BUILDING RURAL INDIA

When we talk of Viksit Bharat, we also have to focus on Building Rural India—our BRI—a crucial part of the country

- SURENDRA NATH TRIPATHI IAS (RETIRED) AND DIRECTOR GENERAL, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

REFORM TO PERFORM and transform with Jan bhagidaari is the mantra of government today. We should think in terms of futuristic and transformative reforms when we talk about India in 2047. These reforms should be underpinned on twin-pillars of policy and institution, which in turn can help achieve ease of living for citizens and ease of doing business-the wealth and job creators-over the next 20 odd years.

These reforms should be underpinned on twin-pillars of policy and institution, which in turn can help achieve ease of living for citizens and ease of doing business—the wealth and job creators—over the next 20 odd years.

To achieve ease of living, policies should be formulated to make it easier for citizens to get government services, and not a plethora of schemes and programs, each with competing benefits and complexities in processes. It can be achieved through something as simple as a single sign-on. Why do citizens have to register separately for each scheme of the government—both at a Union and State level.

Similarly, in terms of ease of doing business, we should put in place strong policies under which there is a 15- or 20-point compliance framework for businesses, with which businesses would be expected to comply fully, and any violation would be strictly penalised by the state. This will guarantee certainty by design and avoid surprises of surveillance and Inspector Raj, a legacy of the British Raj.