Your Voice - Your Issues
The role of an active civil society in forming public opinion and effective public policy interventions is well established. Your Issues, Your Voice is an attempt to tap into the knowledge resource of you, the voting public and use your emotions, thoughts and ideas to create consensus for action. I will ask you questions on this forum through our ‘Poll’, give my views on issues of contemporary relevance through the interactive blog and ask for your inputs every step of the way. I want you to stand up and get counted, give your aspirations an expression, reach out and connect.
Lets open up our Public – Private Partnerships to Public Scrutiny!
Lets open up our Public – Private Partnerships to Public Scrutiny!
In recent times the government has emphasized the role of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) especially in infrastructure development and creation of public utilities. In the social sector, the failure of successive governments and civic bodies to attract high levels of public investment and to evolve sustainable economic ‘price’ for the provision of services has impeded development. PPPs could emerge as important drivers of private investment into these neglected sectors. In the XII five year plan the government expects 50% of PPP funding to come via the private route. Since January 2006, the Public Private Partnership Appraisal committee has approved 284 proposals 284 with TPC 273123.11 crore. However, ensuring the transparency and accountability in the functioning of the PPP model is an imperative for the success and sustainability of this approach. This requires the creation and application of the appropriate checks and balances through regulatory and policy mechanisms.
Leave a Mark for Progress and Development
Campaigning in Fatehpur Sikri, Agra
At Fatehpur Sikri on 11th February, 2012, the Election Campaign for Assembly Polls struck the right chord with the masses who turned up to participate in the program. The star Campaigners of RLD-Congress alliance Jayant Chaudhary, Deependra Singh Hooda and Raj Babbar came to Kiraoli, a town in Agra district to drum up support for the coalition Candidates.
On the Campaign trail, the young leaders were seen emphasizing on the need for good governance & highlighted policies of their parties. During the rally, I spoke with some local youths and farmers in Fatehpur Sikri who came to support and listen to the young leaders. There was a feeling of being treated as unequals.