Kartavya Bhavan will guide policies, direction of developed India: PM

New Delhi, Aug 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday addressed the inauguration program of Kartavya Bhavan-3 at Kartavya Path, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, he remarked that August, the month of revolution, has brought yet another historic milestone ahead of 15th August. He highlighted that India is witnessing, one after the other, key achievements associated with the making of a modern India.
Referring to New Delhi, Modi listed recent infrastructural landmarks: Kartavya Path, the new Parliament Building, the new Defence Offices Complex, Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, the National War Memorial dedicated to the martyrs, and the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and now the Kartavya Bhavan.
Emphasising that these are not merely new buildings or regular infrastructure, the Prime Minister said that in the Amrit Kaal, the policies shaping a developed India will be formulated in these very structures, and in the coming decades, the nation’s trajectory will be determined from these institutions. He extended congratulations to all citizens on the inauguration of Kartavya Bhavan and also expressed gratitude to the engineers and Shramjeevis involved in its construction.
Modi stated that the building was named ‘Kartavya Bhavan’ after deep contemplation, pointing out that both Kartavya Path and Kartavya Bhavan echo the core spirit of India’s democracy and its Constitution. Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, the Prime Minister recalled Lord Shri Krishna’s teachings that one must rise above thoughts of gain or loss and act in the spirit of duty alone. He emphasized that in Indian culture, the word ‘kartavya’ is not limited to responsibility alone but embodies the essence of India’s action-oriented philosophy.
The Prime Minister further described it as a grand perspective that goes beyond the self to embrace the collective, representing the true meaning of kartavya. Remarking that Kartavya is not merely the name of a building, the Prime Minister highlighted that it is the sacred ground for realizing the dreams of crores of Indian citizens. “Kartavya is both the beginning and the destiny, bound by compassion and diligence, Kartavya is the thread of action, it is the companion of dreams, the hope of resolutions, and the pinnacle of effort”, said Modi. He expressed that Kartavya is the force of will that lights a lamp in every life, underlining that Kartavya is the foundation for safeguarding the rights of crores of citizens. He further stated that Kartavya is the carrier of the life energy of Maa Bharati and is the chanting of the mantra ‘Nagarik Devo Bhava’. He further added that every act done with devotion towards the nation is Kartavya.
Highlighting that for decades after Independence, India’s administrative machinery operated from buildings constructed during the British colonial era, the Prime Minister acknowledged the poor working conditions in these old administrative buildings, which lack adequate space, lighting, and ventilation. He remarked that it is difficult to imagine how an important ministry like the Ministry of Home Affairs has functioned for nearly 100 years from a single building with insufficient infrastructure. Pointing out that various ministries of the Government of India currently operate from 50 different locations across Delhi, Modi said that many of these ministries are functioning out of rented buildings. He underlined that the annual expenditure on rental costs alone is staggering—amounting to Rs 1,500 crore. Prime Minister stated that such a large sum is being spent merely on rent for scattered government offices, emphasizing another challenge: the logistical movement of personnel due to this decentralization. He noted that an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 employees travel daily between ministries, resulting in the movement of hundreds of vehicles, generating high expenditure and increasing traffic congestion. He asserted that the resultant loss of time directly impacts administrative efficiency.
Emphasizing that 21st century India requires 21st century modern buildings, Modi underlined the need for structures that are exemplary in terms of technology, security, and convenience. He noted that such buildings should enable a comfortable environment for staff, facilitate swift decision-making, and ensure seamless delivery of services. Stating that large-scale buildings like Kartavya Bhavan are being constructed around Kartavya Path with a holistic vision, the Prime Minister noted that while the first Kartavya Bhavan has been completed, the construction of several other Kartavya Bhavans is progressing rapidly. He highlighted that once these offices are shifted to the new complexes, employees will benefit from an improved working environment along with access to necessary amenities, which in turn will enhance their overall work output. Shri Modi remarked that the government will also save the ₹1,500 crore currently being spent on rent for scattered ministry offices.
“The grand Kartavya Bhavan and other major infrastructure projects, including the new Defence Complexes, are not only a testament to India’s pace but also a reflection of its global vision”, exclaimed the Prime Minister. He stated that the vision India is offering to the world is being adopted within the country as well, and this is evident in its infrastructure development. Highlighting India’s global contributions such as Mission LiFE and the ‘One Earth, One Sun, One Grid’ initiative, Modi affirmed that these ideas carry the hope for humanity’s future. He pointed out that modern infrastructure like Kartavya Bhavan embodies a pro-people spirit and a pro-planet structure. Underlining that rooftop solar panels have been installed in Kartavya Bhavan, the Prime Minister noted that advanced waste management systems have also been integrated into the building with the vision of green buildings now expanding across India.
