NEW DELHI, Feb 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pushed for re-development of at least one railway station in each state to make that an iconic structure and a centre of economic activity.
He also directed officials concerned to address public grievances related to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways as he reviewed various infrastructure projects in the 10th meeting of PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation), an ICT-based multi-modal platform for interaction, with officials of the State Governments via video conferencing.
He reviewed the progress of vital infrastructure projects in the road, railway, coal, power and renewable energy sectors, spread over several States, including Delhi, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chandigarh.
“Today’s PRAGATI session was extensive. We discussed infra projects, Mission Indradhanush, upgradation of NIFT campuses & other issues,” Modi tweeted.
Taking stock of the comprehensive re-development projects of railway stations, he suggested to all Chief Secretaries to work towards at least one such re-development project in each state, a PMO statement said.
Modi said such re-developed railway stations would become iconic structures and centres of economic activity, it added.
“Discussed comprehensive re-development of railway stations. We want to make our stations iconic structures & centres of economic activities,” he said in another tweet.
Modi also reviewed the complaints and grievances from people relating to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and directed all officials concerned to expedite their redressal, the statement said.
Reviewing the Char-Dham road connectivity improvement project in Uttarakhand, the Prime Minister called for expediting the work at the earliest.
“Also called for expediting work on the Char-Dham road connectivity improvement project in Uttarakhand,” he said in another tweet.
Modi also reviewed the scheme for upgrade of campuses of National Institutes of Fashion Technology (NIFTs), and for setting up of grid connected solar power projects in Government organisations, CPSUs and Ordinance Factories.
He asked all Chief Secretaries to work towards speedy implementation of solar power projects in their respective States, the statement said.
The Prime Minister reviewed the programme for elimination of Kala Azar and called for all efforts to eradicate this disease at the earliest.
Reviewing ‘Mission Indradhanush’ under which children are vaccinated for various diseases, he emphasized the need for an organized and aggressive action plan to cover all children for immunization in a specific time-frame.
Meanwhile, Modi advised his Council of Ministers to ensure projects were completed within the timeframe and due publicity given to the achievements of the Government.
Addressing his Council of Ministers here this evening, Modi said the deadlines, especially of social sector schemes, are “sacrosanct” and should not be missed at any cost. He said when Government announces a scheme, it increases the expectations of the people.
“People maintain a watch on the end results. To live upto the expectations of the people, we should not miss deadlines,” Modi is learnt to have told his Ministerial colleagues.
When some Ministers said schemes of the previous UPA Government are still fresh in the minds of the people due to massive publicity, Modi said if Ministers give concrete proposals, the Government can also highlight its achievements through billboards.
The Prime Minister showed keen interest in the progress made in his pet project Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He was informed about several PSUs having made massive contributions for the project which did not receive due publicity.
When a Minister was highlighting the work done by his Ministry, Modi said when I do not know about your achievements, how would a common man know.
He also suggested organising “Urja Divas” in villages and other places electrified after many years.
Modi claimed India’s global ranking has increased manifold and it is the duty of the Government to take it further. For that we will have to constantly monitor people oriented schemes which have been launched in the recent past, Modi is learnt to have said in a nearly three-hour-long meeting.
Some Ministers were of the view that while the Centre should give the due to the State governments for implementing schemes, it should not shy away from claiming credit which is rightfully its own.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur, Health Minister J P Nadda and Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan were among the prominent Ministers present in the meeting.
Presentations were also made on Swachh Bharat Mission (urban and rural), housing for all by 2022, Atal pension scheme, Prime Minister Jeevan Suraksha and Jan Dhan Yojna, Prime Minister skill development scheme, setting up of six IIMs, three AIIMS and six IITs and the newly enacted Juvenile Justice law.
When asked if the controversy surrounding JNU came up for discussion, several Ministers said “only items on the agenda were discussed”.
At the last meeting of the Union Council of Ministers in January, it was decided to hold such interactions on the last Wednesday of every month. (PTI)
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