New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a simple message to the sectoral group of secretaries with whom he has had marathon meetings since December on the government’s vision for the next five years — “Jaane wale nahi, le jaane wale chahiye”.
In his succinct seven-word message earlier this month, the PM emphasised that his government wants civil servants who can see through the implementation of the suggestions presented to him, sources told ThePrint.
Since December, the sectoral groups — first constituted in 2016 for focused attention on key areas of governance — have made a number of presentations on each sector to Modi and his council of ministers. The groups were reconstituted after the government was re-elected last year.
The secretaries’ reports not only highlighted the work the government has achieved so far, but also submitted a vision for the next five years, said a senior official, who didn’t wish to be named.
While the PM appreciated the suggestions, he laid out his requirements clearly.
“PM pointed out that a number of secretaries who had given the presentation would retire in a year or so. He emphasised one would require such officers who would be there for a long time to ensure the suggestions are implemented properly,” said the official.
“He (Modi) said ‘Jaane wale nahi, le jaane wale chahiye,’” said the official.
With a number of secretaries due to retire soon, Modi’s words meant the government would require those who would be there for a longer period to take its plan and vision forward, the sources said.
According to a second official, who too didn’t wish to be identified, the PM’s remark did not go down well with a few officers who had spent months working on the presentations. They were upset over the fact that they were “ticked off” like that after such a long and concentrated exercise, said the official.
The 10 sectoral groups look into the sectors of rural and agriculture, infrastructure, resources, social, welfare, finance, economy, technology, governance and security, and foreign affairs.
So far, eight sectoral groups have made presentations to the council of ministers. Reports on economy and finance haven’t been presented yet.
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Focus on ‘specifics’
In his meeting with the sectoral group of secretaries, PM Narendra Modi also asked all the secretaries and the council of ministers to submit an action plan on what can be done in the area of skills development.
“He asked all the secretaries and the ministers to submit a one-page document on what could be done in this area especially by linking it to job opportunities,” a third official said on condition of anonymity.
Modi also emphasised that one needs to get into specifics rather than focusing on generic issues.
“The Prime Minister will also be meeting all the ministers of state separately to review their performance and take their feedback too,” added the official.
All the secretaries will now finalise their sectoral reports incorporating the suggestions received from the PM and his council of ministers.
“Once this exercise is completed, it will be handed over to the cabinet secretary,” said the first official quoted above.
The meetings come amid a deepening slowdown in the Indian economy and social turmoil in the country.
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BJP’s mantra used to be ‘Jo kehte Hain, so karte hain’.. Now, Modi ji is waiting for the secretaries to guide him. Namo running out of ideas. Desh Bhagwan bharose Nahi, demaag bharose chalega.
Bhagwan waala Nahi, deemag waala Chahiye.
DUMP THE OLD MAN.
BJP = NAZI
If educated and informed of all sectors of the govt,. you think he will get up in the Parliament and make a comprehensive holistic presentation of State of India, say in one hour, on live TV???
Nope Bolne wale nahin, sunne wale cha he ye !
There are eighty Secretary level mandarins in Delhi. In their states, they could have been Chief Secretaries. Each officer gets empaneled as JS / AS / Secretary through a rigorous, by and large, fair process. Over the decades, there would be a certain sameness or uniformity in the caliber and competence of the officers. So if things are at an ebb, we need to figure out where the constraints / shortcomings are. I think Ministers are not getting the autonomy and empowerment that is due to them. Over centralisation of power has not made us PM LKY’s Singapore. Year Six still feels like the base of the learning curve for governance.
This is modern age of innovations with the surge of Scientific & technological changes of thoughtfully rapid nature. WHO is interested in Blame Exceuss but for Works done said by:- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. This is 21st Century of which 20% of the National tile has already lapsed.
Your regime is taking vengeance to a honest law Abiding Citizen, more to an ex-serviceman of the National Emergencies who joined in the tender age of fifteen, more to an ex-serviceman family, whose father also an ex-serviceman of Royal Indian army, recipient of the Long Service & Good Conduct medal having been a WARRIOR of the Second World War.