New Delhi: With about three weeks left for Union Budget 2018-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet leading economists and sectoral experts at Niti Aayog on January 10 to deliberate on steps which could be taken to boost growth and generate employment.
The meeting, according to a senior government official, will be attended by vice chairman and members of Niti Aayog, members of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), economists and sectoral experts.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of latest estimates of national income by Central Statistics Office (CSO) which showed that India's growth is expected to slow down to four- year low of 6.5 per cent this fiscal, the lowest under the Modi-led government.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 7.1 per cent in 2016-17 and 8 per cent in the preceding year. It was 7.5 per cent in 2014-15.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present Union Budget on February 1, the last full (rpt) full budget of the NDA government before the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
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Chennai: In an interaction with students at IIT Madras, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi contrasted the ideologies of the Congress and the BJP, emphasising his party's focus on equitable distribution of resources and inclusive growth. He described the BJP's approach as more aggressive, rooted in a "triple-down" economic model.
Gandhi explained that the Congress envisions a harmonious society with less conflict, which he believes benefits the nation. On international relations, he acknowledged some differences between the two parties but suggested similarities in certain areas.
The Congress leader strongly criticised India's education system, calling it "narrow, restrictive, and top-down." He advocated for increased government spending on education, asserting that privatisation and financial incentives fail to deliver quality education. Highlighting the achievements of institutions like IIT Madras, Gandhi argued that government-funded institutions are the backbone of quality education in India.
"Our system undervalues many professions while overvaluing a select few like engineering, medicine, and civil services," he remarked, urging reforms to promote innovation and broaden career opportunities for students.
Gandhi emphasised the importance of fostering creativity and innovation among students. He argued that real progress lies in physical production and skill development, which require substantial investment. Reflecting on his Bharat Jodo Yatra, he noted that children's aspirations often revolve around a narrow set of professions, underscoring the need for an education system that values diverse talents.
"The current system measures success too narrowly. It should empower children to explore multiple fields and pursue their interests," he said.
The Congress leader concluded by advocating for systemic changes to allow children the freedom to experiment and thrive in various fields.
Innovation comes from skill pic.twitter.com/CXDqmAIjqI
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 5, 2025