http://www.timesnow.tv/videoshow/4463390.

cms

So how is the Modi sarkar doing?

This is the most-often asked question these days, laced with a million hopes, anxiety,
anticipation, and a tinge of worry too, by people cutting across class, profession and
even by vested interests all over India.
So much has happened and so fast in the last 60 days in Indian politics that its too short
a time to make a judgement on it. Obviously, any government should be given at least
six months to settle down.
But the luxury is not available to the Narendra Modi-led government due to the rising
food prices and rail fare hike. It has in a sudden way created a bitter feeling much before
the celebration of the new governments arrival got over. It only shows that Indians are
impatient now.
Since the government opted firmly in favour of price hikes, the hope of achche din is
becoming, increasingly, more a satirical expression than reality. Its interesting to see
that millions of people who voted or not voted for the National Democratic Alliance
government are watching every action with a sharp focus on Prime Minister Modi.
Repeatedly, one hears from common voters, Dekhte hain aage kya hota hai. Mehngai
toh kuch kam nahi hui (Let us wait and watch. Prices havent been brought under
control).
Its a fascinating political phase in the nations life when people really believe that
something surprising will emerge from the governments actions which will lessen the
drudgery of their lives.
As the people want to know whats up in New Delhi, rediff.com talked to a few important
people in the government to make sense of what is happening in government.
In a country of 1.2 billion plus, where the government machinery is monstrous and
sports the skin of a rhino, one can only judge the direction of the new government
within two months, and nothing more.
The prime minister

A senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader who meets Modi frequently says, The PM is
concerned. He is not relaxed when he meets us. He wants the speed of the government
to pick up.
An influential government functionary claims, The PM sits in office for long hours.
Except home and finance, he has taken a comprehensive briefing of all the important
ministries. Normally the briefing starts in the afternoon and lasts till 9 pm to 10 pm.
These meetings are to apprise Modi about the ministry, its agenda, scope of work, future
plans and all thats being done to achieve its goals.
Since even the ministers are new to the job, mostly secretaries present the case of their
ministries before the PM. Some secretaries through PowerPoint presentations bring out
all the data. Modi sits through the meetings and interacts too. The prime ministers
major time has gone in understanding each ministrys spread and focus. In these
meetings, the PMOs officer-in-charge of the particular ministry, who is normally a
director or of joint secretary rank, takes notes and presents the entire meeting in
perspective, he added.
He adds that in a couple of weeks Modi will have a complete picture of all the ministries
and the PMO will map out the work that needs to be done.
On the one hand, Modi has a first-hand briefing of all the ministries and on other hand
he has also got a first-hand introduction to the entire universe of international affairs.
One of Modis key aides told rediff.com, In the PMO, Modi has settled like a fish in
water. He is able to grasp things easily. He delegates work and keeps tight schedules.
Another officer, dealing with diplomacy, says Modis learning curve is fast. Never before
has an Indian prime minister met so many world leaders in two months. At the end of
six months, Modi will have a first-hand worldview as he will have met American,
Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Australian and all SAARC leaders among many other
dignitaries.
Modi is due to meet Japans Shinzo Abe in Tokyo in September while Chinas Xi Jinping
is coming to India soon after. Also, Modi will meet US President Barack Obama in
Washington after Xis visit concludes.
The PMO

