The Newsletter of Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT)

VOL. 5, ISSUE 1, July 2014

Profile
Public Concern for Governance
Trust (PCGT), a registered trust,
founded by concerned citizens,
mobilises public opinion, increases
public participation and activism
towards

promoting

honesty,

transparency and accountability in

governance.

Vision
To strive for good governance,
contain corruption, uphold and
inculcate

values

and

enhance

Sadbhavna in the citizens.

Board of Trustees
CHAIRMAN
Mr. J. F. Ribeiro
MANAGING TRUSTEE
Mr. Dara Gandhy
JT. MANAGING TRUSTEE
Mr. Narayan Varma.
TRUSTEES
Dr. R. K. Anand
Mr. Kumar Ketkar
Dr. Ratna Magotra
Mr. S. S. Puri
Ms. Nandini Sardesai
Mr. Gulam A. Vahanvaty

Youth For Governance

Projects

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VOL. 5, ISSUE 1, July 2014

VOICES

EDITORIAL

f one walked into PCGT in the

past month, it was buzzing with
young interns deeply involved with
governance issues, preparing for Youth
for Governance project. Considering
130 million new voters participated in
the recent general elections, youth have
played an important role and reinforced
the Indian democracy. The energy of the
youth needs to be respected and guided.
It was very heartening to see the young
animated interns having discussions with
senior officers from Police, Anti-corruption
bureau and the FDA Commissioner.
Public Concern for Governance Trust
continues to raise issues related to
governance. The cases of corruption,
injustice and other wrongs that agitate the
public are followed up with the respective
public authority or the government
departments after due deliberations.
Illegalities in the Campa-Cola buildings
and the proposed demolitions remained in
public focus following the Supreme Court
judgment with no corresponding action
against the corrupt officials, architects
and developers. Should the awardees
of highest national honor like Bharat
Ratna have some code of conduct in their
professional conduct? The excerpts from
letters to the Municipal Commissioner and
Sachin Tendulkar reflect these concerns.
India recently voted in what could be
called most watched general election.
PCGT Pune Chapter organized series of
lectures on Elections without Corruption
through the year preceding the general
elections of 2014. A new government
has taken charge at the centre with a
rare mix of hope and apprehension. It is
to be appreciated that only democracy
can provide moments of change and
new beginnings. While it is too early to
pass any value judgment, the civil society
as a whole will need to be vigilant to see
that Indias institutions and constitutional
obligations of good governance will be
respected. Narayana Murthy said of the
new government, it has been elected
with such a wonderful majority, my best
wishes are to them (IE June 15, 2014).
www.pcgt.org

Shivani Explaining the YFG Project to the Interns

We agree with the sentiment and hope where high moral standards are prioritized
that Prime Minister Modi has the wisdom over commercial progress. We believe
to take his critics and rivals along as he that the office provides perfect ambience
undertakes the enormous task of steering any intern would want and gives the intern
the nation in very difficult and polarized full freedom to work at his/her comfort. The
times.
best thing is that each persons opinion is
taken into consideration and this place is
Let us have faith that right makes the free from authoritarianism. Also a hearty
might, and in that faith, let us to the end, thanks to Mr. Julio Ribeiro for accepting
dare to do our duty as we understand all our views, respecting them and giving
it. Abraham Lincoln
us the opportunity to stage them in
- Ratna Magotra front of prominent personalities such as
Commissioner of Police and FDA. He is
****
truly the most joyful part of PCGT and also
Interns Speak
their everlasting backbone.
ix students, from SVKMs Pravin
PCGT has shown us the power and
Gandhi College of Law (PGCL) and
importance of RTI and along with that
Government Law College (GLC),
given us an opportunity to work on
interned with PCGT during the month
projects like citizen policing which is a
of June 2014. The PGCL students were vital step towards fighting corruption.
Shreshth Bhartia, Banat Bagga, Mitakshi
Lakhani and Saumya Rout. Ritika Singal, It is our humble suggestion that PCGT
Rhythm Buaria and Pooja Vasandani should make its presence felt in the youth
were from GLC. Interns have voiced their and should conduct more interactive
sessions by promoting themselves
experience collectively as below.
through social media with the youth. PCGT
Our journey with PCGT could be marked should also advertise and popularize itself
as a journey from one home to another and its ideology because there will be a lot
where humanity breeds. The able of people who would love to be associated
guidance of the staff, the weekly meetings with this phenomenal NGO but are not
with the trustees, discussions on problems aware of its existence.
affecting our country, brainstorming
sessions for solving these problems at All in all it has been an amazing, fungrass root level and various other projects filled experience and we look forward to
reinforce faith that the youth of the country volunteer for the upcoming events!
in their little way can change the fate of the One lesson for life that PCGT taught us is
so called 'developing country in the state
of moral decay' to a morally rich society "Be the change you want to see."

