PM to review BJP CMs’ work every two months

MODI TOLD BJP CMS THAT LEAKAGES IN GOVT SCHEMES SHOULD BE PLUGGED AND THE URGE FOR POPULISM SHOULD BE AVOIDED

Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to review the performance of BJP-ruled states every two months, setting new targets for chief ministers belonging to his party.

BJP chief ministers got their first assignment at a review meeting on Sunday, with Modi asking them to push insurance companies for the early disposal of claims.

Modi told the chief ministers that leakages in government schemes should be plugged and temptation to resort to populism be avoided.

In cases of accident and natural calamities, he said, “politicians like us” announce compensation without ensuring that victims get the benefit of their insurance cover, if any. “Instead, ensure that victims get the benefit of insurance covers for which they pay hefty premium,” a chief minister quoted Modi as saying.

The chief ministers and deputy chief ministers have been told to hold meetings with insurance companies in the coming days and press to redress grievances at the earliest.

Modi also referred to another case, saying that governments put up publicity hoardings, but their numbers on ground is far less than what is shown on papers. “Can’t we have GPS-enabled hoardings that gives you the exact number of hoardings put up and check the waste of public funds?” asked Modi.

The review meeting was the second such exercise after August last year and Modi wants it to be a more frequent affair. Each chief minister gave a 15-minute presentation before the Prime Minister and BJP president Amit Shah on a 12-point questionnaire set by the BJP. The CMs were asked about one innovative scheme of their government for the uplift of poor, women or marginalised.

Modi completes three years in power next month and is anxious about the benefits of welfare schemes reaching the intended beneficiaries. The BJP plans to capitalise on the government’s “pro-poor outlook” to expand its social base ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The ruling party aims to reach out to deprived sections who have traditionally not been BJP supporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” that India will extend all possible assistance for the elections to Nepal’s local government bodies scheduled for May and June.

The poll process came under a cloud after political parties in the Madhes region bordering India threatened to boycott the voting to pressure the government to address their demands, including the amendment of Nepal’s new Constitution.

The tabling of a revised constitutional amendment bill by the government in Parliament has heightened the chances of Madhesi parties participating in the elections.

During the telephone conversation, Modi conveyed his best wishes to Prachanda for the successful conclusion of the elections to be held in two phases on May 14 and June 14. These will be the first polls to local government bodies in 20 years.

Modi assured Prachanda that New Delhi will extend all possible assistance for the polls, according to an official statement.