Reduce imports, create ‘Digital India’ and simplify legal framework: PM Modi sets reform agenda

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s conversation with Secretaries of the Government of India on October 6, a number of instructions have been issued by the Cabinet Secretary to all Secretaries of the Government. CNN-News18 has a copy of the letter written by the Cabinet Secretary soon after PM Modi met top officials on October 9.

The major direction emerging from the PM’s meeting is to promote self-reliance and reduce imports, besides ensuring that ministries/departments interact with domestic manufacturers to identify products that can be manufactured domestically.

“The Ministries/Departments should take over those industries to facilitate efficient manufacturing of such identified products in India,” the Cabinet Secretary has written to all Secretaries.

The second key direction is that the ecosystem for indigenous development of public digital/social media platforms should be promoted. “Youth can be nurtured, trained and skilled to develop social media platforms and digital infrastructure at the household level,” the Cabinet Secretary’s letter said.

The Prime Minister has also asked to launch a campaign to improve civic spirit and behavior among citizens, so as to “inculcate in them a sense of ownership over public assets/transport infrastructure/public places”. This can bring a big change.

The Cabinet Secretary has also directed that Ministries and Departments should organize ‘Chintan Shivir’ to promote discussion/brainstorming with officers and staff of their respective departments in State Governments.

“Participation of youth officials and grassroots level officials can be ensured. In such discussions, State Governments can be encouraged to focus on specific initiatives including improving bureaucratic systems and processes, reducing multiple decision-making layers, facilitating public and private sector investment by formulating specific policies/rules/regulations, etc.

Similar to regional groups of Secretaries, a mechanism may be explored for consultation with youth officers at DS/Director level on policy matters to provide innovative solutions to the problems,” the letter mentioned.

The Cabinet Secretary has also directed for wide publicity of government schemes, projects and programs. “At present, communication plans are being prepared mechanically. Communication plans should be carefully prepared keeping in mind the specific target groups/stakeholders and media channels (both social and others),” the letter said.

The Cabinet Secretary also said in the letter that to prevent ministries/departments from filing unnecessary litigation and unnecessary court cases and wasting resources, “a limit may be fixed on the number of court cases to be filed by each ministry/department.

Judgments should be analyzed to obtain information on ways to reduce litigation. Ministries/Departments should file court cases after careful consideration based on analysis and research of similar cases in the past,” the Cabinet Secretary has said.

The Prime Minister has also asked all Ministries/Departments to create a pool of academically talented final year law students who can be engaged to assist in various aspects of litigation, research work, drafting etc.

“The law should be drafted in easy to understand and simple language for the convenience of citizens. All instruments can be availed for this purpose,” the letter said.

Also read: ‘Talks not over yet’: Upendra Kushwaha on seat sharing in NDA for Bihar elections