Modi's Cabinet

First hurdle has been crossed by Modi by appointing capable persons as members of his cabinet and allocating portfolios matching their capability. Let us be hopeful that these Ministers do their bit and perform.
The next hurdle is the appointments at bureaucratic level, which is easier though tricky in view of the extra perfect lobbying - skills of the Baboos. Thereafter would be the more difficult task of activating these Baboos or say bringing them out of hibernation & sleepy mode.


 

Clear verdict for Modi

Indian voters have wholeheartedly trusted Modi. Their expectations are quite high. Path for Modi is arduous. Pluses in favour are Modi's experience; Performance record; while the minuses are Intra-Party discordancy; India's diversity & complexity; Non-BJP State Governments; People's High expectations; Over-ambitious berth-seekers; Demoralised & Fearful bureaucracy (comprising mostly average or below average performers who need be activated with twin tool of pushing-pulling & extremely close monitoring/evaluation system.
Going by the political history of India since independence, the likely chain in such a situation: Euphoria> Power struggle amongst the berth-seekers> Intra-Party skirmishes> Wastage of energy in reconciliatory effort> Digression from governance to trivial issues> Dip in performance> Disillusionment.
Way-Out:- Cabinet formation on Merit-cum-political compulsion (as far as possible the performers / achievers to be given ministerial berths on the principle of 'Right Man in Right Job'. Bureaucratic placement purely on the basis of Merit (Performers/ Achievers/ Integrity/ Commitment).
India being a country, which is Unitary in spirit but Federal in character, Central government controls national policy matters while the implementation remains in the hands of the State government and also the cutting-edge governance issues which impact the public perception of the government (state as well central), how much rapport is strong enough to ward off political tug of war to take development programme of Modi forward, is quite critical.
There is no doubt about Modi's humility but will his party men be so? Quite improbable, in which case  disillusionment can occur

Criteria for the selection of Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister

Governing a country requires support of able staff to aid the prime minister. The people in this staff need to maintain the crucial balance in serving both long term interests of the nation and the party in power.

The scale of this challenge is enormous when you look at a country as diverse as India where coalition governments are the reality for the foreseeable future. The role of principal secretary to PM is crucial in this regard. They play a crucial role in smooth functioning of the government and thereby of the Indian democracy.

In my opinion, below are the key qualities and characteristics of a person holding this position

 1. Established credentials as ‘Competent’, ‘Capable’, ‘Efficient’, ‘Effective’ and ‘Hardworking’ Administrator;
2.  Confirmed commitment to ‘Party Ideology’;
3.  Unstinted & strongest commitment to the ‘Person’ of the Prime Minister;
4.  Impeccable Integrity;
5.  Unshakeable ‘Fiscal Honesty’;
6.  Requisite ‘Academic Background’;
7.  Diverse ‘Field working’ experience;
8.  Policy-level working experience at the ‘State government level’ as well as at the ‘Central government level’;
9.  Requisite exposure of the BJP’s ‘Work Culture’;
10. ‘Objective’ & ‘Unbiased’ attitude towards all ‘Services’ and ‘Working Sectors’;
11. Flair & Acumen to assist the Prime Minister in ‘Politico-Administrative’ matters.