Agencies | New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the full Council of Ministers at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi at 5 pm on May 21, in what is being viewed as a crucial midterm review of the government’s performance.
The meeting will be attended by Union Cabinet ministers, Ministers of State with Independent Charge and Ministers of State. It will be the first full Council of Ministers meeting of the year and comes amid growing speculation over a possible Cabinet reshuffle and expansion in the Modi 3.0 government.
According to reports, all Union ministers have been asked to remain in the national capital as the government engages in intensive political and economic deliberations.
The high-level review is expected to focus on the implementation and progress of major government schemes, infrastructure projects and flagship welfare programmes, with particular emphasis on coordination, execution and service delivery across ministries.
The Centre is also likely to assess the status of ongoing policy initiatives ahead of the second anniversary of the third Modi government on June 10.
Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly stressed the government’s reform-driven approach, describing the Centre’s “Reform Express” as a vehicle for systemic transformation and improved public service delivery over the coming decade.
West Asia Crisis Likely to Feature Prominently
The ongoing conflict in West Asia and its potential economic impact on India are expected to be among the major issues discussed during the meeting.
The government has been closely monitoring global fuel supply disruptions, inflationary pressures and rising crude oil prices amid escalating tensions involving the United States and Iran.
A high-powered informal group of ministers headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has already been constituted to monitor the evolving situation and recommend measures to shield India from possible economic disruptions.
Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and Hardeep Singh Puri are also part of the monitoring mechanism.
Recently, Rajnath Singh said the government was maintaining “round-the-clock monitoring” of the situation and assured that India currently has sufficient reserves of crude oil, energy supplies and LPG.
Cabinet Expansion Speculation Intensifies
The meeting has also fuelled political speculation over a possible Cabinet reshuffle and expansion expected in the coming weeks.
According to reports, the government leadership has been reviewing ministerial performance and organisational functioning ahead of any potential changes in the Union Council of Ministers, with discussions over a reshuffle reportedly gaining momentum ahead of June.
