CAGED PARROT IN THE DOCK Much has been written about the Supreme Court's decisions in the PILs on 2G licences and Coal allocations that have dealt a body blow to crony capitalism by mandating the wholesale cancellation of telecom licences and coal block allocations granted by the central government in violation of the Constitutional principles of equity and custodianship of national resources. These decisions have also forced the government to adopt more objective and equitable criteria a... Read More

It is universally accepted that dispensation of justice in a speedy, economical and efficacious manner is one of the primary functions of the sovereign. Unfortunately, the Indian state has not been able to discharge this crucial sovereign function despite repeated declarations of intent and commitment. The courts and other tribunals of adjudication are confronted with a mounting backlog of cases, which clogs the system of adjudication, demoralises the protagonists and prolongs the time taken to ... Read More

It is universally accepted that dispensation of justice in a speedy, economical and efficacious manner is one of the primary functions of the sovereign. Unfortunately, the Indian state has not been able to discharge this crucial sovereign function despite repeated declarations of intent and commitment. The courts and other tribunals of adjudication are confronted with a mounting backlog of cases, which clogs the system of adjudication, demoralises the protagonists and prolongs the time taken to ... Read More

Vikram Lal* Electricity is the equivalent of blood for a modern, efficient, productive economy. And just like blood for the body, it needs to be there at all times, not being switched off and on at random, for whatever reason. Electricity has two distinct types of functions. The first is as a source of raw energy, where it drives motors, welding machines, heaters, and all kinds of equipment in factories; air-conditioning and refrigerators in cold storages, offices, cinemas, and in all ki... Read More

Honey J. Ambanatu*   D-cold, Nimesulide and Analgin are common household drugs. We give these drugs to our children when they have fever; doctors prescribe them as painkillers. What we do not know is that many of these drugs are banned in the developed countries, but are sold in our markets. This paper will focus on some of the common drugs and branded formulations sold in Indian pharmacies but banned in many developed countries. It will also discuss the reported side effects of these... Read More

Common Cause organized a Press Conference on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at the Press Club of India, New Delhi to focus media attention on the plight of Sewa Nagar Pilot Project, which was launched by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in partnership with Manushi Sangathan, an NGO headed by the noted author and public activist, Ms. Madhu Kishwar. The Pilot aims to demonstrate the viability of a self- governing vendor market as envisaged in the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors, 2004. ... Read More

Readers may please recall that COMMON CAUSE had filed a writ petition in the High Court of Delhi when the Govt of NCT of Delhi failed to take effective action against the officials at the bottling plants of Indian Oil Corporation, where underweight cylinders were detected in the course of inspection sometime in November 2005. Our contention was that in the context of persistent reports of shortages and other malpractices in the supply of LPG, the competent authority should have initiated prosecu... Read More

LETTING OUT OF PUBLIC PARKS FOR PUBLIC FUNCTIONS Letter dated October 12, 2007 from Mr. Ashok Kumar, Village Wazirpur, Ashok Vihar, Delhi- 110052 is reproduced below : Sub: Temporary allotment of land by DDA for the purpose of holding marriage/ social functions etc. The Delhi Development Authority allots vacant land/ parks etc. for the purpose of holding social/ marriage functions etc. For this, the DDA levies booking charges from the allottees on daily basis which comprises of rent per... Read More

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 29th March, 2008 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 2006-2007. Appointment of Auditors for the year 2007-2008. Activities and programmes. Election... Read More

The year under report was another consecutive year of misfortune for the society after the severe jolt of losing its Founder Director, Mr. H. D. Shourie, in June, 2005. COMMON CAUSE received another shock in the untimely demise of its Chief Executive, Mr. P. K. Dave, in September 2006. During his short stewardship, Mr. Dave guided the Society with dedication and professionalism to further the objectives set forth by its founding fathers. After Mr. Dave’s death, our President, Mr. Vikr... Read More