NEW DELHI: In a significant move towards further deregulation, the Council of Ministers led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent over four hours on Thursday reviewing recommendations from a high-level committee headed by NITI Aayog member Rajiv Gauba and reforms undertaken by various ministries.
PM Modi's Message on Governance
The discussions took place against the backdrop of a clear directive from PM Modi that the government should not interfere in people's lives but should instead assist them when needed. He urged ministers and top civil servants to prioritize reforms that simplify people's lives and reduce the compliance burden.
Focus on Deregulation and Reforms
Gauba leads panels tasked with deregulation and reforms to prepare a roadmap for India's transition to a developed nation by 2047, a vision termed 'Viksit Bharat'. While some recommendations have already been implemented, further steps are expected following Thursday's meeting, which occurred shortly after the PM returned from a five-nation tour.
PM Modi emphasized the need to move forward without looking back, according to sources present in the meeting.
Economic Challenges and Strategies
The West Asia crisis has triggered an energy shock, with rising prices and shrinking supplies, particularly of gas, putting pressure on the rupee and potentially stoking inflation. The government is keen to address supply issues and implement measures to strengthen the economy. Further reforms are seen as a key strategy to attract portfolio flows and boost domestic manufacturing, a cornerstone of the self-reliance initiative.
Biogas Production Encouraged
A source present at the meeting in Seva Teerth revealed that the PM suggested promoting biogas production, especially as many households face cooking gas cylinder supply constraints. This issue was also discussed at the last meeting of the informal Group of Ministers (iGoM) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Presentations by Ministries
Apart from Gauba, nine ministries and departments—including agriculture, environment and forests, commerce, corporate affairs, health, power, road transport, and DPIIT—made presentations on their reform initiatives. Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan delivered an overall presentation on reforms undertaken by other ministries.
Expediting Works and Decision-Making
PM Modi instructed ministers and officers to expedite completion of all delayed projects and avoid unnecessary controversies. He emphasized faster processing of files to prevent delays in decision-making. It was noted that some departments reported quicker file processing.
“PM said Viksit Bharat by 2047 is not just a slogan but a desire. The focus of the meeting was on reforms, reforms, and reforms to boost economic growth, ease of living, and ease of doing business. He stressed that public good should be the top priority of reforms and governance,” said an attendee.
