Lok Satta is a grassroots movement in India working to implement governance reforms through a dual top-down and bottom-up approach. It works with think tanks like the Foundation for Democratic Reforms to strategize and provide direction. Lok Satta addresses issues like electoral reforms, empowering local governments, increasing accountability, and speeding justice through research, public education campaigns, and pilot programs. Its goal is to empower citizens and enable a more prosperous, democratic India through improved governance.

12. (FDR) – Leading think tank that provides strategic direction Lok Satta – A grass roots people power movement that works to implement FDR’s vision Foundation for Democratic Reforms (FDR) and Lok Satta – a dual top-down, bottom-up approach

13. The relationship between FDRI, FDR, Lok Satta and affiliate organizations FDRI FDR Lok Satta Affiliate organizations Funds, research Funds, research Funds & in-kind support NRI Institutions NRI Institutions NRI Institutions Funds, research Other Sources

19. Lok Satta – Its founder and mission Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan – his life and mission

24. “ ... out of the past is built the future. Look back, therefore, as far as you can, drink deep of the eternal fountains that are behind, and after that, look forward, march forward....Our ancestors were great. We must first recall that. We must learn the elements of our being, the blood that courses in our veins; we must have faith in that blood, and what it did in the past - and out of that faith, and consciousness of past greatness, we must build an India yet greater than what she has been. There have been periods of decay and degradation. I do not attach much importance to them...such periods have been necessary. A mighty tree produces a beautiful ripe fruit. That fruit falls on the ground, it decays and rots, and out of that decay springs the root and the future tree, perhaps mightier than the first one...” - Swami Vivekananda FDRI / Lok Satta are About Hope and Action

27. Problem: Political parties fielding candidates with criminal records. Citizens are unaware of candidates’ criminal backgrounds. Solution: Citizens have a right to know if candidates have prior criminal histories. Enact legislation forcing parties to provide background information on candidates they field. Impact: - Lok Satta and coalition organizations challenge flawed bill concerning disclosure of candidates’ personal assets and criminal records - The Indian Supreme Court rules in favor of the coalition - Indian Election Commission issued guidelines in line with the Supreme Court directive - Voters can judge candidates on personal merit - SC directive to be enforced in December elections Comprehensive Electoral Reforms – the decriminalization of politics

28. Solution: Establish citizens groups to research and publicize the background of candidates. Create a forum to collect and verify criminal records. Publicize the records with those who have criminal pasts. Impact: - 1999, Lok Satta identifies 45 Lok Sabha and AP assembly candidates with criminal records. Political parties get the message. - 2002 Hyderabad Corporation elections - 34 candidates - 12 drop out for fear of exposure - of remaining 22, 14 found with criminal records - of the 14, only 1 with criminal record is elected - Model taken to states that go to the polls in Dec. 2003 Comprehensive Electoral Reforms – Election Watch Problem: Political parties field candidates with criminal records

29. Problem: Political parties’ illegal expenditure on campaigns is often 5-10 times the legal ceiling. Most of the money goes to buy votes and is a major source of corruption. Solution: Enact a bill for tighter scrutiny of election expenditure. Impact: - Lok Satta drafts bill for tighter campaign finance reform and gets bipartisan parliamentary support - Bill recently passed by Parliament largely unchanged - The Election Commission will implement the new law - The buying of votes and illegal fundraising curtailed Comprehensive Electoral Reforms – campaign finance reform

30. Solution: - Genuine devolution of power - Transfer 50% of state tax revenues to local governments - Create local government cadre in civil service - Abolish unconstitutional bodies such as Urban Development Authorities (HUDA etc.) - District wise allotments in state budgets - Independent ombudsmen for errant local officials Impact: - Government petitioned; no positive response yet - Campaign for 10MM signatures completed - Massive public education in AP on the issue; 800K pamphlets, 300K signature sheets, 107K posters etc. Decentralization of Power – empowerment of local government Problem: Excessive centralization starves local governments of funds and feeds an increasingly bloated bureaucracy

31. Problem: Grossly deficient public services with no recourse Solution: - Make citizens aware of services entitled to them through citizens’ charters - Establish minimum standards for public services - Force compensation for delay in rendering of services Impact: - AP government recognizes charters with respect to four public services in municipalities across AP - property tax assessment 15 days - house construction permit 15 days - water connection 30 days - birth & death certificates 05 days - Rs.50 compensation per day for delays in services - In 97% of cases, services delivered on time - 200 citizens receive compensation for delays Instruments of Accountability – citizens’ charters

32. Problem: Short delivery and adulteration of gasoline at filling stations. Economic cost in AP of Rs. 1 crore/day Solution: - Mobilize citizen volunteers with pre-calibrated measures to verify pump readings - Inform local media and government officials - Citizen groups conduct ongoing, random checks Impact: - AP department of weights and measures voluntarily fixes meters at all 1500 gasoline stations in the state - Citizens spared Rs. 1,000 crore of fraud over 3 years - 100,000 trained citizen volunteers by 2004 Instruments of Accountability – creating watchdog groups

33. Problem: Justice delayed is justice denied. Upwards of 25MM cases pending in Indian courts. Resolution can take decades eroding credibility of the legal system. Street justice often results. Solution: - Build more courts cost effectively Impact: - Lok Satta has prepared draft legislation that would - build 1 court per 25,000 citizens in rural areas - build 1 court per 50,000 citizens in urban areas - mobile courts with proceedings in local languages - courts headed by Nyaayaadhikaaris - deliver verdicts in 90 days Speedy Justice – expanding the legal infrastructure

34. Putting the Pieces Together – building a vibrant civil society Electoral Reforms Empower Local Government Instruments of Accountability Speedy Justice Implementing Best Practices Holistic, sustainable and scalable

35. Very little goes a long way – expected versus actual costs for 10MM signature campaign Total actual expenditure Lakh Rs. 21! 159.25 Media (print, radio cinema, TV etc.) 19.25 Administrative 500.01 Total 59.5 Campaign Meetings 6.25 Printing 2.20 Mailings 41.015 Transport (people and materials) 8.12 Training 204.43 Volunteers Market Value (Lakh Rs.) Expense

36. India Sources: UNDP, Transparency International In Case You Still Have Doubts – governance quality and the fate of nations Nigeria Malaysia U.S. China Brazil

46. Problem: AP government launches a Building Regularization Scheme (BRS) to ratify minor deviations in construction through a compounding fee - Many applications received - Only 1000 of 8000 cases resolved due to demand for bribes - Rs. 150,000 bribes collected from 300 citizens with no resolution Solution: - Establish a transparent peoples court method of adjudicating BRS applications Impact: - All remaining 7,000 applications adjudicated - All bribes collected were actually returned! Instruments of Accountability – rooting out corruption

47. Problem: State electricity boards (SEBs) are notoriously inefficient and corrupt. In 2001, the combined losses of SEBs totaled $5BN. In some states SEB losses are up to 60% of state deficits. Solution: - Privatize power generation - Trifurcate generation, transmission and distribution - Transparency in contracts Impact: - Lok Satta is working with authorities to improve the quality of power while sustaining affordability - Four pilot projects established to test different modes of distribution in a franchise model - Projects work with government, concerned citizens and farmers Research and Implementation of Best Practices – power reform