NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked NITI Aayog to prepare a vision document containing a roadmap for India's development for the next 15 years to bring transformational changes.
Stating that time for incremental change is long over, Modi called for a roadmap to lay the foundation for the country's growth over the 21st century.
Interacting with members of the NITI Aayog, he said the need of the hour is transformational change.
He highlighted the importance of technology as an emerging driver of change over the last three decades, and asserted that this pace of change would not slacken.
The government, he said, has "the courage and the ability to deliver transformational change for bettering the lives of the people".
Stating that policy-makers have historically lamented constraints rather than play to strengths, he said judicious and intelligent application of India's natural and human resources would be at the heart of the change.
He listed mineral wealth, vast untapped solar energy potential and sub-optimally used coastline as examples.
Modi said partnership with states for promoting development and boosting exports is not just an element of cooperative federalism, but also the need of the hour.
On agriculture, he said the focus should not be just on increasing agricultural productivity alone, but also on the overall development of a vibrant rural economy.
He emphasised the importance of the food processing sector, warehouse development, and technology inputs, in this sector.
Stressing upon the need to build capacities for good governance, he highlighted the importance of real-time data availability.
"Prime Minister said I am a person who does experiment and I have confidence," NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya told reporters after a meeting with Modi on Vision Document.
NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant said: "Prime Minister has stressed transformational changes rather than having incremental changes. He said that we need to win the war of policies and chase things according to the changing (technology) World.
When asked whether the Vision Document will be approved by
the NITI Aayog Governing Council, Panagariya said no decision has been taken on this. The Council is headed by the Prime Minister with all Chief Ministers on its board. As per earlier practice, 5 year plans were approved by National Development Council, headed by PM.
An official who was present at the meeting said: "Prime Minister said that we should shed past and come out to take new challenges and Vision Document should lay the foundation of 21st century."
The official said that Modi also pointed out the irreversible impact of technology on the country and asked to focus on optimum use of natural resources.
Modi has asked for mapping of the natural resources in the country and preparing a catalogue for timely, efficient and effective use of national wealth through definite policy.
He cited the example of solar energy where India was not able to use the resource over past many years.
Prime Minister also talked about tourism potential in the country saying there are 1,300 islands in the country. He has asked to identify and develop 10 islands for promoting tourism.
Modi was of the view that exports potential should come from state while centre can play a role of a catalyst.
Drawing attention toward need to push skill development in the country, he said: "We should skill people keeping in mind the requirement of industry in 2030. We should focus on creating opportunities and not just jobs."
On the farm sector, he said, "We need to shed protectionism on agriculture as market has to play a role. We would soon be out of kitchen cooking."
He cited an example of Middle East countries which depend on imports for food items and suggested that Indian farmers can have long term agreement with these countries to supply their produce.
Modi urged NITI Aayog to take inspiration from events such as the success of the Give-it-Up campaign, and the widespread positive response from the people to the Swachhta Abhiyan.
"This experience disproves the assumption commonly made by experts that people are only interested in benefits for themselves; it shows that people are motivated by the larger public good," he said.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh, Members of the NITI Aayog, besides senior officers from the NITI Aayog, PMO and Cabinet Secretariat.
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