The call for a Vixit Bharat (developed India) by 2047 is not just a slogan, but the government’s commitment, and hence the administration’s focus should be on reforms and implementation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Cabinet on Thursday in a rare meeting that also focused on steps to mitigate energy disruptions due to the West Asia war, people familiar with the developments said.
The meeting – which lasted for over four hours – was attended by Cabinet Ministers, independently designated Ministers of State and other State Ministers to take stock of the implementation of various policies and programs ahead of the second anniversary of Modi’s third term on June 9.
Read also | India and the UAE finalize agreements in defence, energy and shipping worth $5 billion during Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi.
Modi reviewed the functioning of nine key sectors, including the economy, agriculture, labor and energy sector, as India continues to face challenges due to the war in West Asia. According to the people mentioned above, the Prime Minister pointed out the need to look for alternatives to fuels such as biogas and other renewable energy sources in the wake of the impasse over the Strait of Hormuz and the consequent disruption in supplies of oil, gas and other essentials.
This was the first meeting of its kind in almost a year.
The Prime Minister reiterated his previous directives to cut red tape and ensure transparency in government work, and asked the Cabinet to ensure that work does not stop and rapid delivery continues, the above-mentioned people said.
“The Prime Minister said that files should not be kept from one table to another, and processes should be streamlined. He also said that details about the government’s achievements over the past 12 years should be disseminated appropriately and the feedback mechanism should also be strengthened,” a person familiar with the details said.
The meeting – which came amid speculation of a reshuffle of the government and changes in the BJP’s organizational structure – witnessed presentations on nine key sectors, including energy, agriculture, labour, foreign affairs, infrastructure, trade and corporate affairs.
Read also | Modi govt reorganization buzz, BJP growth: Leaders of poll-bound states in 2027 may get posts
At the meeting, the ministers congratulated the Prime Minister on his successful visit to five countries, the above-mentioned people said.
Another person familiar with the details said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a presentation separate from the Prime Minister’s tour. It is learned that the Prime Minister asked the ministers to ensure speedy implementation of the central schemes, which are being delayed in some states, and to closely monitor their progress.
The second person said: “He said that it is time to look at the specific goals to achieve the newer ones, and the government cannot rest on its past glories and victories.”
Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan made a presentation on the government’s comprehensive reform initiatives and other people-centric measures. Niti Aayog member Rajeev Gauba also made a presentation.
Read also | External crisis, internal opportunity: What does PM Modi’s call for austerity mean?
Modi repeatedly told the ministers that their goal and objective should always be to provide comfort to people’s lives and there should be “ease of living” for people. Modi also said that there should be no interference in people’s lives in any way, the people mentioned above said. The people added that this is the time to look forward, not dwell on what has been accomplished in the past.
The meeting came at a time when the opposition is seeking to tighten the noose around the government due to the state of the economy, high unemployment rates, the agricultural crisis, and high prices of necessities and fuel.
The government attributed the crisis to the international challenges resulting from the conflict in West Asia. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister urged people to show financial discipline by cutting fuel and cooking gas consumption, limiting their spending on buying gold and reducing non-essential travel abroad. On his advice, government departments have already announced work from home on specific days and reduced the size of official convoys.
