Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to convene a crucial three-day national conference with the chief secretaries of all states and union territories, commencing this Saturday in New Delhi. The high-level meeting aims to forge a unified strategy between the Centre and states on pivotal national development agendas.
Key Agenda: From Deregulation to Human Capital
The official statement released on Friday outlined a comprehensive agenda for the discussions. A key priority will be deregulation at the state level, a move seen as essential for improving the investment climate and ease of doing business across India. The conference will also delve deeply into human capital development, a cornerstone for realizing the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' or Developed India.
On this front, deliberations will span early childhood education, schooling, skilling, higher education, sports, and extracurricular activities. The goal is to shift the perspective from viewing India's population as a mere demographic dividend to strategically positioning citizens as robust human capital. This involves crafting concrete plans to strengthen education, advance skilling, and generate future-ready employment nationwide.
Technology and Self-Reliance in Focus
The role of technology in governance will be another major theme, highlighting its potential to enhance service delivery, reduce discretionary powers, and increase transparency. Special sessions are planned to discuss the application of technology, the agri-stack for smarter agricultural supply chains, tourism promotion, and initiatives aimed at boosting self-reliance (Swadeshi).
This fifth edition of the national conference of chief secretaries is designed to strengthen Centre-state coordination. It traditionally helps finalize issues for the subsequent meeting between the Prime Minister and state Chief Ministers during the NITI Aayog governing council meeting.
A Forum for Collaborative Roadmap
The conference serves as a vital forum for both tiers of government to design a collaborative roadmap. The objective is to maximize the nation's human potential and accelerate inclusive, future-ready growth. Discussions will also focus on sharing best practices among states and UTs to enhance human development, which is critical for building a skilled workforce and boosting economic output.
This is the fifth such annual conference. The first was held in Dharamshala in June 2022, followed by three editions in the national capital. The event will see participation from chief secretaries, senior state and UT officials, along with various domain experts.