Inside the PMO, essentially it's Modis Principal Secretary Nripendra Mishra who is the
bureaucrat entrusted to do the follow-up of all the administrative decisions taken by the
prime minister.
P K Mishra, additional principal secretary, is entrusted with work which has political
overtones -- like he is in charge of appointments within the bureaucracy. Of course, in
most cases suggestions to Modi from BJP President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley and Home Minister Rajnath Singh play a part in appointments and Mishra takes
that into account.
It is said that P K Mishra will be entrusted with development work related to Modis
constituency Varanasi and also other UP-related issues. The work of modernisation of
the defence forces and the plan for massive development of Varanasi are pet projects of
the PM among many others.
Also, lots of attention is given to minute details of Modis forthcoming US visit. As of
now, the Modi PMO's priority is major decisions related to defence, foreign policy and
economy-related hurdles. It is in the process of tweaking welfare related projects too.
The home ministry is, relatively, going slow on major changes that are required, says the
BJP insider. In the home ministry an important appointment is underway -- that of IPS
officer A K Sharma. Sharma is a controversial officer from Gujarat. Its expected that he
will be entrusted special and largely confidential work of the ministry.
The pointers
The surprise-in-making is the Modi governments handling of Reliance Industries
Limited. Indias biggest and richest corporate house is headed by a Gujarati. Modi and
Amit Shah are Gujarati too. But by all accounts Reliance is not the flavour of the season.
It seems that Reliances influence may not be as strong as it was in the United
Progressive Alliance regime.
There is one case related to allegations of stealing of ONGC gas by Reliance which is now
being seriously pursued. Reliance has stoutly denied the allegation (external link) of
theft. Recently, the PMO has intervened to ensure that there is no interference in
departmental legal proceedings and in selection of lawyers in the dispute between
Reliance and the department of petroleum and gas. This has sent the political message
down to the last officer within the government.

The most important question is, what is Modi doing to curb price rise? Two ministers
and a senior BJP leader, who have taken part in many rounds of discussions, claim that
the new government thinks that after kharif crop (monsoon crop), sowing of which is
currently on, they would get a clear idea of the demand-supply balance and market
situation in October.
Top political leaders within the government claim that they would inject a heavy dose of
grains, sugar, pulses etc after a proper estimate is made. The agriculture officers and
related ministries want two months to set things in order, said a senior BJP leader.
Although its not confirmed, the Modi sarkar is very likely to end all the legal and illegal
forward trading in any type of food items. This is to show that the government is
sensitive to the issue of price rise and that it wont allow any risks to its image.
In the UPA government also, bureaucrats were recommending a ban on forward trading
but Sharad Pawar, then agriculture minister, had resisted it. Modi is likely to come
down heavily against speculators in grains and other food items. This is an important
issue to judge the Modi sarkar.
Also, behind the scenes, the governments legal eagles are hyperactive on the legal
hurdles for coal and iron ore mining. The law officers have been told to take up in
various state courts and in the Supreme Court all pending cases related to coal and iron
ore mining, trading and transportation. To push the economy to the next level, the first
thing the industry needs is power and for it the PMO is tackling the issue at an
emergency level.
Lots of discussion is on how to indigenise some of the expenditure-oriented items for
Indian security forces, like bullets and other low-technology items. The sources said
within five-seven years at least a few high-cost defence-related items will be
manufactured in India to save foreign exchange.
Modis worldview
Modi's hyperactive foreign policy endeavours, so far, gives an idea of the broad contours
of his governments foreign policy. It can be surmised thus:
1. As the Obama government is entering its last phase -- the American election will take
place in 2016, withthe current administration's term ending in January 2017 -- India is
not likely to take up new initiatives. It would like to wait to deal with new American
government which could be Republican. Delhi would like to wait and watch.

