AMN / New Delhi
The National Legislators Conference, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday in the Central Hall of parliament deliberated on the theme of the Conference “We For Development” in the Plenary Session.
Shri @sureshpprabhu, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry addressing the delegates at the plenary session of #NationalLegislatorsConference2018 #NLCDelhi2018 @loksabhatv @rajyasabhatv @S_MahajanLS pic.twitter.com/B2VHfDSZxT
— LOK SABHA (@LokSabhaSectt) March 10, 2018
Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, making a presentation on aspirational districts to the delegates, said that although our country has made significant progress in economic sphere yet India’s ranking at 131 in the Human Development Index (HDI) is a matter of great concern for the nation. He said that there are inequalities and inequities between and within the States and districts. He highlighted that 115 aspirational districts have been identified in various States which are lagging behind in development and their transformation into developed districts will improve India’s HDI ranking. He explained that on the basis of 2011 published survey, 48 indicators have been chosen as developmental parameters for such districts and there is an urgent need to have focussed approach on key areas like health and nutrition, education, agriculture, water resources, financial inclusion and skill, and infrastructure. Besides, real time monitoring and ranking of these aspirational districts on monthly basis will be in public domain from April 2018 which will allow not only aggressive competition for development but also for performance.
PM pitches for development of weaker districts
Speaking at the Plenary, Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry said that concept and connotation of development varies from person to person. Essentially, development means doing something better that what was before. He said that development requires both, human resources and natural resources which are plenty in our country. But due to huge consumption, our natural resources are under serious threat. Shri Prabhu said that resource efficiency is the new mantra but in the coming years, we need to find resource alternative, resource mobilization and resource optimization. He further said that as legislators, we need to create awareness among people about acceptability of laws and resources and district based planning.
Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha Dr. M. Thambi Durai chaired the Plenary Session.
Later in the day, the Conference took up discussions, in its Parallel Sessions, on the themes (i) Role of Legislators in Development Process and (ii) Optimum Utilization of Resources in Development. The delegates, divided in four groups (North, South, East and West Zones), had meaningful discussions. Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Sumitra Mahajan attended all the Sessions.
The Session on the theme ‘Role of Legislators in Development Process’ was deliberated upon in four Committee Rooms under the Chairpersonship of Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Sumitra Mahajan; Union Minister of Human Resource Development Prakash Javdekar; Bhartruhari Mahtab (MP:LS); and Kalyan Banerjee (MP:LS). The Session on the theme ‘Optimum Utilization of Resources in Development’ was deliberated upon in the Committee Rooms under the Chairpersonship of Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda; Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar; Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan; Leader of Opposition (RS) Ghulam Nabi Azad.
During the meaningful discussions in the eight Sessions, the delegates shared their concerns and problems relating to the development of their constituencies. Some of the delegates narrated their success stories which were appreciated by their fellow legislators. The delegates highlighted the need of participation of legislators at all levels, including grassroots level of development. The delegates were also unanimous that since the availability of resources is limited, it is of prime importance that sustainable use of resources be encouraged. This will not only help to successfully manage them but will optimize their value. The Conference will conclude tomorrow, i.e. 11 March 2018, with the adoption of a Resolution.
The Vice President & Chairperson of Rajya Sabha M. Venkaiah Naidu will preside over the Valedictory Session of the Conference at 11.30 am on 11 March 2018.
