New Delhi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday that good governance is linked to trusting every citizen — aspirational youth, hard-working women, risk-taking entrepreneur, hopeful and untiring farmers or the wise and old senior citizens, as many among them are taxpayers.
The Finance Minister said governance is like one of the two hands helping in holding together ‘aspirational India, economic development and caring India’. “Now I speak about the two hands that will hold them. One such hand is governance — clean, corruption-free, policy driven and good in intent and most importantly trusting in faith”, said the FM.
She said the Prime Minister has made ‘Ease of Living’ as a goal to be achieved on behalf of all citizens.
“An important aspect of both ease of living and ease of doing business is fairness and efficiency of tax administration. We wish to enshrine in the statutes a ‘taxpayer charter’ through this Budget. Our government would like to reassure taxpayers that we remain committed to taking measures so that our citizens are free from harassment of any kind”, she added.
“A stable and predictable business environment is a key objective of this government. There is also a strong argument for ensuring that contracts are honoured. India has a sound framework related to Contracts Act. We shall deliberate upon strengthening it”, said the FM.
On streamlining governance in public sector banks, the FM said the government intends to introduce major reforms in recruitment to non-gazetted posts in governments and public sector banks.
“At present, candidates have to appear for multiple examinations conducted by multiple agencies at different points of time, for similar posts. This places enormous burden on time, effort and cost of young people”, said the FM.