PM tells ministers to prioritise focus areas
nNEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked his ministers to list major priority areas once the restrictions imposed to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic are lifted.
He also spoke about the need for creating a graded plan to slowly open departments in areas witnessing fewer cases.
Modi told his team that the present crisis also highlighted the need to lessen dependence on other nations. Talking about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, he said the government must work on war-footing to mitigate the impact, adding that the ministries should prepare a ‘Business Continuity Plan’.
Highlighting the impact on India’s exports, he asked the ministers to submit actionable suggestions on boosting manufacturing and exports and ensure that new sectors and countries are added in India’s export net.
During a video conference, Modi also asked the ministers to prepare a list of ten major decisions and ten priority areas of focus once lockdown ends, exhorting them to identify and implement pending reforms.
He said the welfare of farmers is of high importance, adding that the government would provide all possible help to farmers in the harvesting season.
He suggested harnessing of technology and encouraging exploration of innovative solutions like using truck aggregators to connect farmers with mandis on the lines of app-based cab services.
Modi underlined the need for devising a strategy to ensure the procurement of products from tribals so that the sources of income of the indigenous populace remain intact.
He stressed on the importance of monitoring continuously and ensuring that the benefits of PM Garib Kalyan Yojana keep reaching the intended beneficiaries. Modi said there should be continuous monitoring to maintain timelines of the production of essential medicines and protection equipment.