Tough Steps ahead for Fast-Track Economic Development: Modi

15 tough steps PM Narendra Modi could announce

Fuel subsidy reforms

Strong chance: Diesel subsidy will soon be phased out; a monthly increase mechanism for LPG and kerosene may come.

Food Bill recast 

Likely: The scope of the food security bill could be scaled down to target only the poor.

Fertiliser subsidy rationalisation 

Some price reform: Food security needs require higher use of fertilisers. Some rationalisation of urea prices likely.

Narendra Modi lists Do's and Dont's for ministers

Borrowing a leaf from the book of his predecessor Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered all the Union ministers to submit details of their assets, liabilities and business interests to his office within two months.

Likewise, the ministers have been directed to severe all connections, short of divesting themselves of ownership, with the conduct and management of any business in which they have interests before being appointed minister.

Prime Minister Modi dedicates INS Vikramaditya to the nation

Narendra Modi kicks into gear with defence, dam projects

India's new government kicked into gear this week, clearing billions of dollars worth of long-delayed defence projects, including a big navy base, as well as approving the scaling-up of one of the country's biggest dams.

The decision to give the projects the go-ahead despite concern about their environmental and social impact signals Prime Minister Narendra Modi's no-nonsense approach to issues he considers to be important for national security.

The clearances were made over several days and were the first major decisions from the government that swept to power on May 16 on promises of getting Asia's third-largest economy moving and building a stronger country.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the government could not compromise on efforts to build military and civil infrastructure on the border with China as well the west-coast naval base in as an alternative to crowded Mumbai port.