The meeting was organised to boost investment, growth and state of the economy, says FM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairing the first meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Friday. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is also seen. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a brain storming session with eminent economists while holding the first meeting of the newly-constituted Niti Aayog, where they asked the Union government to work towards high growth, predictable tax regime, fiscal prudence and rapid infrastructure development.
In his opening remarks at the meet, the PM set the tone by emphasising the need for cooperative federalism and said that he favoured healthy competition for development amongst states. India, Mr Modi said, must develop fast, taking advantage of the current global situation to meet aspirations of the people.
Seeking views of the economists on the state of economy, the Prime Minister said an objective of NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog was to establish a dynamic institutional mechanism where “eminent individuals outside the government system” could contribute to policy making.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley said the meeting was organised with “some very eminent economists with regard to the state of economy and steps required to boost investment, growth and even specific suggestions with regard to the Union Budget,” Mr Jaitley said the suggestions were also in relation to the financing of infrastructure, how to attract investment and boost domestic savings.
Vijay Kelkar, Nitin Desai, Bimal Jalan, Rajiv Lall, R. Vaidyanathan, Subir Gokarn, Parthasarathi Shome, P. Balakrishnan, Rajiv Kumar, Ashok Gulati, Mukesh Butani and G.N. Bajpai were among the economists who shared their views. Niti vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya along with two full-time members Bibek Debroy and V.K. Saraswat were also present.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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