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Meritocracy India International 3 October 2015 3 directly called officials on phone to seek clarifications, and encouraged them to discuss any issues with him openly. Working hard for the nation became a habit. Ministers of State For the first time in India's history, a Prime Minister interacted with Ministers of State (Independent) in a conference in March 2015, to take stock of their works, achievements, difficulties, and the need to keep the people informed about achievements on a regular basis. MODI'S 'ZERO HOUR' Electo-Meritocrat Prime Minister Modi created his own 'Zero Hour' at the Cabinet meetings, where ministers can have free-wheeling discussions on any topic they feel relevant for the cabinet's informal consideration. Ram Vilas Paswan revealed in August 2014 : “The kind of interaction Modi has with his ministers is unprecedented. The PM holds discussions with every ministry. This is benefitting us and helping the PM as well”. (as reported by The Sunday Express of 31 August 2014). Prime Minister Modi's contact with every Indian Electo-Meritocrat Modi, soon after becoming Prime Minister, launched the internet plat- form mygov.com, inviting citizens to give their suggestions for good governance. Lakhs of people are participating on this platform. (as reported by Mail Today of 5 August 2015) PMO website encourages direct correspondence with the Prime Minister via email, and gives option Login/Register/Lost Password/Resend Activation Mail. MANN KI BAAT The Prime Minister started speaking to the people of India on the All India Radio once a month, on carefully chosen, non-political subjects, such as the girl child, drug addiction, coping with stress during examinations, and so on. Giving India Strong Foundations Through Cooperative Federalism Narendra Modi is a strong believer in cooperative federalism, and has increased States share of finances from the Central divisible pool by as much as 10 per cent, from the earlier 32 per cent to 42 per cent. This has allowed States to plan their own development in a much bigger way. For example, Chhattisgarh will now receive Rs. 81,000 crore over the next five years, which is nearly double of the previous five years. This positive step towards inclusive development (SAB KA SAATH, SAB KA VIKAAS) will help States to plan their roads, schools, hospitals and much else, on an ever bigger scale. TEAM INDIA Team India is a concept, sentiment, founded upon love, compassion, intelligence, cooperation, welfare of all. It is an idea Electo-Meritocrat Prime Minister Modi is actively and dynamically pursuing, being a believer in Vasudhaiva Kutumbhkam, The World is One Family. The challenge is the Organised Opposition, the inseparable companion of electoral democracy. Prime Minister Modi is the first to propagate the sentiment of TEAM INDIA in Centre-State relations, and TEAM INDIA of 125 crore Indians marching forward together. NITI AAYOG Modi as Chief Minister of Gujarat experienced injustice from the Planning Commission. On becoming Prime Minister, he abolished it and set up NITI AAYOG, a policy driven institution, with States having a strong voice in it. This was a major step towards cooperative federalism, towards st

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