PM Narendra Modi has put together 10 new groups of secretaries to focus on governance issues.
Ahead of next year's string of elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put together 10 new groups of secretaries to focus on various governance issues, sources said. A major thrust on specific sectors has been proposed -- the groups will lay the groundwork, doing a critical review on the government's work on areas like agriculture, energy and transport.
Unlike earlier groups, which worked on specific themes, the focus of the groups this time will be purely on sectors. The reports will be submitted by the end of November, the sources added.
Today, the Prime Minister met all the secretaries. Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State for Independent Charge were also present at the meeting.
The Cabinet Secretary made a brief presentation on the work done so far, as a follow up to the reports presented by the eight Groups of Secretaries to the Prime Minister in January, an official said.
Members from two out of the eight groups also made presentations on the status of implementation of the recommendations.
The sources said addressing the secretaries, PM Modi complimented them for the work they did as part of the eight thematic groups in January.
He urged them to undertake a critical review of the work done by the Union Government in the respective sectors that they will be studying, an official said. The Prime Minister also asked them to engage young officers to research related issues.
Speaking of demographic dividend, PM Modi said all groups must prioritise harnessing the strengths of the 800 million youth of India as part of their recommendations.
He said the teams of secretaries have the collective wisdom and experience to create policies to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people. He exhorted them to put their best foot forward to the task ahead.