Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked top bureaucrats to do away with archaic rules and procedures which hamper governance.

He also encouraged them to take decisions and assured them that he will stand by them. Holding a meeting collectively with 77 secretaries and senior officers of all the ministries and departments in New Delhi last night, Mr. Modi asked them to approach him directly with their inputs and ideas.

During the two-and-a-half hour meeting, the Prime Minister listened to the bureaucrats extensively and noted their anguish in not being able to realize their true potential because of circumstances.

An official statement issued after the meeting said, Mr Modi expressed full faith in their commitment and competence to build a better future for the country and asked them to simplify and streamline administrative rules and procedures to make them people-friendly.

Emphasizing the use of technology for greater efficiency and effectiveness in administration, the Prime Minister said, redressal of citizens' grievances is very important and information technology can help greatly in this regard.

Mr Modi asked the bureaucrats to convert ideas related to governance into institutions because institutions last longer than individuals.

He said, the process of governance should begin with cleaning-up of the offices, improving the workplace, which would automatically lead to a better work culture and efficient services to the citizens.

Mr Modi said that administrative convergence is possible through the use of technology and better understanding among departments.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister made initial remarks and thereafter asked secretaries to raise issues. About 25 secretaries spoke on the sectoral issues under their responsibility.