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100 DAYS OF
MODI GOVERNMENT
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been able to spur the Central government into action, but a lot of it has met with age-old hurdles. The Tribune takes an assessment of the first 100 days as ground realities kick in
With
each passing day in office the Modi government must be realising big-bang changes are easier promised than made. As it looks back on its 100 days of running the country on September 2, it would have reason to feel satisfied from the general air of action that the Prime Minister has succeeded in creating. But specifics of each department will show major changes or reform have been few and far between.
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Some of the Bills cleared, or introduced but stalled, were initiatives of the UPA. Policy on most issues has remained largely unchanged. The gains have essentially been in making files move quicker, and therefore delivering more within the existing framework.
Most vocal on defence, the BJP government raised FDI in the sector, and also cleared several held-up projects. A tilt towards the US over Russia has been evident. But the biggest poll promise of ‘one rank, one pension’ eludes the ex-servicemen. A dream start on foreign affairs, especially with the neighbours being invited to the swearing-in ceremony, was spoilt by the Pakistan talks fiasco. Bringing back black money from foreign shores in 100 days was a promise that had excited the voter. The government did set up an SIT for the job, but the Swiss banks remain as opaque as ever. It is hard to imagine what can be done about that. The biggest banner the government can fly is the apparent success on economy. But actually there is little change from the UPA policies. The result of this government’s actions will be visible only in a few months from now. Inflation, especially on food, was a major factor in the UPA’s undoing. The BJP government made early moves against price rise, but the monsoon seems to be in no mood to cooperate. In sum, the most anyone can say for the 100 days is: Good opening moves, outcomes awaited. Economy Market, GDP look up, boost sentiment
Revival: GDP growth rate for the first quarter has hit an over two-year high at 5.7 per cent. What the BJP said during its election campaign has been implemented, mostly in the form of small allocation schemes in the Budget. Rather than big-bang reforms, it focused on execution of stalled projects and stabilising the sub-5 per cent economy. Policy continuity: It is continuing broadly the UPA policies but has stressed on implementing them, moving away from the entitlement regime and concentrating on reviving manufacturing, infrastructure and job creation. Jan dhan: Launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana for financial inclusion. New body: Will replace the Planning Commission with a new body. RURBAN: Launched the rural-urban (RURBAN) development mission. Getting smart: Launched 70 smart cities across India. GST: Signalled GST implementation this year. Clearance: Approved projects and clearances in infrastructure, including roads, power, coal and airports; introduced online environment clearances. FDI limit: Allowed and raised FDI limit in insurance, railway infrastructure and defence. Sops: Introduced income tax sops; sops for real estate and continued sops for auto, consumer goods industry, insurance, railway infrastructure and defence. Fake hike: Increased railway fares. Bullet trains: Project to develop bullet trains. what’s missed GAAR: No clarity yet on General Anti-avoidance Rules. GST: Timelines awaited on GST. Insurance: The insurance Bill is stuck in Parliament. Gas price: The hike has been deferred, but clarity is awaited. Way forward Land acquisition: The Land Acquisition Bill requires changes. Economy: More proactive measures will have to be taken to revive the economy. Expectations: People are hoping for "acche din" to arrive soon. Inflation: Steps have to be taken to ensure inflation is reined in. Interest rates: The interest rates are expected to come down only next year. Monsoon deficit: The government will have to tide over rain deficit, which has put a spoke in the chances of faster economic revival. — Sanjeev SharmaDefence Push to indigenous production FDI cap:
Increased FDI cap from 26 per cent to 49 per cent. Choppers:
Purchase of attack helicopters and heavy-lift choppers made progress; proposal from Boeing (US) accepted. Collaboration:
Private Indian companies allowed to produce military aircraft and helicopters in collaboration with foreign companies. Scrapped:
