India urgently needs governance reforms to raise standards of leadership

Calls for governance reform emphasize stringent educational qualifications, ethical standards, and accountability for political leaders, with a focus on reducing corruption and enhancing the quality of public service in India.

Educational qualifications and expertise for leadership

Reform advocates propose that aspiring MLAs should hold a degree with first-class distinction, especially in fields like political science and public administration, while MP candidates should meet a higher bar with a first-class post-graduate degree. Key positions such as President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and parliamentary leaders should meet these standards as well, demonstrating expertise in governance.

Transparency in wealth and income

A new governance reform framework would mandate an independent audit of candidates’ assets and sources of income, publicly available both before election and post-tenure. Candidates found with unaccounted assets or property in benami names would face immediate disqualification, with any such assets forfeited to the government.

Rigorous accountability and anti-corruption measures

To combat corruption, reforms suggest creating an annual performance appraisal system akin to bureaucratic evaluations. Ministers and lawmakers would face demotion or reassignment if they fail to meet performance standards. Those convicted of financial crimes would have their pensions removed, government facilities confiscated, and elections annulled, ensuring no return to office.

Diversity and inclusivity in representation

Proposals include ensuring representation across all castes and sub-castes to reflect the nation’s diversity accurately in governance. By enforcing these reforms, advocates argue that India would see a reduction in corruption, enhanced governance quality, and a more capable and accountable leadership cadre, aligning the nation with its democratic ideals.

These reforms, Dr. L K Mruthyunjaya, Christian Scholar and Public Intellectual strongly suggests, would strengthen governance and put India on a progressive path, prioritizing transparency, accountability, and merit in political service over short-term gains.