Building blocks

Cooperative federalism needs institutional structures

The seventh meeting of the NITI Aayog’s governing council and the first in-person interaction since 2019 indirectly highlighted the urgent need for more robust institutional structures to enhance the cause of cooperative federalism. Attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the meeting offered a snapshot of central concerns vis-à-vis the states and vice versa. Both constituencies raised valid issues. The prime minister spoke of the need for states to develop a clear timeline for the new education policy, focus on promoting trade, technology and tourism, and for collective action to increase revenue from the goods and service tax (GST). On their