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Hon'ble Vice President of India deleivering the speech |
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Shri. M. Hamid.Ansari, Hon’ble Vice President of India delivered the key note for the inaugural session of the Seminar on 18th November 2009.
(click here for the complete text of his speech) |
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Vice President inaugurates seminar on “Evaluating Committees.. |
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Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India
The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that the Indian Parliament has performed its essential legislative, deliberative and accountability functions with a fair degree of success. |
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Curtail whips, give MPs freedom: V-P |
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Indian Express
Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who is Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, on Tuesday advocated that political parties should restrict whips to only those Bills and Motions which could threaten the survival of a government to enable freedom to MPs to air their views over critical issues. |
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Let MPs speak their mind: V-P |
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Hindustan Times
A day before the winter session of Parliament starts, Vice-President Hamid Ansari said members should be allowed to express their views without fear of violating party discipline. |
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V-P on the defensive |
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The Statesman
A report by an NGO, National Social Watch Coalition, has criticised the functioning of the parliamentary system accusing it of ad hocism, lack of critical analysis of the ministries, and absence of norms for nominating members and chairpersons to the committees. |
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Whip for bills threatening govt survival |
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The Asian Age
SAYS LACK OF MINISTERIAL PARTICIPATION IN STANDING COMMITTEES CURTAILS PROCESS EFFICACY |
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Reduce number of parliamentary panels |
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The Hindu
Recommending a reduction in the number of parliamentary committees, a research paper has called for induction of experts from academia and civil society into these forums in an advisory capacity. |
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Parliament panels can be very easily manipulated |
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19 November 2009
Times of India
In a scathing indictment of the parliamentary committee system, an independent report has said that leave alone acting as watchdogs, committees were vulnerable to manipulation. |
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Social investment is the key to a just and effective solution to the current economic crisis, says citizens' alternative report |
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Robust social investment programs should be enacted in order to effectively stimulate the global economy and mitigate the impacts of the financial crisis on workers |
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Celebrity MPs get thumbs down for parliament performance |
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April 6, 2009
The Hindu
New Delhi (IANS): What is common to cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, filmstars Govinda, Vinod Khanna, Hema Malini, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Jaya Prada, wrestler Dara Singh, industrialists Vijay Mallya and Rahul Bajaj, director Shyam Benegal and economist Bimal Jalan? |
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Celebrity MPs gets thumbs down for parliament performance |
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April 6 2009
Deccan Herald
'The Citizens' Report on Governance and Development 2008-09 by civil society organisation National Social Watch (NSW) has given the 12 MPs a definite thumbs down and detailed their lack of interest in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings. |
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Democracy at Work: Slogan Shouting, Walkouts and Boycotts |
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April 6, 2009
Outlook India
Each minute of a Parliament disruption cost the exchequer Rs 26,035. |
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Average working hours of Parliament less than 50 pc in 2000-07 |
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April6, 2009
The Economic Times
NEW DELHI: As India prepares to elect a new Parliament, a latest study shows that only 173 MPs in the 14th Lok Sabha actually spoke on
legislative issues while the House passed nearly 40 per cent of the bills with less than one hour of debate. |
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'Parliament passed key bills without much discussion' |
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Apr 07, 2009
Financial Express
The 14th Parliament had passed several significant legislations without much discussion, the Citizens’ Report on Governance and Development 2008-09 by civil society organisation National Social Watch (NSW) on Monday said. |
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‘Democracy frustrating’ |
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The Statesman
Kolkata, 29, Jnauary 2008
“Citizens’ Report on Governance & Development 2007”, released by Professor Sunanda Sanyal today. The report was prepared by the National Social Watch Process. |
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Role of Civil Society in the the 11th Five Year Plan |
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15 December 2008
Civil society leaders and members of planning commission came together in a consultation on the "Role of Civil Society in the 11th Five Year Plan" with the objective of exploring the institutional mechanisms for participation of civil society across the different stages of the planning, implementation and evaluation of the Five Year Plan |
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Parliament fails in citizens report |
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Hindustan Times
2 July 2007
Ambiguities are understandable in context to socio-economic realties, but continued sense of ambiguities leads to imponderable difficulties in the area of governance, 2007 Citizen's Report on Governance and Development
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?International Social Watch Report 2008: Right is the Answer? |
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December 1 2008
?RIGHTS IS THE ANSWER?:
An approach based on human rights is the only way to overcome the current crisis, argues a worldwide coalition of civil society organizations
DOHA, QATAR (December 1): The unusual combination of financial crisis, food crisis, energy and climate crisis requires a new approach based on human rights, argues the international Social Watch coalition in its 2008 report, launched today here during the United Nations Conference on Financing for Development. Next December 10, as the report remembers the 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be commemorated and the title of the Social Watch Report 2008 is, precisely, ?Rights is the Answer?. |
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The world faces a global emergency created by the confluence of an unprecedented financial crisis |
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December 1 2008
The world faces a global emergency created by the confluence of an unprecedented financial crisis, rising food prices, climate change and growing inequities. Civil society groups from around the world show in the Social Watch Report, 2008 that how human rights are being violated as a direct consequence of the same global economic order that created this chaos. After the failure of mainstream strategies, the abandoned principles of social justice and a rights-based approach to development are an essential component of any solution. Some of thh facts over the world: |
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House too 'busy' to work |
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The Financial Express
30 June 2007
"If you thought parliament was all about 'democracy at work', read on. Slogan shouting, walk-outs and boycotts resulted in parliament losing 26% of its time to interruptions in the 14th Lok Sabha. " shocking waste of time, considering that each minute of parliament costs the exchequer Rs 26,035", says a citizens Report on Governance and Development 2007" brought out by the National Social watch Coalition (NSWC)."
