【New Delhi】Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attempt to rein in his supporters' soaring expectations by talking about tough, unpopular, decisions to revive the economy has left his own party speculating about the direction of his government's first budget early next month.
While one section of the BJP leadership points towards the possibility of curtailing petroleum subsidy, a senior BJP functionary explained that Modi's attempt was to make his cadre base realise that the impact of inflation and high food prices cannot be reversed overnight.
The middle classes expect tax relief that will leave more money for them to spend, but the BJP functionary pointed out that without the economy growing it will be difficult for the government to let go of its scarce accruals. But all leaders do not accept that this implies cutting subsidies that will immediately pinch BJP's middle class support base.
○Modi's overworked & sleepless Cabinet set for expansion
【New Delhi】The effect of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'minimum government, maximum governance' philosophy is showing - not only in bureaucrats' punctual ways and cleaner office spaces but also in the bleary eyes of overworked ministers.
On an average, Modi logs a punishing 18-hour workday and expects his ministers to follow his lead. This is, indeed, giving encouraging results for the government's efficiency, but not so much for the health of many in Modi's 44-member Council of Ministers.
Sources in the Modi government and BJP claim the National Democratic Alliance government will see a Cabinet expansion before the Budget session starts in the second week of July. The expansion might mean taking away of additional portfolios from those unable to keep up with the pace of work - the minister who is worried about his health is likely to be among them.
○Top-level appointments on hold
【New Delhi】Appointments to nearly 50 posts, both of senior officials and those in offices and authorities attached to various Ministries, are stuck as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned the files to the Ministers.
The appointments are for the ranks of Joint Secretaries and above. Some of these appointments were approved by then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule, but had not been notified. However, a bulk of them have been kept pending for the new government’s approval. All other procedures had been completed, and approvals from the Civil Services Board too were in place. Only the approval of the Cabinet Appointments Committee is pending.
【News source】
Narendra Modi talks tough, BJP speculates about government's first budget
Modi's overworked & sleepless Cabinet set for expansion
Top-level appointments on hold
Free download of "The Origin of Christianity"
Special sale for Ad Space
Readers' Voice
Your Comments
SEAnewsFacebook
SEAnewsGoogle