Nandigram (West Bengal) [India], May 25 (ANI): West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not participating in the NITI Aayog meeting stating that it was a loss for Bengal as she lost the opportunity to form a working relation between West Bengal government and the Centre.

Adhikari said, 'It was a loss for Bengal. She lost the opportunity to form a working relation between West Bengal government and the centre. Ayushman Bharat, Vishwakarma scheme or any other central government scheme is not implemented in West Bengal. It is an insolvent state now. Bengal is bankrupt. Bengal has loans over Rs 7 lakh crores. Yet, Mamata Banerjee is standing with her ego. She is not giving land for the airport and AIIMS.'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at Bharat Mandapam here on Saturday. It was attended by Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors representing 24 States and 7 UTs. This year's theme was Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047. The meeting commenced with a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 people were killed.

Prime Minister mentioned that 'Operation Sindoor should not be treated as a one-off initiative and we must adopt a long-term approach.

'The Prime Minister mentioned that we must modernize our approach to civil preparedness. He said that the recent mock drills have reignited our attention to civil defence states should institutionalize Civil Defence preparedness,' a NITI Aayog release said.

'The CMs and LGs praised Operation Sindoor for its precision and targeted strikes which led to destruction of terror infrastructure. In one voice, they praised PM's leadership and the valour of the Armed Forces. They also praised the efforts towards Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector which have strengthened the defence forces and bolstered confidence in our capabilities,' it added.

India launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK early on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. India also effectively repelled subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. (ANI)