New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked his council of ministers to remain focused on the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and accelerate reforms aimed at transforming India into a developed nation by the centenary year of independence.
During a marathon meeting of the Council of Ministers in New Delhi, the prime minister stressed the need for long term and balanced reforms across sectors while ensuring that governance directly improves the daily lives of citizens. He urged ministers to prioritise “ease of living” and minimise unnecessary interference in people’s lives.
The nearly four and a half hour closed door meeting was attended by Cabinet ministers, Ministers of State with independent charge and Ministers of State. It marked the first full Council of Ministers meeting held this year and came shortly after Modi returned from a five nation diplomatic tour.
According to sources, Modi told ministers to stop dwelling on past achievements and instead focus on future goals, delivery and governance. He reminded them that although the government has been in power since 2014, the emphasis now should be on achieving upcoming targets and implementing reforms efficiently.
The prime minister also instructed ministries to avoid delays in government work and ensure faster movement of files and decision making. He stressed that reforms should not remain limited to policy documents but should translate into simpler and more effective governance for citizens.
Discussions during the meeting also covered concerns over possible energy disruptions due to the ongoing West Asia conflict and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Modi reportedly asked ministers to explore alternative energy options to reduce potential risks to India’s fuel supply chain.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed ministers on the prime minister’s recent visits to the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.
Senior officials from several ministries presented reports on reforms, welfare initiatives and departmental performance, including achievements during the first two years of the government’s third term. Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan also made a presentation on governance reforms and citizen centric initiatives.
