Have inputs for policies? Modi government wants to listen

Have an idea how the Food Corporation of India should be restructured or think you can design a logo of a watershed programme? The Narendra Modi government is waiting to hear from you.

Have an idea how the Food Corporation of India should be restructured or think you can design a logo of a watershed programme? The Narendra Modi government is waiting to hear from you.

More and more central government ministries and departments are seeking suggestions, tips or creative inputs from the aam aadmi after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made public participation a key to his administration’s functioning.

Two days ago, Modi invited ideas and talking points from people for his debut programme in All India Radio, to be aired on October 3. Ministries too, are not lagging behind in seeking ideas from stakeholders and experts.

A song for the flagship Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, information about best tourism practices around the world, how best Nano Technology can be used for social welfare and suggesting a name, logo and tagline for National Land Records Modernization Programme are among the few initiatives that have been put up, seeking public response.

Insiders point out that the first flagship scheme of the Modi government, the Jan-Dhan Yojna, got its logo and name from such public participation. The Hindi name, ironically, was suggested by some South Indian participants.

The Modi government that threw open a public debate on revamping the 1950-built Planning Commission have also sought views on key issues like how to leverage Indian post office network or how to use mobile phones for digital identity.

In his Independence Day speech, Modi had said: “We have to create partnership with the people. The meaning of democracy is not just limited to electing a government, but its meaning is that 125 crore of citizens work together joining shoulder with the government to fulfill hopes and aspirations of the country.”