The Indian democracy has firmly established its roots with a strong presence of 713 million voters. Institutions that ensure a citizen’s franchise in a democracy, viz., the Parliament, State Assemblies, Courts, National and State Election Commissions, and local institutions of governance have long been established and are functional. Democratic governance, however, largely depends on the degree to which these institutions deliver on their promises of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of citizens.

There is no doubt that we are lagging behind in ensuring basic amenities of life and dignity of life to millions of our fellow citizens. State’s capacities, its responsiveness and accountability are being questioned. Democratic governance in our country has proved to be meaningless to most of the marginalised and poor. Even the Government of India has expressed its concern on governance reform. The Hon'ble President of India Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her speech in the Parliament said, “the major focus of the Government would be reform of governance for effective delivery of public services. Reports of the Administrative Reforms Commission would guide the effort. Reform of structures in the higher echelons of government, increased decentralisation, inclusion of women and youth in governance, process reform and public accountability would be key areas for focused action”.

Reforms in governance demand a participatory and citizen-centric process---the way citizens, leaders and public institutions interact with each other to make changes happen. Civil society has two important roles to perform in this process: 1) to be a proactive supporter of the reform process and 2) to act as a watchdog and critic of the reform process. This requires a larger role by the civil society in enabling citizens and their institutions in engaging with the reform processes. It has to interface with actors in governments to make reforms in governance more transparent, accountable and effective for the welfare of citizens.

Civil society organisations have been proactively voicing the need for reforms in governance like election reforms, judicial and police reforms, administrative reforms and human rights issues (food, health, forest and livelihood security, etc.) for many years. A few of them are engaged in bringing about institutional reforms in local democratic bodies (Panchayats and Municipal bodies) with mobilisation and building accountability of Gram and Ward/Mohalla Sabhas. Extensive work has also been undertaken by some on policy issues related to participatory comprehensive district and urban planning, capacity building of leaders, strengthening of District Planning Committees, State Finance Commissions, State Election Commissions, financial and administrative capacity building of the local democratic bodies, women’s political empowerment and leadership, pre-election voter awareness campaign and strengthening of SC/ST leadership

According to the Economic Survey 2008--09, the share of Central Government expenditure on social services including rural development in total expenditure (plan and non-plan) has increased from 11.23 per cent in 2002--03 to 19.44 per cent in 2008--09 (RE) and the total social service expenditure (central and states combined) has increased to Rs 796,384 crore in 2003--04 to Rs 14, 85,536 crore (BE) in 2008*. A few progressive acts to secure the rights of citizens have also been implemented like the Forest Rights Act, Right to Information Act, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Domestic Violence Act, Right to Education, and others. Ironically, India has only slipped further down to 128 from 127 on the Human Development Index as per the 2008 data.¨ This is primarily because the government has not been bringing about the desired reforms in public institutions.

Therefore, in the present context there is an urgent need for reorganisation of effective reforms in the functioning of public institutions and programmes with respect to transparency and accountability in the public institutions. Furthermore, there is an emerging consensus in India and other countries to strengthen the decentralisation of political and administrative authority in local governments. This has been reflected in the Second Administrative Reform Commission report and the Planning Commission’s initiatives on district and inclusive planning

The principles and values that need to be aggressively promoted to ensure effective, participatory and people-centric governance are:

•Dignity- An effective mechanism needs to be put in place to ensure the basic human rights and dignity of life of citizens. Although legally banned, the practice of untouchability in a few social realms, as reported in the media regularly, is a national shame. The Tribal are being pushed to the peripheries of human existence. Women are still not treated with respect. There is a general fear among citizens in approaching the police and other state organs, the very institutions that are supposed to be our protectors. Despite constitutional provisions, the right to land, food, forest and livelihood, the freedom of expression, right to form associations to voice our civic demands are regularly being encroached upon and snatched away.

The abovementioned issues require a consistent alliance of energies, capacities and networks of various actors at different levels, but on a common platform and sustainable basis. The larger civil society (Community Based Organisations, NGOs, media, academia and market) has to come together to interface with the Government, public and private institutions on mutually identified issues on governance reforms.

Realising the importance of reforms in the existing institutions of governance, the campaign aims to partner with a variety of institutions to bring together synergies in isolated initiatives intended for governance reform on a common platform. The objective is to facilitate a coalition of campaigns and campaigners on different issues (land rights, elections, food and health security) to have an impact on the whole system of delivery. It is expected that with the necessary impetus from the CSOs, much desirable change will come about in the public institutions to make them act in a responsible, responsive, transparent and accountable manner.

The campaign will build and facilitate a national alliance of civil society organisations, media and other actors at the state and national levels on reforms in governance. The three main issues identified for reforms in governance are as follows

The abovementioned issues are broad in nature and others can also be identified and prioritised on the basis of the need of the state and networks/actors at various levels. To initiate the campaign, the local government election provides an opportunity to create an alliance of interested CSOs, media, academia, networks and political parties. The alliance would be a coalition of different organisations/individuals, academia, think tanks and media, which would have a stake (and say) in the mutually agreed initiatives in contributing to the process in their capabilities through collective efforts. It will be ensured that all members have an equal say in sustaining the alliance. The campaign may initially focus on election reforms in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, where the election process of local bodies has either been initiated or is in the process. Issues related to devolution to local bodies for better service delivery, free and transparent election procedures and able and dynamic leadership will also be highlighted in the local government elections. Simultaneously, the campaign would initiate an alliance with other networks/actors working on the issues of reforms in governance in other states like electoral reforms, judicial reforms, police reforms, human rights and administrative and fiscal reforms, etc. The focus of the intervention will be based on the mutually agreed issues in these states. This campaign will provide a common platform to jointly raise voices for issues and concerns affecting reforms in governance.

The campaign will also forge partnerships with a variety of civil society organisations like universities, academic institutions, Bar Associations, Medical Associations, Industry Association, Journalists’ Associations, Culture and Art Association, Election Watch, etc.. Mainstream media would also be a key stakeholder for citizen education and public advocacy through the production of IEC and other communication activities. Interface and dialogues will be organised with constitutional/public institutions like the State Election Commission, State Finance Commission, Central Finance Commission, Election Commission of India, ministries, SC/ST Commissions, Women Commissions, issue-specific cells of political parties and others to seek their support, guidance and interventions in addressing the identified issues of reforms in governance.

¹Political reforms would include 1) Strengthening democracy through free and fair local, state and national electoral processes; 2) Restoring the voters’ confidence in the political process and increase their participation; 3) Deepening democracy through public accountability and transparency, to reduce the vested influence in elections.

³Ensuring access to information to citizen and building their capacities to monitor the public institutions’ functions, to participate in decision-making and actively contribute to the public good. Marginalised sections of citizens (SC, ST and women) should be empowered to participate in decision-making processes and gaining political leadership.