PM Modi gets back to 'governance agenda', focuses on 'turnaround' in economy

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, gave the mega event a slip which was attended by other senior ministers including Amit Shah (Home), Nitin Gadkari (Road Transport), Piyush Goyal (Railways and Commerce) and Narendra Singh Tomar (Agriculture and Rural Development).

Since last year, the Modi government - which got an enhanced mandate in general elections - has been taking measures to pull the economy out of its slowdown as the GDP growth in September quarter fell to 4.5 per cent.

However, the economic forecast made on Tuesday suggested a 5 per cent rise in the second half of the fiscal.

A boost to the realty sector, rollback of tax surcharges, corporate tax rates reduction and the merger of public banks are yet to bring in dividends.

Participants at the meeting with the Prime Minister and in the presence of Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar stressed on the need to boost export, increase consumption and curb joblessness.

Sitharaman was at the BJP Head Quarters taking inputs and suggestions for the crucial Budget 2020-21 from party's office bearers, spokespersons, leaders from various wings of the party.

BJP general secretary Arun Singh, who attended party office bearers meet, said the Finance Minister took suggestions and inputs "on the ground situation".

The absence of Sitharaman at the brainstorming session by Prime Minister earned a sarcastic rebuke from Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor, who tweeted: "Where is the Finance Minister? Or has the Duo (PM Modi and Shah) forgotten they have one?"

There was trolling on Finance Minister's absence from the high-profile meeting on Twitter as well.

Meanwhile, the government sources said Prime Minister is keen for recasting the roadmap of country's economy and bring about 'turnaround' when the growth graph and GDP figures have been hit hard due to multiple reasons.