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Chief Ministers Raise Federal Concerns at NITI Aayog Meeting, Demand Equity and Autonomy

At the 10th Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog in New Delhi, Chief Ministers of non-BJP-ruled states raised strong concerns over issues ranging from water sharing and financial discrimination to representation in administrative bodies and infrastructure support. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Centre of discriminatory treatment, while his counterparts from Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Jharkhand echoed similar grievances, calling for equitable distribution of resources, respect for federal principles, and greater support for state-led development initiatives under the 'Viksit Bharat' vision.

Punjab CM Mann Alleges 'Step-Motherly Treatment', Raises Water-Sharing Issue

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Centre of meting out 'step-motherly treatment' to Punjab, citing multiple instances of alleged discrimination against the state.

Raising the contentious issue of river water sharing, Mann reiterated that Punjab has 'no surplus water' to share and proposed the construction of a Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL) canal in place of the existing Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. Emphasising Punjab's water crisis, Mann said, 'The Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers are already in deficit. Water should be diverted from surplus to deficit basins.'

The Chief Minister highlighted that a 1954 agreement between the erstwhile Punjab and Uttar Pradesh entitled Punjab to two-thirds of Yamuna waters. However, after reorganisation, Yamuna waters were not considered in Punjab's share, even though the river originally flowed through the state. He cited a 1972 report by the Irrigation Commission that placed Punjab within the Yamuna basin, arguing that Punjab should have an equal claim to the river waters.

Mann further expressed discontent with the functioning of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), claiming that the Board overlooked Punjab's repeated requests to regulate water release to Haryana. He alleged that BBMB released 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, despite Punjab's objections and its humanitarian gesture of providing 4,000 cusecs when Haryana's actual demand was 1,700 cusecs. 'BBMB has taken this decision of taking Punjab's water against the consent of Punjab. BBMB should be advised to restrain itself and act as per the provisions of law,' he said.

He also opposed the deployment of CISF personnel at the Bhakra Nangal Dam, calling it 'unnecessary and completely avoidable' and urged the Centre to revoke the decision.

Mann sought adequate representation for Punjab officers in the Chandigarh Administration, maintaining the 60:40 ratio between Punjab and Haryana that has been followed since 1966. He alleged this balance was being undermined by increased deputations from the AGMUT and DANICS cadres, calling it contrary to 'the very spirit of cooperative federalism.'

The Chief Minister further demanded the immediate release of pending arrears under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students for the years 2017-18 to 2019-20, saying the delay affects the higher education of SC students in a state that has the highest SC population percentage (31.94 per cent).

He also sought the Centre's support for the desilting of Harike Headworks at a cost of ₹600 crore, urging shared funding by the central government and Rajasthan, given its national importance and status as a Ramsar site.

Omar Abdullah Urges Centre to Revive J&K Tourism, Seeks PSU and Parliamentary Meetings in Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged the Centre to take immediate steps to revive the Union Territory's tourism sector, which has been severely impacted by the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Speaking at the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah proposed that public sector undertakings (PSUs) be directed to hold their meetings in Kashmir as a confidence-building measure.

He also recommended convening parliamentary consultative and standing committee meetings in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that such government-led efforts would help alleviate public fears, foster a renewed sense of security, and pave the way for economic revival through tourism in the Kashmir Valley.

Referring to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, Abdullah said, 'The public's defiance against the April 22 Pahalgam attack is commendable,' while seeking the Centre's focused attention on Jammu and Kashmir's security and economic concerns.

He highlighted recent cross-border shelling from Pakistan that killed 23 people across Poonch, Rajouri and north Kashmir. 'When the victims of the Pahalgam massacre are remembered, the nation should also not forget 23 people who lost their lives in shelling from across the border as they were also killed by shells that emanated from Pakistan,' he stated.

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the central leadership for their support in protecting Kashmiris who were targeted by anti-social elements in the rest of the country following the Pahalgam incident.

Abdullah emphasised the urgent need for building individual bunkers along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) to ensure civilian safety in vulnerable areas.

His remarks came against the backdrop of India's launch of Operation Sindoor on 7 May, targeting nine terror camps, including those of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, escalating tensions along the LoC and IB.

Himachal CM Sukhu Demands Ban on Apple Imports from Türkiye and Azerbaijan

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the meeting and demanded a complete ban on apple imports from Türkiye and Azerbaijan. 'Apple imports from these countries are causing losses to Himachal,' Sukhu said, as per ANI. Quoting the Prime Minister's response: 'We will try that the upcoming harvest does not harm Himachal. Some agreements exist with other countries, and we will work towards reducing imports accordingly.'

Sukhu also sought 50 per cent central funding for the Kangra Airport project and demanded royalty rights from power projects that have repaid their loans. He highlighted Himachal's sacrifice for the nation and lamented the state's exploitation when it came to receiving its dues.

Sukhu urged the Centre to relax eligibility criteria for various central schemes considering the special needs of hill states and called for the release of long-pending dues. He presented a vision to make Himachal a top tourist destination and noted that the expansion of Kangra Airport would boost economic activity.

He also demanded transfer of central power projects that have completed 40 years to the state, in line with the energy policy mandating increased royalty percentages over time. Stressing environmental conservation, Sukhu reiterated his demand for a Green Bonus and highlighted the state's goal of becoming a Green Energy State by 31 March 2026.

Stalin Demands 50% Share for States in Taxes

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin urged the Centre to immediately release ₹2,200 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for 2024-25, saying the funds were withheld due to the state's refusal to sign an MoU for the PM SHRI scheme. 'It is not ideal for the cooperative federal structure that states should be given funds after a legal battle,' he said.

Stalin demanded a 50 per cent share in central taxes and called for a dedicated urban transformation mission for Tamil Nadu. 'From automobiles to green hydrogen, we have seen strong growth in all emerging sectors,' he added, aiming to make Tamil Nadu a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030.

On social media platform X, Stalin wrote, 'We currently receive only 33.16 per cent against the promised 41 per cent.' He also proposed a Clean Ganga-style mission for the Cauvery, Vaigai, and Thamirabarani rivers, suggesting English names for better national coherence.

Revanth Reddy Proposes PM-led Task Force for Top Six Metros

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy proposed the formation of a national task force led by the Prime Minister, with Chief Ministers of states housing India's top six metros - Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad - to unlock their full economic potential.

'These mega-cities are not just economic centres but hubs of talent, investment, and technological advancement,' Reddy said, citing data showing Mumbai and Delhi contributing ₹25.8 lakh crore and ₹24.5 lakh crore respectively. Hyderabad, though smaller, contributes nearly 2.5 per cent to the national GDP.

Reddy, attending the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting for the first time as CM, aligned Telangana's 'Rising 2047' vision with the national 'Viksit Bharat' goal. The state aims to contribute 8 per cent to the national GDP by 2047 - with a targeted Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of USD 2.4 trillion.