‘Effective public services, speedy implementation of schemes must be the dictum’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the tone of his administration at the second meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday, asking all ministers to chart a course of action for the first 100 days. He said he would meet all ministers and department secretaries individually for ideas and feedback.

Mr. Modi told the Cabinet that good governance, effective delivery of public services and speedy implementation of schemes and programmes must be the dictum of the government, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Government sources said the Prime Minister’s Office was working on a more elaborate 10-point charter that includes focus on growth, education, energy, infrastructure, controlling inflation and transparency.

In the first inkling that his style as Prime Minister would carry his personal stamp and involve delegation of authority, Mr. Modi asked his colleagues to promptly respond to representations from Chief Ministers and involve Ministers of State in decision-making.

He told the ministers to treat the issues raised by MPs with seriousness. All new ministers have asked officials to identify quick deliverables.

Mr. Modi is likely to address the nation after the first session of the 16th Lok Sabha, scheduled for June 4-11, to outline the government’s plans.

He has asked ministers to communicate with the public extensively and carefully and use social media effectively. “The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will develop as a hub of all communication, including social media,” said I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Mr. Modi also issued guidelines to the ministers.