annual report-2008-2009 - cuts international
TRANSCRIPT
Annual Report
2008-2009
Published byConsumer Unity & Trust SocietyD-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302 016, IndiaPh: +91.141.228 2821Fax: +91.141.228 2485Email: [email protected], Web Site: www.cuts-international.org
© CUTS, 2009
#0920
CUTS International (Consumer Unity & Trust Society) began its journey in 1983 in Rajasthan, from a rural
development communication initiative, a wall newspaper Gram Gadar (Village Revolution). This monthly is
published regularly and has been instrumental in providing a forum for the oppressed classes to get justice.
On seeing Gram Gadar, Rubens Ricupero, the immediate past Secretary-General of UNCTAD observed: �It
confirmed my view that often the simple lack of awareness lies at the root of so much misery�.
In 1983, CUTS was a small voluntary group of concerned citizens operating out of a garage on a zero
budget at Jaipur. Today, its annual budget exceeds US$2.5mn or Rs13crores. The organisation consists of five
programme centres and one resource centre in India (at Jaipur with headquarters, Chittorgarh, Calcutta and
New Delhi), two resource centres in Africa (at Lusaka, Zambia and Nairobi, Kenya) and one resource centre
in London, UK. CUTS is probably the only Indian NGO with such overseas operations. The current staff
strength is over 130 persons, of which one third are females at managerial levels too.
OUR CENTRES
CUTS Centre for International Trade,
Economics & Environment (CITEE)
D-218, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: +91.141.228 2821
Fx: +91.141.228 2485
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.cuts-citee.org
CUTS Centre for Competition, Investment &
Economic Regulation (CCIER)
D-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: +91.141.228 2821
Fx: +91.141.228 2485, 228 2733
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.cuts-ccier.org
CUTS Centre for Consumer Action,
Research & Training (CART)
D-222, Vijayalaxmi Apartment, Bhaskar Marg, Bani
Park, Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: +91.141.228 2821, 513 3259
Fx: +91.141.228 2485
E-mail: [email protected]
CUTS Centre for Human Development (CHD)
Rawala, Senti, Chittorgarh 312 025, India
Ph: +91.1472.24 1472
Fx: +91.1472.24 7715
E-mail: [email protected]
Calcutta Resource Centre (CRC)
3, Suren Tagore Road, 2nd Floor,
Kolkata-700 019, India
Ph: +91.33.2460 4985
Fx: +91.33.2460 4987
E-mail: [email protected]
Delhi Resource Centre (DRC)
62, Qutab View Apartments, Katwaria Sarai,
New Delhi 110 016
Ph: +91.11.2686 3021, 2653 7791
Fx: +91.11.2685 6288
E-mail: [email protected]
Africa Resource Centre (ARC)
Plot 6078/A Northmead Great East Road
PO Box 37113, Lusaka, Zambia
Ph: +260.1.224 892
E-mail: [email protected]
Nairobi Resource Centre (NRC)
Yaya Court, 2nd Flour, No. 5, Ring Rd, Kilimani
Off Arwings Kodhed Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
Ph: +254.20.386 2149-50/232 9112
Fx: +254.20.2386 2149
Email: [email protected]
Hanoi Resource Centre (HRC)
No. 14/16 Nguyen Phuc Lai Str
Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Ph: +84.04.66739 486Fx: +84.04.35148 978
Email: [email protected]
Geneva Resource Centre (GRC)
37-39, Rue de Vermont
1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Ph: +41.22.734.6080
Fax:+41.22.734.3914
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cuts-grc.org
From the Secretary General's Desk ............................................................................... 1
About CUTS ....................................................................................................................... 7
Major Highlights of the Year 2007-08 ......................................................................... 13
CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics & Environment ...................... 21International Advisory Board .................................................................................... 22Programme Areas ......................................................................................................... 22Projects ........................................................................................................................... 22Representations ............................................................................................................. 34
CUTS Centre for Competition, Investment & Economic Regulation .................. 37International Advisory Board .................................................................................... 37Programme Areas ......................................................................................................... 38Projects ........................................................................................................................... 38Representations ............................................................................................................. 44
CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training ..................................... 49Advisory Board ............................................................................................................. 49Programme Areas ......................................................................................................... 50Projects ........................................................................................................................... 50Representations ............................................................................................................. 63
CUTS Centre for Human Development ..................................................................... 65Advisory Board ............................................................................................................. 65Programme Areas ......................................................................................................... 65Projects ........................................................................................................................... 65Representations ............................................................................................................. 75
CUTS Calcutta Resource Centre .................................................................................. 77Programme Areas ......................................................................................................... 77Projects ........................................................................................................................... 77Representations ............................................................................................................. 81
CUTS Delhi Resource Centre ....................................................................................... 83Programme Areas ......................................................................................................... 83Parliamentary Advocacy ............................................................................................. 83Media Outreach ............................................................................................................ 83Networing ...................................................................................................................... 84Event Management ...................................................................................................... 84Representations ............................................................................................................. 84Other Activities ............................................................................................................. 84
Overseas Resource Centres ........................................................................................... 85CUTS Africa Resource Centre, Lusaka ..................................................................... 85CUTS Africa Resource Centre, Nairobi .................................................................... 91CUTS Hanoi Resource Centre, Hanoi ....................................................................... 97CUTS Geneva Resource Centre, Switzerland ........................................................ 103
Contents
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From the Secretary General's Desk
The year 2008 marked the silver jubilee of CUTS.CUTS silver jubilee year has been a witness tovarious activities and expansion of programmes,achievements and commitments to excel in thefuture. Retrospection fills me with satisfactionfor what we have achieved and what we need todo to strengthen the organisation’s resolve towork with greater zeal.
