Top News Today: PM to chair NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting; India vs Sri Lanka T20 series 2024, and more

Today marks an important day as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting on Saturday. Take a look at today’s top stories:

PM Modi to chair NITI Aayog meeting

An official statement on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the 9th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog on July 27. The meeting will focus on transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.

The council, the apex body of the NITI Aayog, comprises all state chief ministers, lieutenant governors of union territories and several union ministers. Modi is its chairperson.

Also read: PM Modi to chair NITI Aayog meeting today: Why are INDIA bloc chief ministers boycotting the event? Details here

According to the statement, the meeting aims to foster participatory governance and collaboration between the Centre and state governments, improving the quality of life of rural and urban populations by strengthening mechanisms for implementing government interventions.

“The Governing Council meeting on 27th July 2024 will discuss the approach paper for the vision document on Viksit Bharat @2047… The meeting will also see detailed deliberations on the role of States in realising the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047,” the statement said.

DMK stages protest against Centre for neglecting Tamil Nadu

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has said it will hold protests across Tamil Nadu on July 27, criticising the Union government for allegedly neglecting the state in the Union Budget 2024.

As reported by ANIDMK MP Dayanidhi Maran alleged that the budget was discriminatory against Tamil Nadu and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of prioritising the interests of his political allies over the needs of the people.

Also read: Budget 2024: INDIA bloc says non-NDA states ‘ignored’; 4 opposition CMs to boycott NITI Aayog meeting on July 27

“I think the time has come for the Prime Minister to follow the advice of our Prime Minister MK Stalin. When MK Stalin became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, he said, ‘I will work not only for the people who voted for me, but also for those who did not vote for me; that is my duty.’ Today, the Prime Minister is not working for the people who voted for his party, but only for the parties that support him,” Maran told the Lok Sabha.

India vs Sri Lanka 2024: Three-match T20I and ODI series begins

Team India has already left for Sri Lanka for a 3-match T20 and ODI series starting July 27. While the Men in Blue will have a new captain in Suryakumar Yadav in the T20 format, veteran skipper Rohit Sharma will be back to lead the team in the ODI leg of the tournament.

The upcoming Sri Lanka series has gained a lot of momentum as it will be the first time we will see Gautam Gambhir in the coaching chair. The former India cricketer was appointed by the BCCI earlier this month after leading KKR to their third IPL title this year. Read here.

IMD issues ‘yellow alert’ for Mumbai due to heavy rains

Due to heavy rains, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Maharashtra, including Mumbai and neighbouring Thane district. The alert predicts heavy showers in isolated areas on Saturday.

“Local forecast for Mumbai city and its suburbs for the next 24 hours. Moderate to heavy rain in the city and its suburbs. Occasional wind gusts reaching 40-50 kmph are very likely. Maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 30°C and 25°C,” the Meteorological Centre wrote on X.

(With contributions from agencies)