Other issues which figured in the talks were those related to MSME and Export Promotion, Health and Family Welfare, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Social Welfare, Urban and Rural Development, Education and Minority Welfare.