संसद के मानसून सत्र में हुए हंगामे और सत्ता पक्ष और विपक्ष में बढ़ते टकराव से देश बहुत चिंतित है। पिछले दिनों इसी पृष्ठ पर आरके सिन्हा ने ‘संसदीय लोकतंत्र को खतरा लेख में लिखा था कि ‘देश में विकास की बयार बहे इसके लिए जरूरी है कि परस्पर संवाद का वातावरण बना रहे। यह […]
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Black Money and Political Funding: A Story That Needs Iterations
Magna Carta in India? Partytime for netas
None of the six political parties complied with the decision of the highest statutory body administering the RTI Act, nor did any of them approach any other legal forum to challenge the decision. They just ignored it. Application of law is inconsistent and patchy in India. RTI activists protest in Delhi. Tribune photo SEVERAL countries, […]
NGOs’ foreign funds and a trust deficit
There is no organised conspiracy against NGOs. It is in the nature of power to exercise greater control, and exempt itself from accountability. The recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) have been widely discussed. The last word on it will perhaps never be written. […]
Sarokaar – NGOs and Government: Intentions & Actions
The government recently revoked the licenses of 4470 NGOs. These NGOs were charged with violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Many prestigious institutes fall under the ambit of this order including University of Delhi, JNU, Punjab University among others. Last year also, the government revoked the licenses of 8,975 NGOs and till now […]
Sarokaar – MPLAD Scheme: Application and Rationale
The recently published report by India Spend has presented some startling figures regarding the expenditure of funds received from MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) by MPs for development work in their respective constituencies. It has been stated that in the past one year, MPLADS funds of 298 members of Lok Sabha have remained unutilised. […]
MPs Of The 16th Lok Sabha Took Home An Average Of 20.5 Lakh Rupees In The First 10 Months In Salary & Allowances
The 16th Lok Sabha seems to have done better than the 15th Lok Sabha in various parameters like questions asked, debates participated etc. It also has a better attendance record. The 16th Lok Sabha so far has a 85% attendance record while 43 MPs have a 100% attendance record. On an average, an MP of […]
Rajya Sabha vs Lok Sabha: FM Arun Jaitley’s Remarks Questioning The Role Of Rajya Sabha Are Misplaced
The Indian Constitution does not permit for a hierarchy between the two Houses of Parliament on the basis of a direct and indirect election. The leader of the Rajya Sabha is reported to have said: “It is a serious question in a parliamentary democracy wherein the wisdom of a directly elected house is questioned repeatedly […]
ADR writes to PM for introduction of Register of Members’ Interest of Lok Sabha MPs
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) writes to the Prime Minister for introduction of Register of Members’ Interest of Lok Sabha MPs.
If We Can’t Respect The Governor’s Office, Let’s Abolish It
Subsequent governments have degraded the constitutional position. It’s time we stop the humiliation. Imagine you are holding what you think is a reasonably respectable job. You get a notification from the authorities that: * You will not leave your state without prior permission. * Even “in emergent or extraordinary circumstances” when you have to leave your […]