New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended his first day in office, to get on to business. Major challenges, both domestic and external, await decision-making. The PMO has identified areas that need immediate attention:
The new finance minister has to contain inflation, slowdown in the economy and stabilise the volatile rupee. He will also have to simply tax laws as promised by BJP in its manifesto. The revival of the sluggish economy is one of the core issues that need to be tackled on war footing.
Presenting the Union Budget could address some of these problems.
Almost a dozen accidents in the Navy, and the prolonged controversy over Gen Singh’s date of birth have sent the wrong signals to the Defence forces. Lifting the morale would be the first major task of the next defence minister. The PM is expected to personally oversee all major issues related to the Defence ministry.
Containing terrorism and Naxal menace are the top priority of the new government. Home Ministry also handles the most important and sensitive issue of Centre-State relations. If some non-BJP/NDA states take a confrontationist position with the Centre, the new home minister’s skills will be tested.
Inviting all SAARC leaders to his swearing-in is being hailed as a masterstroke by Narendra Modi. India’s relations with most of neighbouring countries are not good. Several issues have strained the relationship. MEA will also have to strike a fine balance between both East and West.
Since Modi talks a lot about ‘big push’ in the agriculture sector, one can expect some radical changes. It also depends on external factors like monsoon and climate change. Several states have reported declining yields and new techniques, seeds and ideas are needed to rejuvenate this sector.
Both the ministries of Railways and Civil Aviation need urgent overhauling. Railways is facing a huge shortage of funds and most of its modernisation and expansion works are progressing at a snails pace. The condition of the Civil Aviation is even worse and national carrier Air India continues to bleed.
Highways are another area that needs immediate revival. Most of the National Highways work has been halted and the conditions of the roads have also been very bad. Modi is likely to take up road building works in a big way.
UPA’s flagship schemes like MNREGA have not delivered and have to be reviewed. Ministries like Social Justice, Tribal Affairs, North East Affairs, Law, Commerce, Sports, Youth Affairs await a complete overhaul.
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