CUTS Branches Out in GenevaAmong the major highlights is opening of a new overseas centrein Geneva on July 16, 2008, the fifth overseas centre of CUTSInternational, which will work closely with Geneva-baseddeveloping country negotiators, their policymakers and civilsociety representatives. It will ensure the presence of a pro-trade, pro-consumer developmental NGO closer to trade policydebates. Research, analysis and other activities carried out/undertaken by the centre will be demand-driven and objective.The centre would function to provide a credible and pro-trade-for-development voice in Geneva.
Competition and RegulationCUTS’ 7Up model that involves all stakeholders through a bottomup approach for better economic regulation has been successfulin helping countries adopt competition law and policy. CUTSCentre for Competition, Investment & Economic Regulation(CUTS CCIER) implemented a two-year project ‘StrengtheningConstituencies for Effective Competition Regimes in Select WestAfrican Countries’ (also referred to as 7Up4 Project) with thesupport of the Department for International Development, UK;the International Development Research Centre, Canada andthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden. The project has beenimplemented in seven countries, viz. – Burkina Faso, TheGambia, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.
CCIER implemented second phase of the project, ‘IndiaCompetition and Regulation Report’ (ICRR) with the support ofthe British High Commission, New Delhi. It aims to highlightvarious distortions in economic management of the country andprovide inputs on a periodic basis to governments (Central aswell as states), Competition Commission of India, sectoralregulatory authorities, other governmental agencies, civil societyorganisations (CSOs), business, academia, media andprofessionals for taking necessary action to promote well-functioning markets. The first issue of the biennial report,‘Competition and Regulation in India, 2007’ was published andreleased in October 2007 while the second issue is due in 2009.
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Another significant project launched with the support ofNorwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) byCCIER in March 2008 was ‘Capacity Building on ElectricityReforms in Bangladesh, India and Nepal (RESA)’ with an aim tobuild capacity of consumer groups/CSOs to enable them to dealholistically with the issues involved, take up action-orientedresearch, share experiences, and carry out advocacy withpolicymakers and regulatory agencies to affect pro-consumerchanges in the electricity regulatory/policy processes inBangladesh, India (West Bengal and Rajasthan) and Nepal.
During the year, CUTS was engaged by the Ministry of Tradeand Industry, Private Sector Development and President’sSpecial Initiatives (MOTIPSDPSI) of Ghana to develop aCompetition Bill for Ghana from the perspective of internationalbest practices, taking into consideration the socio-economic andpolitical realities of the country. CUTS prepared the first draftof the Bill and submitted it to the MOTIPSDPSI in May 2008.
CUTS also participated in the third European Conference onCompetition and Regulation in Greece, on July 04-05, 2008. Imade a presentation on ‘Competition Policy: Institutions andProcedures’.
Trade and DevelopmentCUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics & Environment(CUTS CITEE) made remarkable progress in implementingvarious projects successfully as well as carrying out researchand advocacy programmes with greater commitment. It has beenat the forefront of working on the equitable international tradingsystem, especially trade negotiations and capacity building ofCSOs at the grassroots under World Trade Organisation (WTO)Doha Round negotiations.
In this context, CUTS CITEE with the support of Oxfam Novib,The Netherlands implemented a project, ‘South Asia Forum forInternational Trade (SAFIT-II)’, which was conceptualised on thepremises of Doha Developmental Agenda (DDA). Under theproject, a book, entitled ‘Domestic Preparedness for ServicesTrade Liberalisation: Are South Asian Countries Prepared forFurther Liberalisation? was published.
To further the advocacy work on the above-mentioned issue,the Centre represented at a conference on ‘Broadening EconomicIntegration in South Asia: Incorporating Services Liberalisationat a Time of Global Economic Crisis’ in Colombo, on March 30-31, 2009.
On regional economic cooperation issues, the Centre with thesupport of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), India implementeda project, ‘India and Regional Economic Cooperation (REC) inSouth and South East Asia’ to engage diverse stakeholders inIndia with regional trade initiatives in South Asia and promotepolicy responses that would be inclusive of stakeholderpreferences. Under the project, three stakeholder consultations
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were organised and a monograph entitled, ‘India and PreferentialTrade Agreements: The Path Traversed and the Road Ahead’ wasbrought out.
