Being Noticed is very Important .

 

                                             Being noticed is very important.

This refers to the article “Being Unelected Is Not Unimportant” (ET, 28 January 2026). Being noticed is, in fact, crucial in all forms of democracy—whether constitutional or popular.

Constitutional democracy rests on patriotism, respect for the Constitution, and the principle of equality irrespective of gender, religion, caste, race, or social status. Popular democracy, however, often thrives on familiarity, visibility, social engagement, and the ability to connect with people—sometimes even at the cost of overlooking ethical distinctions between what is right, wrong, or outright unacceptable. This partly explains why our elected bodies increasingly include individuals with criminal backgrounds.

In this context, strong and genuinely independent institutions—such as the Judiciary, Defence and Security forces, the Monetary Authority, and the education and health systems—can make a decisive difference. Their effectiveness depends on realistic autonomy, insulation from political interference, and accountability to the people through Parliament, ideally comprising individuals with proven constitutional integrity and democratic values.

Ultimately, governance must be robust, ethical, and free from corruption driven by selfish motives, divisive ideologies, and the manipulation of social biases. Only then can national progress and welfare measures truly serve the people.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu can be the only objective behind all Public  Policies, and Laws of the Country..

T V Gopalakrishnan 

Bengaluru 

Corruption: The Silent enemy of Governance , Justice and Civilisation.

 Corruption: The silent enemy of Governance , Justice and Civilisation. 

A recent national television debate on whether people are truly benefiting from an economic growth rate of 7.3% for FY 2025–26 is itself revealing. While growth figures appear impressive, the continued absence of basic amenities, minimum infrastructure, and humane living conditions for large sections of the population exposes a deep disconnect between economic progress and people’s lived realities. That such fundamental issues still demand national attention reflects long-standing governance failures and lack of accountability.

Corruption remains the principal reason for this contradiction. Though universally acknowledged as a major impediment to development, corruption continues to thrive due to systemic callousness and absence of responsibility. Across legislation, administration, and execution, human suffering is often dismissed as destiny rather than recognised as the outcome of man-made systems and deliberate neglect—contrary to the ethical foundations of our civilisation.

Corruption in administration is more destructive than disease. While science can cure physical ailments, corruption has become deeply entrenched—adaptive, inherited, and normalised across social, political, and economic boundaries. It manifests in multiple forms and is increasingly accepted as an unavoidable part of life.

Ironically, many so-called anti-corruption reforms are cosmetic and short-lived. Instead of eliminating corruption, systems and procedures have evolved to accommodate and institutionalise it, making malpractice an informal prerequisite for smooth functioning. Intelligence and authority across institutions have often been used to redesign corruption rather than dismantle it.

This reality calls for urgent collective introspection. Intellectuals, policymakers, administrators, professionals, corporate leaders, educators, technocrtas, social reformers, religious heads, and above all ordinary citizens must come together to confront corruption honestly and pragmatically. True progress lies not merely in higher economic growth, but in improved quality of life rooted in integrity, justice, and compassion—the essence of Sanatan Dharma.

Truth can triumph only when corruption is consciously rejected—culturally, ethically, and emotionally. Capability and success must advance together, while need must never be replaced by greed. Though corruption may appear convenient for administration, it is a destructive and avoidable bane for society.

The time has come for collective moral courage. A society free from man-made distortions is possible—if there is willingness to act.

Truth Alone Triumphs. Corruption which acts as the Greatest Obstacle to People-Centric Progress needs to be eradicated at the earliest systematically and with all Seriousness to derive full benefits of our capabilities and economic achievements.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu.

TVG Krishnan

(Personal Views)

Make Governance accountable to the Society .

 The analysis powerfully captures what Mother India still misses despite her aspirations and achievements. Aspirations can be realised only through a stable and effective political system that ensures sustained economic growth, inclusive development, and social justice that benefits all equitably. This must be supported by robust technology and accountable, trustworthy institutions that deliver goods and services with quality, sensitivity, and integrity.

The need of the hour is meaningful and effective governance—one that is accountable to the public and guided by self-introspection and timely correction of lapses, to satisfy the conscience of administrators themselves. Greater professionalism in the bureaucracy can significantly contribute to this transformation.

Viksit Bharat is well within reach, provided there is a transformative approach in administration and budgeting—one that incentivises positive outcomes, recognises genuine performers, and firmly penalises and publicly exposes wrongdoers. Corruption and black money continue to wreak havoc and must be addressed decisively through social audits and specially designed regulatory mechanisms.  

