Rampant corruption is a way of life, an accepted evil in India. Today, the mega political scams are restricted but the crony capitalists have continued their practice unabated leading to a slowdown in technological advancement, a lack of competition and an era of monopolies. While we must give the present government some credit for its implementation of the GST to expand the formal economy platform, since the shadow economy leads to an unorganized workforce, where workers face problems regarding salaries, job security, contract agreements, working conditions, etc. An informal workforce hampers the growth of manufacturing firms through lower degrees of productivity. It should not be surprising that India is a country that largely consists of an informal workforce and the continuation will have an effect on both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of growth in the long run.

The present government was clear with its agenda when it came into power six years ago and to some extent the intention to get rid of corruption through the main economic reforms that the government introduced (demonetisation and GST). The reality of the situation however reflects the plain and simple fact that nothing has changed or it has gone worse. The PNB scam is a clear indication of this, and of course, the situation has been reflected in Transparency International’s global corruption index. A lower ranking for India compared to previous years is certainly a black mark on the BJP government’s report card. Bofors Scam, Spectrum Scam, CWG Scam, Fodder Scam, FCI Scam, Coal Scam, Aircel Maxis Scam, National Herald Scam, Banking Scams of Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya, Sandesara scam have largely gone in sleep mode. Congress or BJP, fraudsters have mastered the art of over-power the system.

All wings of democracy are infected by the corruption virus. Legislative, Executive, Judiciary and Media are overpowered by corporate money power. Today, Lok Sabha elections are heavily funded by corporate money hence irrespective of the outcome, they decide the leadership issue. The prime posting in the key government positions for bureaucrats is decided by a third party in consultation with the ruling elites to secure their interests. In recent times, the appointment of Judges in the higher judiciary is pushed by vested interest groups to safeguard their interests and lastly, the national media is completely controlled by select big pocket corporate houses directly or indirectly to set up a narrative that suits the interest of their business. The essence of democracy is crushed by the vested interest lobbies and the common man on the street is left off-guard to secure his basic rights guaranteed in the constitution. It is conclusively said that unless the nexus between money and governance is smashed, the common citizen of the country will be treated as the consumer by the so-called ruling elites and their super bosses and the dream of establishing an ideal democracy will remain an illusion.

—Prashant Tewari, Editor-in-Chief

Rampant corruption is a way of life, an accepted evil in India. Today, the mega political scams are restricted but the crony capitalists have continued their practice unabated leading to a slowdown in technological advancement, a lack of competition and an era of monopolies. While we must give the present government some credit for its implementation of the GST to expand the formal economy platform, since the shadow economy leads to an unorganized workforce, where workers face problems regarding salaries, job security, contract agreements, working conditions, etc. An informal workforce hampers the growth of manufacturing firms through lower degrees of productivity. It should not be surprising that India is a country that largely consists of an informal workforce and the continuation will have an effect on both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of growth in the long run.

The present government was clear with its agenda when it came into power six years ago and to some extent the intention to get rid of corruption through the main economic reforms that the government introduced (demonetisation and GST). The reality of the situation however reflects the plain and simple fact that nothing has changed or it has gone worse. The PNB scam is a clear indication of this, and of course, the situation has been reflected in Transparency International’s global corruption index. A lower ranking for India compared to previous years is certainly a black mark on the BJP government’s report card. Bofors Scam, Spectrum Scam, CWG Scam, Fodder Scam, FCI Scam, Coal Scam, Aircel Maxis Scam, National Herald Scam, Banking Scams of Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya, Sandesara scam have largely gone in sleep mode. Congress or BJP, fraudsters have mastered the art of over-power the system.

All wings of democracy are infected by the corruption virus. Legislative, Executive, Judiciary and Media are overpowered by corporate money power. Today, Lok Sabha elections are heavily funded by corporate money hence irrespective of the outcome, they decide the leadership issue. The prime posting in the key government positions for bureaucrats is decided by a third party in consultation with the ruling elites to secure their interests. In recent times, the appointment of Judges in the higher judiciary is pushed by vested interest groups to safeguard their interests and lastly, the national media is completely controlled by select big pocket corporate houses directly or indirectly to set up a narrative that suits the interest of their business. The essence of democracy is crushed by the vested interest lobbies and the common man on the street is left off-guard to secure his basic rights guaranteed in the constitution. It is conclusively said that unless the nexus between money and governance is smashed, the common citizen of the country will be treated as the consumer by the so-called ruling elites and their super bosses and the dream of establishing an ideal democracy will remain an illusion.

—Prashant Tewari, Editor-in-Chief