CITEE implemented the project entitled ‘MainstreamingInternational Trade into National Development Strategy: A PilotProject in Bangladesh and India’ (MINTDEV) with the support ofRoyal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi, India that aimed toaddress social and political considerations into trade policy-making and engage civil society in a socially inclusive manner.Under the project, the Centre brought out a study ‘Is the Stageset for Mainstreaming Trade into National Development Strategyof India? Results of Field Survey in Two States’.
A training-cum-advocacy meeting for farmers and panchayatrepresentatives entitled ‘International Trade and NationalDevelopment Strategy in India: Voices from the Ground’ was heldin Jaipur on May 07, 2008; and in Kolkata on June 12, 2008respectively.
On environment issues, CITEE, as project partner, implementeda four-year project entitled, ‘Enabling Developing Countries toSeize Ecolabel Opportunities’ to increase the environmentalefficiency of key export products and related industrial processesin Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Mexico and South Africa bysupporting the active contribution of industry and governmentto the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on SustainableConsumption and Production (Marrakech process). The projectis supported by the EU (EC Programme on Environment inDeveloping Countries) & the Federal Ministry for the EconomicCooperation and Development (BMZ, German Ministry).
Consumer Protection and GovernanceConsumer protection is intrinsic to our work. Towards this,CUTS has implemented projects on awareness generation. CUTSCentre for Consumer Action, Research & Training (CUTS CART)with the support of the State Consumer Welfare Fund under‘Consumer Awareness Programme (CAP)’, helped spreadconsumer awareness at the grassroots by strengthening thecapacity of the networkers in 20 selected blocks in Rajasthanthrough skill training programmes, consumer friends trainingsand consumer rallies.
With a motto of ‘An Educated Investor is a Protected Investor’the Centre with the support of Securities & Exchange Board ofIndia (SEBI) implemented a project, ‘Securities Market AwarenessCampaign’ (SMAC) – Round VI, to sensitise investors on thefunctioning of the securities market.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of Indiaappointed CUTS as the Regional Resource Agency (RRA) forRajasthan under the National Environment AwarenessCampaign (NEAC) for a period of three years, i.e. 2006-07 to2008-09.
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‘Tobacco Control Campaign by Mobilising Key Stakeholders inRajasthan’ was another important project that the Centre workedon with an aim to sensitise and educate the educationalinstitutions and the common mass on various provisions oftobacco control act all over Rajasthan. The project wasimplemented with the support of World Health Organisation(WHO) India & the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW), Government of India (GoI).
On utility reforms, CART with the support of the World Bankimplemented a project entitled ‘Assessing 2Qs (Quality &Quantity) Outputs of the ‘National Rural Employment GuaranteeScheme’ (NREGS) in Sirohi District of Rajasthan’, with an aim totest the effectiveness of social accountability approaches ininfluencing the public expenditure outcomes. A novel outcomewas the creation of assessment criteria, e.g. Citizen Report Cardand Community Score Card.
On road safety, the Centre with the support of the SwedishInternational Development Agency (SIDA) implemented a project‘Traffic Claming Strategies to Improve Pedestrian Safety in India’to highlight the key flaws in the design of Indian roads anddevelop a unique manual, first of its kind in India for concernedpolicy/decision makers in Police, Transport, MunicipalCorporation, Development Authority and Public WorksDepartment.
On child rights, the Centre in collaboration with Health RelatedInformation Dissemination Amongst Youth (HRIDAY), New Delhiundertook a project in Jaipur city entitled ‘Get Active’ involving25 selected schools in Jaipur. ‘Get Active’ is a health promotionprogramme focusing on diet, nutrition and physical activity withan aim to inculcate healthy nutritional intake and physicalactivity promotion among school students.
Work at the GrassrootsThrough sustained advocacy and awareness campaigns,empowerment of people, particularly women at the grassrootshas been one of the major focus areas of CUTS Centre for HumanDevelopment (CUTS CHD), Chittorgarh. The Centre was selectedas the Mother NGO (MNGO) for Chittorgarh, Rajasthan underthe Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) scheme of the MoHFW,GoI.
Helping women gain self-respect via economic independencewas the objective of the ‘Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and BankLinkages’ project which proved very satisfying since manywomen in the villages of Chittorgarh and Bhilwara are takingpart in enterprise generation activities. A new SHG project withNational Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD)for forming 800 SHGs in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh has beeninitiated, which aims to target mainly Above Poverty Linefamilies.
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Another micro-credit project has begun with the support of ZilaParishad, Chittorgarh to ensure socio-economic developmentand enhance livelihood security in rural areas. With supportfrom Save the Children – Bal Raksha Bharat, the Centre hasundertaken ‘Improving Quality of Elementary Education Project’(IQEEP) to improve quality of education in Rajasthan. The projectis being implemented in 25 villages of six Gram Panchayats ofChittor block in Chittorgarh district.