( This comment is in reply to the Video presentation on Aspirations and Acheivements , Money Life 8/1/26 )

Exploitation in Real Estate Despite RERA.

Exploitation in Real Estate Despite RERA

Despite RERA, exploitation by builders and lapses by authorities continue due to the absence of strong  Governance standards including ethical and moral accountability.The impact is not limited to infrastructure delays; it affects everyday living and the emotional, social, and financial well-being of homebuyers. Even reputed builders and large corporates often fail to meet expectations, leaving buyers feeling misled. While the economy may be progressing, the promised improvement in quality of life and peace of mind for citizens remains unfulfilled.

A clear example is seen in projects developed by large corporate builders, including L&T’s housing ventures. Several buyers who took possession of flats more than a decade ago allege that commitments made in the sale deeds—such as UDS, refund or proper handling of corpus funds—have not been honoured. Instead, technical and legal provisions are cited to deny rightful claims, despite buyers having invested their life savings and retirement funds in good faith.

True progress will come only when governance becomes more responsive and sensitive, and when ethical conduct is enforced alongside legal compliance. Economic growth must translate into fairness, trust, and dignity in everyday living. Peaceful life is what is aspired by average citizens which cannot and should not be ignored by those who matter and run the system and administration. There can definitely be a mechanism to assess the performance of Corporates engaged in real estate deals in particular as to what extent they do justice to the community, their own customers and the society in terms of well defined parameters and performance, Apart from own self assessment by the corporates themselves, there can be a separate evaluation of their performance by the related  Authorities, and independent Social Audit teams. A sort of markets' own assessment with transparency is the need of the hour to penalise or reward the corporates . Corporates' annual reports should incorporate a certificate from a befiiting and responsible authority to the effect that there are no customers' grievances and court cases pending against the corporates what soever.  

( This is a modified version of the comment given in response to an Article appearing in Money Life on Housing Societies Problems and Solutions on 1st Jan 2026 Issue)

T V G Krishnan

A Senior Citizen 

(personal Views)

 

Simplify Tax , Simplify Life.

 

Simplify Tax, Simplify Life

“Taxes like water ,have a tendency to find the lowest level. In the last analysis, almost all taxes ultimately hit the common man.” 

                                 Nani A palkhivala.

India’s tax system needs urgent simplification. Compliance today is cumbersome, confusing, and often distressing for ordinary citizens. The most effective reform would be a comprehensive transaction tax at source, using digital systems, AI,  and Information  technology to make tax payment automatic, transparent, and hassle‑free. Governments Revenue gets augmented, Tax collection is harassment free , tax paying public can have the satisfaction of contributors for nation building, misuse and abuse of tax collections can be monitored, controlled and ensured for its channelising for the desired needs and developments of the economy. 

At present, citizens face a maze of levies—GST, CGST, income tax (direct and indirect), fuel taxes, property tax, stamp duty, registration charges, and multiple cesses and surcharges. From cradle to grave, life is lived under constant fiscal pressure and administrative irritants. Ease of living, despite digitalisation, remains elusive. Similarly Citizens also are made to carry several cards like Personal Identity Card, Aadhar Card, Pan Card, Insurance Card, credit cards,  debit cards, medical card, driving licence card, so goes the list unending and all these cards and their updation itself keep the peace of mind disturbed apart from physical hazards. Is it not time to think of some Card to capture all information in one card and do away with that for carrying on life.    

While transactions are increasingly paperless, compliance is not. Tax assessment involves complex rules, detailed calculations, and repetitive paperwork. This creates scope for errors, evasion, data manipulation, and corruption, distorting both revenue figures and policy decisions. Expecting 140 crore citizens to comply individually with such a system is unrealistic.

A tax‑at‑source model offers a practical solution. By levying small, transparent taxes at the point of transaction and monitoring them digitally, revenue can be augmented without harassment. Most citizens would be relieved of filing returns altogether. Income‑tax returns should be required only for individuals with genuinely high incomes—say above ₹50 lakh or ₹1 crore—from multiple ways. As it is,  out of about 140 crore people , a miniscule percentage only is required and able to file the  income return itself is something strange and unique requiring the authorities to think seriously and find ways and means to make every citizen feel proud and become part and parcel of the developmental activities of the nation.    

The salaried class and pensioners, whose incomes are largely standardised, can easily be covered through taxation at source and exempted from filing returns. For others, Artificial Intelligence can help monitor transactions at a macro level and flag only exceptional cases for scrutiny. This would reduce the need for a vast supervisory machinery and improve trust in the system.