Purchase of 197 helicopters from foreign companies cancelled; Indian private sector or MoD-owned company like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will be making these. Dhruv:
HAL will supply 32 Advanced Light Helicopters (Dhruv) to Coast Guard and Navy at Rs 7,000 crore. Sonars:
Active towed array sonars to track submarines approved for 11 new warships. Communication:
Encrypted mobile communication system approved for three forward Army Corps. De-listed:
Italian company Finmeccanica disallowed from future tenders. Its subsidiary, AgustaWestland, faced bribe allegations in the Rs 3,600-crore VVIP chopper deal. War memorial:
Rs 100 crore allocated for a national war memorial at India Gate. Rail link:
Four new strategic rail tracks have been approved in the Himalayas. what’s missed One rank, one pension:
Ex-servicemen await details of one rank, one pension proposal. Way forward Stability:
The MoD has not undertaken any major deviations, ensuring stability in the forces. The thrust on local production of equipment will help in the long run. The focus on ‘made in India’ products through foreign collaborators is a good move. US offer:
An offer of joint production of military equipment by the US needs to be studied. FDI:
The impact of raising the FDI limit will be known after some time. -
Ajay Banerjee
Infrastructure ‘Make in India’ pitch fires industry Industrial production:
The first 100 days of the government has seen industrial production at its best run since last September; infrastructure output growth is at a nine-month high and manufacturing activity is growing at its fastest for 17 months. e-governance:
It launched the “MyGov” e-governance portal that allows citizens to directly interface with the government on topics of interest. New ministry:
The Ministry of Entrepreneurship will promote citizen-driven economic growth. Digital India:
It will ensure high-speed Internet service even at the rural levels. The facility can be used by the poor to operate bank accounts, seek benefits of government schemes and run businesses. FDI:
Opened up the railway sector to 100 per cent FDI which may bring in foreign investment in key sectors, although investments in sensitive areas would be cleared by the CCS. Coal, steel:
It is serious about a turnaround of the coal, steel and power sectors “with focus first on solving the current mess in the coal sector and then working towards providing quality power generation”. Road network:
Has taken a $6 billion initiative to overhaul the road and highway network, freight transport and ports, as well as immediate action on the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor and the Delhi-Kolkata corridor. FB, Twitter:
Importance has been given to social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter; ministers and bureaucracy will be advised on social media usage; workshops will be held for diplomats, ambassadors. what’s missed Vision lacking:
The government is bogged down by a lack of vision and energy, as well as bureaucratic paralysis. Bullet trains:
Confused with so-called ‘bullet trains’, this announcement met with most scepticism. High-speed trains will run between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Gradually, a high-speed train network will be established between major metros along the golden quadrilateral and growth centres. As with some other announcements, the details of how and when this would be done are missing. Way forward Push projects:
The government will have to continue to push infrastructure projects as that is the only way the economy will move forward, with investment flowing in from both domestic and foreign investors. – Girja Shankar Kaura
Education Schooling it right, for now National policy:
A panel set up to work on the education policy. New institutions:
Rs 500 crore for an IIT each in Jammu, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala; and IIMs in Himachal, Punjab, Bihar, Odisha and Maharashtra. Rs 100 crore allocated for Central University of Himalayan Technology in Uttarakhand. Beti bachaon, padhao:
All 10.46 lakh government level elementary schools surveyed by HRD Ministry for toilets. A meeting with states held and deadline of July 2015 fixed to achieve “Swachh Vidyalaya” target. Teacher education:
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya’s teacher training programme launched. It received Rs 500 crore and would benefit 20,000 teacher trainees. what’s missed UG programme:
UGC under pressure from HRD Ministry scrapped the four-year UG programme. It attracted the wrath of IITs by asking them to rename the four-year degree courses as directed by it. Legislative paralysis:
None of the many pending higher education reforms Bills were taken up or passed. Some like Prohibition of Unfair Practices Bill lapsed as the 15th Lok Sabha ended. Way forward Faculty shortage:
