Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been India’s great reformist in his term of office for the past eight years. The reforms imposed under his leadership were broad, and had a positive impact on the country’s great population.In the field of digital and financial inclusion, Indian piles, which consist of world -class utility systems such as Aadhaar, UPI, Digilocker, and others, have facilitated the inclusion of the economy of millions of citizens who were previously excluded. This provides rails for world -class innovation on a pile. Indian piles have opened the way for the minimum income support scheme that is driven digitally globally-transfer-transfer (DBT), where the beneficiaries receive the money directly to the bank account connected to the mobile in a count of seconds after disbursement. As many as 23 Lakh-Crore Hospital has been disbursed through DBT since 2014.
Physical infrastructure has also received extraordinary encouragement with investment on toll roads, highways, ports and trains. The GST system reduces India’s abnormal supply chain costs by creating an integrated platform, and eliminating 17 separate taxes. The substantial collection of RS 1.68 Lakh-Crore in April shows the benefits of GST. Demonetication places black money suppliers in its place, which leads to a large increase in tax collection.
This reform has met in the most significant steps ever taken in Indian history by the Prime Minister in the social sector. Almost every Indian currently has a roof above their heads, water in taps, functioning toilets, access to electricity, food on tables, gas stoves, mobile connections, bank accounts with money, roads to villages, internet connections, education for their children, and health insurance. There is no prime minister in Indian history as many as possible for the poor as Narendra Modi did in the last eight years.
After every Indian person has access to the basic needs of life, the view shifts from survival to the mindset of growth. More than 50 million jobs that can be identified have been created in the formal and informal sectors over the past eight years; Proven for anyone who uses reliable databases such as EPFO and ESI instead of allegations. It makes sense that a significant increase in the nominal GDP from RS 124.7 Lakh-Crore in FY15 to RS 236 Lakh-Crore in FY22 cannot occur without an increase in complement in the employment generation.
Of course, India has experienced a decrease in GDP growth that is inevitable after specific episodes such as demonization and sudden locking during Pandemic Covid-19 to capture disease and save lives. The latter is also regretted causing the migrant crisis, which in the back can be avoided, but is openly dramatized by the government led by opposition in Maharashtra and Delhi. During the second wave Covid-19, lack of oxygen and vaccine is also a low point. However, overall, Modi has led with an Indian-first attitude, acting to save and empower citizens. Western power praised India for the wise covid-19 actions and a strong vaccine program, and held it as an example of how democracy could work.
Indian external images have begun to shine. West Asia has become an Indian friend, and stops unconditional support for Pakistan. The African continent has also become an Indian friend. Japan has deepened relations with India. Quad has indeed increased India’s position. The United States views India as a partner in Indo-Pacific to fight Russia-China’s threats which are a sign of a connecting as a ‘axis of crime in the modern world’, in the words of former US President Ronald Reagan.
Protecting citizens’ lives overseas is one of Modi’s utmost priorities during a crisis. This is evident in multiple scenarios, including Ukraine, West Asia, and during the onset of the global pandemic. India has been an exceptional neighbour, especially in a crisis as seen in the cases of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It is one of the few countries to provide unconditional humanitarian aid to the latter.After 75 years of Independence, India has put Pakistan in place. Today, the foreign affairs establishment doesn’t allude to Pakistan except in compelling response when it makes untrue statements about India at the international stage. India stands taller today as an emerging global power because of the initiatives and stance taken by the Modi-led government.
The Indian military has been strengthened as well. The increased procurement of state-of-the-art equipment from the US, the increased firepower in the air force with the addition of Rafale, and the unabashed focus on the welfare of soldiers by providing the right equipment and ammunition to counter threats at the border are evident in the effective way India stood up to China at the Galwan valley, and other regions. Under Modi’s leadership, India has declared to the world that it will defend its boundaries at any cost; unlike earlier episodes in our history.
