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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told the bureaucrats that they have a key role in ensuring that the target of a developed India is achieved in Amrit Kaal (this year India celebrates 75 years of Independence). He has highlighted the significance of out-of-box thinking and the importance of adopting a holistic approach in their endeavours while citing the example of PM GatiShakti Master Plan for showcasing the significance of such a  holistic approach. 

The Prime Minister was addressing the IAS officers of the 2020 batch in the concluding session of the Assistant Secretary Programme, 2022 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday 6 October. 

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister said that the officers have the opportunity to serve the country during the Amrit Kaal and help realise the Panch Pran.

Prime Minister discussed the importance of innovation and how it has become a collective effort and part of work culture in the country. He talked about the Start-up India initiative and how the number of startups in the country has witnessed a significant jump in the last few years. He noted that this has been possible due to several Ministries coming together and working as a team through a ‘whole of government’ approach. 

The Prime Minister mentioned how the focus of the governance has shifted beyond Delhi, to all regions of the country. He told the officers to develop an understanding of the local culture of the area of work and strengthen their connection with local people at the ground level. He asked them to focus on One District One Product and explore the opportunities of exporting products of their district. He also asked the officers to prepare their action plan for the Aspirational Districts Program.

Speaking about MGNREGA, the Prime Minister emphasised that the scheme be implemented in a more effective manner. He also underscored the significance of Jan Bhagidari spirit (spirit of people’s participation) and said that this approach can play a key role in tackling malnutrition. 

Highlighting the success of Jan Dhan Yojana, the Prime Minister talked about the importance of digital economy and exhorted the officers to try to connect people across villages with digital economy and UPI. Further, underscoring the importance of service to the nation, the PM talked about the significance of performing one’s duties, adding that the mentality of ‘Rajpath’ (ruling path) has now changed to the sentiment of ‘Kartavya Path’ (path of duty). 

During the programme, eight presentations were given by the Assistant Secretaries to the Prime Minister. Some of the themes of these presentations were Poshan Tracker (nutrition tracker): tool for improved monitoring of Poshan Abhiyaan (nutrition campaign);  Enabling multi-lingual voice based digital access through Bhashini; Corporate data management; Matribhoomi Geoportal – Integrated National Geoportal of India for Governance; Tourism potential of  Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Changing the face of post offices through India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), Development of coastal fisheries through artificial structures like reefs; and Compressed biogas – fuel for future. This year, a total 175 IAS Officers of 2020 batch have been posted as Assistant Secretaries in 63 Ministries/Departments of Government of India from 11 July 2022 to 7 October 2022.