Speeches of Chief Ministers at 49th Meeting of the National Development Council at New Delhi on 1st September, 2001 Andhra Pradesh Assam Chhattisgarh Gujrat Haryana Jammu and Kashmir Jharkhand Maharashtra Manipur Meghalaya Pondicherry Punjab Rajasthan Tripura Uttar Pradesh Utranchal West Bengal

Abstract

The 49th Meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) held on September 1, 2001, in New Delhi, focused on shaping the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002–2007) with a strong emphasis on equitable economic growth, employment generation, and effective governance amidst globalization and socio-economic challenges. Chief Ministers highlighted state-specific issues, including Assam’s historical underdevelopment, Gujarat’s earthquake recovery, and Andhra Pradesh’s agriculture and literacy reforms, stressing targeted interventions to reduce regional disparities. The discussions underscored the need for decentralization of planning, enhancing state and local autonomy, and improving governance transparency through e-governance and participatory initiatives like the ‘Gramoday’ program. Key proposals included reforming funding mechanisms for Special Category States, revising the Gadgil Formula to reward performance, strengthening the North Eastern Council, and addressing infrastructure deficits in irrigation, power, and rural connectivity. Economic strategies emphasized agricultural policy reforms, pre-announced minimum support prices, enhanced food security, and promoting entrepreneurship to tackle rural unemployment. Social development goals prioritized poverty alleviation, health, and education improvements, while fiscal recommendations highlighted debt management, user charge recovery, and rationalization of central assistance. The deliberations collectively sought to balance growth across states, support underdeveloped regions, and ensure inclusive development through responsive planning, efficient resource allocation, and strategic investment, laying the groundwork for achieving the ambitious 8% annual growth target of the Tenth Plan.