Don't fear AI, innovate with tech, focus on de-regulation: PM Modi to chief secretaries

In a significant push towards modernization, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on state governments to expedite the process of deregulation and fully embrace artificial intelligence in their governance practices. This directive was issued during the Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries, held in New Delhi, where leaders from various states gathered to align their policy execution with national objectives. During the conference, Prime Minister Modi stressed that governments should not only utilize technology but also foster innovation, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence. He reassured Chief Secretaries that there was nothing to fear about AI; instead, he encouraged them to harness its potential to simplify public services and enhance citizen engagement. A major theme of the discussions was the need for deregulation. Modi urged the establishment of dedicated cells within government departments to identify and eliminate unnecessary licenses and procedural hurdles. He highlighted the issue of excessive regulatory oversight, which he termed a persistent challenge, and emphasized the importance of reducing such barriers to create a more favorable business environment for citizens. The conference also evaluated the progress made over the past year regarding ease of doing business reforms. Notably, five states—Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Tripura—successfully completed all 23 identified reform measures, with overall implementation across states reaching approximately 75-80%. Tourism emerged as another focal point, with the Prime Minister urging each state to develop at least one world-class tourist destination. This initiative is seen as a way to enhance employment opportunities and support livelihoods for the youth. In the realm of agriculture, Modi highlighted the urgent need for the adoption of AgriStack, a digital framework designed to centralize agricultural data and service delivery, thereby allowing farmers better access to credit, quality inputs, and market linkages. The conference, themed ‘Human Capital for Viksit Bharat,’ involved discussions on various educational aspects, from early childhood education to higher learning and sports. Modi pointed out India’s demographic advantage, noting that around 70% of the population is of working age. He reiterated that sustained reforms in governance and industry are vital to transforming this demographic potential into long-term economic growth. Finally, the Prime Minister called for states to create comprehensive 10-year action plans with specific short-term and long-term targets, utilizing technology for ongoing monitoring and adjustments to ensure that the outcomes of the conference lead to actionable results in a timely manner. The three-day event was attended by key officials, including Principal Secretaries and Chief Secretaries from all states and Union Territories.