Why in news?

Addressing the seventh meeting of the NITI Aayog Governing Council, the Prime Minister said that during the pandemic, every State played a crucial role by focusing on the grassroots delivery of public services through cooperation across political lines.

Key issues discussed

• the Governing Council discussed key issues such as crop diversification and achieving self-sufficiency in pulses, oilseeds and other agri-commodities; implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) in school education and higher education; and urban governance.

‘Focus on 3Ts’

• the Prime Minister said each State should focus on promoting trade, tourism and technology via every Indian Mission around the world.

NITI Aayog Governing Council

• NITI Aayog was formed via a resolution of the Union Cabinet on 1 January 2015.
• The Governing Council of NITI Aayog, comprising Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories with legislatures and Lt Governors of other Union Territories, came into effect on 16 February 2015 via a notification by the Cabinet Secretariat. The Governing Council was reconstituted vide a notification dated 19 February 2021 by the Cabinet Secretariat.

• The Governing Council is the premier body tasked with evolving a shared vision of national priorities and strategies, with the active involvement of States, in shaping the development narrative. The Governing Council, which embodies the objectives of cooperative federalism, presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues to accelerate the implementation of the national development agenda.