The poor and marginalized suffer the most from corruption, according to PM Modi during the G20 summit

The poor and marginalized are the ones who suffer from corruption the most, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also said that it influences how resources are used, skews markets, interferes with service delivery, and ultimately lowers people’s quality of life.

The prime minister spoke via video conference to the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meet at this location and warned against greed because it inhibits “us from realizing the truth.”

The Prime Minister addressed the crowd and invited dignitaries to Rabindranath Tagore’s hometown. Invoking Tagore’s words, Modi issued a warning against greed, saying that it keeps us from understanding the truth.

He also discussed the Upanishads, which aim at “Ma Gridha,” or “let there be no greed.”

Invoking Kautilya from Arthashastra, the PM said that it is the responsibility of the government to maximize the welfare of its citizens through improving the state’s resources.

The Prime Minister noted, underscoring that India is using technology and e-governance to establish a transparent and accountable environment, “India has a strict policy of zero tolerance against corruption.”

He said that holes and leaks in government initiatives and social programs are being sealed. The Prime Minister said that as a consequence, hundreds of millions of Indians have received direct benefit payments into their bank accounts totaling more than 360 billion dollars, resulting in the saving of more than 33 billion dollars.

The prime minister said that the government has streamlined numerous business operations, citing the automation and digitalization of government services as an example that has made it impossible for anyone to engage in rent-seeking.

He said, “Our Government e-Marketplace, or GeM portal, has increased transparency in public procurement.”

The Prime Minister stated the government is zealously pursuing economic criminals and informed on the seizure of assets worth more than 1.8 billion dollars from economic offenders and fugitives while discussing the passage of the Economic criminals Act in 2018.

He also brought up the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which has contributed to the attachment of criminals’ assets totaling more than $12 billion since 2014.

In his very first G-20 Summit in 2014, the Prime Minister remembers discussing the difficulties posed by fugitive economic offenders for all G20 nations as well as the Global South.

He also discussed delivering a nine-point action plan for the G-20 Summit in 2018 to deal with fugitive economic offenders and asset recovery. He expressed his delight that the working group is taking immediate action.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need of encouraging nations to improve their domestic asset recovery processes by highlighting the significance of prompt asset tracking and identification of proceeds of crime.

In order to speed up the recovery of foreign assets, Modi urged that G20 nations set an example by employing non-conviction-based confiscations. He also said that this would assure the quick repatriation and extradition of criminals after the proper legal procedure.

He highlighted that “it will send a strong signal about our shared fight against corruption.”

The Prime Minister said that the G20 countries’ combined efforts can considerably aid the fight against corruption, and that stronger international collaboration and the adoption of effective policies that deal with the core causes of corruption may make a big impact.

Additionally, Modi emphasized the need of auditing organizations in the battle against corruption.

In his last remarks, the prime minister asked the dignitaries to improve the judicial and administrative institutions while also fostering a culture of ethics and honesty in their value systems.

“We can only create a fair and sustainable society by doing this. I hope this meeting is fruitful and profitable for all of you,” said the prime minister.