CITATION
Presented by the Nani A. Palkhivala Memorial Trust.
Award for the Protection and Preservation of Civil Liberties, 2008
to
PUBLIC CONCERN FOR GOVERNANCE TRUST
The Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT), a registered public trust, founded by concerned citizens, aims at mobilising public opinion and increasing public participation and activism towards creating transparent, accountable and efficient governance. Its objective is to make India a value-based, equitable, corruption-free, just and compassionate society.
PCGT focuses on four major areas, namely public interest litigation, the awareness and advocacy of the Right to Information law, a humane approach to police training and increasing public vigilance on corruption.
In the furtherance of these objectives, it has through public interest litigations effectively remedied several wrongs such as the exploitation of public lands, preventing the appointment of corrupt officers and unfair disbursements from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund in Maharashtra.
Recognizing that the Right to Information Act is today the most important, visible change- maker in society, PCGT has focussed on spreading the knowledge and empowering reach of the Act in schools, colleges, at railway stations, markets and malls and through its helpline to corporate organisations, youth groups and others.
PCGT has made a positive contribution towards changing the mindset of police officers at different levels through special training modules, emphasizing the timeless issue “if not us, then who?; if not now, then when?”
PCGT has used the medium of television, posters, and publications to spread awareness among the masses on ethics and the need for probity in public life and governance and vigilance against corruption on the part of the common citizen, encouraging them quite simply to say 'no' to corruption. It has by actively campaigning against the appointment of tainted officers to positions of authority, sent a strong message to the Powers That Be and has helped honest officers to find the space wrongfully denied to them.
Through its efforts, PCGT embodies the need expressed by Dr. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, that “A powerful India means a swift and bold national movement in which every citizen of our democracy must participate – empowered, educated, aware and enthusiastic about the future.”
The Nani A. Palkhivala Memorial Trust recognises the great need for institutions such as the Public Concern for Governance Trust and applauds its commitment and contribution towards the empowerment of citizens and the promotion of honesty, transparency and accountability in governance and in public life.
Mumbai, 5th October, 2009
Y.H. Malegam (
Chairman
)
C/o. Forum of Free Enterprise, Peninsula House, 2nd Floor, 235, Dr. D.N. Road, Mumbai 400 001.
