In an attempt to shore up the Manmohan Singh government’s image, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has prepared a 30-day plan to push through some projects and economic policies that have been stuck for the past three years.
A team headed by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pulok Chatterjee, has “scanned and identified” a two-page ‘To-Do list’ of projects and policies to be implemented at the earliest.
Official sources associated with the implementation of the 30-day plan said they would have to move quickly as there is only a narrow window available for the announcement of projects and policies before the elections are announced and the model code of conduct kicks in.
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“We realise we can’t start something today and finish it tomorrow,” the sources said. “There will be a push to those key policies and projects that the Government could not move ahead with because of the Commonwealth Games, CVC, CAG and the Anna Hazare agitation.”
The ‘To-Do list’ includes the speeding up of a second airport in Mumbai. “The Cidco will soon call for a request for proposal (RFP) for the Navi Mumbai airport,” the sources said.
The plan also includes the announcement of a New Fertiliser Investment policy that is critical for the roll out of the food security law.
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“Though it will not be possible to decontrol urea prices or clean up the subsidy regime in the time available, we will try to announce the investment policy,” the sources said.
Another item on the list is the extension of coverage and benefits under the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme.