Netas 2.0: Tech savvy Modi wants cabinet notes in PDF format

As Narendra Modi approaches a month in office, much more is emerging about his style of working and what he expects from the netas and babus who work under him. The latest report notes that the tech savvy premier is insisting that cabinet notes are all in PDF format. “The ministries and departments will, with immediate effect, also make available soft copies of the signed notes for the Cabinet and Cabinet Committees along with all annexures to the Cabinet Secretariat in PDF format in an appropriate Computer Storage Media along with requisite number of copies of the final note,” reports the Indian Express.   [caption id=“attachment_1569079” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AFP[/caption] The reports add that “The move is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s preference for electronic channels of communications to improve transparency and efficiency of government functioning. Similarly, the Centre has also put in place an electronic system to process government appointments made by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet”,   Of course the fact that Modi is a fan of tech is not unknown. He made it a cornerstone of his campaigning during the Lok Sabha elections, and his readiness to beat the curve and embrace it has often been cited as one of the main reasons behind his massive success at the polls. From 3D projections at rallies to an active presence on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, Modi cleverly exploited technology. He espoused the idea of ‘accessibility’ and ‘openness’ even as he stayed clear of the mainstream media and refused to answer questions or explain his agenda, until it was abjectly clear that there was no way he was going to lose. The fact that he has now decided to use it to increase openness and efficiency will be a welcome move. There is still however, no indication of how well these changes are being received! Modi’s working style has generated a lot of curiosity, with reports emerging from his office lapped up by a population that unanimously voted him to power. We have already seen reports about how he works 18 hour days, how he expects bureaucrats and ministers to make powerpoint presentations with ‘action points’ instead of ’theories’ and how he is a stickler for following the rules. Officers cannot leave till the ministers are in office. Following in the footsteps of Modi, ministers have started calling babus late evening and even early morning to discuss issues," a senior official was quoted as saying by the Economic Times. Other reports noted how in the true spirit of the obsessive new boss, Narendra Modi has been carrying out spot inspections of the ministries, commenting on cleanliness and being a general stickler for rules. ( Read more about that here ) Other reports spoke of the ‘moral code of conduct’ that he imposed on his ministers: No business interests, no accepting gifts and a declaration of assets to the Prime Minister in not more than two months.