Despite visible improvements in living standards, the number of income‑tax assessees remains disproportionately low. This reflects not widespread poverty, but poor data capture. Accurate, real‑time data on wealth generation, distribution, accumulation, and utilisation is essential for equitable growth and sound policymaking.

India has abundant human talent, technological capability, and cultural strength. Persistent inequality, inflation, unemployment, and dissatisfaction cannot be justified. A holistic review of taxation, cleaner administration, ethical governance, and intelligent use of technology is urgently required.

Revenue is necessary, but relentless monetisation—by individuals or the State—has social costs. True welfare cannot be measured by money alone. Academicians, administrators, professionals, policymakers, and moral leaders must collectively rethink, priorities to make life happier, fairer, and more humane.

“Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu will be realised not merely through higher revenue collections, but through wisdom, balance, and compassion in governance. True progress lies in assessing social outcomes and advancing social justice in a manner that satisfies both the governors and the governed, and that can withstand public scrutiny. Let the principles of justice and good conscience prevail at every level of legislation, the judiciary, and administration.”

T V G Krishnan
Senior Citizen

(Personal Views)

Peace is the only way to make the world happy and achieve welfare for all.

 Peace is the ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE WORLD HAPPY AND  ACHIEVE WELFARE FOR ALL

The editorial “Peace Is, If Nothing Else, Logical” (26/12/25) makes a timely and compelling appeal for global introspection. At a moment when the world is burdened by conflict, violence, and deep divisions, it is worth reiterating a simple truth: peace is not idealism—it is logic.

History has shown that lust for power, greed for wealth, and unchecked ambition, often pursued through war and coercion, have yielded only hatred, instability, and lasting harm. They have blocked pathways to happiness, welfare, and meaningful progress for all living beings.

The world today has abundant resources, talent, and technological strength. If leaders, thinkers, and institutions work in unison—focusing on cooperation, economic development, environmental protection, and shared prosperity—peaceful coexistence can deliver far greater political, social, and technological achievements than conflict ever has.

Peace is rational, achievable, and ultimately the most rewarding path forward.

Yours faithfully

,
T V Gopalakrishnan

( This letter was sent to  ET on 26/12/202)

 

Can the 2026–27 Budget Close Administrative Loopholes and Deliver Real Welfare?

                                                                                                                        By Dr T V Gopalakrishnan

“Government is in a reform express Phase and  reform is not just Revenue Centric but citizen Centric.Reforms should be brought in all aspects of society and not just in the economy.Laws to be for citizens convenience , not to harass. Ease of Life and Ease of doing Business are top priorities of the Government.”

                                                                                                                                   PM Narendra Modi

The Union Budget for 2026–27 comes at a decisive moment. After eight consecutive budgets, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman enters her ninth with a record of fiscal discipline, steady capital expenditure growth, benign macro economic factors and relative political stability and consensus on macroeconomic direction. Despite occasional friction over tax devolution, her budgets have avoided major criticism from opposition-ruled states—an achievement in itself. In this background the  expectation and clarion call of the PM  referred to above is achievable provided the ensuing  budget is made transformative in character , intent, practical  and result oriented.     

Yet the question remains: Can the coming budget fix the structural and administrative loopholes that prevent India from realising the full benefit of its economic progress?

Fiscal prudence, inflation control, and capital spending have undeniably strengthened India’s foundation. The push toward an advanced economy by 2047 has political commitment and administrative momentum. But on the ground, ordinary citizens still feel the burden of high living costs, uneven data, and a tax structure that often overwhelms rather than empowers. The disconnect between policy intent and lived experience remains wide.

Rationalising Taxes: The Most Urgent Reform

India today has too many taxes, too many levies, and too many names for similar burdens—direct taxes, indirect taxes, GST, tolls, educational cesses, surcharges, service fees, commissions, and charges of various kinds. Every layer adds to the cost of production, cost of living, and public frustration.

This is not about avoiding taxes. Indians understand that the government needs resources for development. What they resent is the feeling of tax harassment, complexity, and mental fatigue created by the sheer number of levies.

The 2026–27 Budget must aim for:

• Fewer taxes, clearer taxes, simpler taxes
  
  

• A unified logic instead of fragmented collections
  
  

• Minimal overlap between central, state, and local levies
  
  

• Predictable rules that encourage voluntary compliance
  
  

If GST rationalisation could dramatically reduce disputes and improve compliance, a similar approach across all taxes can transform public perception and strengthen revenue integrity.

