PM chairs 1st Cabinet meeting at Seva Teerth, pushes for reforms

NEW DELHI: Taking forward the “reform express” theme, PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked his cabinet colleagues to suggest the list of reforms that ministries intend to initiate over the next few months and provide details of the changes they have already introduced. He has asked them to focus on two themes — ease of living and ease of doing business — while preparing the list of proposed reforms.

TOI has learnt that PM made these suggestions while chairing the first Cabinet meeting at Seva Teerth, where a resolution was adopted that every decision made on the premises will be inspired by the sentiment of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’, and that it will be a centre for empowerment of every Indian and not a place for display of power.


Already, the railway ministry has announced its plan to undertake 52 reforms in 52 weeks, some of which have already been rolled out, and several other ministries are finalising the ‘non-financial regulatory reforms’ that can be implemented without seeking change in Acts (laws). People aware of PM’s directive said that soon after the Cabinet meeting, some ministers asked their staff to start work and identify areas where more reforms can be introduced for the benefit of common people and other stakeholders.

“The focus will continue to be on reforms in every field. Earlier, PM had asked some of the ministries to come up with modifications in rules, regulations, practices and procedures to shed the traces of colonialism,” said an official.

The 'Seva Sankalp Resolution', which I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw read out, mentioned that every decision made in the new building will be inspired by a spirit of service towards 1.4 billion citizens and will be connected to the broader goal of nation-building. “We reaffirm that, in line with our vision, we will further strengthen the governance model that is transparent, aware and sensitive to the emotions of citizens,” it said.

The resolution also said that the work culture of Seva Teerth will be guided by the fundamental ethos of the Constitution and accountability will be woven into every decision to meet the aspirations of people.

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