Bold and Decisive Government
The nation had been consistently plagued by policy paralysis for a decade before the 2014 general elections. Tired of inaction and apathy, and clamouring for a strong leader, India voted in Narendra Modi with a thumping mandate. In the three eventful years since 26th May 2014, the promise of decisive, action-oriented governance has come alive, imbued with a new assertiveness.
This assertiveness has been visible in many spheres. A major instance of this new-found self-confidence were the Surgical Strikes. In September 2016, terrorists struck at an army camp at Uri and murdered jawans. The incisive action that came in response has become a milestone in India’s defence history. The Indian Army conducted surgical strikes and inflicted significant casualties on terrorists and their supporters. Given the Government’s deft diplomatic moves and Prime Minister having taken personal interest in strengthening India’s foreign policy, the international community reacted overwhelmingly in India’s favour after the surgical strikes.
Only a credible leadership and decisive governance can give life to the assertive mantra of “India First” and make the international community respond to India’s rising status and interests. India obtaining membership of the elite Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as its 35th member in 2016 was clear evidence of this global recognition of India’s changed standing in the world. India became the first country from the region to enter this group. MTCR membership is expected to ease the access to high technology for India’s space programme.
Firm pursuit of national interest was not just a feature of the government’s defence and foreign policy outlook but also a feature of its governance within. As soon as the Modi Government was formed, one of the first key decisions it took was to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Black Money under directions of the Supreme Court. The government has been determinedly pursuing measures against black money, be it in India or stashed abroad, through stringent legislative and administrative action.
The fight against corruption and black money saw resolute and multi-pronged action. The Benami Property Act, although passed, was lying un-notified for 3 decades. The Narendra Modi government took the initiative, and notified the Act. This reshaping of the laws related to Benami Property blocks a major avenue for generation and holding of back money, especially in real estate.
But the biggest move was yet to come. The gradual build-up and raising of the pitch against corruption crescendoed with what may well be the most audacious move in our nation’s recent history – Demonetisation. It was a revolutionary step where the entire nation came together to uproot the plague of corruption, black money and terror-financing. Demonetisation conveyed to the masses and to the corrupt that there was finally a political leadership that was tough against corruption and would go to any length to isolate offenders.
True to its clean and incorruptible image, in a major blow to cronyism and corruption, the government conducted successful and transparent auctions for coal and telecom spectrum, undoing the damage of the past and setting a new benchmark for the future.
The government diligently worked out the modalities of One Rank One Pension, a demand that was lying unattended for four decades and one that had been grossly miscalculated earlier. India’s valiant heroes were given their rightful due when the government announced implementation of OROP. Similarly, the long-pending land boundary agreement with Bangladesh was finally accomplished.
Pivotal new beginnings are now the new normal in a committed government. Since India’s independence, the ritual of presenting the Union Budget in last week of February was religiously practised, and never questioned. But in 2017, the budget date was advanced to the beginning of February to enable better utilization of funds for public welfare.
In a bold and transformational move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government also successfully steered the Goods and Services Tax related bills through the Parliament, paving the way for the financial unification of the nation. One Nation One Tax is a now reality. GST will be operational from July 1, 2017. It will simplify the taxation structure and eliminate cascading taxes and boost business and growth, thereby enhancing productivity and ease of doing business.
We see today a strong, decisive and firm government, acting relentlessly in national interest in all domains ranging from national security to anti-corruption, from economic reforms to welfare of the nation’s heroes. For more information about the Bold and Decisive government, click here…
