Narendra Modi at the BJP headquarters on May 17, a day after the BJP's landslide win in the Lok Sabha elections.
When Narendra Modi holds his first meeting with officials in the Prime Minister's Office after being sworn in as the country's 15th Prime Minister, he will be handed a list marked 'Top Priority'.
Such a list, sources in the PMO said, is compiled every time there is a change of regime at the Centre. Here is what his new office is waiting to present to Mr Modi as issues to be addressed immediately.
Here is the list:
Need to tackle inflation: A spurt in price of essential commodities, including food items, is seen as one of the main factors behind the Congress' decimation in the Lok Sabha polls. Containing prices is part of the BJP's election manifesto. The party is expected to express its gratitude to the middle class, its core constituency, by taking steps to bring down inflation. (At Narendra Modi's Doorstep, a Long Queue for Cabinet Posts)
Inputs for budget preparation: The new government will have to present a full-fledged budget after taking over. The PMO has drafted its inputs for the exercise to make the new finance minister's job easier. The outgoing government had tabled a vote-on-account in February. (Also Read: Elections 2014, Complete Coverage)
Steps to contain terrorism and extremism, particularly left-wing extremism: Subjects which are said to be close to the new prime minister's heart. Experts expect the NDA government to adopt a 'muscular' approach to the twin issues. The Centre would be expected to provide more assistance to the states which are grappling with Naxalism. (Also Read: Modi to Stake Claim to Form Government Today, Say Sources)
Important appointments to be made at different levels in various ministries and departments: The outgoing government filled up important posts in its last few weeks, but there are still several vacancies to be filled. A top-level bureaucratic reshuffle may also be on the cards. (Work-In-Progress: Selecting Narendra Modi's Cabinet)
Priorities of each ministry: The PMO has asked each ministry to prepare a list of steps that need to be accorded top priority. They are being compiled for the Prime Minister's perusal. (Also Read: Shocking That Congress Doesn't Have Courtesy to Greet Modi: BJP)
Kickstarting disinvestment all over again: Disinvestment was one of the success stories of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, but had come to a halt under the Manmohan Singh government because of resistance from allies such as the Trinamool Congress and the DMK. A shortlist of public sector undertakings, or PSUs, that need to be disinvested, either partially or fully, is being readied.
List of pending legislation: Several crucial pieces of legislation, such as Lokpal, or anti-corruption Ombudsman, and women's reservation, could not be passed by the UPA government. They have either lapsed because of the term of the 15th Lok Sabha coming to an end, or are pending in the Rajya Sabha. The new government will have to take a fresh look at them.
List of Group of Ministers (GoMs) and EGoMs, and their members: The Manmohan Singh government had constituted 78 GoMs and 16 EGoMs after being sworn in for the second term in 2009. At the last count, there are 9 EGoMs which are yet to submit their reports. The number of GoMs is much higher.
List of Governors, and their terms: There are 28 states, and seven union territories. A 29th state will be created on June 2, when Telangana is formally declared as a separate state. Will Mr Modi prefer to replace the governors and Lieutenant-Governors appointed by the outgoing regime?
List of committees and government bodies which are headed by the Prime Minister: There are at least 21 committees and other bodies headed directly by the Prime Minister. They include such important ones as the Economic Advisory Council and the disaster management committee. They will have to be reconstituted.
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