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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has read out a new set of conduct rules to his expanded Council of Ministers. These include instructions to work 24x7, even on public holidays and weekends.
In his evening meeting with the Cabinet after 21 new members were sworn in on Sunday, Modi spelt out what he believes constitutes desirable conduct for his ministerial colleagues.
While the older lot is already familiar with his gruelling work schedule which he expects others to follow, the PM made sure the message that there are “no holidays” is clear to the newer lot of ministers as well.
Most ministers in the new government are already putting in 14-16 hours of work every day and the PM drives them harder. “You work 13 hours, I will put in 14. You work 14 hours, I will do 15,” he had said in his Independence Day speech.
Modi also reportedly stressed on the need to maintain discretion about the internal functioning of the Government and avoid “leaks” to the media.
This applies to all internal communication, including something as casual as his instruction to the new ministers not to touch his feet or bow before him, which has been the usual practice after the formation or expansion of any Cabinet in recent decades.
These instructions were leaked to the media and Modi was not pleased even though he has made public statements to this effect.
“Please do not touch my feet, I feel awkward and embarrassed,” Modi had told his party MPs in the first meeting of the BJP’s new parliamentary party in June this year.
The PM is also strict about foreign jaunts by ministers, especially during Parliament sessions.
In the Sunday evening meeting, the PM also instructed the Cabinet Ministers to interact frequently with the Ministers of State in their respective departments.
Weekly meetingsHe reportedly said it is a good idea for the Cabinet Ministers to have a structured weekly meeting with their junior ministers.
As the countdown begins for the Winter Session of Parliament, the PM asked his colleagues to be well prepared and briefed with regard to legislations concerning their respective departments.
No tours, either abroad or within the country, are allowed during the session and the PM wants maximum attendance in both the Houses.
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