Overseas AccomplishmentsThe first initiative of CUTS Geneva is a project entitled, ‘FosteringEquity and Accountability in the Trading System (FEATS)’. Itfocuses on three countries in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania andUganda) and two in Southern Africa (Malawi and Zambia). Thisthree-year project is being supported by the William and FloraHewlett Foundation, US and will have three inter-linked streamsof activities, namely: policy research, advocacy, and networking.
CUTS Africa Resource Centre (CUTS ARC), Lusaka with thesupport of the Finnish Embassy, Zambia implemented a project‘Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) – Aid for Trade to LeastDeveloped Countries (LDCs’) to act as focal point in supportingCSOs to respond to ongoing policy discussions in the EIF processin Zambia; analyse the Diagnostic Trade Integrated Study ofZambia; and mainstream the rice sector into the EIF processes.
A research project on ‘Competition Policy and Regulations in theEnergy Sector in Kenya’ has been implemented by CUTS ARC,Nairobi in collaboration with Investment Climate and BusinessEnvironment Research Fund (ICBE-RF) created by Trust Africa,the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and theFoundation for Sustainable Enterprise and Development (FSED).The objective of the project is to assess overlaps in institutionaland regulatory frameworks between the competition and energyregulator, and suggest measures for effective cooperationbetween them.
CUTS Hanoi is presently working with the Socialist Republic ofVietnam in developing a consumer protection law and alsoputting in place a consumer grievances redressal mechanism.
Growing RecognitionCUTS received two prestigious awards during the year: M R PaiMemorial Award for relentless campaign to educate consumerson competition and regulatory issues on April 09, 2008. Theaward carries a citation and a cheque of Rs 51,000; and IndiaPower Award 2008 for outstanding networking and variousoutreach activities towards consumer empowerment in NewDelhi, on November 03, 2008.
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I am extremely grateful to all the partner organisations, fundingagencies, individuals and institutions, experts and academia,and government departments and private groups for theircontinued support and good wishes. Equally important havebeen the efforts of CUTS staff who collectively contributedtowards making CUTS an internationally recognisedorganisation. I hope they will continue to support us in ourfuture endeavours.
Jaipur Pradeep S MehtaApril 2010 Secretary General
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CUTS was established in 1983 as a small group of concernedcitizens. Since then it has been working towards bridging thegap between the people at the grassroots and the internationalpolicymaking community. Today, it is a leading consumerorganisation in India. More importantly, CUTS is now at thecutting edge of the consumer movement, not only in India butalso in other parts of the world. The organisation focuses itsprogrammes on the following five areas:• Consumer Protection• International Trade & Development• Competition, Investment & Economic Regulation• Human Development• Consumer Safety
Historical PerspectiveCUTS began from a rural development initiative, a wallnewspaper, Gram Gadar (Village Revolution). As the organisation’smouthpiece, Gram Gadar is published regularly and reaches everynook and corner of Rajasthan, even to the remote villages whereradio is the only medium of communication. It has beeninstrumental in providing a forum for providing justice to theoppressed classes at the grassroots.
ObjectivesCUTS, as an advocacy and research organisation, aims:• to initiate, undertake and aid directly or through its affiliated
bodies, schemes for the furtherance of consumer and publicwelfare, including those relating to environment, healthcare,general awareness, empowerment and socio-economicdevelopment;
• to promote, organise and assist measures for the availabilityof consumer commodities and services, including thoserelating to environment, healthcare, general awareness,empowerment and socio-economic development;
• to study consumer and public interest/welfare problems andevolve remedies, including those relating to environment,healthcare, general awareness, empowerment and socio-economic development;
• to publish studies, periodicals, reports and other literaturerelating to consumer commodities and services, includingthose relating to environment, healthcare, general awareness,empowerment and socio-economic development;
• to undertake, research and case studies in respect ofconsumer commodities and services public interest/welfare,including those relating to environment, healthcare, generalawareness, empowerment and socio-economic development;
• to advise and if necessary, assist government and theconcerned authorities in framing and enforcing laws tosafeguard the interests of the consumer and citizen, including
About CUTS
I have visited CUTSoffice and waspleasantly surprised tosee the professionalculture of work.Usually, it is very rarein the CSOs. The peoplehere are knowledgeableand well-versed withthe latest challengingissues. Its resourcecentres and the web-portal is one of thebest. CITEE site isanother excellent workdone – all recent WTO,RTA and developmentalissues and updates areavailable. I have alsobeen enriched by theirwork and issue papersduring my tenure in theDepartment ofCommerce,Government of India inthe past, and I am surethis will continue in mypresent posting as well.
