Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s preference for direct interaction with top officials is well known by now.
But what is less known is that Modi is sharing his personal mobile number with key officials and political contacts, including governors of some key states, to maintain direct contact.
Modi often prefers to call Union ministers on their mobile phones for a direct input when he wants information, rather than waiting for his office to go through the ''system'' to reach out to whoever he wishes to get in touch with.
Even as some officials think that the prime minister may be bypassing their superiors and the hierarchy to reach them, others say Modi appears to “mean business” and wants “action” on areas that are his priorities, highly placed sources said.
Modi had told the officials at a meeting on June 4 that he was “accessible” to all and encouraged suggestions and ideas being sent to him.
The Prime Minister’s Office, too, has said that bureaucrats were welcome to send in their ideas and suggestions directly to Modi through a section on the prime minister’s website called “Interact with the Honourable Prime Minister”.
According to Principal Secretary to the prime minister, Nripendra Mishra, Modi’s objective is that new ideas for improving governance should flow to him in a rapid way.
Recalling his interaction with ministers and bureaucrats, Modi had said in his open letter on June 26 (on completion of one month in office) that his team had
been making detailed presentations to him.
“I must share that these presentations have enabled a wonderful exchange of thoughts and ideas and we have come up with excellent road maps for various ministries and departments,” he had said.