The focus on new IITs and IIMs is welcome, but the need is to first put 16 new central universities, eight new IITs and 10 new NITs on track by addressing the issue of teacher shortage. The overall faculty shortage in the higher education sector is pegged at 56 per cent. New institutions created in 2009 are facing varied challenges — 12 central universities don't have regular VCs and new IITs don't have permanent campus. – Aditi Tandon
Women/children Taking up for women, kids New juvenile law:
The Juvenile Justice Act 2002 was replaced with a new Act. It allows 16 to 18 year olds accused of heinous offences to be tried as adults by children’s courts. Adoption easy:
The Women and Child Development Ministry introduced changes in adoption law. It allows conclusion of adoption process in four months; consideration of NRIs as Indians insofar as adoption requests go. Specialised agencies will now upload on government websites details of all children in their custodianship. Children’s homes:
The government has made it mandatory for all shelter homes to register with district authorities or face Rs 1 lakh penalty. NCW:
Draft Bill on reforms in the National Commission for Women. It seeks to give statutory powers to the NCW, which is a toothless body. It also seeks to end political appointments in the NCW. what’s missed Quota Bill:
Despite enjoying majority in the Lok Sabha, the BJP didn’t take up Women’s Reservation Bill for passage. Its manifesto lists it as top priority. Adoption law:
Concern over a clause in the new JJ Bill that allows parents only a month’s time to review a decision to surrender their child. Acid attack:
The BJP promised a welfare fund for victims but no work on it yet. Rape victims:
Rehabilitation scheme for rape victims yet to take off. Way forward Human rights:
UN Special Rapporteur’s report to UN Human Rights Council this year said violence against women in India was systematic and sexual exploitation widespread. India rubbished it as highly prejudicial instead of conceding to gaps and promising action. Harsh realities should not be brushed under the carpet when India is aspiring for a permanent seat in the UNSC.
– Aditi Tandon Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs Focus on production Drought:
A considerable part of the first 100 days was spent on addressing the drought fallout. Subsidy:
Announced diesel subsidy for areas with over 50 per cent deficit. Research:
Set up new farm and horticulture research universities. Onion, potato:
It managed to keep the prices of onion, potato under control; declared minimum export price on onion and potato; put stock limits. Stabilisation fund:
Rs 500-crore Price Stabilisation Fund announced. APMC Act:
Recommended keeping food, vegetables out of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act. Gokul mission:
Rs 550-crore Rashtriya Gokul Mission for protection of cow. Cattle board:
National Cattle Development Board to improve indigenous livestock breeds. Mobile labs:
These laboratories will improve soil health. Milk network: Proposed the rail milk network for transportation. Call centre:
Proposed a kisan call centre, television. Sugar mills: Linked sops for sugar mills for arrear clearance. Food security:
Started review of food security laws with states. what’s missed Hoarding:
Failed to set up special courts to stop hoarding and black marketing; the amendment to make hoarding a non-bailable offence could not be implemented. Assured profits:
Ensuring a minimum of 50 per cent profits over production cost, cheaper farm inputs and credit was a miss. Insurance:
The farm insurance scheme could not come through. Way forward Irrigation:
Increase irrigation network, encourage low water consuming techniques. Insurance:
Introduce farm insurance schemes. Profitability: Enhance profitability in agriculture. Production:
Implement techniques to increase per acre production. Crop rotation:
Ensure crop rotation and promote organic farming, fertilisers. Go herbal:
Promote herbal farming. APMC Act, FCI: Reform the Act and revamp FCI for greater efficiency. Data:
Collect data on production, prices, imports, stocks and availability. Farm market:
National farm market. Malnutrition: Address under-nutrition, malnutrition. Public investment:
Increase investment in farm, rural development. Welfare: Ensure welfare measures for small farmers, farm labour. Technology:
Enhance technology for farming; high yielding seeds. MGNREGA:
Link MGNREGA to
agriculture. - Vibha Sharma Foreign policy A diplomatic masterstroke Reaching out:
