New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Centre remains focused on governance reforms and improving the daily lives of citizens as he chaired
the first Council of Ministers meeting of the year. In a post on X, PM Modi said the discussions centred on reforms, governance and the long-term vision for a developed India.
“Had a fruitful meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday. We exchanged perspectives and best practices relating to boosting ‘Ease of Living, ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and how to further reforms in order to realise our shared dream of a Viksit Bharat,” he wrote.
PM asks ministers to focus on 2047 vision
The meeting, which lasted for more than four hours, was attended by cabinet ministers, ministers of state with independent charge and ministers of state. According to sources, PM Modi told ministers to work with the target of making India a fully developed nation by 2047.
He said governance should focus on improving people’s lives and ensuring “ease of living”. Sources said the prime minister stressed that there should be minimum interference in the lives of citizens. He also asked ministers to ensure maximum benefits from welfare schemes reach the people.
‘Look forward, not backward’
During the meeting, PM Modi reportedly told ministers that this was the time to focus on future goals instead of dwelling on past achievements. He said that although the government has been in office since 2014, the focus in 2026 should remain on upcoming targets and delivery.
The prime minister also stressed that government work should not remain pending and advised ministers to remain focused on governance and implementation.
Presentations on reforms and foreign visits
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar gave a presentation on PM Modi’s recent foreign visits to the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. Nine secretaries also presented updates on the initiatives and performance of their respective ministries and departments.
Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan gave a presentation on government reform measures and citizen-centric initiatives, while NITI Aayog member Rajiv Gauba also addressed the meeting.
Meeting held after BJP’s election victories
The Council of Ministers meeting came shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party registered major victories in the recently concluded assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam and returned to power in Puducherry. Earlier, the PM had said that the government’s “Reform Express” had brought major systemic transformation and benefited citizens across sectors.
