PM Modi's blueprint for bureaucrats: Focus on improving ease of living

Exactly five years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured bureaucrats of a direct access to him without ministers coming in the way, he met all secretaries Monday evening to outline the government vision for the next five years. If the top officials had toiled over presentations to impress Modi in June 2014 soon after he took charge, they had worked equally hard this time to ensure that their views struck the right chord with the PM during his second stint.

Last mile impact is the clear message in the Modi 2.0 government right from the first Cabinet meeting and Monday’s interaction with bureaucrats had a similar feel, an official said. While thanking the team of officials for delivering ‘’excellent results’’ on the various schemes, leading to the pro-incumbency vote in the recent general elections, the PM underlined the vision of his government for the next five years. It’s all about  improving the ‘ease of living’ of each citizen, he’s learnt to have said. Towards that goal, Modi asked his top bureaucrats to prepare a five-year vision document laced with well-defined targets and milestones. They have also been told to identify one single impactful decision in each ministry for which approvals could be taken in the next 100 days.

“The huge expectations of the people should not be viewed as a challenge, but an opportunity,” Modi said, adding that the mandate reflects the will and aspirations of the people to change the status quo, and seek a better life for themselves.

Monday’s interaction, which was on the lines of an exercise Modi had conducted immediately after assuming office in 2014, was at the PM’s residence over high tea and was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. 

Along with ease of living, Modi also emphasized on improving the ease of doing business, a thrust area during the last five years. The PM said it remained among the top priorities for the government in its second term. 

Ease of investment came up too during the interaction. This, officials said, would be brought about through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s latest programme to map ease of doing business at the district level. In the ease of doing business report for 2019, brought out by the World Bank, India had jumped 23 spots to 77. The PM has directed officials to ensure it breaches the 50th rank in the report for 2020. 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office would hold separate meetings with ministers and bureaucrats on 100 days’ agenda. Modi, according to an official statement, said improvement in the ‘Ease of Doing Business Index’ should reflect in greater facilitation for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Going back to the core of the Bharatiya Janata Party manifesto promise, the PM said his government in the second term would focus  on matters related to water, fisheries and animal husbandry.

Secretaries, on their part, shared their ideas on subjects such as administrative decision-making, agriculture, rural development, IT initiatives, education reform, healthcare, industrial policy, economic growth and skill development.

The manifesto, among other things, promises Rs 25-trillion investment in the agriculture and rural sector and interest free kisan credit card loans along with expanding the ambit of PM-Kisan scheme and special pension scheme for small shop keepers. For the infrastructure sector, the manifesto has committed an investment of Rs 100 trillion over the next five years.

Modi said each department of the government and every district of the country would have a role in making India a $5-trillion economy.

Modi’s mantra for secretaries

| Focus on ‘ease of living’ for each citizen in all programmes and schemes

| Special emphasis on water, fisheries and animal husbandry departments

| Bettering Ease of Doing Business Ranking remains key aim with special emphasis on ensuring greater     facilitation for small businesses and entrepreneurs

| Each department should strive to make India a $5 trillion economy with special role for each district in the country