Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a more than four-hour meeting of the Council of Ministers to review deregulation measures and reforms proposed by ministries, signalling the government’s push to further reduce compliance burdens and improve ease of doing business, according to a report by The Times of India.
During the meeting, Modi said the government should not interfere unnecessarily in people’s lives and should instead focus on helping citizens when required. He asked ministers and senior officials to prioritise reforms that simplify processes, improve ease of living and speed up decision-making, the report said.
The discussions were based on recommendations made by a high-level committee led by Rajiv Gauba, which is preparing a roadmap for India’s transition into a developed nation by 2047. Several recommendations have already been implemented, while more measures are expected following Thursday’s review meeting.
According to TOI, the meeting took place shortly after Modi returned from a five-nation foreign tour and came amid concerns over global economic pressures triggered by the ongoing West Asia crisis. Rising energy prices and supply disruptions, particularly in gas, are putting pressure on the rupee and could add to inflationary risks.
The report said the government is looking at reforms as a key strategy to strengthen the economy, attract portfolio investments and support domestic manufacturing under its self-reliance agenda.
At the meeting held at Seva Teerth, Modi also suggested encouraging biogas production as households in some regions face constraints in cooking gas supplies, TOI reported. The issue had also reportedly figured in a recent meeting of the informal Group of Ministers headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Apart from Gauba, presentations were made by ministries and departments including agriculture, environment, commerce, corporate affairs, health, power, road transport and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan also presented an overview of reforms undertaken across ministries.
Modi also directed ministries to expedite delayed projects, avoid unnecessary controversies and ensure faster file processing to reduce delays in governance, the report added.
“PM said Viksit Bharat by 2047 isn’t just a slogan, but a desire. The focus of the meeting was on reforms, reforms and reforms to push economic growth, ease of living and ease of doing business,” a person present at the meeting told TOI.
