Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, May 20 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers (CoM) on Thursday to review the functioning of ministries, assess key policy decisions and discuss future priorities, official sources said.

The meeting, the first of the council this year, will be attended by cabinet ministers, ministers of state with independent charge and other ministers of state, the sources said on Wednesday.

The discussions are expected to cover the performance of various ministries and departments, recent policy decisions and their outcomes, as well as plans for the coming months.

The meeting comes amid speculation of a possible cabinet reshuffle.

According to sources, ministers are also expected to review the implementation of government schemes and programmes and discuss ways to improve their effectiveness and delivery.

PM Modi is likely to raise concerns over the ongoing crisis in West Asia and its potential economic impact on India, the sources said. Ministries and departments may be asked to take measures to minimise disruptions for citizens and affected sectors.

Energy, agriculture, fertilisers, aviation, shipping and logistics are expected to be among the sectors receiving particular attention during the discussions.

Soon after the conflict in West Asia escalated, PM Modi had directed officials to take steps to mitigate the impact on citizens and sectors vulnerable to global supply disruptions.

The meeting is also likely to focus on the government’s reform agenda across sectors aimed at improving public services and economic governance.

PM Modi has previously said his government’s “Reform Express” had delivered systemic transformation and benefitted ordinary citizens, while outlining reform priorities for the coming decade.

The meeting follows the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s strong performance in recent assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam and the return of an NDA government in Puducherry, giving the gathering added political significance.