New Delhi [India], May 24 (ANI): Calling NITI Aayog an 'Aayogya' body, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Aayog's 10th Governing Council Meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam today.

In a post on X, the Congress MP labelled the meeting an 'exercise in hypocrisy and diversion,' questioning the credibility of its focus on the 'Viksit Bharat@2047' goal.

He argued that the Central Government's actions undermine the principles necessary for a developed India, noting that those in power destroyed the bonds of social harmony and subverted Parliament, the judiciary, universities, the media, and Constitutional and statutory authorities.

He added that the values of India were systematically assaulted and that the 'freedom of speech' was under threat.

'Today, the Governing Council of the NITI Aayog meets under the chairmanship of the PM. It will reportedly review progress on the so-called Viksit Bharat goal. What sort of Viksit Bharat will it be if those in power themselves destroy the bonds of social harmony by their malicious words and deeds? What sort of Viksit Bharat will it be if those in power subvert Parliament, judiciary, universities, media, and Constitutional and statutory authorities to fulfill their nefarious goals? What sort of Viksit Bharat will it be if the values that India has always stood for are systematically assaulted in full glare of the world?' Jairam asked.

'What sort of Viksit Bharat will it be with sharpening economic disparities and inequalities even as wealth continues to accumulate in the hands of a few? What sort of Viksit Bharat will it be if India's glorious diversities are deliberately sought to be insulted and erased? What sort of Viksit Bharat is it where not only is freedom of speech under threat but freedom after speech is also endangered? Today's meeting of the NITI Aayog - an 'Aayogya' body if ever there was one - is yet another exercise in hypocrisy and diversion,' Ramesh stated.

Chaired by PM Modi, the 10th meeting of the NITI Aayog Governing Council will bring together Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of States and Union Territories, Union Ministers, and the Vice Chairman, Members and the CEO of NITI Aayog to deliberate on the roadmap for achieving 'Viksit Rajya, Viksit Bharat @2047' - a developed India by 2047.

As per an official release, the idea of Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat is a call for States to craft bold, long-term, and inclusive vision documents aligned with national priorities yet grounded in local realities. These visions must include time-bound targets and States must leverage their unique geographic and demographic advantages while focusing on human development, economic growth, sustainability, technology, and governance reforms. The focus can be on data-driven processes and outcome-based transformation, supported by Project Monitoring Units, ICT-enabled Infrastructure and Monitoring & Evaluation Cells to ensure accountability and midcourse correction.

The 10th Governing Council meeting provides a platform to the Centre and States/Union Territories to deliberate on development challenges facing the nation and build consensus on how States can be the building blocks for making India a developed nation, i.e., Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat. The meeting will also discuss measures for promoting entrepreneurship, enhancing skilling, and creating sustainable employment opportunities across the country. (ANI)