Lokmat Times, 25 Febuary: A few days back one of the television channels asked me how would I rate Modi for eliminating corruption from our system? Four years ago, I was sure that I would give 8 marks out of 10 for this government but now I will give only 4. The anchor asked me that you were one of those who brought this government in power, so why such a low score for the Modi Government now? He further asked, wether Narendra Modi and his Ministers are also accused of scandals like Bofors, Harshad Mehta or Bank Manager Malhotra? I told him that there is no such allegation so far but any common man doesn’t have to deal with a Prime Minister or Ministers. In fact he comes in contact only with the government officials for buying a railway ticket, filing tax, returns, paying electricity bills, purchasing medicines from government hospital or aquiring driving license and so on. For all these routine works bribe has to be paid, despite the proise made by PM that ‘Na Khaunga, Na Khane Dunga’. It is business as usual, rather it is increasing now a days. Corruption in banks has increased 4 times in last four years. The gap between the rich and the poor is becoming wider; the rich is becoming richer, and the poor are getting even poorer. The recent report of ‘Transparency International’ has reinforced my view by presenting the similar data. In the report India scored 40 points out of 100 points i.e. 4 out of 10. The report stated that the level of corruption in Pakistan and Bangladesh is higher as compared to India but lower in Bhutan and China. We stand nowhere as compared to New Zealand, Denmark and Finland . But, yes, India is better than Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It is good that no allegations have been made against our Prime Minister and his ministers but this situation is quite similar to one when a security guard is not caught stealing. We do not appoint a security guard for not stealing. We appoint him to catch thieves and stop thefts. Is Modi able to stop thefts and catch thieves? Has his Prime Ministership instilled fear in the hearts of swindlers and cheats?
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