Also, in Washington and in New Delhi many right-wing supporters of Modi are sending
hundreds of emails expressing dismay that in the name of pragmatic thinking on
national interest Modi is travelling to America disregarding the visa snub. The issue of
denial of visa over Modi's role during the communal riots in Gujarat and the
international snub that followed will be kept out of public debate before travelling to the
US.
Its more or less certain that India will emphasise more on economy and trade-related
issues and less about security and strategic issues till the new US government comes in.
2. By all accounts that have come in from Brazil, Modi and Russian President Vladimir
Putins meeting suggests that India under Modi will go steady with Russia. The value of
nostalgia of the bilateral relation remains.
3. Its now certain that with all the neighbouring countries, security related issues will
take priority over all other issues.
4. China will grab the most attention from Modi. The government is trying to ensure
that the Western world is not in a position to use the China card or the India card
against each other while dealing in South Asia. This is a difficult to achieve goal due to
Chinas over-ambitions in the region and due to the long-pending complex border issue
between the two countries.
However, all signs suggest that Modi believes that China-India's combined market force
of over two billion can keep Western market manipulation under check.
Like Dr Manmohan Singhs government, on the border issue, the Modi sarkar wont
and is not in a position to budge so the status quo is likely while trying to drive towards
some surprising solution, if any emerges in bilateral talks. But, it seems from the recent
statement of Rajnath Singh that there wont be any one-upmanship vis-a-vis China over
it.
In fact, Modi may drive China to neutralise the Pakistan card and in return India could
team up with China in the global marketplace. Again, its a tall order.
5. China, Israel and Japan will remain Modi's short-term focus as the government wants
technology and investments to boost the economy.
6. Modi is likely to have a go-slow policy with Pakistan, even though the tight focus of
his government is on it all the time.

What do all these pointers suggest?

The Modi in the PMO and 7, Race Course Road is quite different from what he
presented himself before the public during the long-drawn election campaign. He is
sitting inside the broad iron framework of the governmental establishment built over
many decades without showing any sign of being a rebel.
In New Delhi, the Establishment means essentially the decades-old Congress-moulded
framework of bureaucracy to run the democratic government and provide governance to
the aam-aadmi.
Also, its crystal clear that his government will prove to be a tough nut in dealing with
the delicate balance between the executive, legislature and the judiciary. This should be
an area of tremendous interest for the entire country.
The kind of people Modi has chosen, the decisions he has taken and the rail and central
budgets suggest that he is treading carefully in New Delhi. There is less of innovation
and more of continuity, so far. He is not ready to rock the boat and start from scratch.
Instead of displaying ego and discontinuing the many decisions of the UPA, he is
actually adopting it in his new plans -- like continuing with AADHAR and direct cash
transfers etc.
It seems as the economy stands today and the way Modi is going about it, the wait for
achche din may take longer than what the highly impatient voters think.

On September 2, Modi Sarkar completes 100 days in Office. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and his Council of Ministers took Oath of Office and Secrecy on May 26, 10 days
after the verdict 2014 was announced.
News starved media, joined by the Congress and its cohorts are desperately searching
for the report card of Narendra Modi Government as it enters 100 days in the Office.
Honestly, all an independent commentator could say for now is that the story of India
has changed between before and after May 26, the day Narendra Damodardas
Modi took change as Indias 14th Prime Minister. He is simply focusing on fixing the 10year-long policy paralysis of the previous UPA dispensation. His 100 days of work shows
Modi Sarkar is on the right track.
Narendra Modi Government has shouldered loads of hopes and aspirations of the
people. The Prime Minister looks confident to fulfill those hopes and aspirations. In the

last 100 days, the nation has moved from an era of policy paralysis to an era of policy
priorities. In 100 days in Office, the Narendra Modi Government has successfully
prepared a roadmap for Indias development.
Ever since Modi took the reins, he has been continuing his focus on Minimum
Government and Maximum Governance in every step. Modi Governments sheet anchor
for governance Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Together with all, development for all) has
instilled a sense of confidence among the citizens. Undoubtedly, a pro-active approach
has been adopted by the Government to fulfill the aspirations of the people. There has
been a major shift in work culture across Ministries. A new sense of accountability has
gripped the bureaucracy. There is a tremendous amount of pressures on both the
Ministers and the bureaucrats to fulfill the tide of expectations of people.

