By now we have read and gone through a voluminous stuff on demonetization after the Prime Minister addressed the nation on the fateful night of 8th November about the subject. As of now the authors of this move have fully understood that it was a very badly planned move notwithstanding the bravado being displayed and the good intention behind the move. To cut the story short it has proved nothing but hardship to crores of citizens and putting the economic activities out of gear. This also exposes the bankruptcy of basic understanding of financial and monetary aspects of those at the helm. At the same time frequent concessions and their withdrawals are resulting in chaos and confusion. In the meantime as per expertise available to the unscrupulous, a part of black money has already been siphoned off.

Where as many expert opinions have been expressed about the net gain or loss of this exercise, a most important issue has, however, not yet been touched upon which is very crucial.

The PM in his address has candidly accepted and mentioned that corruption has taken root as termite and eating away all efforts of developmental activities. Then he mentioned that every department of government is heavily infested with this termite of corruption (prashashan ke pratyek vibhag me yeh deemak mojood hai).

Now the same body has been entrusted with the task of implementing the great initiative. What expectation does the nation then could have from this contradiction? By introducing more checks, a vide network of Inspector Raj seems to be in the making. For example with present power of purchase of our rupee crores of individuals might have deposited more than Rs 2.5 lakhs. Will it be possible to handle the resulting inquires and processing justification. We all know the percentage of our population having bank account is a fraction of our total population. How those who have saved money individually in traditional ways and accumulated in 500 and 1000 currency notes over a period of time are going to be treated? Will it not result in their harassments and concomitant levies?

Modiji had got a huge mandate to rule the country mainly on his promise of zero tolerance for corruption in all forms at every place. If after a period of half of his premiership if this menace persists in government departments all over where his party rules-and rather with an increase of rates of tips- it is a sad commentary on his good name as a tough and no nonsense man.

Our honourable ex Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said that before cleaning Ganga cleaning of Gangotari is a pre requisite. There is no doubt that corruption in governmental system is Gangotari of all sorts of corruption. Even now with speeding implementation of existing laws against corruption situation could be brought under control. A ‘surgical strike’ on this front should also be carried out simultaneously with the demonetization campaign.

Contributed by: Commander Mansoor Ali Bohra