Open Forum

New Delhi, 1 April 2014

Corruption Vs Secularism

GOOD GOVERNANCE ANY ONE? 

By Dhurjati Mukherjee

The run-up to the General Elections has unfortunately got mired into both the Congress and the BJP targeting each other on corruption without realizing that this has hardly been making any impact on the people. They are not only saturated but believe that both the parties are on the same plank. The only difference the big two seek out is on the issue of ‘secularism’. BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi avoids discussion on the subject and says that development has to be inclusive. On the other hand, leading the Congress campaign, its Vice-President Rahul Gandhi underlines that secularism is the country’s ethos and all sections of society have to be brought to the mainstream of real development. 

But is that all that matters to the common man? The voter is no fool and is well versed with where the issue is heading—sheer vote bank politics. However, before pressing the button on the EVM, the voter would obviously keep in mind, whether his lot has improved in this past decade. Though there has been much criticism of the Congress-led UPA government, because of large scale corruption and number of scams being unearthed due to judicial activism, one cannot deny there has been positive work. The rights-based approach was initiated by this Government in a unique manner – right to information from public authorities, right to free education to all underprivileged children under the age of 14, right to employment and last but not the least ensuing food security.

At the same time, there can be no denying that lack of good governance has brought the country to the present state of affairs where people from all walks of life are aggrieved for its inefficiency. But one also has to appreciate the good work carried out by the present dispensation during its five-year rule. The talk of change is very much in the air but realistically speaking whichever party or group forms the government, it would be extremely difficult to alter the system where corruption and inefficiency are firmly entrenched.

According to available statistics, every fourth rural household benefits from the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA programme initiated by the Government. One may mention here that well- known academicians, V. M. Dandekar and N. K. Rath, recommended a works programme to generate employment since unemployment and underemployment widely prevailed in rural areas. The focus needed to be changed on a comprehensive and sustainable programme on agricultural and rural development and the process has already started. It is heartening to note that this programme has been increased to 150 man days per annum.

The historic National Food Security Act has been the first of its kind in the world and such an initiative is imperative for a country like India where large sections of the population live in poverty and squalor. This effort to provide adequate food and nutrition to all Indians would go down in history as a unique venture. However, the recent finding that of the Independent Evaluation Office that the Government spends Rs 3.65 to deliver Re 1 of food while 57 per cent of subsidized foodgrains do not reach the beneficiaries, this has definitely gone against the Government’s functioning. Better delivery of public services could have been ensured had the Government insisted on strict enforcement.  

The Direct Assessment Transfer mechanism through Aadhar has been touted as a game changer when it is fully operational and more bank branches in the rural areas. This would ensure that the subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries in time and at their doorsteps. Independent analysts estimate that this could lead to sample of over one per cent of GDP. 

However, it also has to be admitted that during the last 10-year rule of the UPA, business houses have formed a nexus with politicians and the bureaucracy to generate black money/incomes. The triad has cast a nasty picture of politics and politicians. The whole blame cannot be put entirely on the UPA as many of the regional parties too, have a similar if not more of a nexus with corporate houses. A recent example is that of Subroto Roy and the Sahara group which has all along been protected by the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.   

Corruption has become a key issue for the BJP to flog at this point of time since it results in daily hardships for the aam aadmi, whether it concerns price rise, favouritism in employment generation, rising electricity charges, dealing with police and bureaucracy and so on. But whether the new government would be able to tackle these problems remains a big question as the change requires not only strict monitoring of rules but a change in mindset of those at the helm of affairs. Moreover, the nexus between politicians, bureaucracy and corporate houses has to be broken, which all major political parties presently enjoy.     

While the BJP-led NDA, in its earlier tenure, may have accomplished building roads and highways and developing infrastructure in record time, the Congress-led UPA government has not been all that successful. But the rights-based approach and welfare measures have been positive aspects of its rule. However, the systemic transformation – so much essential at this juncture – has not been attempted because of vested interests coming in the way.

Not just the Congress but the mainstream political parties lack the will and sincerity to implement governance related issues which, in turn, calls for strict monitoring of rules and regulations. One may mention in this context the mining sector, where both the Congress and the BJP have been accused of corruption in mega illegal mining.   

The future programme of Modi, who as per opinion polls now may just head the next government, is not very much clear. He has been a strong advocate of industrialization and raising per capita income and Gujarat has done very well in this regard. But it is also a fact that he has strong links with a couple of corporate houses who have expanded their business in not a clean manner. Thus it would not be wise to think that he would be a messiah of change.

The transformation that is needed at this juncture has to be balanced one with emphasis on rural development and modernization of agriculture. Just going for large projects by ignoring agriculture, agro-based industries, specially food processing, small and micro industries would be the wrong approach. Only then can the problems of food inflation, unemployment and underemployment and rural-urban migration be tackled effectively.

Just raising per capita income and, turn, GDP growth is an erroneous concept and cannot lead to true development which is inclusive and sustainable. The perspective of the new government has to be geared towards upliftment of the masses and also proper infrastructure development – both physical and social -- to stimulate the growth process all over the country. Is this basic perception on the political parties’ agenda? ---INFA  

(Copyright, India News and Feature  Alliance)