PM Modi chairs 'fruitful' meeting with council of ministers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday (July 3) at the Pragati Maidan Convention Centre and is learnt to have spoken of the road to 2047, when India will celebrate the centenary of its Independence. Apart from the members of the Council of Ministers, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief were also present in the meeting which lasted about five hours. 

"A fruitful meeting with the Council of Ministers, where we exchanged views on diverse policy-related issues," PM Modi said in a tweet. The Prime Minister is learnt to have talked about the boost to digital infrastructure, especially after the conditions created by COVID-19. 

A presentation was made at the meeting on India's expected growth journey across sectors, sources said, adding that the meeting was apprised of the work done across sectors in the last nine years including in the technology domain, civil aviation and space. 

'Emphasis on meeting targets': Meenakshi Lekhi 

The government has laid stress on the various ministries meeting their targets and the work done being taken to people. Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi said the focus is on meeting targets. "We all have to work together, as the Prime Minister said earlier also, this is the right time, the kind of development, the way we are recognized in the world, the kind of hard work that is needed....," she said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is learnt to have asked the ministries to work expeditiously on their bills.  

The monsoon session of Parliament will start in the old building on July 20. Sources said a presentation was made regarding the Prime Minister's successful recent foreign visits to the United States and Egypt 

'No talks on Cabinet reshuffle'  

"In the Council of Ministers' meeting today, talks were not held on reshuffle. Discussions were held only on the 2047 vision, infrastructure development in 16 important areas like roads, railways and ports etc. PM Modi also gave a boost on the 2024 work," a source said. PM Modi has repeatedly laid thrust on India becoming a developed economy by 2047.   

The G-20 meeting will also be held at the venue. The Council of Ministers meeting assumes significance in the wake of assembly polls to five states later this year and Lok Sabha polls in 2024.