The following are the 10 things Modi Sarkar has achieved in its 100 days in
Office:
1. Bringing back Black Money
The first decision Modi Sarkar took after assuming Office was setting up of a Special
Investigative Team (SIT), headed by former Supreme Court Judge MB Shah, to unearth
illegal money stashed in tax havens. The SIT has already prepared a comprehensive
action plan, including creation of an institutional structure that could enable India to
fight the battle against black money.
2. Bringing economy back on track
In a bid to arrest inflation, Modi Government asked States to delist fruits and vegetables
from the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC Act). This decision has
protected farmers from the middle men and succeeded in preventing hoarding. This in
turn has helped in taming inflation.
With inflation on check, economic growth is picking up steadily. It is important to note
that Indian economy has thrown up the best growth figures in two-and-a-half years. The
GDP growth in April-June quarter is the highest in the last nine quarters. This is a
sufficient indication that economy is turning around under the leadership of Narendra
Modi.
3. Jan Dhan Yojana
Modi Sarkar has rolled out the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. The ambitious scheme
aims at a comprehensive financial inclusion by opening of bank accounts of people who
have been left out in the process so far. On the inauguration day, a record 1.5 crore bank
accounts were opened under this scheme.

4. Infrastructural development
The focal point of the Union Budget 2014 was infrastructure, a sector which was
neglected in the last 10 years under the Congress-led UPA rule. The Government has
attracted large-scale investments in infrastructural sector by reviving the Special
Economic Zone (SEZ), streamlining the Public Private Partnership (PPP) models and
creating Infrastructural Investment Trusts (InvITs). Work for the ambitious Diamond
Quadrilateral rail network connecting major metros across the country is in the full
swing. The Narendra Modi Government has laid the groundwork for its ambitious 100
smart cities project. To develop infrastructure in rural areas, the Government has
launched Syama Prasad Mookerjee Rurban Mission and Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram
Jyoti Yojana. The Government is also working on strengthening and modernising the
boarder infrastructure.
5. Abolishing GOMs, EGoMs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has abolished all Group of Ministers (GoMs) and
Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoMs) which were set up during the UPA tenure. The
move is expediting the process of decision-making in the Ministries and ushering in a
greater accountability in the system.
6. Streamlining bureaucracy
To take administration closer to people and ensure that governance doesnt get stuck in
red tape, the Narendra Modi Government is streamlining the bureaucracy with thrust
on transparency. The Government has amended the All India Service (Conduct) Rules,
1968. The amended guidelines mandate that the bureaucrats must maintain political
neutrality, take decisions and make recommendations on merit alone and take decisions
solely in public interest.
7. Disbanding Planning Commission
Narendra Modi Government has disbanded the 64-year-old Planning Commission. In
1950, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru formed Planning Commission on the line
of erstwhile Soviet Union with an aim to formulating Indias five year plans. But during
the 60-year-long Congress rule, the Commission was mostly used as a parking lot for
cronies of the grand old party. They did nothing apart from sucking up to Congress and
its Prime Ministers. Narendra Modi Government is in the process of replacing the
Planning Commission with a new institution keeping in view of Indias needs amid
changing global economic scenario.
8. Recasting judicial appointment
In a path-breaking initiative, Narendra Government has got the National Judicial
Appointments Commission (NJAC) Bill passed in both the Houses of Parliament. The
Bill scraps the Collegium System of appointment of Judges of Supreme Court and the
High Courts and established a six-member body for the appointment of the Judges. The

