While a united Viksit Bharat@2047 is a cherished dream, it must align with regional aspirations and uphold inclusiveness
The 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened in New Delhi, brought together Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors from the States and Union Territories. Themed “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047,†the meeting was a key milestone in India’s roadmap toward becoming a fully developed nation by the centenary of its independence. While the Prime Minister laid out a comprehensive and ambitious vision for India’s development, including pitches for skilling, urbanisation, tourism and manufacturing, the meeting also became a platform for raising critical federal concerns, particularly from non-BJP-ruled states like Tamil Nadu.
Prime Minister Modi noted that India has emerged among the top five global economies, with 25 crore citizens having moved out of poverty — a testament to the country’s economic leap. He announced a Rs 60,000 crore national skilling scheme aimed at equipping the youth with expertise in emerging technologies such as AI, semiconductors, and 3D printing, marking a significant step in India’s skilling revolution. Urban and green development also featured prominently in his speech, with a Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund proposed to support sustainable infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, alongside emphasis on green hydrogen, cyber security, and civil preparedness.
On the other hand, despite the PM’s grand vision, Chief Ministers from several non-BJP states used the platform to voice their growing frustration over central fiscal policies and perceived inequities in Centre-State relations. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, in a strong and pointed intervention, praised the spirit of Viksit Bharat but reminded the Centre that the journey must be rooted in true cooperative federalism. Stalin pointed out that while the 15th Finance Commission recommended a 41 per cent tax devolution to states, the actual average has been just 33.16 per cent over four years. Other non-BJP leaders echoed similar concerns about reduced fiscal autonomy, conditional central funding, and the need for more equitable development strategies that respect regional diversity.
The 10th Governing Council meeting served as both a vision statement and a mirror — reflecting both India’s tremendous developmental potential and the complex dynamics of Centre-State relationships. While Prime Minister Modi’s call for a united Viksit Bharat resonated as a national goal, the assertive voices of leaders like Stalin underscored that this journey must also accommodate regional aspirations, fiscal justice, and democratic inclusiveness. The message was clear: To build a truly developed India, every state must not only be included — it must be empowered. As NITI Aayog moves to review and act upon the states’ suggestions, the success of this transformative agenda may well depend on how sincerely and systematically the principle of cooperative federalism is upheld in both spirit and execution. The NITI Aayog Meeting may well be remembered as a pivotal moment where aspirations met assertion — a convergence of national vision and regional voice. If harnessed wisely, this can propel India toward 2047 not just as a developed nation, but as a model of inclusive, federal, and sustainable growth.
