PM to review BJP CMs’ work every two months
Asks them to fix leakages in govt schemes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to review the performance of BJP-ruled states every two months, setting new targets for chief ministers belong to his party.
BJP CMs got their first assignment at a review meeting on Sunday, with Modi asking to push insurance companies for the early disposal of claims.
Modi told CMs on Sunday 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 CMs and deputy CMs have been told to hold meetings with insurance companies in the coming days for early redressal of grievances.
Modi also referred to another case, saying that governments put up publicity hoardings but their number on ground is far less than that 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 meeting was the second such exercise after August 2016 and Modi wants it to be a more frequent affair. Each CM gave a 15-minute presentation on a 12-point questionnaire set by the BJP. Each CM was asked about an innovative scheme of their government for the uplift of poor, women or marginalised. India’s chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian on Tuesday red-flagged the concept of farm loan waiver, saying if implemented nationally, it could cost about 2% of the country’s GDP. PM Narendra Modi has said a categorical no to central assistance to any state to waive off farm loans.