Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start your answer by briefly introducing the menace of corruption in India.
• Discuss various measures have been taken by the Indian government to promote transparency and reduce corruption.
• Conclude accordingly.

Introduction

• Corruption is a pervasive menace that has plagued India for decades, hindering the country's economic and social progress. The detrimental effects of corruption are felt across all sectors of society, from education and healthcare to infrastructure and law enforcement.
  • In recent years, the Indian government has recognized the gravity of the problem and taken several steps to promote transparency and reduce corruption in the country.

Body

• Measures taken by the Indian Government to promote transparency and reduce corruption:
  • Implementation of the Right to Information Act (RTI):
    • The Right to Information Act, 2005, empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities. The Act provides for the disclosure of information related to the functioning of the government and its various departments.
    • The implementation of the RTI Act has brought transparency in the functioning of government departments and reduced corruption.
      • For example, in 2011, a group of RTI activists exposed a scam worth crore of rupees in the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Uttar Pradesh.
        • The scam involved embezzlement of funds meant for health programs. The RTI activists had obtained information from the government under the RTI Act, which helped in exposing the scam.
  • Digitization of Government Services:
    • The Indian government has launched various digital initiatives to provide services to citizens in a transparent and efficient manner. Digitalization of government services has reduced the scope of corruption by reducing human intervention.
      • For example, the Digital India initiative launched in 2015 aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
      • Under this initiative, the government has launched various programs such as e-governance, digital literacy, and digital infrastructure development.
        • These programs have reduced the scope of corruption in government services by minimizing human intervention.
  • Introduction of Aadhaar Card:
    • The Aadhaar card is a unique identification number given to Indian citizens. The Aadhaar card has helped in reducing corruption by eliminating fake identities and ensuring that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
      • For example, the government's direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme has been linked to the Aadhaar card. The DBT scheme ensures that government subsidies and welfare benefits reach the intended beneficiaries directly.
        • The use of Aadhaar has helped in reducing corruption by eliminating fake identities and ensuring that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
  • Introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST):
    • The Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced in 2017 has brought transparency in the taxation system and reduced corruption. GST has replaced various indirect taxes such as excise duty, service tax, and value-added tax.
      • For example, GST has simplified the taxation system and has reduced the scope of corruption by bringing in transparency in the taxation system. The introduction of GST has reduced the burden of compliance for businesses and has made the taxation system more efficient.
  • Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA):
    • The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, is aimed at preventing money laundering and financing of terrorism. This act has been instrumental in reducing corruption by preventing corrupt officials from laundering their ill-gotten wealth.
  • Central Vigilance Commission (CVC):
    • The Central Vigilance Commission is an anti-corruption body that was established in 1964. The CVC is responsible for preventing corruption in government departments and promoting transparency in government functioning.

Conclusion

• While the Indian government has made significant efforts to promote transparency and reduce corruption, there is still a long way to go in eliminating corruption completely from the country. The government must continue to implement measures that promote transparency and accountability in government functioning, and also ensure strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
  • Additionally, there is a need to create awareness among citizens about their rights and responsibilities in fighting corruption. By working towards these goals, the government can create a more transparent and corruption-free environment that promotes the country's overall development and growth.