The meeting assumes political significance as the NDA government nears two years in its third term, with political observers increasingly arguing that a Cabinet reshuffle is overdue since a majority of ministers from Modi 2.0 have been retained in the current dispensation.
The Council of Ministers meeting was earlier scheduled for May 7, shortly after the announcement of Assembly election results, but was later postponed to May 21.
Also Read: PM Modi likely to seek more energy supplies from UAE during short visit, sources say
Sources said the government is preparing to give a renewed push to its reform agenda amid global economic uncertainties and the ongoing West Asia crisis, with a sharper focus on reducing compliance burdens and simplifying rules and procedures to improve ease of living.
Earlier, on Modi’s directions, all Union ministries had submitted department-wise summaries of reforms undertaken since June 2024.
Ministries were asked to classify reforms under four broad categories – legislative changes, statutory rule changes, policy reforms and administrative reforms – along with a detailed assessment of their impact.Also Read: BRICS a key voice of Global South, India to push for more inclusive world order: PM Modi
The presentations are expected to form the basis of discussions at the May 21 meeting, where secretaries from nearly a dozen ministries and departments, including agriculture, environment and forests, commerce, power and atomic energy, are likely to brief the Council of Ministers.