Affirming that the government is engaged in nation-building with a holistic vision, the Prime Minister emphasised that no part of the country is untouched by the stream of development today. He noted that while Delhi has witnessed the construction of the new Parliament building, over 30,000 Panchayat Bhavans have been built across the nation. Modi pointed out that alongside landmark buildings like Kartavya Bhavan, over four crore pucca houses have been constructed for the poor. He added that the National War Memorial and Police Memorial have been established, while more than 300 new medical colleges have been built across the country. The Prime Minister further mentioned that while Bharat Mandapam has come up in Delhi, more than 1,300 Amrit Bharat Railway Stations are being developed nationwide. He added that the grandeur of Yashobhoomi reflects the scale of transformation, as seen in the construction of nearly 90 new airports over the past 11 years.
Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that rights and duties are intrinsically linked, and that the fulfillment of duties strengthens the foundation of rights, Modi stated that while duties are expected from citizens, the government too must uphold its responsibilities with utmost seriousness. He emphasized that when a government sincerely fulfills its duties, it is reflected in its governance. The Prime Minister affirmed that the last decade has been marked as a decade of Good Governance in the country. He stated that the stream of good governance and development stems from the riverbed of reforms, describing reforms as a consistent and time-bound process, adding that India has continuously undertaken major reforms. “India’s reforms are not only consistent but also dynamic and visionary”, stated Shri Modi highlighting the ongoing efforts to strengthen government-citizen relations, enhance Ease of Living, prioritize the underserved, empower women, and improve administrative efficiency. He remarked that the country has been innovating continuously in these areas. “Over the past 11 years, India has developed a governance model that is transparent, sensitive, and citizen-centric”, highlighted the Prime Minister.
Highlighting that in every country he visits, the JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile—is widely discussed and appreciated globally, the Prime Minister emphasized that JAM has made the delivery of government schemes in India transparent and leakage-free. He remarked that people are often astonished to learn that across schemes such as ration cards, gas subsidies, and scholarships, there were nearly 10 crore beneficiaries whose existence was unverifiable—many of whom had not even been born. Noting that previous governments were transferring funds in the names of these fake beneficiaries, resulting in funds being diverted to illegitimate accounts, Modi affirmed that under the present government, all 10 crore fraudulent names have been eliminated from beneficiary lists. He shared the latest figure indicating that this action has saved the nation over Rs 4.3 lakh crore from falling into the wrong hands and this substantial amount is now being channelled into developmental initiatives. The Prime Minister added that both the genuine beneficiaries are satisfied and national resources have been safeguarded.
Emphasizing that beyond corruption and leakages, outdated rules and regulations have long been a source of hardship for citizens and have hindered governmental decision-making, Shri Modi noted that to address this, over 1,500 obsolete laws—many remnants of the colonial era—have been repealed, as they continued to obstruct governance for decades. He further highlighted that compliance burdens had also posed significant challenges citing that for even basic undertakings, individuals were previously required to submit numerous documents. The Prime Minister informed that in the last 11 years, more than 40,000 compliances have been eliminated, and this rationalization continues at a steady pace. The Prime Minister observed that earlier, overlapping responsibilities across departments and ministries led to delays and bottlenecks. To streamline functioning, several departments were integrated, duplication was eliminated, and where necessary, ministries were either merged or newly created. Modi cited the formation of key ministries such as, Ministry of Jal Shakti for ensuring water security, Ministry of Cooperation to empower the cooperative movement, Ministry of Fisheries, created for the first time to prioritize the sector and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to focus on youth empowerment. He affirmed that these reforms have enhanced the efficiency of governance and accelerated the delivery of public services.
Underlining that efforts are underway to upgrade the working culture of the government, the Prime Minister highlighted initiatives such as Mission Karmayogi and digital platforms like i-GOT, which are empowering government employees with technical and professional training. He emphasized that systems such as e-Office, file tracking, and digital approvals are revolutionizing administrative processes—making them not only faster, but also fully traceable and accountable.
Stating that moving into a new building inspires a renewed sense of enthusiasm and significantly elevates one’s energy, the Prime Minister urged all present to carry forward their responsibilities in the new building with the same vigour and dedication. He encouraged every individual—regardless of position—to strive to make their tenure truly memorable. The Prime Minister emphasized that when one eventually demits from here, it should be with the sense of pride that they have given their hundred percent in the service of the nation.
Underscoring the need to change perspective towards files and documentation, Modi observed that while a file, a grievance, or an application may appear routine, but for someone, that piece of paper may represent their deepest hope. A single file could be intricately linked to the lives of countless individuals. Illustrating the point, the Prime Minister stated that if a file which concerns one lakh citizens is delayed by even one day, it results in the loss of one lakh human days. He urged officials to approach their responsibilities with this mindset, recognizing the immense opportunity to serve beyond convenience or routine thought. The Prime Minister emphasized that generating a new idea could potentially lay the foundation for transformative change. He called upon all public servants to remain deeply committed to nation-building with a spirit of duty, reminding them that India’s dreams of development are nurtured in the womb of responsibility. (PIB)