ICPRD

Citizens’ interface with MPs/MLAs at Puducherry, April 2007. Seen are Shri . V. Narayanasamy, (Congress) Rajya Sabha MP from Puducherry, Shri R. Vishwanathan, (CPI) MLA from Puducherry, Shri AMH Nazeem, (DMK) MLA and Leader of Opposition, Puducherry Legislative Assembly, Prof. Ramadass, (PMK) Lok Sabha MP from Puducherry. Dr. Nandini Azad, Member-Secretary, ICPRD, Ms. Prema Cariappa, (Congress) Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka.

Citizens are concerned today ever than more about the "Challenges of Governance". Be it the "politics of development", the "industrialization versus agrarian" debate, the dynamics of the citizens’ role in monitoring governance are transforming dramatically. No longer is she a bystander. She wants a voice and a voice that can be heard loud and clear by the powers that be, with solutions.

The Independent Commission for People's Rights and Development (ICPRD) is spearheading a unique concept of "Citizens' Interface" with a Report on Governance through its MPs/MLAs/Exposure Visit Scheme that is being initiated by an NGO for the first time in the country. Through Round table meetings, it brings citizens' concerns from the backburner to the fore. A mechanism whereby government’s mid-course correction can be possible. Four such Citizens’ Interfaces have been successfully held since 2005 in Bangalore, Rajasthan, Orissa and Pondicherry. Over 70 MPs/MLAs have participated in the round tables. In the current Parliament, around 10% have been part of the activities. Over 100 media, 80 eminent citizens/NGOs and 22 MPs/MLAs have participated in the 4 interfaces in 2 years.

Thus, the Governed and the Citizen are together forging a platform for interface "on solutions to the new challenges that coalition democracy and globalization are throwing up." The 2007 interfaces which were held in Orissa and Puducherry have been popular and burgeoned with both MPs and citizens pressuring ICPRD for "a space to participate". The time of reckoning for the Indian Citizen has indeed come!

Main objectives of the interfaces

To explore the possible mechanisms to institutionalize Parliamentarians/Legislative/civil society interactions on behalf of the poor/vulnerable.
Assessment by MPs/MLAs and Citizens together on the Current Status of Governance.
To review the current status of development programmes with relevance to progress, innovation, outcomes and challenges.

            ·       Industrialization in rural/agrarian society
            ·       Women in a transitional society
            ·       Governance issues including Challenges of Fifth Schedule areas

Welcoming the MPs/MLAs, academicians, civil society members, media and others during the third Interface of ICPRD, Dr Nandini Azad, Member-Secretary, ICPRD said that the growing marginalization of the poor and other vulnerable sections of the society on development issues necessitates joining of hands of both MPs and Citizens for good governance such as politicians, media, citizens and civil Society to strengthen democracy.

Stating that poverty reduction continued to be a political challenge in India, Dr Azad said that all efforts should be made to make the lives of the vulnerable, bearable. Like Orissa, various other states like Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal etc. are facing similar problems like Naxalism, poverty, gender-based violence etc., she said. She concluded by stating that the expected outcome of the discussion was to cull out development solutions and strategy, which are enforceable; make Governance accountable.