Curbing Corruption through Improved Governance and Clean Business Dealings
Project Street Address
Project City
Project Province/State
Project Postal/Zip Code
Project Country
Focus of activity
Advocacy
Year the initative began (yyyy)
0
Which of these barriers is the primary focus of your work?
Lack of Accountability & Transparency
Which of the principles is the primary focus of your work?
Foment Transparency
If you believe some other barrier or principle should be included in the mosaic, please describe it and how it would affect the positioning of your initiative in the mosaic:
Name Your Project
Describe Your Idea
Description of initiative
1. To combat petty corruption affecting the daily life and lives of the common man, our focus is on creation and expansion of the awareness and effective implementation of citizens’ charters, Right to Information Act, and e-Governance. 2. To combat corruption in public procurement and contracting - adoption of Integrity Pact and e-Procurement. 3. To combat political corruption - Enactment of Lok Pal (Public Ombudsman) Legislation as conceived in late sixties, curb on the political criminalisation as advocated by then Chief Election Commissioner of India Mr Krishnamurthy, and enactment of a legislation for the forfeiture of illegally acquired property, including Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly and others.
Innovation
Most of the corrupt practices are in vogue due to weaknesses in the system. So our emphasis is on systematic changes through public forums, media, group discussions and seminars and also through personal interactions to convince the concerned quarters about the necessity of bringing change in the system while avoiding any confrontation with policy makers.
Delivery Model
Two studies (in 2002 and 2005) on Corruption in India have been undertaken during the last two years. The third one is already in the process. The focus of these studies will be to assess the extent of corruption affecting common men in the delivery of public services, which is their fundamental right, and provide an introspection opportunity to the concerned service providers. The 2005 Study covered 20-states in the country. Its Summary was released on June 30, 2005, and the complete report, in book-form, was released by the President of India on Nov. 25, 2005. The Study brings out the fact that corruption in public services affecting day-to-day needs of citizens is far more serious than generally realized. Among essential service providers the Police ranks highest on the Corruption Perception Index. While Kerala stands out as the least corrupt State Bihar occupies the highest position in the reverse order, as well as the worst in all the 11 sectors of service taken up for study. Jammu & Kashmir ranks next to Bihar. There has also been a mention of various initiatives taken by some states for improving governance. The Study received wide coverage, both in electronic as well as print media in India and abroad. The summery of report had also been included in Ethics World and Wikipedia (free encyclopedia). Very recently its findings have been serialised by MINT in its issues from April 30 to May 5/6, 2007; and the Hindustan (Hindi) during May 1-6, 2007. With the object of dissemination of its findings and advocacy of the tools of Improving Governance, more than half a dozen Workshops were organized throughout India, besides a National Seminar, inaugurated by the Central Vigilance Commissioner in Delhi on August 24-25, 2005. The Consolidated Minutes of the deliberations of all the workshops are attached. There are immediate plans to undertake the next phase of the corruption study, focusing mainly on Rural India.
Key Operational Partnerships
At present the net work of Transparency Int’l India (TI India) is spread in ten states which are known as State Chapters. Besides, there are a large number of like-minded NGOs as its partners. Among them, the following are significant to be mentioned – Servants of the People’s Society(SOPS)(established by Punjab Kesri Lala Lajpat Rai in 1921) Lok Sevak Sangh CHETNA Parivartan Lok Satta, MKSS Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) Election Watch Citizens’ Forum Against Corruption
Financial Model
TI India’s beneficiaries are the commoners. There is no charge for its services. It is a volunteer-based NGO, working from the SOPS campus. The day-to- day expenses are met out of small donations received from members – most of whom are retired civil and defense service officers. Among its 15 Board of Management Members, four are from Defence, two retired High Court Judges, two retired Vice Chancellors, two are retired from police services (DGPs), two Engineers and Chartered Accountants, and the rest are social activists.
What percentage, if any, of the total operating costs does earned income (from products, services, or other fees) represent?
0%
How is the initiative financed? Is it financially self-sustainable or profitable? How much do beneficiaries contribute?
The initiatives are financed out of small donations from members – most of whom are retired civil and defense service officers. As regards specific studies, like India Corruption Study, these are partly financed by the NGOs like `Concern Worldwide’ and partly by donations from corporate sector.