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VOL. 5, ISSUE 1, July 2014

PCGT PUNE

lections
without
Corruption Series at VIT
Campus

Mr. T. S. Krishnamurthy former

Chief Election Commissioner was
the keynote speaker for the seminar
on Elections without Corruption
in an on-going series of lectures
organized by Public Concern for
Governance Trust (PCGT), Pune.
Mr. Krishnamurthy said that an

election without corruption is today an

oxymoron. The former CEC informed
a 700 strong audience that it was very
easy to form a political party as the
constitution
gives
the
fundamental
right to citizens to
voice their stand.
He pointed out that
the
constitution
does not have a
law for political
parties; there are
no
conditions
to be fulfilled by
them.
Besides,
the law does not
insist on financial
accountability nor
limit the expenditure
for them. All parties
use these loopholes. He felt that

reduction in the number of parties

could bring a change. He was also
critical of India following the outdated
British system of first past post - which
enables a candidate to get elected
even if he wins 20% votes.
He
said
several
important
recommendations made by the
election commission need to be
accepted by the government for a
better election process.

He concluded by saying that India can

pride itself by being the only country
which has had smooth transition.

Dignitaries on the Dias

He added 2014 Elections are an

opportunity to show that we have a
vibrant democracy.
Mr. Krishnamurthys talk was followed
by a very inspiring talk by Acharya Dr.
Vageesh. He had the audience spell
bound as he talked of the difference
between rajtantra (kingdom) and
loktantra (democracy). He asked his
young listeners to be vigilant, think
deeply
and
assess
the
candidate
from
all angles before they
cast their vote. Quoting
the great statesman
Chanakya, he said that
pressure of the Janmat
the people was
important to see that
good governance is
followed. He quoted the
scriptures and historical
texts and asked the
audience to rise above
petty politics, caste,
community and vote for
the right man.
The
Principal
Chief
Income
Tax
Commissioner
of
Pune region, Mr. P. C. Srivastava,
enlightened the audience on common
malpractices that abound during
the Election time.
PCGTs Satish Khot
then conducted a
very vibrant Question
Answer session in
which
the
young
audience participated
enthusiastically.
In conclusion Mr.
Subhash C. Nagpal
, Acting Chairman of
PCGT, reiterated the
importance of every
citizens vote, and
directed the first time
voters to cast their
vote judiciously.
www.pcgt.org

PUBLIC CONCERN

VOL. 5, ISSUE 1, July 2014

RTI CONVENTION

Mr. Shailesh Gandhi Discussing with Students

he Western India RTI Convention

2014 was organized by Mahiti
Adhikar Manch, Mumbai and the
Department of Civics & Politics, University
of Mumbai, on June 7 and 8, 2014, at
the University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari,
Kalina, Santacruz (East), Mumbai. The
Convention was co-sponsored by PCGT
and BCAS Foundation, Mumbai.
The Convention was very well attended
with RTI representatives from over
15 states. And over 300 delegates
participated actively in the proceeding.

