Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Governance

Collaboration with Reputed Institutions

We are presently also coordinating with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative India (CHRI) , National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI), Transparency International India (TII) , The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) in relation to the exemption of political parties from the ambit of the RTI Act. Brief description of the aforementioned Institutions is as below:

1. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) was established in 1999 by a group of professors from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. In 1999, Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by them with Delhi High Court asking for [or requesting] the disclosure of the criminal, financial and educational background of the candidates contesting elections. Based on this, the Supreme Court in 2002, and subsequently in 2003, made it mandatory for all candidates contesting elections to disclose criminal, financial and educational background prior to the polls by filing an affidavit with the Election Commission.

   

   The first election watch was conducted by ADR in 2002 for Gujarat Assembly Elections whereby detailed analysis of the backgrounds of candidates contesting elections was provided to the electorate in order to help the electorate make an informed choice during polls. Since then ADR has conducted Election Watches for almost all state and parliament elections in collaboration with the National Election Watch. It conducts multiple projects aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in the political and electoral system of the country.
   Mission of the ADR is to improve governance and strengthen democracy by continuous work in the area of Electoral and Political Reforms. The ambit and scope of work in this field is enormous, hence, ADR has chosen to concentrate its efforts in the following areas pertaining to the political system of the country:
   1. Corruption and criminalization in the political process.
   2. Empowerment of the electorate through greater dissemination of information relating to the candidates and the parties, for a better and informed choice.
   3. Need for greater accountability of Political Parties.
2. The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is an independent, non-partisan, international non-governmental organisation, mandated to ensure the practical realisation of human rights in the countries of the Commonwealth. In 1987, several Commonwealth associations founded CHRI because they felt that while the member countries had both a common set of values and legal principles from which to work and a forum within which to promote human rights, there was relatively little focus on human rights issues.

   

   Access to information was the foundation on which CHRI’s other programmes were later established. Without the initial knowledge to hold governments to account, justice cannot be served. CHRI believes that the RTI is fundamental to the realization of economic and social rights as well as civil and political rights. Informed participation by all must therefore be guaranteed by a strong legislation and the process of law-making itself must be participatory and informed by the realities of the community concerned. CHRI works to raise public awareness about the value of the right to information. It collaborates with policy advocates and community based groups, catalyses the development of networks of concerned CSOs and provides advice and technical expertise to governments and civil society actors to draft RTI laws and implement them effectively.
   
   CHRI believes in engaging with both the supply side – namely – the Government and the demand side – namely the citizenry through civil society organisations and the media for the promotion of transparent government. To this end, CHRI provides its technical expertise on law-making and implementation which is honed over the years in the crucible of its experience of being deeply involved in such processes in India and South Asia.
3. The National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI) organizational structure, at present, consists of members, a working committee and seven co-convenors. The NCPRI has, as members, individuals who subscribe to the common objectives and values of the campaign. Membership forms are required to be posted to the NCPRI office in New Delhi along with a demand draft/cheque of the amount specified for a defined period of membership. The membership forms are available in the join us section. Membership fee is Rs.100 (with an appeal to contribute Rs 500) for a period of 5 years and membership will expire at the end of the calendar year i.e. December 31.

   

   Today, the NCPRI engages and interacts with the State to implement the RTI law and to ensure that the Act is not amended or provisions weakened. The Campaign attempts ensure that the law is effective and universally accessible, addressing both individual and social problems.In disseminating the ability to use the RTI, the NCPRI supports the developing of materials related to transparency and governance, the raising of awareness about the fundamental value of information, the conduct of research, and the setting up of information clearing houses. It also helps with the filing of information requests, fighting legal cases, and the holding of public hearings.
4. Transparency International India (TII) is a leading non political, independent, non-governmental anti-corruption organisation of India. TII has extensive expertise and understanding of issues of corruption in India.

   

   From villages in rural India to the corridors of power in Delhi, TII gives voice to the victims and witnesses of corruption. We work in constructive manner in the interest of the country together with Union and State governments, like minded civil society organizations, corporate, academia, media and common citizens. The main aim is to reduce corruption, bribery, create deterrence for abuse of power, promote good governance and the rule of law.

TII raises awareness about corruption; advocate legal and policy reforms at national and state levels; design practical tools for institutions, individuals and companies wishing to combat corruption; and act as a leading centre of anti-corruption expertise in India.