Encouraging and welcome Observation by SC on RERA. WILL there be a favourable change?

Happy to observe the SC's realisation , understanding and critical observation about the RERA giving a ray of hope that conscience is still alive and active in the system despite the fact that Not only RERA but even the Judicial system also helps the mighty,influential and moneyed people. Corruption plays havoc in the system and manipulations and misinterpretations of laws of the land depend on the flow of influence and money. Ethics and values are only in philosophical and spiritual books and sanatan dharma is seldom understood leave alone practiced as far as ordinary mortals are concerned and benefits if any derived by them. With all atrocities and injustices how people survive and carry on life is a mystery and deserves to be researched in depth perhaps to realise the power of Almighty and the nature surrounding the Life and existence of Humanity. Money rules the Roost and Money is above everything. May Noble thoughts and actions come from the authorities in letter and spirit and May there be happiness and welfare in reality among the people. 

TVG Krishnan

 ( Slightly modified version of this Comment appeared in Money Life dated 12/2/26 against the article "Better to abolish RERA,It only helps Builders.)

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)