PM Modi holds first meet with top officials after taking charge, tells them to focus on ease of living

More than 30 secretaries spoke during the three-hour meeting when invited to provide suggestions on their own departments as well as others.

After the secretaries spoke, Modi addressed them. “His main message to us was the need for a robust grievance redressal mechanism and prompt addressing of people’s grievances. The 100-day plan was also briefly discussed, but it was a minor part of the meeting. The PM encouraged us to brainstorm ways and ideas to achieve the ‘Paanch Pran’ (five resolutions) for ensuring India’s development by 2047,” said an official who was part of the meeting.

There was also a discussion on projects and initiatives that could be launched by different ministries within the first 100 days of the government.

According to sources, the Prime Minister said that when a party forms a government for a third term, it is because of the work of the government. He said that while people may not know officials, it is their hard work that makes schemes a success.

The meeting with top officials came a day after Modi met first-time Ministers of State. “Heard their experiences and insights as they have just embarked on their ministerial journey. Also discussed ways to further strengthen governance at the grassroots,” Modi said in a post on X.

Saturday’s meeting comes days before the NDA government is set to present its first full budget in July.

In her address to Parliament on June 27, President Droupadi Murmu had hinted that “many historic steps” will be announced in the NDA government’s first full budget.

“This budget will be an effective document of the Government’s far-reaching policies and futuristic vision. Along with major economic and social decisions, many historic steps will also be seen in this budget. The pace of reforms will be further accelerated in tune with the aspirations of people of India for rapid development,” Murmu said.

Ahead of the announcement of the schedule for the General elections to Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had chaired on March 3 a meeting of the Council of Ministers and discussed the 100-day action plan to be implemented by the new government after the polls.