SYLLABUS SECTION: GS II (GOVERNANCE)

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, the first National Conference of Chief Secretaries was held in Dharamshala from June 15-17. NITI Aayog organizes the annual meeting of the Governing Council (GC) under the leadership of the PM, which brings together chief ministers/Lieutenant-governors of the states/UTs to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues to accelerate the implementation of the National Development Agenda.

SEVEN RECOMMENDATIONS BY NITI AAYOG:

•  As custodians of regional policy and prime executors of development program, states are the Indian economy’s growth drivers.
• To achieve greater socio-economic cohesion within the country, achieving income convergence across states must be a policy priority.
• In addition to income growth, performance on social indicators is a sound metric for assessing a state’s performance.
  • Social outcomes are de-link from income in several states. Mizoram’s performance on the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is one example.

• India must focus on ensuring that growth originates from the grassroots while addressing significant inter-state and inter-district variations.

• Better managed urbanization is crucial. Cities face challenges such as affordable housing, water supply and waste management.
• Several best practices are already being implemented by states across India. NITI Aayog must act as an intermediary between the Centre and states to ensure cross-sharing of these best practices, insights and perspectives.
• The challenge of climate change is upon us. The world has so far witnessed two models of development— the Industrial Revolution and the rise of East Asia. Both depended on cheap, fossil-fuel energy. India aspires to grow equally fast but is now subject to a carbon constraint.

Read more: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

Source: INDIAN EXPRESS