PM Modi sets up secretaries' panels for mid-term review

PM Modi has set up 10 groups of secretaries to do a mid-term review

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set up 10 groups of secretaries to do a mid-term review of major programmes of each ministry, and suggest tax and policy proposals for the next Budget.

Two groups of joint secretaries have also been constituted in each sector to assist the respective group of secretaries.

The sector-specific groups of secretaries have been asked to finalise the report by month-end and the recommendations will be presented before the Prime Minister, sources said.

One group of secretaries tasked with suggesting strategies for doubling farmers’ income by 2022 held its first meeting on Tuesday and had preliminary discussions.

According to sources, the top bureaucrats in the groups have been asked to carry out mid-term review of major policies and programmes of each ministry and suggest realignment of physical targets, financial outlays and implementation strategies.

The groups have been asked to carry out a “critical review” of various schemes with a view to prepare an action plan with corrective measures and monitoring mechanisms.

They have been informed to look at the possibilities of converging schemes of various ministries as also recommend new tax and non-tax initiatives for Budget 2017-18.

The groups have also been asked to suggest new policy initiatives in each sector and make specific recommendations for job creation and review all autonomous organisations and public sector undertakings.

That apart, the groups have been asked to develop fool-proof mechanisms for eliminating unused funds under various schemes.

Last year too, the PM had set up eight such groups and their recommendations were incorporated in the last Budget.