Technology alone can eradicate corruption and improve the lives of individuals.

Corruption and bribery are undermining the foundations of our country. These vices flourish under the noses of the government, regardless of the party or person in power. However, it must be noted that the current government has initiated some positive steps to address the roots of corruption, yet much more remains to be done. Even a low-ranking official or employee in a government department earns significantly more than their salary would suggest. This highlights why candidates invest substantial amounts to secure government positions. A current of corruption flows from top to bottom. Given the mindset of the people, it is often assumed that corruption cannot be eradicated. Nevertheless, it can be largely mitigated, not through human intervention but via technological advancements.

Not long ago, when the only methods to remit money were through money orders, hand delivery, or cheques, corruption was rampant. It could take weeks to reach the intended recipient, leaving them in a difficult situation in the meantime. Postmen would accept bribes for distributing money orders. Now, technology has eliminated the need for human intervention, allowing money to be transferred in mere seconds. Even bank clerks previously profited from processing cheques. I have witnessed firsthand the myriad problems faced by pensioners in receiving their pensions. At the start of each month, it was a common sight to see long queues of pensioners outside designated bank windows. They were often accompanied by a younger relative, who would pocket the money from the pensioners and send them back home by bus or auto. The funds were rarely used by the pensioners themselves. Fortunately, with the technology of Direct Bank Transfer (DBT), pensioners no longer need to queue outside banks, as pension amounts are transferred directly to their accounts.

In courts, litigants had to bribe court clerks merely to learn the dates of hearings; however, now there is no need to waste time in courts, as the entire case history can be accessed via mobile phones or computers. Previously, one had to run from pillar to post to obtain a certified copy of an order or judgment to appeal to higher courts, but this process has been streamlined as it can now be accessed from court websites. The Modi government deserves credit for enhancing the use of technology in courts. Similarly, the attestation of documents has significantly reduced the burdens on students. In the past, they had to wait in queues outside the offices of gazetted officers to have their documents attested, but this requirement has now been abolished.

 Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, eligible landholding farmer families in India receive Rs 6,000 annually. This amount is distributed in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 every four months. While the total disbursed amount varies slightly depending on the number of eligible beneficiaries, recent data provides an overview of the annual distribution. The 19th instalment, disbursed in February 2025, transferred an estimated Rs 22,000 crore to approximately 9.8 crore beneficiaries. The 18th instalment, released in October 2024, saw over Rs 20,000 crore distributed to more than 9.4 crore farmers. Based on these statistics, it is evident that the annual distribution under PM-KISAN constitutes a significant amount, typically exceeding Rs 60,000 crore. The late Rajiv Gandhi was entirely correct in stating that 85 per cent of the money sent from the government was gobbled up by intermediaries, with only 15 per cent reaching the actual beneficiaries. Had there been no facility for Direct Bank Transfer, farmers would have been deprived of at least 80% of what they currently receive. Therefore, for corruption to be substantially eradicated, technology, particularly AI, should be utilised to its fullest potential across courts, hospitals, police departments, and other sectors.