Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking virtually at the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting held in Kolkata on Saturday, reiterated India’s firm stance of zero tolerance against corruption. Emphasizing the country’s commitment to combating this pervasive issue, Modi highlighted the utilization of technology and e-governance to establish a transparent and accountable ecosystem.
Drawing inspiration from the works of Tagore, Prime Minister Modi cautioned against the destructive nature of greed, which obstructs the realization of truth. He also referenced ancient Indian Upanishads that advocate for ‘Ma Gridha,’ translating to ‘let there be no greed.’
Modi emphasized that the adverse impacts of corruption are disproportionately borne by the impoverished and marginalized segments of society. He asserted that corruption hinders resource allocation, distorts markets, compromises service delivery, and ultimately diminishes the quality of life for individuals.
Drawing from the wisdom of Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Prime Minister Modi asserted that it is the government’s solemn responsibility to enhance state resources for the betterment of its citizens. He underscored the imperative nature of combating corruption to achieve this goal, stating that it is the government’s sacred duty to its people.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the government’s efforts to plug leakages and gaps in welfare schemes and government projects. He noted that over 360 billion dollars have been directly transferred to the bank accounts of millions of individuals in India, leading to significant savings and increased efficiency.
The Prime Minister also showcased the impact of initiatives such as the government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, which has introduced enhanced transparency to government procurement processes.
Speaking about legislative measures, Modi mentioned the enactment of the Economic Offenders Act in 2018, stating that the government has taken aggressive measures to pursue economic offenders. He informed the audience about the substantial recovery of assets worth over 1.8 billion dollars from economic offenders and fugitives.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the effectiveness of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which has facilitated the attachment of assets worth more than USD 12 billion since 2014, in the pursuit of combating corruption.
Prime Minister Modi’s address at the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting underscored India’s resolute commitment to eradicating corruption and promoting a transparent and accountable governance framework.