THE WAY AHEAD

After twenty six years of advocacy of public causes and striving for redress of the problems of the people, COMMON CAUSE today finds itself face to face with new challenges and opportunities. The first generation of its leaders conceived and concretized the idea of an independent platform for ventilating common problems of the people and made it a force to reckon with through its dogged pursuit of vital public causes and skillful use of the newly fashioned instrument of public interest litigation. That generation of stalwarts has passed away, handing over its mantle to a collective leadership. The changing perceptions and attitudes concerning the scope of PIL and the locus standi of civil society have likewise necessitated the development of new strategies and tactics for achieving the desired ends. The citizenry, empowered by the Right to Information Act, is better equipped today to claim its entitlements from the State. The conjuncture demands that new alliances be forged with public spirited individuals and voluntary bodies in order to enhance the reach and effectiveness of civic action.

It was in this context that the Governing Council of COMMON CAUSE Society, in its last meeting held on March 8, 2007, enunciated a statement of Vision, Mission and Objectives to serve as guide and reference point for future action. The Statement, reproduced overleaf, was endorsed by the General Body of the Society in its annual meeting held on March 24, 2007.

The Governing Council also revised the Rules and Regulations of the Society, primarily to streamline its functioning. The revised Rules and Regulations, which have been taken on record by the Registrar of Societies, Delhi, are reproduced for the information of the members in this issue.

COMMON CAUSE derives its strength from the dedication and the support, moral as well as material, of its members. We trust that in the years to come the unstinted support of its committed membership will enable the Organisation to grow from strength to strength. We also hope that the `Voice of COMMON CAUSE' will be able to reflect the emerging concerns and aspirations of its members and benefit from their suggestions and contributions on the entire gamut of issues of public importance.

An explanation is due in regard to the delay in the publication of this number of COMMON CAUSE. We wanted to publish the revised Rules and Regulations only after they had been taken on record by the Registrar of Societies, Delhi. The Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Newspapers for India also had to be revised to reflect the changes in the circulation policy and cost structure of the journal, as well as the particulars required to be included in the Certificate. Hopefully, future issues of COMMON CAUSE will reach you on time in keeping with our tradition.

  • THE WAY AHEAD
  • AMENDED RULES AND REGULATIONS OF COMMON CAUSE
  • CONSTITUTIONAL VALIDITY OF RESERVATIONS
  • BEYOND 50 PERCENT-NINTH SCHEDULE
  • WORKING CONDITIONS OF TEACHERS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS
  • RIGHT TO DIE WITH DIGNITY
  • POLICE REFORMS

- Kamal Kant Jaswal

April - June 2007