Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of people-centric governance during a high-level meeting with the country’s top bureaucrats in New Delhi on Tuesday. Modi stressed that every policy and decision should be guided by the interests and aspirations of the common citizen, and that the people of India must remain at the centre of governance.
The meeting, which was the second of its kind, focused on reviewing the future action agenda of ministries and departments dealing with finance and economy, commerce and industry, and technology sectors. Modi called for breaking both horizontal and vertical silos within the government, enabling departments to function in close coordination and deliver integrated outcomes. He also underscored the importance of team building across ministries and departments, urging officers to work with a shared sense of purpose.
Modi highlighted the need for a strong focus on citizen-centric governance, boosting infrastructure, and developing indigenous technologies. He emphasized the importance of technological self-reliance and building domestic capabilities in critical sectors, and noted that energy security is closely linked with national security, economic stability, and citizens’ welfare. The prime minister also stressed the need for reforms, not just as a fashionable term, but as a continuous necessity for effective governance.
The meeting also discussed the growing use of technology and the need for a strong focus on cybersecurity to safeguard digital systems and infrastructure. Modi emphasized the importance of proactive communication on strategic sectors, and encouraged greater participation of young innovators and entrepreneurs in the cybersecurity ecosystem. He also suggested planning new academic courses in partnership with industry to equip the workforce with skills required by emerging and future industries.
Modi concluded by emphasizing that a government must always remain youthful, dynamic, and forward-looking, continuously adapting to new challenges and opportunities with agility and innovation. The meeting was attended by the cabinet secretary, secretaries of key ministries and departments, and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.