R S RatnaProfessor, Centre for
WTO StudiesIndian Institute of
Foreign TradeNew Delhi
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G C JainAssistant Director
(Finance &Adminstration)
L N SharmaSenior Accounts
Officer
Sudhir KumarAccounts Officer
N C PahariyaSecretary cum
Treasurer
those relating to environment, healthcare, generalawareness, empowerment and socio-economic development;and
• to disseminate knowledge and information and to educatethe public regarding consumer and public interest/welfareproblems and programmes on a scientific basis, includingthose relating to environment, healthcare, generalawareness, empowerment and economic development.
Vision Statement‘Consumer sovereignty in the framework of social justice andequality within and across borders’
Organisational DevelopmentFrom a small voluntary group of concerned citizens operatingout of a garage on a zero budget to an international NGO, thejourney is marked with healthy growth. The year 2008-09 wasmarked by important organisational developments within thecountry and abroad. CUTS’ centres are broadly divided intotwo distinct categories:• Programme Centres; and• Resource Centres.
Programme Centres• Centre for International Trade, Economics & Environment
(CITEE), Jaipur, India• Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training (CART),
Jaipur, India• Centre for Human Development (CHD), Chittorgarh, India
Very impressed by therange and quality ofactivities led by CUTS.
Dr Stephen RimmerSenior Regulatory
Reform Expert,Foreign Investment
Advisory Service(FIAS), World Bank
Siddhartha MitraDirector
(Research) Secretary cum Treasurer Executive/Dy. Executive/Directors Adviser/Co-ordinators/Director
Organisational Structure
General Body(Meets once a year and receives the annual report and audited accounts,
elects the executive every fourth year and approves broad policy directions)
Executive Committee(The 13 members meet at least twice a year, take policy decisions, approve budgets, etc.)
Secretary General(Appointed by the Executive Committee as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the organisation, receives
instructions from the board, implements all programmes and oversees the administration)
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CART
Co-ordinator
Prog. Officers
Staff Assts.
CITEE
Co-ordinator
ResearchAssociates
Research/Prog.Assts.
CRC
Co-ordinator
Research/Prog. Assts.
CHD
Co-ordinator
Deputy Co-ord.
Prog. Officers
Field Staff
ARC
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DRC
Co-ordinator
Research/Prog.Assts.
LRC
Staff Assts.
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C-CIER
Co-ordinator
ResearchAssociates
Research/Prog.Assts.
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Lusaka
Staff Assts.
ÕNairobi
Staff Assts.
HRC
Researcher
Prog.Coordinator
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Rajeev D MathurExecutive Director
Manish PareekAccounts Officer
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• Centre for Competition, Investment & Economic Regulation(CCIER), Jaipur, India
Resource Centres• Calcutta Resource Centre (CRC), Calcutta, India• Africa Resource Centre (ARC), Lusaka, Zambia• London Resource Centre (LRC), London, UK• Delhi Resource Centre (DRC), New Delhi, India• Africa Resource Centre (ARC), Nairobi, Kenya• Hanoi Resource Centre (HRC), Hanoi, Vietnam
Meeting of the General BodyThe General Body Meeting was held on November 21, 2008 inwhich the Annual Report and audited accounts were presented.
Executive Committee MeetingMeeting of the Executive Committee was held on November21, 2008 where internal policy matters, progress made andbudget were reviewed.
Human Resource DevelopmentDuring this year Amarjeet Singh, Yamini Kumawat, MadhuSudan Sharma, Shweta Gupta, Sudipta Mukherjee, Amar DeepSingh, Azeem ur Rehman, S K Bhatt, Natasha Gupta, ManishDrona, Akhlaq Ahmed, Mansi Gupta, Khushbu Parnami, VerityMcGivern, Kritika Kapil, Varsha Rathore, G C Jain, Niru Yadav,Rahul Ranjan joined CUTS at Jaipur.
Laxmi Lal Gurjur, Seema Teli, Renu Pareekh, Om PrakashJaiswal, Rajmal Gaur, Pushkar Lal Meena, Neetu Joshi, NarayanLal Gurjur, Jamna Lal Mali, Lokendra Pandya, Prashto Bagchi,Mukesh Chaudhary, Vandana Chauhan, Sanjay Moud, AshokKumar Bairagi joined CUTS Chittorgarh office. Prithviraj Nath,Sushanto Banerjee joined our Calcutta Resource Centre whereasP S Verma joined Delhi Resource Centre.
Atul Kaushik, Josiane Rufener, Rashid S Kaukab, Julian Mukiibijoined CUTS Geneva Resource Centre. Ngo Thi Bich Thuy, TranThi To Tam joined Hanoi Resource Centre. Daniel Okendo Asherjoined Africa Resource Centre, Nairobi.
CUTS WebsiteCUTS has developed a comprehensive website with an URLwww.cuts-international.org. It has useful links and hyperlinksleading to its various Programme and Resource Centres thatprovide an insight into the individual sub-domains. Main pagemirrors the broad outline about the organisation and itsactivities. In addition, it provides valuable information on thefollowing areas:• Projects and events;• Media articles and press releases;• Current initiatives; and• Advocacy campaigns.
