Government keen to set up trade policy council to usher efficiency

NEW DELHI: In its bid to bring in efficiency and ensure administrative reforms, the Narendra Modi government has identified key focus areas including setting up of a trade policy council, ambitious infrastructure projects to improve connectivity and augment electricity supply in urban areas and rural zones. The cabinet secretariat has sought “comments” on these issues from over a dozen ministries.

One of the key proposals under consideration is setting up of a trade policy council that would report directly to the Prime Minister and should have offices of chief trade negotiator, chief economist and director general of nation trade facilitation council.

Another proposal being discussed is setting up of a separate directorate of risk management to improve the efficiency of tax administration and enhance transparency. The cabinet secretariat’s letter also suggests bringing an amendment to give state finance commission the same status as that of central finance commission.

The list of proposals also include disclosure of source of business income for self and family members by the Members of Parliament (MPs), MLAs and representatives of local bodies in the public domain on Election Commission website. Besides this, it also suggested the need for putting up corruption-related information on public domain by the Central Vigilance Commission on the lines of steps taken by former CVC N Vittal.

The cabinet secretariat has sought views on the proposal to develop expressway and speed rail networks to ensure that one can reach any point in the country within 24 hours. Sources said this could set the ground for investment in the high-speed trains.