Capital Gains, Buyback Taxation, and Market Participation

India’s capital markets depend on long-term retail investors for depth and stability. Yet existing policies often penalise them.

Buyback taxation needs a relook.

Investors who hold shares through market cycles sacrifice liquidity and often real returns after adjusting for inflation. To tax buybacks as capital gains—on top of taxing dividends in the hands of individuals—undermines the very behaviour that equity markets depend on. Reviewing and removing this levy would boost participation and send a message of policy stability.

Real estate capital gains also need reform.

Linking property gains to income tax slabs is outdated. A separate, inflation-adjusted capital gains system—levied at the time of transaction, routed through banks and registrars, with strict KYC—will reduce evasion, eliminate cash dealings, and bring transparency without punishing genuine sellers.

Securities Transaction Tax (STT)

STT is non-inflationary and can be calibrated intelligently. A differentiated rate for buy and sell trades could help reduce excessive volatility, discourage speculation, and reinforce market stability.

Capital markets thrive when taxation rewards patience and transparency—not turnover and loopholes. This budget can correct that imbalance.

Administration, Data Integrity, and Leakages: India’s Blind Spot

India’s biggest gap is not policy ambition but administrative capacity. Weak data and incomplete tracking undermine even the best-designed fiscal measures.

Employment in metros and semi-urban centres has grown sharply—security services, domestic work, drivers, retail vendors, catering, teachers, small entrepreneurs, priests, maintenance workers. These workers keep the economy running, yet their contribution barely shows in official data. When data is inaccurate, policy becomes distorted.

Even the IMF has raised concerns and gave a C grade for its national accounts citing methodical issues like an outdated 2011-12 base year, single deflation methods and unexplained discrepancies which “somewhat hamper Surveillance”.  

The Budget must therefore push for:

• Real-time data integration across ministries
  
  

• Stronger administrative capacity to detect leakages
  
  

• AI-based verification of employment, income flows, and service output in particular
  
  

• A much clearer picture of the informal economy and evasion of taxes.
  
  

• Seamless linking of subsidies, welfare, and productivity data
  
  

If India can track its workforce and income flows more accurately, it can eliminate black money far more effectively than by periodic crackdowns.

Land, Labour, and Legal Reforms: Completing the Foundation

Labour reforms have been announced. But without complementary land reforms and legal system reforms, India cannot build a truly modern economic framework.

A functional judicial system, clear land records, and predictable regulation are essential for investment, manufacturing, and ease of living. Budget 2026–27 should continue nudging states toward these long-pending structural reforms.

Once these three pillars converge, annual budgets will truly become exercises in fine-tuning rather than firefighting.

The Emotional and Civic Dimension of Welfare

Economic policy cannot ignore sentiment. People care about dignity, peace, and a basic sense of fairness. They want stable prices, accessible public spaces, functioning civic infrastructure, and freedom from harassment.

Inflation—especially food inflation—hits the poorest hardest. Strengthening supply chains, modernising ration shops, and improving distribution systems do not require massive spending; they require accountability and empathy.

  The Budget can perhaps  incentivise:

• Social reformers, civic groups, and volunteers to educate , guide and enhance the quality and outcome of services .
  
  

• CSR participation in parks, public spaces, festivals, and social audits
  
  

• Institutional responsibility for civic sense—banks, police stations, educational Institutions corporates, Charitable Institutions, Temple authorities and organisations like Tourism Departments, Travel agents and volunteers specifically identified exclusively to develop civic sense.
  
  

A cleaner, kinder, more responsive environment raises welfare far beyond monetary income.

Towards a Budget That Truly Delivers

India has the talent, technology, and political stability to design a budget that is not just fiscally sound but administratively transformative.

The 2026–27 Budget should aim to:

1. Simplify taxes and eliminate overlapping levies
   
   

2. Reform capital gains and market taxation
   
   

3. Strengthen administrative systems and data integrity
   
   

4. Support long-pending land and legal reforms
   
   

5. Enhance the everyday quality of life for citizens

A budget built on clarity, dignity, and administrative strength can unlock the next phase of India’s growth and ensure that citizens truly feel the benefits—enjoy , share happiness and feel as contributors to the economic growth in letter and spirit.  

Dr T V Gopalakrishnan

(personal Views)

( This Article is published in Money Life on 15/12/ 2025)