NITI Aayog Should Rank States Based On Agriculture: CII

Rakesh Bharti Mittal, president of the Chamber of Indian Industries aka CII has suggested that policy think tank NITI Aayog should introduce a mechanism to rank Indian states based on agriculture.  This will further help in realising the Indian government’s mission to double farmer’s income by 2022.

He also averred that to increase farmers’ income, the private sector investments must be brought to the sector.  If a ranking system can be put in place, the fight over investments can be brought down and this can encourage more investors to invest in the agriculture sector.

“The industry lobby group along with its members and the Union government will work in the domain of electric vehicles, private investment in healthcare and labour reforms to name a few, “ the CII President added.

As per a LiveMint report, the CII has already expressed its demand for a reduction in corporate tax rate of 18% after doing away with the exemptions given by the government. The union government has reduced corporate tax for companies with a turnover of $38.2 Mn (INR 250 Cr).

Uday Kotak, president-designate of CII, further added, “The creation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and the introduction of the goods and services tax (GST) were the biggest reforms seen by the Indian economy which would have a positive impact on the overall business environment.”

Recently, news broke that NITI Aayog has been doing much recently alongside the adoption of new technologies in the Indian landscape. As Inc42 reported earlier, NITI Aayog is planning to develop the National Data and Analytics Platform by collaborating with private tech players. It is also one of the key drivers espousing for EV in India.  To promote the same, recently a special task force constituted by NITI Aayog proposed the removal of all permit requirements for electric vehicles.

Further, blockchain being the future of technology, NITI Aayog will reportedly be coming out with a discussion paper on blockchain technology.

Also, NITI Aayog is looking at a number of opportunities to encourage the adoption of AI in the country. A recent Factor Daily report suggested that NITI Aayog is working on three proofs of concept using artificial intelligence (AI) across sectors comprising agriculture, healthcare and regional languages. Inc42 earlier reported that post the Union budget 2018 speech, NITI Aayog will create a roadmap for National AI programme.

As emphasised by the Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley – healthcare, education and agriculture are the three linchpins of the country by which India will propel into a prosperous future. Even though many challenges are in store, the government in communion with the private sector are pursuing to meet those challenges and transform them into opportunities for people and businesses.

To do this, government think tank organisations like the NITI Aayog must aggressively strive to meet ends.

According to market research conducted by the firm, MarketsandMarkets, AI in agriculture will be worth $2.63 Bn by 2025. Although given that Internet and other allied technology is yet to penetrate India in a big way, the process has begun. So, even though this may take its due time and course, India will achieve its goal given the motivation it is generating today.