Boost business environment, ensure better implementation of key schemes: PM Modi tells BJP-ruled states

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a marathon meeting with chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and asked them to ensure saturation-level coverage of welfare schemes and boost the business environment in the country.

The meeting, which lasted for over four hours, was attended by chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of 18 states. BJP president J P Nadda was also present.

During the meeting, Modi emphasised on better implementation of some key schemes and initiatives of the government such as GatiShakti, Har Ghar Jal, Svamitva, and direct benefit transfer, the BJP said in a statement.

"Prime Minister Modi stressed the need to ensure saturation-level coverage of all key schemes and said BJP-ruled states should take a lead towards this," it read.

Emphasising the need to ensure ease of doing business, Modi spoke about several initiatives taken by his government.

"He encouraged the states to take steps towards further boosting the business environment in the country," the party statement said.

Modi also asked the chief ministers to ensure their states accord due importance to sports and ensure the availability of the best facilities to encourage participation and engagement of youngsters in large numbers.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and Vinay Sahsrabuddhe, who heads the party's good governance cell, were also present at the meeting.

"Attended a meeting with @BJP4India chief ministers and deputy chief ministers. This meeting gave us the opportunity to discuss best practices in the states, how to further strengthen the reach of Central schemes and more," Modi said in a tweet.

During the meeting, the progress of various welfare schemes and development programmes of the central government in these states were reviewed, the party said in the statement.

"Strategies to ensure last-mile delivery of welfare schemes, usage of e-governance systems to ensure greater accountability with zero pilferage, prioritising outreach of schemes to remote areas and achieving 100 per cent coverage of eligible beneficiaries were discussed," it said.

The progress of the Amrit Sarovar Mission and preparation for the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign were also reviewed in the meeting.

All chief ministers at the meeting committed to strive to convert the 'Azadi ka Amrit Kaal' into an "era of Antyodaya" through good governance, the statement said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttarakhand's Pushkar Singh Dhami and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were among those who attended the meeting.

Nagaland Chief Minister Nephio Rio, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha are also present.

Several deputy chief ministers, including Maharashtra's Devendra Fadnavis and Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi from Bihar, attended the meeting.