Mr. Bhaskar Prabhu addressing the Delegates

The delegates were apprised of the

objectives, significance and overview of
the Convention by Mr. Bhaskar Prabhu.
Mr. Julio Ribeiro, Chairman, PCGT, gave
an overview on RTI as a very important
tool to combat corruption. Dr. Ms. Aruna
Roy, the well known activist gave the
keynote address. Mr. Ratnakar Gaikwad,
SCIC, Maharashtra, spoke on the Role
of Information Commission to strengthen
RTI and how he has been able to dispose

off a huge backlog. Ms. Anjali Bhardwaj

and Ms. Amrita Johri presented the data
on the Preliminary findings of the survey
by Second Peoples RTI Assessment
and Advocacy Group (RAAG) and
Centre for Studies (CES).
The Convention discussed ways and
means to increase awareness of RTI
Act in the community and ways of
implementation of the Act by Public
Authorities in its true spirit.

*******
Letter from Mr. Ribeiro to the Municipal
Bharat Ratna Awardee Promoting Commercial
Commissioner Shri Sitaram Kunte regarding the
Products.
inaction and muted response of the BMC to his
Mr. Ribeiro writes to Sachin Tendulkar
RTI query in the matter of the Campa Cola CHS.

June 5, 2014
Dear Shri Kunte,
I would like to bring to your notice the inaction and muted response of the BMC to my
RTI query in the mater of the Campa Cola CHS.
In reply to my recent RTI application seeking to know the action taken by the BMC
against those officials / contractors / architects involved directly or indirectly in the
construction of the illegal floors of the said CHS, the PIO and FAA of the Dept. of
Building Proposals, City-I, E Ward Municipal Office, Byculla (W), Mumbai 8 except
forwarding me the copies of identical Show Cause Notices, dt. 20-2-2002 served on
4 different contractors, viz., M/s. Madanjit Singh, Ishwarsingh Chawla, B. K. Gupta
and Abdulla Yusuf Patel, the said RTI officials were silent about the follow up action,
if any, taken against the aforesaid contractors or any other officials thus in a way
failing to provide me full information sought for, thus violating the provisions of the
RTI Act, 2005 also. It is surprising how the BMC kept quiet for full 12 years and
more not only against the contractors who were served notices but also did not act
against any other officials. We also wonder how the ends of justice will be met by
pulling down the illegal floors only and not by identifying and punishing the guilty
officials responsible and accountable for illegal constructions all over the city over a
span of decades.
May we expect the BMC to use its foresight rather than hindsight to first prevent
illegal structures coming up and nip it in the bud so as to avoid agony and misery to
the innocent buyers and ignominy to the BMC.
With regards,

June 4, 2014
Dear Sachin,
The Trustees of the Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT) greatly appreciate
hard work, self discipline and team spirit that have made you achieve the highest in
the workd of cricket and you truly are an icon for the youth. We were happy to see
that Government of Maharashtra has decided to include your life sketch in their text
books to continue to inspire the youth.
I hope you will take the following suggestion in the spirit in which it is given. The
Trustees at the weekly meetings, after appreciating your achievements, have
expressed their discomfort with a Bharat Ratna awardee promoting commercial
products on television. Incidentally, this discomfort is prevalent in many sections of
Mumbai society.
We will appreciate if you re-consider such commercial endorsements and instead,
utilize your iconic stature and nation-wide popularity to endorse social messages
that will inculcate ethical and civic values among the citizens in general and the
youth in particular.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,

Yours sincerely,
Julio Ribeiro
Julio Ribeiro
Encl: Copies of my RTI application and the reply of thePIO/FAA
www.pcgt.org

PUBLIC CONCERN

VOL. 5, ISSUE 1, July 2014

PCGT POLICE INITIATIVE

ALL MUMBAIKARS TO

022 23526426

PCGT POLICE INITIATIVE

Police Commissioner of Mumbai, Mr. Rakesh Maria has envisaged better policing with cooperation from the citizens of Mumbai.
Those willing to volunteer at Helpdesks at the police stations with special reference to crimes against women, assisting
senior citizens, etc.

Please contact PCGT office at Tel. No. 022-23526426 / 23526452, or

email on publicconcern@gmail.com
www.pcgt.org

PUBLIC CONCERN

VOL. 5, ISSUE 1, July 2014

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PUBLIC CONCERN

VOL. 5, ISSUE 1, July 2014

GET INFORMED

RTI Clinics In Mumbai

PCGT : Every Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.

