NGO: Transparency International India

Transparency International India (TII) is a non-political and non-governmental -anti-corruption organization of India. This pan-India organization has extensive expertise in understanding of corruption issues experienced by common man in the country. The organization’s main aim is to reduce corruption, bribery and abuse of power, and, promote good governance and rule of law. TII works in the interest of the country with Union and State governments, civil organizations, media, academia and common people. They raise awareness about corruption and give voice to the victims and witnesses of corruption.

IDRF partner since: 2004

Focus Area: Good Governance
Location: Bihar, Jharkhand
Project Title: Pahal: ‘Shasan Sudhar Ki Ore’ (Moving Towards Good Governance)
Details: Transparency International India (TII) started Project Pahal in Bihar with the financial support of IDRF. This project promotes grassroots intervention for improving governance in rural areas of the state. Pahal team is working closely with the partner-NGO and activist in four districts of Bihar namely: Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Supaul in 54 revenue villages.

There are two main cause of widespread corruption in the country: first, is the lack of awareness among citizen about their rights and entitlements, and, second is the lack of courage to fight back against corruption and injustice. Project Pahal is addressing both these causes of corruption and is making efforts to reach out to both: the victims and socially disadvantaged communities that are vulnerable to corruption. It acts as a platform for voicing the concerns of citizens and finding solutions for grievances through amicable measures.

TII uses various methods for creating awareness and spreading the helpline number as part of their outreach efforts. Stickers and posters have been placed at public places like: schools, banks and courts, etc. Leaflets with information on Pahal and its functions were distributed. Calendars for the year 2014 were designed and printed with Helpline Number and IDRF logo were also distributed among various people. The outreach material was designed in both Hindi and English languages.

As a result of their 2008 study, TII has taken local action by organizing trainings, community meetings, and engagement workshops on RTS (Right to Service), RTI (Right to Information), and Social Audits. The Pahal program in Bihar, sponsored by IDRF, has benefitted more than 3,500 men and women who are refusing to pay bribes.

The recent one-year project (2017– 2018) ‘Pahal’ for promoting Good Governance and Fighting Corruption through Multi-level Intervention is aimed at raising awareness of the poor, marginalized and illiterate people about their legal rights and entitlements in four districts in each of the states. The project also disseminates knowledge about tools of good governance like Right to Information (RTI), Social Audit, regular Gram Sabhas, Citizen Charter and e-governance, etc. to common people especially focusing on Below Poverty Line families (BPL), tribal women and youth.

Further, this project is also promoting positive interaction, participation and partnership between citizens and government officials to improve service delivery and good governance. The citizens are being provided an effective support system by way of a grievances redressal mechanism for combating corruption in their everyday lives and free legal/administrative advice for reporting mal-governance.

A baseline survey has been conducted as a starting point for monitoring changes in attributes over the duration of the project. Training workshops are being held for youth volunteers to train them about various citizen rights, entitlements, welfare schemes and tools of good governance. The project team and volunteers visit the intervention areas to understand issues emerging at grassroots’ level.

Thus this project is serving two-fold purpose of creating awareness about rights and entitlements of rural citizens and also providing support with helpline in case the rights are infringed. The program has already started benefitting thousands of rural poor who are not only refusing to pay bribes but also ensuring that corrupt government officials are held accountable for their crimes!