COMMON
CAUSE, a registered Society with membership all over the country
and operating on All India basis, has earned reputation and credibility
as an Organisation dedicated to public causes for seeking redress
for problems of the people. Its initiative in public interest
litigation, for solving the common and collective problems of
the people, has greatly contributed to the evolution and spread
of the system in the country and its adoption by the people on
a substantial scale for effecting redressal of public grievances.
A large number of writ petitions have been filed by the Organisation
in the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court, and quite a few important
cases have been taken to the National Commission established under
the Consumer Protection Act. The very first case taken up by COMMON
CAUSE, almost two decades ago soon after its establishment, related
to the problems of pensioners. Almost four million pensioners
benefited from the three important decisions which the Organisation
was able to secure from the Supreme Court, relating to the extension
of liberalisation of pension, restoration of commutation of pension
and extension of the scheme of family pension. An important matter
relating to the pending criminal cases of the courts of the country
was taken to the Supreme Court. In our writ petition specific
suggestions were submitted for adoption of procedures for dealing
with backlog. The important decision given by Supreme Court in
this case led to the discharge of large number of accused persons
and release of prisoners whose cases had dragged on for long periods.
These directions have brought about termination of hundreds of
thousands of cases allover the country. On the subject of general
malfunctioning of Blood Banks a writ petition was formulated and
taken to the Supreme Court. Directions given by the court on this
important matter has ledto the evolution of system for registration
of Blood Banks and stoppage of use of professional blood donors.
On the general matter of corruption and establishment of the institutions
of LOKPAL and LOK AYUKTAS in the country the Supreme Court, on
a writ petition of the organisation, gave a verdict of severe
punishment in a particular case, and the matter relating to the
appointment of Lok Ayuktas hciis continued to be pursued by issuing
direction to all States. On another writ petition the Supreme
Court gave very Important direction in relation to the conduct
of election campaigns by the political parties, in relation to
a provisin which has been incorporated in the election law. The
Court also directed strict compliance with law in relation to
the submission of Income-tax Returns by the political parties.
In Delhi High Court a number of writ petitions have been filed
by the organisation. Problems of general importance, such as anomalies
arising in the Property Tax and the difficulties encountered in
the operation of old Rent Control laws, have been taken up and
are being pursued. There has been large-scale theft of electricity
in Delhi on account of which electric distribution has often got
disrupted and the authority has had to resort to load- shedding;
these problems have been taken to Delhi High Court and are being
pursued. A major problem in Delhi has been the large-scale establishment
of unauthorised residential colonies. There has been demand for
their regularisation; this was challenged by the organisation
and the matter continues to be further pursued.
An important matter relating to Rail Disasters which have taken
place in the country in recent years has also been taken to the
Supreme Court. Other important matters recently taken to the Supreme
Court include the functioning of Fake Universities and ineligible
Teaching shops, Crime and Violence on TV, Telephone freebies to
over 3 lakhs employees, required change-over to two Time Zones,
and deficiencies found in the implementation of Voluntary Disclosure
of Income Scheme (VDIS) of GOI. The National Commission established
under the Consumer Protection Act has, on our submission, issued
certain important decisions on matters such as use of iodized
salt, stoppage of malfunctioning in relation to intravenous fluids,
operation of buses on Delhi roads and strikes by Banks and Air
India. Important decisions in general interest of consumers secured
from the Supreme Court include establishment of Consumer Forums
in all districts of the country and price printing also on all
imported packages.
