Over Tea, Prime Minister Modi Outlines KRAs for Newbie Ministers

New Delhi: Over an hour-long tea session with nearly 20 attendees expected to become Union ministers later today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted one KRA or Key Responsibility Areas.

"We have been told to be completely committed to service of the nation," said YS Chowdary, who was among the tea-drinkers. Mr Chowdary is a millionaire from the Telugu Desam Party, or TDP, which governs Andhra Pradesh and is a member of the PM's coalition government.

The Prime Minister is expected to add 22 people to his 44-member council of ministers today.

Babul Supriyo, popular playback singer and BJP parliamentarian from West Bengal, told NDTV the PM used his tea party to share etiquette tips on "how to behave" at the inaugural today. The singer, however, quickly added, "He is not a strict headmaster."

Rajyavardhan Rathore, BJP member and Olympic medalist, who will also take his oath as minister today, said, "He (PM) wants us to work longer hours. The bottomline is, learn fast, follow his policies and perform."  Mr Rathore belongs to Rajasthan, which currently has just one representative in the Union government.