(Image source from: NITI Ayog: PM urges CM’S focus on growth)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged to the state Chief Ministers to prepare a model of cooperative federalism where center and state can come together to chart for common course to progress and prosperity with a focus on growth, investment and job creation.

Chairing the first meeting of the governing council of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) on Sunday, Modi said the initiative has the potential to bring about historic changes and help advance the national cause "as we jointly define it".

The Modi government has set up the NITI Ayog a new policy planning commission in place of the planning committee through a Cabinet resolution. Nothing can be advance without all the states advancing its tandem. Modi said the idea was to bring up all states together in the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

He also said visualize different states competing with each other in promoting governance initiatives in a spirit of "cooperative, competitive federalism".

While most of the states appreciated the concept of involving the states in farming for nation’s development agenda and even states asked for the flow of funds and flexibility to chart their own growth model.