Ruchi SharmaHR/Administrative
Officer
Impressed by CUTS’specialisation inspreading its message toevery nook and corner ofthe society. It would havebeen better if ‘GramGadar’ would have beenpublished in regionallanguages from everyregion.
Rakesh BhartiyaDirector
Department of Science& Technology
Government of India
Mukesh TyagiDTP Officer
S K SoniPersonal Assistant
Rajkumar TrivediDTP Assistant
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CUTS Library and Documentation DepartmentCUTS library and documentation department plays a vital rolein supporting in-house research work by facilitating access torelevant information sources.
The LibraryCUTS library has an extensive collection of books, journals,research reports, working papers, monographs, briefing papersand pamphlets in the fields of economics, economic development,foreign direct investment (FDI), competition, poverty, industry,international trade, trade and development, trade andenvironment, energy, agriculture, law, consumerism etc. Itsubscribes 22 journals/magazines and more than 10newspapers. It also contains wide collection of CDs/audio-videos/photographs.
Information UnitThis unit has a database, which is a collection of international,national and grassroots level organisations including inter-governmental organisations, governmental organisations andnon-governmental organisations (NGOs). It contains PostalMailing Lists (ML), Electronic List (EL), and Visiting Cards.Information Unit is responsible for providing mailing list(s) tothe dispatch section in label format.
Infrastructural DevelopmentConsiderable investments were made on information technologyand office equipments. New books were added to the library.The number of computers increased from 45 to 68 and some ofthe existing computers were upgraded for compatibility. Heavyduty centralised printers were installed. Centralised Networkand Internet connectivity was provided. High-end electronicgadgets like routers at all the three offices at Jaipur to controlthe Internet bandwidth and fight spam in order to give usersnon-stop browsing and increase the productivity, werepurchased.
Capacity Building of the Staff• Kirti Johari of CUTS attended a one day awareness programme
on e-granthalaya at Rajasthan University, Jaipur on January21, 2009.
• Amit Chaudhury of CUTS CHD attended a national conferenceon ‘Challenges in Human Development’ held at CDSThiruvananthapuram from January 24-25, 2009
• Team Building workshops facilitated by Tasmac wereorganised at Jaipur and Chittorgarh on February 07-08, 2009and February 10-11, 2009 respectively.
• Pham Thi Que Anh of CUTS Hanoi attended CI Asia PacificRegional Meeting in Malaysia, on February 17-19, 2009.
• Amarjeet Singh of CUTS CART attended a workshop onResource Mobilisation and Communication jointly organisedby IBS and The Resource Alliance in Jaipur, from March 02-20, 2009.
Highly motivated andimpressive team at CUTSworking on interestingregulatory issues.
Paramita Dasgupta,Senior Private
Sector DevelopmentSpecialist,
International FinanceCorporation (IFC),
World Bank
Madhuri VasnaniPublications Assistant
Sweepthish JayanAssistant IT Officer
Akhlaq AhmedAssistant Web-
designer
Richa BhatnagarAssistant
Programme Officer
Lokpal JangirAssistant
DocumentationOfficer
Vikram SinghRathore
DocumentationAssistant
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Donor AgenciesCUTS maintains an interactive association with various donoragencies both at the national and international levels. Theorganisation receives funds from national as well as internationalagencies to implement various development projects andprogrammes. Through judicious use of funds, the organisationpursues and strengthens its various functional areas. During2008-09, the main funding agencies for the organisation havebeen categorised into two: the governmental sector donors andthe non-governmental sector donors.
The government sector donors include: Department forInternational Development (DFID), UK; Canadian InternationalDevelopment Agency (CIDA), New Delhi; various Ministries ofGovernment of India (GoI); Government of Rajasthan;Government of the Netherlands; Norwegian Agency forDevelopment and Cooperation (NORAD), Norway; Swiss Agencyfor Development Cooperation (SDC), Berne and New Delhi; SwissAgency for International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA),Stockholm; United Nations Conference on Trade andDevelopment (UNCTAD), Geneva; European Commission (EC);World Health Organisation (WHO), New Delhi; and United NationsPopulation Fund (UNFPA), New Delhi.
The non-governmental sector donors include: Oxfam GB in India;Novib the Netherlands; Save the Children, UK; Friedrich EbertStiftung (FES), Germany; International Development ResearchCentre (IDRC), Canada; and Commonwealth Foundation, UK.As its best practice, CUTS makes consistent efforts to establishlong-term working relations with donors.
Good discussion bothabout India and Africawith some futurepossibilities forcollaboration.
Martha Stein SochasDirector
Asia Department,Agence
Francaise DeDevelopment (AFD),
Paris
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Major Events and Activities
A one-day Local Inception Workshop under the project ‘Capacity Buildingon Electricity Reforms in Bangladesh, India and Nepal (RESA)’ in Kolkata,West Bengal, India on April 17, 2009.
