Polls over, govt draws final sketch of 100-day action plan

New Delhi: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is studying the 100-day plan prepared ahead of the elections as well as the Viksit Bharat 2047 goals to quickly draw up an agenda for action for ministries and departments for the period. The measures that require legislative sanction or funds could be announced in the budget, which is likely next month.The 100-day agenda had been prepared by bureaucrats and Niti Aayog officials and overseen by the cabinet secretary after elections were announced, people aware of the details told ET. The Viksit Bharat (Developed India) 2047 goals will also be put up for general public consultations. India’s general election was conducted April 19-June 1, following which the BJP needed its NDA allies to achieve a majority. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his new council of ministers, which included representatives of NDA partners, on Sunday with portfolios being allocated a day later.

“These 100-day plans are being pitched to the new ministers and changes – if suggested – will be carried out accordingly,” a senior government official told ET.

‘Some Ideas to Become Part of the Budget’
A second round of discussions will be held by the Niti Aayog and the cabinet secretary after ministers give their views to finalise the plans.

The first 100 days of the government should be focused on coming up with a strategy for each infrastructure sub-segment, said Kuljit Singh, EY India investment banking partner and leader, infrastructure. “Some special focus areas of such a plan could be increasing private investments in railways, airports, water and electricity distribution, where limited private investment has occurred in the recent past,” he said. “Ministers of concerned government arms will have to be part of the agenda setting for 100 days, five years, or Viksit Bharat 2047 because these plans will go through cabinet approvals,” he added.

Proposals that are likely to figure in the immediate agenda include widening support for electric mobility, facilitation measures for startups, steps to broaden power transmission and distribution capacity, finalisation of hydropower policy, addressing digital privacy concerns and execution of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which is replacing the Indian Penal Code.

Some of the proposals such as expansion of the Ayushman Bharat health programme mentioned in the BJP manifesto could also be included.

Multiple officials said the Viksit Bharat 2047 agenda for all ministries will be taken up for wider public consultation, as per the wishes of Prime Minister Modi. “This Viksit Bharat 2047 agenda will be presented to stakeholders. Some of these ideas will become part of the budget,” a second official said. “The government wants to incorporate views of college-going students and a wider section of society before firming up the Viksit Bharat goals.”

Besides this, the ministry for information and broadcasting (I&B) has asked other government arms to prepare a 10-day plan of events to promote priorities for, and deliverables by, the Centre. “The government would want some events to happen in the next 10 days to a month and the I&B ministry is seeking views on these lines,” said the first official cited.

While the 100-day agenda had largely been finalised midway through the Lok Sabha polls, some parts are being reworked to allow broader consultations.

“We want to bring wider consensus on the goals to ensure that no one feels left behind in agenda setting,” a third official aware of the developments noted.