E-governance

According to the police, 1,663 scam cases were reported, with losses exceeding MVR 22.7 million, of which MVR 8.5 million has now been retrieved. Before the centre’s formation, authorities were only able to recover about two per cent of stolen funds.

Calling the conference a “decisive step” toward deepening Centre-State partnerships, Modi said the summit reflects India’s collective thinking and constructive policy dialogue and provides a platform to translate policy ideas into tangible outcomes for citizens.

The case has sparked alarm about shrinking civic space, erosion of rule of law and misuse of cybercrime legislation to criminalise dissent.

In the long run, the minister said, the push for transparency is aimed at closing the revenue–development gap: ensuring that domestic resources mobilised from taxes contribute directly to societal growth and welfare, fulfilling the deeper principle underlying economic governance.

The minister said that under the digital India programme, the ministry of panchayati raj is implementing the e-panchayat mission mode project across all states and union territories of the country.

In the meantime, civil society will likely continue pressing for accountability, especially in light of RTI-documented abuses.

While the government emphasises protection and better age verification, the new regime raises complex trade-offs around privacy, data security, and individual rights.

If the push to convert the PTA into an FTA succeeds, both countries could significantly expand trade volumes – unlocking new opportunities.