For the first time, the Indian government has conducted a performance assessment of its ministries based on various administrative metrics, such as delays in file clearance, grievance redressal, and responses to Cabinet proposals. Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan presented the rankings of ministries and departments during a recent Council of Ministers meeting.
Sources indicate that the scorecards, prepared by the Cabinet Secretariat, aim to foster a sense of competition among departments to mitigate delays in file processing and expedite the resolution of public grievances. Notably, no comprehensive ranking of ministries was released based on a cumulative evaluation of all criteria. An official noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for expediting decision-making for the benefit of the public, stressing that there should be no tolerance for delays or inaction.
Following the presentation, PM Modi shared insights on platform X, stating, “Had a fruitful meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday. We exchanged perspectives and best practices relating to boosting ‘Ease of Living, Ease of Doing Business’ and how to further reforms in order to realize our shared dream of a Viksit Bharat.”
In the wake of the performance review, various ministers have initiated follow-up meetings with officials to identify pressing issues that need resolution. For instance, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged officials to prioritize grievance redressal, ensuring that farmers and the underprivileged are not burdened by bureaucratic hurdles. He also instructed the simplification of rules and the incorporation of AI, data, and digital governance to invigorate progress in the agriculture and rural development sectors.
