NaMo's 10 Commandments

PM Narendra Modi has accorded top priority to removing hurdles to growth and containing inflation while seeking swift policy roll outs, pro-people governance and an accountable bureaucracy . Outlining his political and economic objectives, Modi has set out reviving growth and checking price rise -areas of weakness that are seen to have cost Congress-led UPA dearly -as most urgent.
At his second Cabinet meeting on Thursday , Modi focused on the governance mantra, asking ministers to prepare 100-day agenda that zero in on improving delivery and accountability . Briefing the media, parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu said: “Ministers apprised the PM about work in their ministries. After listening to them, the PM said the most important issue is governance. He asked ministers to concentrate on this.“
At the meeting Modi told ministers that he would appreciate if they did not pay too much attention to their constituencies at the cost of other claimants, indicating that he feels nurturing VIP constituencies causes more harm than good. It was the list of 10 “dos and don'ts“ circulated among ministers after the Cabinet meeting that really holds the key to Modi's priorities. It clearly indicates the criteria by which he is likely to evaluate his team.
The ready reckoner given to ministers makes it clear that Modi intends to set a cracking pace and is likely to take a dim view of ministers who slack on the job and lose sight of their responsibilities. Keen to drive home the point that the NDA must not repeat the UPA's mistakes, Modi has asked ministers to pay heed to timelines and project implementation to avoid policy paralysis.
“BJP has often criticized UPA for policy paralysis and economic stagnation,“ the note reminded ministers. It also noted that Modi has ticked off education, manufacturing and energy as important areas. On governance, ministers were told that “...mere good governance is not enough. It has to be pro-people and proactive. Good governance is putting people at the centre of the development process.“
Infrastructure reforms, consistent policy , e-auctions for transparency , inter-ministerial cooperation, a focus on education, power and water supply , rallying investor confidence and manufacturing are key areas. During the Cabinet meeting, Modi urged ministers to focus on addressing issues raised by states and demands from public as well as lawmakers.
Better project implementation is high on Modi's agenda and long and often laborious processes were seen to have seriously damaged Congress's political prospects while providing fodder for Modi's campaign.
Reflecting his approach when he was Gujarat chief minister, Modi's 10 points speak of the need to empower the bureaucracy while also aligning it with the need for pro-active and people-oriented governance.