A one-day District Level Dissemination meeting under the project ‘Assessingthe Qualitative and Quantitative Output of National Rural EmploymentGuarantee Scheme (NREGS)’ in Sirohi, Rajasthan, India on May 21, 2008.
The fifth and the final debate in the series, entitled, ‘Democracy &Development: Friends or foes?’ under the Soho to Soweto project in London,UK on June 04, 2008.
A two-day international conference marking the launch of a two-year regionalproject entitled, ‘Strengthening Constituencies towards EffectiveCompetition Regimes in Select Countries of West Africa (also referred to as7Up4 Project), in Ghana, on June 19, 2008.
CUTS Geneva Resource Centre (CUTS GRC) was launched in Geneva,Switzerland on July 16, 2008. It will work closely with Geneva-baseddeveloping country negotiators and their policymakers and civil societyrepresentatives.
A two-day regional conference on ‘Joining Forces in the Global TradingArena – Formulating African Trade Strategy’, in Lusaka, Zambia on July24-25, 2008.
A major conference on ‘Global Partnership for Development: Where do westand & where to go?’ organised by CUTS and the Federation of IndianChambers of Commerce and Industry, in association with theCommonwealth Secretariat and the World Bank in New Delhi, India onAugust 12-13, 2008.
A seminar entitled, “Enhancing Development through a CompetitionCulture”, in New Delhi, India on August 14, 2008.
Two sessions entitled, ‘The Missing Link between Trade Openness andPoverty Reduction: The Role of the Multilateral Trading System’, and ‘WhatFuture for Global Economic Governance: Potential Role of the WTO’, at theWTO Public Forum in Geneva, Switzerland on September 24-25, 2008.
National inception meetings under the project entitled, ‘Fostering Equityand Accountability in the Trading System’ (FEATS) in the five projectcountries, i.e. in Nairobi (Kenya) on October 14; Kampala (Uganda) on
2008
April 17
May 21
June 04
June 19
July 16
July 24-25
August 12-13
August 14
September24-25
October 14,15, 17, 20 &23
Major Highlights of the Year 2008-09
Striving towards new challenges and new thinking, CUTS focused on its core functionalareas during the year 2008-09. Some of the major activities are listed below:
Programmes & Events
Contd..
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January 13
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February 04-05 & 25-26
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March 13
October 15; Dar-Es-Salaam (Tanzania) on October 17; Lusaka (Zambia)on October 20; and in Lilongwe (Malawi) on October 23, 2008 respectively.
Scoping workshop under a two-year project entitled, ‘Competition Policyand Domestic Regulatory Framework in the Energy Sector in Kenya’ inNairobi, Kenya on November 20, 2008
Launch-cum-Teachers Training Workshop under the project entitled, ‘GetActive’ in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India on December 12, 2008
An Advocacy Meeting entitled, ‘South Asia: Stakes and Role in the GlobalTrading System – Doha Round and Beyond’ under the SAFIT-II project inGeneva, Switzerland, on January 13, 2009
Two seminars entitled, ‘A Southern Agenda on Global Trade Governance:Some Views and Concerns from South Asia’ and ‘MainstreamingInternational Trade into National Development: Some Perspectives fromSouth Asia’ in Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 01-02, 2009
Two divisional level advocacy meetings under the project entitled, ‘TobaccoControl Campaign by Mobilising Key Stakeholders in Rajasthan’ in Jodhpuron February 25-26, 2009; and in Churu, Rajasthan, India on February04-05, 2009 respectively.
The Political Economy of Regulation in India-What do we need to do?’ aspart of the project ‘India Competition and Regulation Report’ in New Delhi,India on March 28, 2009
A half-day stakeholder consultation on ‘Indo-Bangla Trade: Focus on theNorth East’ in Assam, India on March 13, 2009
2008 Major Events and Activities
Research & Publications• This research volume ‘Politics Triumphs Economics? - Political
Economy and the Implementation of Competition Law andEconomic Regulation in Developing Countries’ was publishedunder the Competition, Regulation and Development ResearchForum (CDRF) project. It covers a wide range of issues suchas how political economy underlying the implementation andenforcement of competition and regulatory laws and regimes,how barriers posed by vested interests to the free and fairfunctioning of competition and regulatory regimes and whythe often choppy relationship between competitionenforcement agencies and regulators attributable to functionaloverlap, which often delays decisions and is, therefore,detrimental to the welfare of any country.
• A Research Report entitled, ‘Poverty Linkages: A Case Studyof the Poultry Industry in Bangladesh’ was published to analysethe trade poverty linkages in the poultry industry inBangladesh.
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• Exploring the Post-1990s Trade-Labour Linkage in India – ASet of Case Studies from West Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujaratis based on field surveys from a number of disparate industriesand locations in West Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujarat thatfinds striking and significant evidence on the impact ofinternational trade on production, organisation andoccupational patterns at the industry level.
