New Delhi: Using the theme ‘Reform Express’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked his cabinet colleagues to come up with a list of reforms that ministries and departments intend to initiate in the coming months and provide details of the reforms they have already introduced. He asked them to focus on two themes – ease of living and ease of doing business – while preparing the list of proposed reforms.TOI has learned that the Prime Minister made these suggestions while chairing the first Cabinet meeting at Sewatirth, where a resolution was passed that every decision taken at the venue would be inspired by the sentiments of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ and that it would be a center of empowerment for every Indian and not a place to display power.The Ministry of Railways has announced plans to introduce 52 reforms in 52 weeks, some of which have already been rolled out, and several other ministries are finalizing “non-financial regulatory reforms” that can be implemented without seeking amendments to the bill. People familiar with the prime minister’s instructions said that soon after the cabinet meeting, some ministers asked their staff to start working on identifying areas where more reforms could be introduced to benefit ordinary people and other stakeholders.“The focus will continue to be on reforms in various fields. Earlier, the prime minister had asked some ministries and departments to make changes in rules, regulations, practices and procedures to get rid of the traces of colonialism,” an official said.The ‘Seva Sankalp Resolution’ read out by I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned that every decision taken in the new building will be inspired by the ethos of serving 1.4 billion citizens and will be linked to the wider nation-building goals. “We reiterate that in line with our vision, we will further strengthen a governance model of transparency, understanding and sensitivity to citizen sentiments,” the statement said.The resolution also stated that the work culture of Seva Teerth will be guided by the fundamental spirit of the Constitution and accountability will be embedded in every decision to meet the aspirations of the people.
