TN CM M K Stalin with PM Modi.
Credit: PTI photo
Chennai: Increasing tax devolution to states to 50 per cent, a National Task Force for big metros that includes Hyderabad and Bengaluru, a Clean Ganga-style project for the Cauvery, Vaigai, and Thamirabarani rivers, and a Global Manufacturing Hub are among a series of demands put forward by Chief Ministers at the 10th Governing Body meeting of NITI Aayog.
Tamil Nadu’s M K Stalin was among the Chief Ministers who demanded increasing tax devolution from the existing 41 per cent to 50 per cent, while his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren sought steps by the government to ensure payment of Rs 1.4 lakh crore in pending dues to be paid to the state against the backdrop of providing land to mining companies.
Stalin posted on 'X' that at the NITI Aayog meeting, he demanded the “rightful 50 per cent share” for states in central taxes.
“We currently receive only 33.16 per cent against the promised 41 per cent,” he said, besides raising a demand for a dedicated urban transformation mission and a Clean Ganga-style project for the Cauvery, Vaigai, and Thamirabarani rivers, with names in English for national coherence and regional pride.
Soren also supported the idea of increasing tax devolution to the tune of 50 per cent, while urging the Union government to amend the law to ensure that mining companies return land to the authorities. He also wanted companies to be held accountable for unauthorised mining.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy batted for a National Task Force headed by the Prime Minister for the top six metropolitan cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad — together accounting for a major share of India’s urban GDP, which serve as critical engines of economic growth, innovation, and job creation.
"This task force must focus on comprehensive urban development, infrastructure investment, and governance reforms specific to these metros. A dedicated and coordinated strategy for these cities will help catalyse national economic momentum, generate millions of jobs, and elevate India’s position in the global urban economy," he said. He also said his government aims to contribute 8 per cent to the GDP by 2047.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann demanded a Global Manufacturing Hub (GMH) along the Bharat Mala Project corridor, connecting Sangrur to Delhi, which will offer world-class infrastructure, facilities, and services to attract businesses and drive economic growth.
He also demanded the extension of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in Mohali, along with the establishment of dedicated sector-specific export zones in Punjab, including Jalandhar for Sports Goods, Amritsar for Food Processing, Ludhiana for Textiles, and Mohali for Automobile Parks. Mann also sought Rs 2,829 crore for battling drug trafficking and upscaling border security.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday proposed forming three sub-groups on GDP growth, population management, and leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI). Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasised the transformation of the naxal-infested Bastar region, stating that it is now emerging as a region full of opportunities.