The focus on Atmanirbhar India, the PLI schemes in manufacturing, and indigenous defence production will make India stronger. While all these developments stand tall, and have improved the nation’s outlook tremendously, there is a four-part unfinished agenda that Modi must undertake in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Mereka:Justice System Reforms: Simply put, the promise of effective justice as a foundational democratic pillar in the Constitution remains unavailable to the ordinary citizen. Courts are overburdened with multi-year and -decade cases — media reports suggest this number exceeds 40 million cases. Constitutional matters have piled up in the Supreme Court. People do not expect justice in criminal or civil issues for one generation. As the nation celebrates 75 years of Independence, the lack of the availability of justice in a reasonable timeframe is gaping.
Failure of justice disproportionately impacts the poor, and downtrodden. Today, many under-trials languish in jail, many of whom have completed and exceeded the longest term if found guilty. People have been arrested on charges of terrorism and sedition, jailed for 15-20 years, and released due to lack of evidence. Vendetta politics is a prime factor here by all political parties. Modi must ensure adequate capacity, and reforms using technology to address these gaps speedily.
Today, India has 18 judges/million population, having risen a paltry 14 during Independence when the nation needs at least 50. Surprisingly, even with the low capacity, vacancies in high courts are at 30 percent. It is a shame that India cannot fill these vacancies even with this massive human capital. A democracy without an adequate justice system cannot fulfil constitutional mandates, which must now become an utmost priority.
Tax Terrorism And Inadequate Regulatory Capacity: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s 2014 election manifesto promised tackling tax terrorism. However, over the last eight years, more powers have been invested in tax authorities to harass the minority of India’s income taxpayers. Disputes have increased from around Rs 4.5 lakh-crore in 2014 to around Rs 12 lakh-crore. Despite schemes to reduce disputes, and increased appeal limits, perverse assessments continue to haunt people. Honest taxpayers are picked up for scrutiny without actual evidence, repeatedly, and without recourse. Tax codes are passed in Parliament without inviting debate, giving more unilateral power to the tax authorities.
Tax terrorism has become the number one problem for business in India, and urgent reform is needed. Tax officials must be held accountable for their assessment where the reversal in a higher court as long as the appeal can be marked by their performance. Data shows that more than 75 percent of the appeal case is lost by the tax authority. Special tax benches are needed for fast justice. Increased fear of tax terrorism among businesses is counter-productive with the vision of economic growth.Courts and regulatory systems suffer from inadequate capacity, and insult services to citizens. Regulators such as NCLT have inadequate capacity, unliled positions that are too delaying the judicial decision, and the permits sought by citizens.
RBI is in a habit where he doesn’t even respond to applicants; If yes, it’s rude, and often to communicate the rejection of the application for no adequate reason. Conversely, people are forced to spend additional budgets on Big 4 consultants who will submit applications on their behalf, and run in the corridor to solve problems. The banker tells their clients openly that once they apply to regulators, who followed up on it is not possible because of the lack of timely response on the regulator. Many regulators do not follow the consultative approach to changing regulations. This is a serious problem that prevents the constitutional rights of citizens to pursue profitable work, and entrepreneurship.
Lack of cohesive urban policy: India urbanization quickly, and maybe 40 percent of urban areas today. The world, on average, is at 55 percent, while China is at 60 percent. In any economy, urban areas are a machine growth, work, and opportunity. Unfortunately, India failed to recognize this. There is a constitutional power for Panchayat Raj and other rural government agencies. Urban area, where most tax collection and work with high growth originated, were not given the same rights. The state governments and the union directed large expenditure budget to rural areas, but not urban areas.Each city needs a full -time Mayor of five years that can dedicate their time to develop the city on a sustainable manner. In many cities, companies have lost their elected representatives, and lack accountability to citizens they should serve.
In Bengaluru, for example, the mayor changes every year with almost no time to make changes. The company becomes dysfunctional and corrupt, and must be broken down and rearranged with the right governance mechanism. Urban infrastructure has worsened, unable to compensate for population explosions, causing traffic congestion that is unacceptable and reduces productivity. City residents are forced to bear the sad paths and polluted air every day, and the metro system is miserable due to lack of project management. Inadequate Smart City Project. All urban policies require a reelot with a focused investment that maintains sustainability and environmental protection in essence. Modi has taken care of rural areas and citizens; Urban areas now require the same focus and commitment. India cannot realize her dream of growing into an economy of $ 5 trillion on a trip to $ 10 trillion this decade without cohesive urban policy.
