CM’s speech at the meeting of State CMs and PM on Planning Commission

I thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister for holding this meeting with the Chief Ministers. The proposal to form “Team India” with the Council of Chief Ministers and the Hon’ble Prime Minister as the chairperson to weave the economic agenda of the country together is welcome. I wholeheartedly compliment the Prime Minister for taking such a path breaking initiative. The development of India lies in the development of States. The country cannot be strong if States remain weak.

Issues for Di​scussion

1. Cooperative Federalism: Platform for Interface between the Centre and the StatesSo far, there is no effective platform to enable the States to express their views at regular intervals and to participate in the formulation of national policies. The platform that is now proposed will have to be effective to move towards the goal of cooperative federalism.​​For effective interaction and to promote a sense of involvement, the Council of Chief Ministers under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister may participate as members of “Team India” to deliberate and decide on all the general and important policy issues concerning the entire country. However, for issues specific to a region or a few States, such as the ‘Ganga Action Plan’ or ‘Left Wing Extremism’, Chief Ministers of States concerned may be grouped into Sub-Groups to deliberate on issues specific to them. ​​A Permanent Secretariat, with representation from each State, may be put in place to assist “Team India” in its deliberations. The Secretariat may seek policy briefs and expert advice from the proposed “Think Tank” or even co-opt other experts. All the papers relating to policy issues may be circulated by the Secretariat well in advance to facilitate an informed discussion.
2. Strategic and Perspective PlanningThe “Team India” comprising the Council of Chief Ministers and the Prime Minister shall envisage a Vision and a Perspective Plan for the States and the country as a whole at least for a decade. The present plan cycle of five-years does not look beyond the short and medium term and the Plan gets prepared only after the completion of one or two years in the five year cycle.​The needs of States differ widely depending on the levels of development in different sectors. In addition, there are state-specific problems which need to be addressed at the State level. In view of this, States may be given the freedom to prepare their action plan within the broad parameters laid down in the Perspective Plan. These dynamic action plans may be for a period of three to five years and integrated fully with the annual budgets.