GUJARAT MODEL IMPRINT ON PM’S RELIEF FUND MANAGEMENT

The much-touted “Gujarat model of governance” will influence the new management of the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (NRF).

In a review meeting of the NRF, PM Narendra Modi invoked the Gujarat Model—a system that prevailed during his own administration as the state’s CM— to make several “qualitative changes in the way the fund is managed.”

One of his priority areas was to ensure that applicants for financial help from the Prime Minister’s Fund should not wait long to get money.

According a press release, the PM also directed that the selection of beneficiaries should be done in a “more comprehensive, scientific and humanitarian” basis. Under the new system, priority would be given to children, poor, and cases from government hospitals.

“Life-threatening diseases should be accorded priority, and cases should be decided on need and merit,” added the release.

This is one of the first applications of the Gujarat model which often came under the Opposition’s criticism during the run up to the poll.

In the meeting that was attended by Modi’s principal secretary Nripendra Misra and the additional principal secretary PK Mishra, the PM also asked the officers to ensure that the draw to select the cases should be done in such a way that no genuine case is left.

Apart from a letter from the PM, beneficiaries selected for financial help would also be informed through an SMS alert.