Effectiveness
Though it is difficult to measure the impact of TI India’s programs it can be gauged from – 1. The various indices, like the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) and the Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) released by Transparency International, Berlin, from time to time. According to 2006 CPI India’s ranking has improved from 88th to 70th and has scored 3.3 marks, against 2.9 in 2005, out of 10. Similar is the case of GCB. 2. TI India has attained certain degree of acceptability as one of the organisations capable of combating corruption, as being often quoted by the media. It is worth mentioning that the awareness against corruption generated so far and its involvement in various such activities, are attributed to TI India in a fair measure.
Which element of the program proved itself most effective?
The advocacy of Integrity Pact, besides Citizens’ Charters and Right to Information, has been quite effective. The Memos of Understanding signed with ONGC and the Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant for inclusion (of IP) in their major contracts and procurements, go to testify the same. Likewise the Ministry of Defence have also incorporated a similar clause in their Procurement Procedures for 2006. The acceptability of this specific tool can be seen from the fact that a large number of other PSUs are constantly in touch with TI India for seeking guidance for its adoption.
Number of clients in the last year?
Citizens of India. See above
What is the potential demand?
The TI India is very keen to expand its sphere of activities. Its paper on vision- 2010 is in finishing stage. Given the resources and required encouragement/support from right quarters it should be able to open more Chapters, have a team of dedicated members in every corner of the country who could make right impact on the beneficiaries. It is sincerely felt that all aspects of corruption in public life at various levels are not being taken up completely due to many constrains and factors beyond our control. However, the hope is not altogether lost. There is no dearth of people with conviction, who are willing to take up the crusade against corruption in the society or any other common cause provided the circumstances favour them. Therefore, we may have to wait for further opportunities.
Scaling up Strategy
Besides the Citizens’ Charters, Right to Information, e-governance and Integrity Pact, TI India plans to repeat the next phases of its study on prevalence of corruption, focusing mainly Rural India. Its broad objectives are to estimate value of petty corruption in different services, ranking of States on extent of corruption, ranking of Services, particularly those, which are directly affecting the people in rural areas. These studies would have more representation of those having first hand experience of bribing the govt. officials for availing of legitimate services or 'Experienced Households' in the sample. It would also study the extent of impact of various tools of governance like citizens’ charters, e-Governance, RTI etc. in curbing corruption Total estimate for the 2007 Study and its follow-up activities is Rs. 130 lakhs. We are now exploring the avenues to secure the required funds.
Stage of the initiative
1
Expansion plan
As mentioned above.
Origin of the Initiative
TI India was initiated on the invitation received by SOPS from Founder Mr Peter Eigen. To examine the credibility of the TI, Mr S D Sharma, a freedom fighter, a true Gandhian and a volunteer, was deputed. After his Study Report, TI India was set up in March 1997 under the Chairmanship of vertern journalist Mr Kuldip Nayyar. Thereafter, Admiral (Retd) R H Tahiliani became the Chairman. TI India was registered as a Society in 1998.
Issue Selector
Main Obstacles to Scaling Up
Although there are people who would offer to work on voluntary basis but it is not easy to assess their motive. Since most of them are at fag end of their lives, having done well in their respective career with little or no liabilities left, money can not be said to be the the sole intention. They do want to serve the society but lack of adequate infrastructure dampens their spirit. More so when they were used to certain basic comforts because of having served in positions carrying lot of facilities. Therefore, absence of even bare minimum facilities like office space, supporting staff and equipment etc. does affect their performance. Lack of adequate financial backing is an other factor causing a negative effect. So is indifferent attitude of govt. functionaries, who are not very comfortable with our line of advocacy, that hampers our march towards the desired goal.
Main Financial Challenges
TI India’s current operating cost is about Rs 50,000/- per month. It is met by way of small donations. An investment from any institution willing to support the cause of movement against corruption without attaching any precondition or burdening the organisation with unavoidable compulsions would be welcomed. TI India is interested in credible donors, because it can’t compromise its policy of transparency, integrity and accountability. As regards capital (Project) expenses, depends on the donors. But TI India is against the donor-driven projects.
Main Partnership Challenges
The major challenges are the identification of transparent partners having credibility integrity.
How did you hear about this contest and what is your main incentive to participate?
We recd the call from Ms Kalpana Kaul.
 | Richard Gottbreht said: Hello, My name is Rich Gottbreht from Global Insights and I am one of the entrants in the competition. Our work centers on helping ... about this idea. - 900 days ago read more > |