200 Days of NITI Aayog

NITI completes 200 days on 20th July, 2015, from its inception as a Think Tank of the Government,

a directional and policy dynamo to taking steps in co-operating with States while encouraging the

spirit of cooperative federalism. Some highlights from this initial journey towards transforming India:

1. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi made appointments to the NITI Aayog, with Dr Arvind

Panagariya as the Vice Chairman, Shri Bibek Debroy and Dr. V.K. Saraswat as Full-Time Members

and Ms. Sindhushree Khullar, IAS was appointed as Aayog's CEO.

2. The Prime Minister chaired the first Governing Council Meeting of the NITI Aayog with CM's of

states and Lt. Gov's of the UTs to work with the Centre and forge a model of cooperative federalism.

TEAM INDIA- where the Centre and States come together to chart a common course for progress and

prosperity.

3. During Feb 2015, the PM held a meeting to review progress in Infrastructure sectors for 2014-15.

The sectors covered were related to Physical Connectivity (Airports, Ports and Inland Waterways,

Railways and Highways), Digital Connectivity (Telecom) and Energy (Power, Coal, Renewables and

Gas).

4. In order to prevent cost and time overruns of important infrastructure projects, the Governing

Council of NITI Aayog has requested States to create appropriate institutional mechanisms to address

issues which cause delay in execution of the project. This is being further monitored by Aayog.

5. Prime Minister constituted three Sub Groups of Chief Ministers on the following subjects: Re-

organization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Skill Development, and Swachh Bharat.

6. The Union Budget 2015 announced the setting up of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Self-

Employment and Talent Utilization (SETU) and Unified National Agriculture Market under the NITI

Aayog.

7. In enforcement of the decision taken in the Governing Council Meeting, two Task Forces have

been formed in order to tackle the crucial subjects of Agriculture Development and Elimination of

Poverty under the leadership of Vice Chairman.

8. NITI Aayog has initiated the process of undertaking the midterm appraisal of the Twelfth Plan.

9. Initiatives of NITI Aayog: Sustainable Development, Inclusive Growth Policy, Participatory

Development by fostering PPP model, Use of ICT tools to ensure transparency and good governance,

adopt global best practices in administration.

10. NITI Aayog seeks to put an end to slow and tardy implementation of policy, by enforcing better

Inter-Ministry coordination and better Centre-State coordination. It will help evolve a shared vision of

national development priorities.

11. The NITI Aayog will create a knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support system through

a collaborative community of national and international experts, practitioners and partners.

Road Ahead:

1. Ensure that the economically vibrant middle-class remains engaged, and its potential is fully realized.

2. Leveraging of India's demographic dividend, and realization of the potential of youth, men and women, through education, skill development, elimination of gender bias, and employment.

3. Incorporate the significant geo-economic and geo-political strength of the Non-Resident Indian Community.

4. Use urbanization as an opportunity to create a wholesome and secure habitat through the use of modern technology.

5. Use technology to reduce opacity and potential for misadventures in governance.

6. Integrate villages institutionally into the development process.

7. Policy support to more than 50 million small businesses, which are a major source of employment creation.

8. Safeguarding of our environmental and ecological assets.