In a significant address that resonates with the spirit of combating corruption and fostering ethical governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took center stage at the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meet. Speaking via video message, the Prime Minister welcomed dignitaries to the historic city of Kolkata, echoing the presence of Nobel Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, and highlighting that this marked the first-ever G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meet conducted in a physical setting.
Drawing inspiration from Tagore’s wisdom and the teachings of ancient Indian Upanishads, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the perils of greed and the value of humility. He reminded the audience of the profound principle, ‘Ma Gridha,’ which translates to ‘let there be no greed.’ The Prime Minister underscored that the adverse impacts of corruption are most acutely borne by the poor and marginalized segments of society. Corruption distorts resource allocation, disrupts markets, and corrodes service delivery, ultimately eroding the quality of life for the citizens.
“Referencing the teachings of Kautilya in the Arthashastra, Prime Minister Modi affirmed the government’s solemn responsibility to optimize resources for the welfare of its people. In this pursuit, he reiterated the paramount significance of eradicating corruption, portraying it as a sacred duty that governments owe to their citizens”.
With resolute determination, Prime Minister Modi affirmed India’s commitment to a policy of “Zero Tolerance against corruption.” He highlighted the nation’s strides in utilizing technology and e-governance to establish a transparent and accountable framework. The Prime Minister commended the successful implementation of direct benefit transfers into bank accounts, a move that has benefitted hundreds of millions of Indians, leading to substantial savings and curbing leakages in welfare schemes and government projects.
The Prime Minister lauded the simplification of business procedures and exemplified the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, which has enhanced transparency in government procurement. Notably, he stressed the effectiveness of the Economic Offenders Act, leading to the recovery of assets worth billions from economic offenders and fugitives. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act has further bolstered these efforts by attaching the assets of offenders, thereby reinforcing the fight against financial malfeasance.
Prime Minister Modi reflected on his prior contributions to the G20’s agenda against fugitive economic offenders, expressing gratification over the progress achieved by the working group. He hailed the High-Level Principles addressing law enforcement cooperation, asset recovery mechanisms, and anti-corruption authorities, highlighting the significance of preventing criminals from exploiting legal gaps when crossing borders.
Urging G20 countries to lead by example, Prime Minister Modi proposed the adoption of non-conviction-based confiscations to expedite foreign asset recovery, thereby signaling a resolute global stand against corruption. He emphasized that collective efforts, robust measures, and enhanced international cooperation can catalyze transformative change in eradicating corruption.
Prime Minister Modi concluded by emphasizing the pivotal role of audit institutions and urged the dignitaries to nurture a culture of ethics, integrity, and robust administrative and legal systems. His powerful address underscored the pressing need for collaborative action to build a just, sustainable, and corruption-free society.
