NITI Aayog, along with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), organized a national-level virtual workshop on asset monetization today. Chaired by the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, the workshop engaged with the Chief Secretaries of States and Administrators of Union Territories. The workshop elaborated on the strategic context of core and non-core asset monetization, along with detailed discussions on the need for and modality of such monetization.<br />'' <br />''In her opening remarks, the Finance Minister highlighted the firm support provided by the Government by way of steady economic reforms, including the clear directional change provided under Budget 2021-22. She mentioned that the investment planned under the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) is critical for boosting growth in States. <br />''<br />''She said, the various initiatives in this year's Budget will facilitate funding for infrastructure creation under NIP. Ms Sitharaman  stressed on the need for monetization as an alternative funding mechanism and the potential therein for improved operational value. She also called for a proactive and collaborative approach by the Central and State agencies for achieving the objectives of the National Monetization Pipeline.<br />'' <br />''NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant  highlighted the strategic need for monetization and the various modalities therein. Echoing the Finance Minister's words, he emphasized that the partnership between Central and State agencies is imperative for leveraging the enormous resource efficiencies of the private sector and for recycling public funds for new infrastructure creation.<br />'' <br />''Secretary, Department of  Investment and Public Asset Management Tuhin Kanta Pandey, briefed  the participants about monetization of non-core assets and disinvestment of public sector enterprises, including the transactions currently underway. He also highlighted the potential monetization opportunities for States and the pre-requisites for being successful in this regard.<br />