Trusting citizens is essence of reforms: PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Trusting citizens, including the corporate ones, is the essence of reforms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said, emphasising this is the basis for effecting the transition from 'red tape' to 'red carpet'.

"The industry of red tape thrives on doubt. The road with the red carpet is built on trust," he said here while releasing a book 'Red Tape to Red Carpet... and then some' authored by Gina Rinehart, Chairperson of the Australian mining company Hancock Prospecting Group.

He said he believes that a human being is inherently good and he or she has to be given full freedom to make choices.

"This is the foundation of our steps which we have taken towards easing the regulatory environment in India. The most important reform for me so far is to allow self-certification in various activities. From students to entrepreneurs, we have allowed self-certification of documents and processes," Modi said.

"For misdeeds of a small number, we can't punish all the stakeholders. So, trusting the citizens including the corporate citizens is the essence of our reforms. This is the basis of our efforts towards transition from 'Red Tape' to 'Red Carpet'," he said.

The Prime Minister said the book reminded him of one of his old statements -- that "the problems of public administration will end if politicians learn how to say 'No' and if bureaucrats know how to say 'Yes'."

He said this was the reason that his government has devoted maximum energy on changing the mindset.

Referring to LPG subsidy, Modi said India has the biggest online transfer process in the world.

"But it involves saying 'No' to those who are not eligible. It also involves saying 'Yes' and delivering efficiently to those who are eligible. The good news is that it is working very efficiently," the Prime Minister said.

He said the "analysis of government policies by economists is different from that by those who are real stakeholders."

Talking about India-Australia relations, he said, "Since last year, I and Prime Minister Abbot are actively engaged to harness the potentials for both sides. We have had extensive discussions during our two meetings since last year."

He said the current visit of Australian Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb is a further step in that direction.