For appointments and details call : 23526426 / 23526452.
RTI HELPLINE NO.: 93 2288 2288
Address : B/2, Mahalaxmi Chambers,

22,Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai-400026.
Email : publicconcern@gmail.com Vist us at www.pcgt.org

Giants International Charitable Trust : 1st & 3rd Monday of

every month between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.
For appointments and details call 23679698
Address: Orient Club., 2nd Floor,

9, Chowpatty Sea Face, Mumbai-400007
Email: giantwld@mtnl.net.in
Visit us at www.giantinternational.org

BCAS Foundation : 2nd, 3rd & 4th Saturday of every month

between 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.
For appointments and details call 66595601-05
Address: 7, Jolly Bhavan No.2, Ground Floor,

New Marine Lines, Mumbai-400020
Email: bca@bcasonline.org
Visit us at www.bcasonline.org

Indian Merchants Chamber 1st & 3rd Wednesday of every

month from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Resource Person: Mr. S. K. Nangia
For appointments and details call 22046633
Address: IMC Building, Churchgate, Mumbai-400 020

RTI Clinics In Pune

Pune Municipal Council : Every Friday between 11.00 a.m.

and 2.00 p.m.
For appointments and details call
Mr. Marutirao Sail Tel. 020 - 64005613
Address: Nagrik Suvidha Kendra, Pune Municipal Council,

Shivaji Nagar, Pune-411005
Email : pcgt@rediffmail.com Visit us at www.pcgt.org

PCGT: Every Saturday between 10.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

For appointments and details call
C. R. Kutpelli Tel. 020 - 64005613
Address: No 3, Thube Park, 16 Shivaji Nagar,

Pune-411005
Email: pcgtpune@rediffmail.com Visit us at www.pcgt.org
Printed & Published by Shri J. F. Ribeiro on behalf of Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT) and Printed at Finesse Graphics & Prints
Pvt. Ltd., 309, Parvati Industrial Premises, Sun Mill Compound, Lower Parel, Mumbai-400 013. Tel. Nos.: 24961685/24961605 Fax No.: 24962297
Published at Public Concern for Goverance Trust, B/2, Mahalaxmi Chambers, 22, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai-400 026. Editor: Dr. Ratna Magotra
www.pcgt.org

PUBLIC CONCERN

VOL. 5, ISSUE 1, July 2014

FRIEND / VOLUNTEER WORK FORM

Name:

I would like to volunteer with PCGT : YES NO

From home At office (specify time)
Skills that I would like to contribute:
I would like to be involved in the following projects of PCGT:
RTI
Corruption Hatayenge
Kuchh Aur

Address:

Email:
Tel. No.

Fax No:

Mobile:
Please join PCGT. There are three options :
l Corpus Donation
l "I Bless You" -

Signature

Date:

DONOR CATEGORY

Note : Cheques to be drawn in favour of

` 100,000 and above

` 25,000 and above
` 10,000 and above

l "I Support You"
l Annual Supporter
Admission Fees
` 200
Annual Subscription
`
300
Corpus Donation may be chosen for any of the following
Corpus Funds :
l B. G. Deshmukh Memorial Corpus Fund
l Corruption Hatayenge Corpus Fund
l RTI-NV Corpus Fund
l Kuchh Aur Corpus Fund
l General Corpus Fund

Public Concern for Governance Trust.

Detach & send form to:

Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT)
B/2, Mahalaxmi Chambers,
22, Bhulabhai Desai Road,
Mumbai - 400026
Tel.: (022) 23526426
Email: publicconcern@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/PCGT
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(The BOMBAY PUBLIC TRUST ACT, 1950)

(Please note that donations to Public Concern for Governance Trust

qualify for deduction u/s. 80G(5) (VI) of the Income Tax Act, 1961)
tear along this line

BOOK POST

PUBLIC CONCERN
C/o. Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT)
B/2, Mahalaxmi Chambers,
22, Bhulabhai Desai Road,
Mumbai 400 026.

To

Registration No. E-20164 (Mumbai)

(THE BOMBAY PUBLIC TRUST ACT, 1950)

www.pcgt.org