NITI Aayog's Governing Council is scheduled for meeting tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to discuss the contentious land acquisition bill in a meeting with chief ministers at the NITI Aayog's Governing Council meeting tomorrow, according to sources.
The government has been under fire from the opposition over the changes to the Bill, terming them as "anti-farmer". BJP allies like the Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal too are in favour of reintroduction of the consent clause in acquisition of land, claiming that its absence will expose farmers to immense risk.
Besides the land acquisition bill, the plan panel's council will also deliberate on issues like poverty, health and centrally sponsored schemes. The meeting is also likely to review the work done by three sub-groups of chief ministers and two task forces under the NITI Aayog.
A statement from the Prime Minister's Office read, "The Prime Minister will chair second meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog tomorrow morning at 7, Race Course Road."
According to sources, other issues like Goods and Services Tax (GST) and devolution of taxes between the Centre and states as per the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission could also come up for discussion.
The government had constituted three sub-groups of chief ministers under the plan panel on Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Skill Development and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
The sub-group on CSS has almost completed its work and its report is likely to be tabled during the meeting. The panel had broad consensus on reducing CSS to 30 from 72 and increasing the share of flexi-funds to 25 per cent from the current 10 per cent under the social sector schemes, said sources.
The other two sub-groups on Skill Development and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have sought extension till August 15 to submit their reports.
The two task forces on poverty and agriculture are being headed by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya. According to sources, reports of the task forces on poverty and agriculture could be tabled during the meeting.