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e-Judiciary: computerizing the judicial system |
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expressindia
July 4 2008
CLM Reddy Head, Courts Informatics Division, National Informatics Centre, gave a comprehensive overview of the state of affairs vis-à-vis the ongoing computerization of the Indian judicial system. By Pujya Trivedi |
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Rhetoric and Reality: Report says House standards declining |
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Parliament disruptions costs Rs.20 cr to exchequer |
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The Hindu
6 January 2008
Speaker Somnath Chatterjee hopes that it will be a different story in 2008.
"I hope that Parliament will be able to identify and deliberate on the real national issues concerning the common people of the country," he said when asked about the outlook for the new year. The disruptions cost a fortune in view of the fact that the per minute expenditure of running the Lok Sabha alone was put at Rs 22,089 during 2006-07 which is likely to go up to Rs 24,632 this year. This way the Lok Sabha alone lost a whopping Rs 17,22,94,200. |
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Nearly 11,500 farmer suicides in last six years |
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The Statesman and DNA
1 July
"The Study, carried out by a conglomerate of voluntary organizations called national Social watch Coalition says that at least 11,387 farmers have committed suicide between 2001-2006." |
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Parliament: neither of nor for the people |
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Shasan va vikas per Nagrik Report zari |
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Sansad aur vidhansabhaon main Garima kee girawat |
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Sansad- Vidhansabhaon main sadakchaap Rajniti Hawi |
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Pichhle Chhe Barso main 11,500 Kisano ne Atmahatya Ki |
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Citizens 'Report on ‘health of government', One World South Asia |
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Rs. 6,500cr for Poor Unspent |
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The Asian Age
30 June 2007
"Half of the Rs. 13,000 crores given to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) to provide jobs for the rural poor during 2005-06 has been allowed to lapse. This is just one of the many details highlighted by the "Citizens Report on Governance and Development 2007" collated by the National Social watch Coalition (NSWC), which comprises civil society organizations from 14 states." |
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Engaging India: Crime and politics |
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By Jo Johnson, South Asia bureau chief, Financial Times (FT.COM)
Published: May 3 2007 02:50 | Last updated: May 3 2007 02:50
Part of the explanation, according to Himanshu Jha of Social Watch India, an NGO, is that criminals now see political office as a business opportunity. He is convinced that some political parties are now even demanding large upfront payments from their candidates, knowing that those elected can later more than recoup their ’investment’ by hawking favours, siphoning off funds for development or selling in the market foodstuffs destined for a midday meal scheme for school-age children.
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Indian Parliament Bars Lawmaker Arrested for People Smuggling |
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April 26, 2007
By Bibhudatta Pradhan
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A cancerous growth in India's body politic |
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By Amelia Gentleman
International Heral Tribune
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Social Watch India, a political watchdog, reported last year that 125 of the 538 members of Parliament have criminal cases pending against them. Around half of these cases relate to relatively minor allegations, the other half concern serious charges that could lead to jail terms of five years or more.
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Focus back on MPs with criminal past |
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Santwana Bhattacharya
Indian Express Thursday, April 26, 2007
Study by Social Watch shows 125 MPs have criminal cases against them
The Social Watch data, tabulated from affidavits submitted by MPs to the EC and later to Parliament, also shows that all major political parties have members with criminal antecedents.
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BJP MP arrested at airport with |
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Reuters, Thu Apr 19, 2007
Many Indian MPs are seen as corrupt and Social Watch India, a watchdog, said in a report last year that more than 30 percent of lawmakers aged between 36 and 45 years were facing criminal charges. |
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1/4th MPs of Lok Sabha are tainted |
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ibnlive.com (New Delhi, April 18)
According to the Citizen's Report on Governance and Development - 2006, prepared by the National Social Watch Coalition, at last count nearly 25 per cent of Lok Sabha MPs had criminal cases against them.
