India's Society for Citizens Vigilance Initiatives is making politicians report cards for transp
Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) or Society for Citizens Vigilance Initiatives (SCVI) is a registered citizens’ group with a mandate to promote transparency and accountability in government functioning and to encourage active participation of citizens in governance. It was set up in 2003 and is an independent non-governmental organization. SNS is not affiliated to or supported by any political party. The key strategy of SNS has been to assist people exercise their Right to Information (RTI) using tools like the National RTI Act and the Delhi RTI Act. SNS runs an information center in Malviya Nagar in Delhi. What are the objectives of SNS? SNS’s endeavour is to empower individuals to fight corruption and the arbitrary exercise of power and participate in the effective utilization of public funds. SNS also helps them engage with the government on issues of policy formulation and implementation. SNS seeks to encourage citizens’ participation in governance and helps citizens: use tools such as the National Right to Information Act 2005 and Delhi Right to Information Act to keep themselves informed about the various activities of the Government; use the information obtained to monitor functioning of their elected representatives and the working of the government departments participate in planning the allocation of public funds to ensure that funds meant for the welfare of citizens are spent on activities that are considered important by them. Report Cards of Delhi MLAs With the upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi, Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) has developed Report Cards of all the 70 MLAs of Delhi to assess their performance in the last five years. The Report Cards are being published in the Times of India and Hindustan. Report Cards provide information on the performance of MLAs on the basis of the following objective parameters : -Performance in the Legislative Assembly from 2008 to 2013 -Performance in allocation of MLA Local Area Development Funds -Performance in Vigilance Committees: MLAs are chairpersons and members of various vigilance committees.
-The Report Cards provide information on the attendance of MLAs in the Thana Level Committee, Ration Vigilance Committee, District Grievance Redress Committee and District Development committee. -Criminal and educational background of the MLA -Transparency in the utilization of MLALADs -The aim of the campaign is to build peoples’ understanding on the roles and responsibilities of elected representatives and disseminate information on the performance of elected representatives.
At several places, people have used the information provided in Report Cards to engage with their MLAs, MPs and Councillors and participate in local area development.
Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) or Society for Citizens Vigilance Initiatives (SCVI). http://www.snsindia.org/aboutus.htm [verified 4/15/14]