Narendra Modi calls NITI Aayog's Governing Council meet on Wednesday

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to discuss the contentious land acquisition bill with the chief ministers at NITI Aayog's Governing Council meeting on Wednesday.

"The Prime Minister will chair second meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog tomorrow morning at 7, Race Course Road," a Prime Minister's Office's statement said.

Modi will also have separate meetings chief ministers of North Eastern states, including Sikkim. The Governing Council, which comprises all Chief Ministers and Lt Governors of Union Territories is headed by Prime Minister.

Besides the Land Acquisition Bill, a source said that the council will also deliberate on issues like poverty, health and centrally sponsored schemes (CSS). The council is also likely to review the work done by three sub-groups of chief ministers and two task forces under the NITI Aayog.

The other issues which may come up for discussion include Goods and Services Tax (GST) and devolution of taxes between the Centre and states as per the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.

The government had constituted three sub-groups of chief ministers under the NITI Aayog on Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Skill Development and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan which are led by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu respectively.

The two task forces on poverty and agriculture are being headed by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya. These sub-groups and task forces are working on the responsibilities entrusted to them and are in the process of submitting their reports.

The sub-group on CSS has almost completed its work and its report is expected to tabled before the council for its perusal. The source said the report of the group on CSS is likely to be tabled during the meeting of the Governing Council.

The panel had broad consensus on reducing CSS to 30 from 72 and increasing the share of flexi funds to 25 per cent from the current 10 per cent under the social sector schemes.

The other two sub-groups on Skill Development and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have sought extension till August 15 to submit their reports.

The source said the reports of the task forces on poverty and agriculture could be tabled during the meeting for perusal of the council.