The spontaneity and the amplitude of the popular upsurge witnessed during the first two phases of the campaign for Jan Lokpal exploded the myth that corruption is a non-issue in Indian politics. It is true that even in the Lok Sabha elections of 1989, the Bofors affair had taken centre stage, but it was the first time that people from all walks of life had taken to the streets in response to a call to bring about a systemic change in the institutional framework to combat corruption. The inchoate... Read More

A Bill seeking to fix liability for nuclear damage and to specify procedures for compensating victims was introduced in the Lok Sabha on May 7, 2010 by the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Services. It was referred to the Standing Committee in Science & Technology, Environment & Forests on May 13, 2010. It met with vigorous opposition from a wide spectrum of citizens’ groups on the grounds that it indemnified manufacturers/suppliers of nuclear goods while at the sam... Read More

Excerpts from V.M. Tarkunde Memorial Lecture delivered by Justice Ruma Pal New Delhi, 10th November 2011 Justice Ruma Pal, who was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court in 1989, was the second woman to grace its Bench. Called upon to commemorate Justice V M Tarkunde, an indefatigable crusader for the independence of the judiciary, she delivered a searing address, which is remarkable for its clarity, candour and depth of feeling. Drawing a distinction between the institutional independence... 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 March 17, 2012 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 2010-2011. Appointments of Auditors for the year 2011-2012. Activities and Programmes. Elections I... Read More

We have audited the attached Balance Sheet of Common Cause (‘the Society’) as at March 31, 2011 and the Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended on that date annexed thereto. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Management of the Society. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in India. Those Standards require that w... Read More

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... Read More

‘Is something the matter?’ asked the bartender of the young, well-dressed customer, who sat staring sullenly into his drink. “Two months ago my grandfather died and left me eighty-five thousand dollars,’ said the man. ‘That doesn’t sound like anything to be upset about,’ said the bartender polishing a glass. ‘It should happen to me.’ ‘Yeah’, said the sour young man, ‘but last month an... Read More

*Vikram Lal We are reproducing below the initial posts on Mr. Vikram Lal’s blog, not only because they provide a perceptive analysis of the significance of the campaign for Jan Lokpal Bill, but also because they help place the ongoing debate over the role of civil society in policy formation and law making in a theoretical framework. It will be our endeavour to bring to our readers interesting posts from this blog from time to time. -Editor The Jan Lokpal Bill is dead — Lo... Read More