committed citizens can change the world indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
Our Mission
In straight talk, it is a mission to cleanse the machinery of governance when we have parliamentary elections in 2014. We aim to make it the biggest movement of the people to demand a clean and transparent government.
We want all of you to prepare for the D-day in 2014 when you will be sending your representatives to Parliament.
It will be a great event in the history of India. As you all know that lot of churning is going on. There is an under-current among all- the young, the old and men and women of all ages. They feel that some thing is amiss. Every one talks that this is not the India which our freedom fighters had dreamt of. That is why this movement of the people, by the people, for the people! Come and join the hallabol. You have nothing to lose but your sloth and slumber!
Our guiding principles and core beliefs
Individual freedom
We strongly believe in human freedom and dignity. When we say this, we also are aware of the danger of misuse of this freedom as license. It is, therefore, subject to certain accountability and restrictions. Our freedom should not infringe on others’ freedom and should be self-regulated by responsibility.
Transparency and openness
Transparency brings accountability. Hence, our core base will be transparency. We shall ensure that all information is accessible to citizens and that there is adequate channel for getting feedback from the public. We shall encourage public debates on the government policies and priorities. Our effort will be to build a cohesive and inclusive society, where the poor are protected. Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interests.
We shall maintain objectivity in carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits and that the holders of public office should make choices on merits.
We aim at building an “open society”, where the citizens are able to debate government policies and the future direction of their country and freedom is maximised, but the weak and the poor are protected. Politicians should make themselves readily accessible to the media. In such a society, the media accepts its responsibility to filter information fairly and objectively, so that citizens are accurately informed. The purpose of such access is clear: to build public trust, which in turn safeguards against corruption. Political leaders who find themselves under intensive, regular public scrutiny are more inclined to act honestly, ethically, and in the public interest – and less inclined to sell out the public interest in favour of their own.
One can begin with the assumption that all information belongs to the public. For, unless there are compelling reasons why it should be withheld, information is held in trust by a government to be used in the public interest.
Accountability
Our guiding principle is that the holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Public participation and collaboration
We would like to empower the people as the public engagement improves government efficiency. We would like people to participate in policy making and to invite input from people so that they play a more meaningful in the democratic process. We shall encourage a continuous dialogue between the people and their governments.
Monitoring and Audit
It is said that people are as corrupt as the system allows them to be. It is therefore imperative that there is continuous monitoring of the government functioning by independent agencies.
We would like the public to be vigilant and watchful. Apart from that, we shall have mechanisms of checks and balances so that there is a neat and clean political environment.
Rule of law
In the name of democracy and freedom, people tend to forget that their freedom is subject to their accountability towards other fellow citizens. Hence, we believe that there is a rule of law and all citizens respect and follow it. All citizens shall be treated equally before law. We would like the laws to be simple and actionable. Throughout the world, experience has shown that without the Rule of Law, efforts to combat corruption are largely futile. If judges are not impartial, professional in their work, and independent, the criminal law cannot be relied upon as a major weapon in the struggle to contain corruption. If they are actually corrupt, the situation is even worse. Judicial independence is asserted internationally in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. However, global surveys suggest that the public see many judiciaries as being weak, dictated to by politicians or even indulging in corrupt practices.
Affordable Legal system and timely delivery of justice
For a civilised society it is essential that there is an effective and affordable justice delivery system. People should have trust in the institutions. We would like local people to decide their own cases amicably. People should trust
Corruption- free society
When corruption and democracy become bedfellows, there is going to be chaos and disaster. Corruption is like a cancer which erodes all values and eats in to the vitals of a civilized society. When institutions lose their legitimacy, they are misused for private advantages. Accountable leadership cannot develop in corrupt atmosphere.
Loss of public trust in the political system and disillusionment results in a weak civil society. When the power holders try to treat the national assets in to personal property, honest citizens search for some other pastures in some foreign lands.
National wealth is looted and plundered when corruption is pervasive. We believe that National resources are to be utilized for sustainable projects rather than uneconomical big projects. Our priorities are schooling, health, livelihood, environment, roads, power and water. We aim at a fair market structure and investment friendly economy.
Debates and deliberations: Role of Civil society
All civilised societies and democracies are founded on public debate and discussions. In any society, there are bound to be difference of opinion. But, in democracy, such issues are discussed at appropriate platforms. We, therefore, would like to resolve all differences through public participation and forums. We would like the civil society to play a bigger role in monitoring the progress of the society.
Ethical standards: Codes of Conduct for MPs, MLAs, Ministers and Public Officials
We shall insist that an elected representative, government officer or employee shall not act in his/her official capacity in any matter wherein he/she has a direct or indirect personal/ financial interest that might be expected to impair his/her objectivity or independence of judgment. The holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties. They will maintain highest ethical standards in their public dealings.
It is observed that corrupt practices appear to be multiplying beyond the public sector and across society at large: in a private sector prepared to bribe for business and to lobby against necessary reforms, in the privately-owned media, auditing, internal and independent agency. It will be, therefore, our effort that all governing process is transparent so that making more information available to its citizens would stimulate economic activity, help curb corruption, and ensure more efficient and effective governance.
Exemplary leadership
We believe in a leadership which is inspiring and exemplary particularly the holders of public office should exhibit and promote high quality of leadership and integrity. Immunity for politicians is factored to protect the democratic process – not to establish a class of individuals who are above and beyond the reach of the law.
Principle of equality
We shall ensure that all citizens are treated equally before law. Certain immunities possessed by some political class and high officials can render them effectively above and beyond the reach of the law. As a consequence, it is believed that criminals have run for political office solely to obtain this protection.
It is generally accepted that there should be some form of immunity for senior public figures and judges to enable them to perform their tasks. But the debate over the extent of these immunities is highly polarised. For some, the immunity principle safeguards freedom of expression in the legislature, and so lies at the core of the democratic system. For others, immunity actively undermines equality before the law and the very foundations of a democracy. Immunity is given not as an honour or a privilege, but rather is a sacred trust that enables an individual to discharge his or her public duties effectively
Free and Responsible Media
A free, independent and pluralistic media is essential to a free and open society and to accountable systems of government. The media has to play the role of a watchdog
Systems and processes of checks and balances
Let us admit that we all are weak and susceptible to greed and temptations. Hence, a strong system of checks and balances is essential for a successful democracy. The principle of accountability should apply to all organs of the government viz., the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
It is, therefore, mandated that there are independent " Anti-corruption” Agencies or Commissions managed by civil society. Theses agencies are accessible by the people and are accountable to people.
Role of the Civil Society
We believe that the civil society should play an important role in the state mechanism. The main function of the various instruments in the civil society is to check the state’s monopoly in dealing with its citizenry. These instruments are in the shape of some institutions such as professional associations, religious groups, labor unions, charity organizations, citizen advocacy organizations, that give voice to various sectors of society and enrich public participation in democracies.
As a matter of fact, other intellectual forums including the press and the media can be brought under this category though most newspapers and TV channels are run as for-profit businesses. Even if they are seen as part of the commercial world, they may be part of the civil society. It means they have to perform more responsible role in filtering the right information among the citizens.
A civil society should play important role in ensuring that human rights are not violated and that human dignity is respected by the state and also that the state treats all its citizens equally, that there vis no discrimination on the basis of creed and colour.
In short, the civil societies should help in creating a world without any barriers and borders.
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