Modi government & Corruption: An opinion poll conducted by Times Now to mark one year of the NDA regime has given thumbs down to the Narendra Modi government on price rise and its promise to bring back black money, but has hailed it for curbing corruption while disagreeing with the Congress charge that it was a ‘Suit Boot Ki Sarkaar’.
The poll result: 52.3% say that the Modi Government has curbed the corruption while 40.7% say NO.
BJP President, Amit Shah on Corruption:
Illicit money is a consequence of corruption. Many feel the government is disproportionately focused on the symptoms, neglecting the root cause.
Not a single scam has happened during our tenure. That shows there’s no corruption. Here’s an example: Under the UPA, 229 mines were handed over to corporate houses just on the basis of loyalty. There were big industrialists of their party also. Spectrum was handed out cheaply. Out of those 229 mines, the government auctioned 20, which ensured Rs. 2 lakh crore in government coffers. We auctioned one third spectrum, compared to UPA, and got over Rs. 1 lakh crore. This shows how transparently this government works.
Transparency and Accountability:
Preamble to RTI Act states:
AND WHEREAS democracy requires an informed citizenry and transparency of information which are vital to its functioning and also to contain corruption and to hold Government and their instrumentalities accountable to the governed;
In the above context, an article written by Mr. A. N. Tiwari, former Central Information Commissioner is interesting and relevant. Excerpt therefrom:
Administration has a vital bearing on a country and its people. In ancient India right from Vedic Days, it has been avowed objective of administration to be responsive, transparent, accountable and citizen friendly. These factors could be regarded as the touchstone of any administrative set up.
Transparency makes sure that people know exactly what is going on and what is the rationale of the decisions taken by the Government or its functionaries at different levels. Accountability makes sure that for every action and inaction in government and its consequences, there is a civil servant responsible and accountable to the government, the society and the people.
Different dimensions of Transparency:
Transparency is to be ensured in different dimensions namely,
i. Openness in public dealings.
ii. Right to information relating to service delivery process.
iii. Right to information relating to criteria and their applications.
iv. Right to information to public expenditure/contracts.
v. Enactment relating to Right to information.
vi. Code relating to access to information.
vii. Openness in the cost of the project, quality standard etc.
The growing power of Information Technology has opened up possibilities which did not exist previously. The rapid processing and dissemination of information is allowing closer scrutiny of administrative action.
The question arises as to what are the concomitants of a transparent administration. These could be:
i. Accountability
ii. Effective and speedy public grievances redressal system.
iii. Empowering elected local bodies in rural and urban areas and decentralised delivery of services.
iv. Review of laws, regulations and procedures.
v. Right to information.
vi. Access of the public to information from public offices and creation of facilitation counters.
vii. Code of ethics for public service.
viii.Tracking corruption and cleaning the administration. Governments are in the business of politics and power and some times in the business of diplomacy. However, the primary responsibility for securing transparency in administration lies and will continue to lie on the people themselves. A vigilant and well informed public opinion, people’s participation in administration and development, an honest media are essential for promoting a transparent and efficient administrative system.
Estonia:
Viljar Lubi, Estonia’s envoy, spoke with Indrani Bagchi about why net neutrality is vital for India, how startup strengthen democracy – and how the internet helped Estonia tackle corruption.
Excerpt:
Estonia had a huge corruption problem in the early 1990s – now Estonia is the least corrupt country in Central or Eastern Europe. Technology made a huge difference with e-governance.
My only recommendation is to implement Digital India. Estonia’s working closely with India. We are happy to help. Today’s cutting-edge technology will be ancient in five years. Technology will have to constantly evolve.
