Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked for strong action against customs and excise officials because of the huge number of complaints against the departments. Modi, who was speaking at the ninth meeting of PRAGATI – Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation – urged all secretaries whose departments deal extensively with the public to set up monitoring systems for grievances.

The Times of India added that Modi asked for secretaries to assess their employees as well, and recommend action against erring staff, including dismissing them and cutting their pensions. An official told The Times of India that though Modi asked for excise and customs secretaries to do this, the message was for all department chiefs.

Through PRAGATI, Modi interacts with top government officials of various central departments and state governments through video-conferencing. NDTV reported that he also reviewed several projects including infrastructure ventures in key sectors like renewable energy, coal, and railway, across many states. He also assessed the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link project, the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Jal Marg Vikas Project from Allahabad to Haldia.