NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasised India’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Speaking at the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial meeting held in Kolkata, he underscored the nation’s resolve to combat corruption and eradicate its detrimental impact on society, particularly on the impoverished and marginalized segments.
The Prime Minister’s assertion coincided with his widely recognized slogan, “Corruption Quit India,” which he consistently emphasises during his interactions across the country. He emphasised that the government’s duty is to enhance the utilisation of resources and improve the quality of life for its citizens while combatting the adverse effects of corruption on resource allocation, market integrity, and service delivery.
Modi highlighted that India is harnessing the potential of technology and e-governance to create a transparent and accountable framework to counter corruption. Efforts are being made to address gaps and prevent leakages in welfare schemes and government projects. These initiatives have led to direct benefit transfers exceeding 360 billion dollars, benefiting millions of people and resulting in savings of over 33 billion dollars.
Detailing the government’s actions against corruption, the Prime Minister mentioned the effectiveness of the government e-marketplace (Gem portal) in bringing transparency to government procurement processes. He also spoke about the aggressive pursuit of economic offenders under the Economic Offenders Act 2018, leading to the recovery of assets worth more than 1.8 billion dollars.
Additionally, he highlighted the attachment of assets worth over 12 billion dollars since 2014 by law enforcement agencies under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Modi proposed that G20 countries could lead by example by using non-conviction-based confiscations to expedite the recovery of foreign assets, thereby strengthening the global fight against corruption.
Conveying a strong message about collective action, the Prime Minister emphasized that the collaborative efforts of G20 nations could substantially bolster the fight against corruption. He stressed the importance of enhanced international cooperation and the implementation of robust measures to address the root causes of corruption.