Even before assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other SAARC leaders to his swearing-in ceremony. This sent out a message that he would accord priority to neighbours. Nepal, Bhutan:
Modi went on his maiden foreign trip to Bhutan. He also visited Nepal, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to go there in 17 years for a bilateral meet. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj accompanied him to Bhutan before visiting Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam. BRICS:
Modi’s visit to Brazil for the BRICS Summit and the grouping’s decision to set up a BRICS development bank will benefit economic cooperation. He also held successful meetings with the leaders of Russia and China. China:
It sent its foreign minister as a special envoy soon after Modi took over. China is keen to engage in diverse fields. US interest:
The US is holding a strategic dialogue with India on key bilateral issues. Sri Lanka:
It has released many Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture. what’s missed Pak chill:
The meeting between Modi and Sharif on May 27 raised hopes of a fresh start, but three months later, India called off the August 25 foreign secretary-level talks to convey its displeasure over Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit meeting Kashmiri separatists ahead of the Islamabad talks. There are remote prospects of the dialogue resuming soon. Still stuck:
About 40 Indian workers are still in the custody of Sunni militants in Iraq. Incursions:
Instances of incursions from China into the Indian territory continue unabated. Way forward Japan:
Japan: Modi’s current visit to Japan will focus on civil nuclear energy cooperation and other issues. US
visit: All eyes are set on the meeting between Modi and US President Barack Obama in September-end, given the fact that Washington shunned Modi for over a decade over the Gujarat riots. China factor:
The visit of Chinese President to India in September will be keenly watched. – Ashok Tuteja Health Get universal coverage moving Free vaccines:
Will introduce four new vaccines against rotavirus, rubella, polio (injectable) for children; and adult vaccine against Japanese Encephalitis in 179 endemic districts in nine states under the Universal Immunisation Programme. Taxing colas, tobacco:
The Budget increased excise duty on tobacco, cola and sugar, making cigarettes, pan masala, ‘gutkha’ and aerated drinks costlier. Duties were raised between 11 per cent and 72 per cent on cigarettes. Health policy:
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan discussed the national health policy draft with the PM. It seeks to replace the 2002 policy and expand immunisation coverage to cover more diseases, encourage rational use of medicines and address malnutrition. Timeline for the launch has not been announced. Health assurance:
The BJP manifesto promises the national health assurance mission, under which the key element is 50 free essential drugs. The government paid health insurance cover for the poor and health insurance at a competitive premium for all. The ministry will launch it this fiscal. Regulator review:
The Health Minister has called the MCI corrupt and the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation a snake pit of vested interests. A committee will review the MCI and other regulators. New AIIMS-like institutes:
All states have been directed to make land available and indicate location preferences for such institutes. AYUSH boost:
The ministry is discussing ways of integrating AYUSH doctors in primary health centres as most have done 4.5-year courses and need only some extra training for integration. what’s missed Antibiotic policy:
No word on the antibiotic policy pending since the previous government. Universal health:
No action on the universal coverage plan which experts had developed after the Planning Commission asked them to in 2011. Community health:
No clarity on the three-year BSc course approved by the Cabinet last year. Rural postings:
The MCI mooted compulsory rural postings in 2013, but no decision yet. Way forward Antibiotic use: Indiscriminate use of antibiotics remains an issue of grave concern as superbugs are developing resistance to life-saving drugs. Antibiotic policy should be top priority. Medical education:
This sector should be expanded as India’s patient-doctor ratio is 1,700:1. The annual MBBS intake is a meagre 43,000. – Aditi Tandon Environment Saving
Ganga Clearance:
Web portal for monitoring of forest clearance proposals. GM crops:
Stalled field trials of GM crops without scientific evaluation. Ganga:
Rs 2,037 Namami Ganga plan; and Clean Ganga project along with other ministries; proposed NRI Ganga Fund for the beautification of ‘ghats’. Climate change:
National Adaptation Fund for climate change. Low mercury: Will sign Minamata Convention to phase out mercury use. what’s missed Ecological audit:
Announced audit of projects and pollution indexing of cities and townships on a scientific basis, but no movement yet. Rivers, GM crops:
No clarity on interlinking of rivers project or GM crops. Way forward Development:
Balance development and ecological concerns. Pollution: Set up control mechanisms. Social forestry:
Use wastelands. Green buildings: Guidelines for green buildings, energy-efficient workplaces. Clean rivers:
Introduce clean river programmes by involving people. Garbage:
Incentivise innovative garbage disposal – Vibha Sharma Home Ministry Check communal flare-ups ID cards:
Three-year deadline to identify Indian citizens in the country and issue identity cards. Rehab package:
Promised new package for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits; allocated Rs 500 crore for it. Tracking criminals:
Pulled up states lagging in rolling out the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System. NATGRID:
UPA project, NATGRD which collates information, will continue and be upgraded. Fighting Naxals:
Policy of not negotiating with insurgents unless they give up arms continues; 10,000 troops to be added to the existing 80,000 in Naxal-affected states; plan to fund formation of special forces in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar. Fortifying:
Rs 3,000 crore for modernisation of police forces; Rs 2,250 crore to modernise border infrastructure; Rs 990 crore for border villages. what’s missed Counter-terrorism:
National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) may not come up as Home Minister Rajnath Singh says existing provisions enough. Hindi:
Centre backtracked from according priority to Hindi in official communication after southern states raked up a storm. Art 370:
Public acrimony was generated over the continuation of Article 370 in J&K. Way forward Communal hue:
Though policing is a state subject, incidents of communal violence are a cause of worry. NCTC:
BJP had opposed NCTC during UPA tenure. It’s time to do a rethink. – Ajay Banerjee Anti-corruption Zero-tolerance Black money:
An 11-member SIT headed by Justice MB Shah formed to unearth black money, unofficially estimated between $462 billion and $1.4 trillion. Tax havens:
Probe on against 600 persons who have funds in foreign tax havens and figure on the “HSBC list” provided to India by foreign “sources” during the UPA's tenure. Money details:
About 100 persons have been asked to submit details of their money and pay up tax, nearly Rs 80 crore, while others are being probed by the Finance Ministry. Banking data:
24,000 pieces of secret banking data being studied by SIT to trace origin of funds deposited by Indians in the UK, New Zealand, Sweden, Portugal, Japan, Denmark and Slovenia. Graft:
Willing to take along anti-corruption forces, political parties and honest officers to end graft. what’s missed Swiss accounts:
Switzerland refused to share the list of Indian account holders, citing its laws. “There is no list of Indian tax residents holding assets in Swiss banks,” Arun Jaitley accepted in Parliament in July. Time frame:
Government said it cannot give a time frame for bringing back black money. Way forward Cooperation key:
Evidence on black money needs cooperation of countries where accounts are kept. The Swiss government has been refusing to share details about Indians on the “HSBC list”, citing laws on ratifying illegally sourced lists. Money laundering:
The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau has sent data of 600 accounts to the Enforcement Directorate, income tax department, financial intelligence unit and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to check for laundering, violations of the foreign exchange Act and tax evasion. This must be followed. — Ajay Banerjee
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What’s
done
what’s done
Tanks:
Second-generation Arjun tanks to be inducted; DRDO to supply 118 tanks.
what’s done
what’s done
No regular VCs:
Since March this year, 12 out of 16 new central universities set up in 2009 have not had regular VCs. Teacher vacancy in these institutes is rising because acting VCs cannot recruit teachers. Ministry yet to appoint VCs.
what’s done
Crisis centres:
Budget allocated to set up one-stop crisis centres to help women in distress. 
what’s done
what’s done
Iraq
crisis: India secured the release of over 35 Indian nurses in strife-torn Iraq and evacuated Indians from Libya.
what’s done
what’s done
what’s done
what’s done
Action:
CMD of Syndicate Bank arrested in bribe-for-loan scam, sending strong message. 
