PM Modi Appoints Shivraj Singh Chouhan To Lead Committee Monitoring Government Schemes: Report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established a monitoring committee, chaired by Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Hindustan Times reported.

This committee will oversee the implementation of schemes announced by the PM and in the Union Budget, as well as infrastructure projects and subordinate legislation and will meet monthly at the PMO in South Block to review the progress of government schemes.

According to sources, the first meeting of this newly formed committee took place on 18 October at the PMO, with government secretaries, including the Chairman of the Railway Board, attending either in person or remotely.

Officials present at the meeting noted that PM Modi has granted Chouhan the authority to track the progress of projects initiated since the first NDA government took office in 2014. However, the government has remained discreet about the committee's workings.

Senior officers, including additional and joint secretaries serving as nodal officers for various schemes, have also been instructed to participate in these meetings.

They will monitor projects listed on the Prime Minister’s portal, schemes for which Modi laid the foundation stone, budget announcements, subordinate legislations awaiting rule finalisation, and other key infrastructure projects.

Beyond reviewing progress, Chouhan will relay any concerns or expectations from the PMO to the respective secretaries, particularly if a project is delayed or requires inter-ministerial coordination.

It is believed that PM Modi, given his focus on both domestic governance and international affairs, has expressed concerns about delays in implementing government schemes. This new committee, with Chouhan at the helm, is seen as a step to address these issues.