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Readers will recall that Common Cause had filed a PIL in the Supreme Court in 1995 to demand the establishment of an effective framework for combating corruption by creating the institutions of Lokpal at the central level and Lokayukta at the state level. The essential features of a law for establishing an independent and empowered Lokpal were first outlined in an affidavit filed by Common Cause in August 2008. Our PIL is now at the final stage of hearing. Over the last fifteen years, gover...

Salient Features of Civil Society's Lokpal Bill 1. There shall be an institution of Lokpal with ten members and headed by a Chairperson. 2. That part of CBI which deals with cases of corruption, shall be merged with Lokpal. 3. CVC and the entire internal vigilance set in various central government departments will bemerged with Lokpal. 4. Lokpal will be completely independent of the Government. 5. Lokpal shall have jurisdiction over bureaucrats, politicians and judges. 6. L...

In the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark judgment in Vineet Narain's case, the Central Vigilance Commission was established as a statutory body to oversee the functioning of the vigilance machinery of the central government and exercise superintendence over the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Union Government has chosen to ignore the directions of the Supreme Court and the legislative intent behind the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 in steamrolling the appointment of Mr. ...

Readers may recall that in our last issue, we had reproduced a summary of the report of the Monitoring Committee appointed by the Delhi High Court to verify the averments made in the petition filed by Peoples Union for Democratic Rights, Nirmaan Mazdoor Panchayat Sangam and Common Cause for securing the rights of the construction workers engaged in projects related to the Commonwealth Games 2010. The report had brought out the stark reality of the situation of these workers. One would have ...

* Vikram Lal India uses its own system of numbering, which goes from a thousand to a lakh (100 thousand) and then on to a crore (100 lakhs) for large numbers. There is always pressure (internal and external) on India to convert to the `international' or the Western system of millions, billions, etc. Whereas generally it is better to adapt to a universally accepted system, in this case it is not really necessary because there is no complex formula needed for conversion from one system t...

The Ministry of Finance has taken up the Herculean task of streamlining and rationalizing the inordinately complex and obscure laws governing direct taxes, which have become increasingly complicated with the passage of time. After years of groundwork, it unveiled the draft Direct Taxes Code in August 2009 and set in motion a process of multi-level public consultation over its radical tax reforms proposals. Common Cause addressed a representation to the Union Finance Minister on December 16, ...

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING To All Members of COMMON CAUSE, The Annual General Meeting of COMMON CAUSE Society will be held in COMMON CAUSE HOUSE, located at 5, Institutional Area, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110 070, on March 26, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. Agenda will be as follows: Consideration of Annual Report and adoption of the Annual Accounts alongwith the Auditors Report for the year 2009-2010. Appointments of Auditors for the year 2010-2011. Activities ...

Under the Rules & Regulations of COMMON CAUSE as amended by the Governing Council on March 8, 2007, The membership of the Society is open to individuals irrespective of caste, creed or community. Organisations, which were members of the Society as on March 8, 2007, shall henceforth be Honorary members without voting rights. The membership fee for new Individual members (with voting rights) is Rs.500/- for one year and Rs.2,500/- for life. New Ass...

The small boy asks, ‘Daddy, are you still growing?’ ‘No, son, what makes you think so?’ ‘Because the top of your head is coming through your hair.’ •••••••••• Two friends meet in the street one day. ‘Well,’ said one, ‘So you’re married at last. My congratulations. I heard you have an excellent and accomplished wife.’ ‘ I do, indeed,’ was the reply. ‘...