My honest opinion: No way.
This will remain a pipe dream despite PM Modi’s best intentions.
Let us be realistic, not idealistic. Corruption is a universal malaise. Its complete elimination is a myth. It can, however, be mitigated depending upon the political Will.
First , corruption in local bodies having large public interfaces that impact the common man. Mumbai floods are a classic case of BMC’s insensitivity, inefficiency and political corruption.This is the position in 3255 urban local bodies in India. Police is compromised.
Even, legitimate claims are allowed only after greasing the palms of Inquiry officers, SHOs and their cronies in Police and clerks, engineers, Commissioners of corporations in local bodies. Encroachment on government lands,is a permanent source of income for beat constables, hawaldars, sub-inspectors ,engineers and commissioners. Extortion is considered a matter of right. Due to brazen interference by the political class, responsive mechanism is non-existent and supervision lax.
Public is not the stake holder. No feed back mechanism. No fear of compromised police and corporations officials.
Right to Service Act is in the limbo. Public officers are duty bound to perform their duties within the stipulated time with no other option to avoid penalty. But, no one is penalised in the normal course except. Passage of Lokpal Bill is in cold storage. Concept of Zero tolerance to corruption remains a political rhetoric. Statutary audit and IT raids on local bodies officials are not conducted regularly.
India is a federal democracy, but, not a co-operative federalism. Eliminating corruption is a joint venture that needs joint efforts of the Centre, States and local bodies. State governments ruled by political dispensations different from the one at the Centre, work at loggerheads at different wavelengths and priorities. CMs of states like West Bengal, Kerala and Karnataka, behave like CEOs of “Sovereign, Independent Republics “
Decisions are taken under political pressures rather than on merit.Mediocrity thrives.Pliable bureaucrats consider it safer to prostrate before the political class. Grievance redressal mechanism has failed for the poor .
Big ticket scams of UPA era did not get the attention,they deserve.
PM Modi’s honesty and incorruptibility,is beyond doubt.He has no personal axe to grind. His commitment to India’s development,is unquestioned. Rampant corruption has stunted India’s development. PM Modi’s series of bold initiatives to reduce corruption index like :
Demonetization, benami assets etc are notable. But, efforts made to fast-track conviction of the accused involved in Congress-led UPA scams, are not are extremely slow. Loan defaulters and money launderers are having free runs in the country or abroad.
Raids on suspects by IT, ED, CBI and other enforcement agencies must increase.