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will head the NJAC. Besides, the judiciary would be
represented by two senior Judges of the Supreme Court. Law Minister and two
eminent personalities will be the other members of the Commission.
9. Weeding out archaic laws
The Narendra Modi Government is working overtime to weed out archaic rules and
legislations from the statute books. Most of them are laws introduced during the
colonial British rule and still prevalent in the country. These dysfunctional laws have no
relevance in the present day. These are obsolete laws which only hamper governance by
creating confusions. It only complicates the legislation process and stand as a hindrance
within the system.
10. Bilateral diplomacy
Prime Minister Narendra Modis SAARC diplomacy was indeed a bold step towards
creating an atmosphere for multilateral economic cooperation. The common challenges
that these nations face have made Narendra Modi create a common agenda of growth
with mutual cooperation. During his visit to Nepal and Bhutan, Narendra Modi used the
greater Hindu heritage as an instrument of foreign policy. Modi Government has given a
strong message to Pakistan by calling off the Foreign Secretary-level talks after Pakistani
High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit met Kashmiri separatists despite clear no from
Foreign Ministry. For the first time in Indias history, New Delhi under the leadership of
Narendra Modi has asserted that it cant be bullied by the pressure from the Kashmiri
separatists and various lobbyists. Narendra Modis ongoing Japan visit underlines the
fact that India-Japan Strategic and Global cooperation can shift the balance of power in
Asia.
100 days is too short a time to judge a Government. Lets wait and watch with patience
for the Indias real growth story to take shape in the days to come.

Congress today brought out a booklet on BJP's "100 days of misrule" insisting that results of all
the bypolls after the Lok Sabha election reflect "people's anger" over "hollow promises of a
useless government".
The slide of the ruling party was a "significant trend" that will gather momentum with the "unmasking" of
BJP, the party claimed in the booklet titled "Modi government-The truth of BJP government: 100 days of
misrule".
"The story till now is only of slogans and more slogans. The nation is worried at what lies in store for India
for the remaining tenure of this government", the AICC said in the booklet released by party spokesman
Anand Sharma.
Suggesting that the landslide for BJP has turned into a slide, it said, "The results of all the bye-elections

held after 2014 Lok Sabha reflect people's anger and rejection of BJP's politics of hatred and
hoodwinking."

The party noted that in the 54 Assembly constituencies where bye-elections were held, BJP had led in 42
constituencies in May 2014 which has now been reduced to only 21".
Dubbing the Modi rule and its assurances as "hollow promises of a useless government" (khokhle vaade
nikammi sarkar), it said that the 100-day rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed that he has
assumed the role of a dream merchant in the poll campaign and "sold false dreams".
Demanding an apology from the government for "fooling the people" during the election campaign, it said
NDA owed an explanation over its "failure" to control prices after coming to power.
Listing out the "failures" of the government on several fronts, the party alleged that the BJP-led
dispensation was "still in election mode". "It continues to make wild and baseless allegations on its
political opponents on the one hand and continues to make false promises on the other."
Assuring people that "mistakes and wrong doings" of Modi government will not go uncontested, the party
said that it will ensure that the remaining tenure of this government is "bereft of pain" for people of the
country.
Noting that BJP has lost most of the bypolls in all regions to Congress and other opposition parties, it
said, "This is a significant trend that cannot be ignored, and will surely gain momentum with the
unmasking of BJP."
In the booklet, Congress alleged that the Modi government is in "complete conflict" with the judiciary
because it wants the final say in the appointment of judges at the cost of judicial independence.
The party also accused Modi of reducing the stature of ministers to that of "ciphers".
"Complete centralisation of power in the hands of one man - Modi, even though in a parliamentary
democracy, the PM is the first among equals", it said.
Besides, it faulted the government for failing to hold Assembly polls in Delhi despite AAP and Congress,
which together have a majority, openly demanding it.
"In the last few days, there have been credible reports of the government and the BJP taking recourse to
undemocratic and horse trading tactics to form a government in Delhi instead of going back to the
electorate to seek its mandate," it said.
At the AICC briefing, Sharma made light of a question that BJP lost in Uttar Pradesh bypolls as it did not
have a 'face' like Varun Gandhi.
He said it was for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah to answer such a query.
He said the elections were fought under the leadership of Modi and Shah. "They cannot wash their hands
off the sin."

Taking a dig at Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, he said she had remarked that her government
would give "gift" to the PM on his birthday by winning all the bypolls in the state.
The results showed that someone has taken out a major share of the gift, he said in an obvious reference
to the Congress winning three out of four seats where bypolls were held in Gujarat.