Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS)(MKSS)

Organisation of the Collective Organisation of the Collective Strength of Farmers and WorkersStrength of Farmers and Workers

Corruption and Human RightsCorruption and Human Rights

Abuse of power, office and privilegeAbuse of power, office and privilege Often undermines the right to equality and the Often undermines the right to equality and the

right to freedom from non-discriminationright to freedom from non-discrimination For the poor corruption often means a threat to For the poor corruption often means a threat to

their livelihood and survivaltheir livelihood and survival

Why is corruption a threat to Why is corruption a threat to survival for the poor?survival for the poor?

money meant for execution of development money meant for execution of development projects or payment of wages in public works projects or payment of wages in public works is siphoned off is siphoned off

subsidized foodgrains supplied through the subsidized foodgrains supplied through the public distribution system or medicines in public distribution system or medicines in public health care system are illegally diverted public health care system are illegally diverted to the open marketto the open market

The Battle for TransparencyThe Battle for Transparency

Our money, our accountsOur money, our accounts Demands for access to Demands for access to

BillsBills VouchersVouchers ReceiptsReceipts ApprovalsApprovals Technical evaluationsTechnical evaluations Audited accounts statementsAudited accounts statements

Mobilisation and Public ActionMobilisation and Public Action

From subjects to citizensFrom subjects to citizens From recipients to actors From recipients to actors Transforms democracy from form to action. Transforms democracy from form to action.

Demanding Accountability: The Demanding Accountability: The power of ‘Why?’power of ‘Why?’

Public HearingsPublic Hearings

A peoples forumA peoples forum Public verification of information in official Public verification of information in official

documentsdocuments All information shared in advance All information shared in advance People gather to verify the ‘truth’ publicly People gather to verify the ‘truth’ publicly Peoples or Social AuditPeoples or Social Audit

Impact and OutcomesImpact and Outcomes

Altered the balance of powerAltered the balance of power Forced officials/elected representatives to Forced officials/elected representatives to

explain themselvesexplain themselves Tangible outcomesTangible outcomes

Returning embezzled moneyReturning embezzled money Completion of projectsCompletion of projects Improvement of servicesImprovement of services Administrative or legal sanctions Administrative or legal sanctions

Impacts and OutcomesImpacts and Outcomes

A nationwide campaign for the right to know A nationwide campaign for the right to know legislation and greater transparencylegislation and greater transparency

Demands for informationDemands for information Social Audits and Public Hearings on a range Social Audits and Public Hearings on a range

of issuesof issues State (provincial) Right to Know LegislationState (provincial) Right to Know Legislation Central (federal) Freedom of Information BillCentral (federal) Freedom of Information Bill

Towards AccountabilityTowards Accountability

Transparency is only a step towards informed Transparency is only a step towards informed participation in decision making processes. participation in decision making processes.

Demanding accountability means asserting Demanding accountability means asserting equality. And this is not easily granted. equality. And this is not easily granted.

““At the heart of this mandate is UNDP's At the heart of this mandate is UNDP's holistic approach of tackling corruption as a holistic approach of tackling corruption as a problem of poor governance.” problem of poor governance.”

The issue is not just poor governance but also The issue is not just poor governance but also one of the poor being excluded from one of the poor being excluded from governance.governance.

The need of the hour is strategies of The need of the hour is strategies of accountability that are owned by people.accountability that are owned by people.

What is needed to enhance accountability is What is needed to enhance accountability is not not goodgood governance as opposed to governance as opposed to poopoor r governance. governance.

The issue is who defines ‘good’ in good The issue is who defines ‘good’ in good governance.governance.