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India's war on poverty: Easy victory unlikely |
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By Amelia Gentleman
International Heral Tribune
FEBRUARY 28, 2006 |
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SOCIAL WATCH Report 2006 |
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Social Watch publishes a yearly report. |
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Controversies waste House time |
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By Namrata Biji Ahuja
New Delhi, January 20
Parliament is wasting time on political controversies, reveals the Citizen's Report on Governance and Development - 2006, prepared by the National Social Watch Coalition, that was released on Thursday by former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral. |
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Frayed tempers cost Parliament dear: Report |
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New Delhi, PTI
While the cost of running Parliament has gone up phenomenally down the years, so has the time lost in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to the `frayed tempers' of the legislators.
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India Shining: No way says group |
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New Delhi, January 20, 2006
After assessing governance and development in India, an independent group reports that there is hardly any good news. It says, India is whining and not shining, a newspaper said.
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India whining: Dirt in Parliament |
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Aloke Tikku
New Delhi, January 19, 2006
After assessing governance and development in India, an independent group reports that there is hardly any good news. It says, India is whining and not shining. |
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Many lawmakers are lawbreakers, says report |
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Rakesh Bhatnagar
New Delhi, January 20, 2006
Young lawmakers are more prone to breaking laws. Mind you, 30.4 per cent of MPs between 36 and 45 years, who have been elected to the 14 th Lok Sabha are facing criminal cases in different parts of the country. And 18.3 per cent of them are facing grave charges, a report by Social Watch India says.
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Politics-Criminalization |
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New Delhi, January 19 (PTI)
There is a proliferation of people with criminal record fighting elections, blurring the line between crime and politics further, a report by an NGO alleged. |
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CITIZEN'S REPORT ON GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT : 2006 |
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Parliament is wasting time on political controversies, reveals the Citizen's Report on Governance and Development - 2006, prepared by the National Social Watch Coalition, that was released on Thursday by former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral. |
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MONITORING INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNANCE |
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The second Citizens Report on Governance and Development seeks to analyse and understand the performance and working of key institutions and arenas of governance in relation to social development and from the perspective of citizens and the civil society. |
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GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY : LOCAL GOVERNANCE WATCH |
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In a report on auditing institution of the State for making democracy work, the section on Panchayats become critically important as the introduction of the Panchayat Raj system through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment is the most definitive step towards re-energizing democracy in the history of independent India. |
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BROKEN PROMISES : POLICY WATCH |
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Democratic governance can be realised only in a milieu of people-centred policies and practices. Unfortunately, the Indian polity and the state have perfected the rhetoric of democratic governance, which in reality is divorced form a policy framework rooted in a peoples rights discourse. |
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The 'Citizens Report on Governance and Development, 2007', presented to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh |
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The Hindu
9 July 2007
Speaking after receiving the report, Dr. Singh stressed the need for more public accountability of institutions of governance such as the judiciary and Parliament. He said institutions such as Social Watch were important to monitor governance and provide constructive feedback to the government at various levels. Dr. Singh said key programmes with high investment could be more effective with the participation of citizens and credible non-governmental organisations.
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SEEKING ACCOUNTABILTY : PARLIAMENT WATCH |
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The idea of a vibrant, independent and accountable parliament is central to making democracy work. In a parliamentary democracy like India, the responsibilities, roles and function of the parliament increase manifold. One of the biggest achievements of postcolonial India immediately after attainment of independence was, the establishment and institutionalization of the parliament. Over the decades, the parliament has been one of the most important pillars of Indian democracy. |
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ACCESS TO JUSTICE : JUDICIARY WATCH |
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The functioning of a democracy is dependent on the autonomy and efficacy of the three systems of the state, namely, parliament, executive and the judiciary. India in the last two decades has seen rapid erosion of the functioning of the parliament and the executive. |
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MPS FAILING IN THEIR DUTIES, SAYS REPORT |
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The Citizens Report on Governance and Development 2004 has criticised elected representatives for failing to perform their duties that was increasingly reflected in the rapid decline of democracy in the country.
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Addrssing to the Nation: Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chief Justice of India Supreme Court Bar Association Law Day Celebrations on 26th November, 2007, New Delhi. |
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26 November, 2007
Law Day is significant because it reminds us of our commitment to the values incorporated in the Constitution and provides us an occasion to take stock of the performance of Constitutional institutions towards promotion and realization of Constitutional goals. Judiciary is entrusted by the Constitution with the task of not only ensuring the working of the government according to the provisions of the Constitution but also protecting the fundamental rights of citizens by upholding rule of law and access to justice for everyone. |
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Health Sector Needs Better Infrastructure |
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Medical News Channel
30 june 2007
Reacting to the plight of tribals in mining affected areas of Orissa, highlighted by renowned activist, Padmashree awardee Tulsi Munda, Hameed said: 'I understand the plight and the 11th plan will address some of them." Munda said: 'Parliament and state legislatures are no more concerned about the poor and downtrodden. This is a sad state of affairs and we hope the recent report on governance will open the eyes of authorities towards the real problem." She was speaking here at the release of a report, Governance and Development 2007, prepared by the National Social Watch Coalition, a conglomerate of voluntary organisation from 14 states.
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