No transparency in Modi sarkar, hence #SwarajforModi controversy
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj’s so called humanitarian help to former IPL chief Lalit Modi may not be a classic case of corruption. However, the fact remains that "Modigate" has exposed the vulnerability of the Narendra Modi government on conflict of interests and illicit favouritism at the top echelons, akin to UPA. The Swaraj-Modi saga has undeniably damaged Narendra Modi’s claims of first year of immaculate governance. What is more worrying is that the new government has neither paid heed to creating an adequate firewall of vigilance oversight and regulatory institutions in its first year nor accelerated investigation into abundant cases of financial impropriety carried out in the UPA tenure. And, with these missing security mechanisms, the Modi government is now equally exposed to heightened risk over transparency.
Vigilance watchdogs and independent regulators are necessary for independent oversight over the massive governance structure and the burgeoning liberalised market. Such institutions thrive upon power-sharing with the government, which the political executive is reluctant to do. The governance dilemma in the Modi government is clearly discernable on this count. Modi has been opting for centralisation, which allows little space for a powerful Lokpal, Central Vigilance Commission or independent economic regulators, though institutions keeping watch on government and market have been strengthened subsequent to economic reforms in India.
Quite a few sectors of the economy are being shaped by open market regulators, while constitutional bodies like CAG and the Supreme Court have kept a close watch over the executive. Under the new dispensation, there have been occasional conflicts of turf and delays in decisions, but regulators have proven their worth by effectively managing the country’s gigantic market and whimsical political apparatus. Yet, the Modi government has been unable to form a conclusive opinion on the changed structures of governance in its first year.
Ideally, the re-allocation of coal mines should have been done by an independent regulator. If at all there was any urgency, the government should have constituted the regulator immediately after re-allocation to decide policy matters with least possible governmental interference. However, that’s not the case, therefore the government will continue to dictate the open market and remain at the helm of affairs by being the sole licensor, regulator, producer, consumer and arbitrator in the Indian coal sector. Since CAG has already started auditing of recent coal auctions, it may come up with fresh irregularities in the re-allocation process.
Modi could have initiated the appointment of Lokpal in the very first year of his tenure. This is the best opportunity for him to prove his commitment towards transparency as BJP has always favoured a strong body such as the Lokpal to oversee government machinery. However, the callous approach of the government on the issue raises suspicion whether the government has any strategy or roadmap for introducing anti-corruption measures.
Moreover, Modi’s governance model at the Centre is becoming a viable model for states too. The way the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has usurped power over the last 12 months, chief ministers’ offices too in several states have followed suit. There are supervisory institutions like the Supreme Court at the Centre - the states, however, have no such robust vigilance apparatus. Above all, the regulatory reforms process is yet to kickstart in the states, though that's where the next leg of privatisation and massive government spending has to take place.
The NDA government’s commitment to the transparent governance has fallen flat further with the fact that it didn't show enough courage to accelerate the investigations carried forward from the previous UPA dispensation. The IPL muck is a sample case, where instead of going for a transparent and accelerated investigation, the government has put itself amid thick of the storm by helping the key offender.
The IPL scam undoubtedly is one of the deepest swamps to engulf the entire fabric of the new open market. Now the onus is shifting upon the all-powerful PMO to come out clean in the controversy - either by taking action on the ministerial impropriety or bringing the alleged outlaw to book.
By now, Modi must have realised that a clean leadership alone is no guarantee for a clean system. As Gujarat chief minister, Modi may have favoured a feeble Lokayukta and never cared for powerful independent regulators but now, as the Prime Minister, he cannot afford to delay the strengthening of vigilance apparatus and carrying out regulatory reforms. Modi has to go full throttle to avert the next slippage, as uncomfortable questions have begun to emerge. Both the government and the party need to address them.