• Another Research Report, ‘A Critical Look at EconomicGovernance in India: The Case of National Foreign Trade Policyendeavours to understand the policymaking process ofNational Foreign Trade Policy of India, and to ascertain itsimpact especially at the grassroots.
• The purpose of this Report, ‘Training Needs for Commercialand Economic Diplomacy: An Indian Case Study’ is to carryout the need assessment for formal training to Indiangovernment officials and business executives, who arehandling issues related to commercial and economicdiplomacy.
• India and Preferential Trade Agreements: The Path Traversedand the Road Ahead provides an in-depth analysis of PTAs/RTAs/FTAs, their significance and overall impact on Indianeconomy.
• The monograph entitled, ‘Policy-induced Barriers toCompetition in Ethiopia’ focuses on the evolution of economicpolicy in Ethiopia and analyses the current barriers tocompetition in the country.
• ‘Using Consumer Law to Improve Governance’ documentsvarious decisions of the Supreme Court and the consumerfora, established under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
• ‘Enforcing the Competition Law in Namibia: A Toolkit’ waspublished during the period to analyse the constraints andchallenges that the competition authority of Namibia mayface towards building a healthy competition culture in thecountry, and suggests a framework for addressing the same.
• ‘Competition and Regulation in India, 2009’ – A Curtain Raiserexamines the evolution of regulation/regulatory problemsfrom a political economy perspective and assesses the qualityof regulation in terms of the suitability of content for tacklingmarket failures, effectiveness and independence of theregulator and the extent to which set of sector regulationsfoster competition.
• A monograph entitled, ‘The Competition Regime as aDeterminant of Consumer Welfare: Focus on Indian Telecom’elaborates the concept of consumer welfare which has beenconcretised and delineated in the form of consumer rightsand examines how such rights can be furthered through acompetition regime. It offers a case study of the telecom sectorin India.
• Trade-Development-Poverty Linkages: Reflections fromSelected Asian and Sub-Saharan African Countries Volume IISector Case Studies comprises the sectoral studies conductedin the 13 countries under a project entitled ‘Linkages betweenTrade, Development & Poverty Reduction (TDP)’ identify thefactors that need to accompany trade openness for it to becomean engine of economic development and poverty alleviation.
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• Trade Liberalisation, Growth and Poverty in Bangladeshconduct an assessment of trade liberalisation in Bangladeshand examine its impact on growth and poverty in the country.
• The monograph, ‘Competition Law and Intellectual PropertyRights: Controlling Abuse or Abusing Control?’ examines theinterface between competition law issues and the protectionof Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) – both complementaritiesand conflicts.
• Three issue notes for Parliamentarians’ Forum on EconomicPolicy Issues (PARFORE) entitled, ‘Competition and Regulationin Indian Retail Sector’; ‘National Competition Policy for India’;and Ensuring Quality in Indian Higher Education werepublished.
• Two discussion papers entitled, ‘Regulation of HigherEducation in India’ and ‘Informal Sector and Competition: AComprehensive Agenda for Research and Action’ were alsopublished.
• Two policy briefs, ‘Privatisation Initiative in Botswana: AnyBearing on Competition?’ ‘Leveraging Economic GrowthThrough Better Regulation’ were published during the period.
Advocacy & Networking• Skill & Consumer Friends Training and Seminar under the
Consumer Awareness Programme in Jayal, Nagaur, on April21-23, 2008.
• A five-day training workshop on ‘Competition LawEnforcement in Ethiopia’ in Addis Ababa, during May 12-16,2008.
• A training programme on ‘IPRs and Related WTO Issues’ inJaipur, on November 03-07, 2008 with a purpose to build thecapacity of women scientists and technologists working withvarious ministries/departments/councils/institutes/researchlaboratories of the Government of India.
• A capacity building workshop for media on trade anddevelopment issues, in Lusaka, on November 07, 2008.
• Two training workshops under the project entitled,‘Strengthening the Consumer Movement in Vietnam’, in HaiPhong, on November 18, 2008; and in Vung Tau, Vietnam,on November 20, 2008 respectively.
• ‘Training Programme for Indian Government Officials andBusiness Executives’ in Jaipur, during January 19-21, 2009.
Honours & Achievements• Pradeep S Mehta received M R Pai Memorial Award by
Shyamala Gopinath, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bankof India (RBI), for a relentless campaign to educate consumerson competition and regulatory issues on April 09, 2008. Theaward carries a citation and a cheque of Rs 51,000.
• CUTS received the prestigious India Power Award 2008 forits outstanding networking and various outreach activitiestowards consumer empowerment by Dr M S Swaminathan, anoted Agriculture Scientist and Member of Parliament in NewDelhi, on November 03, 2008.
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Representations
Date & Venue
New Delhi,India, April 21,2008
Paris, France,April 22-25,2008
Ahmedabad,India, May 14,2008
WashingtonDC, US, June02-03, 2008
Hanoi, VietnamJune 07-11,2008
Cotonou,Benin, July09-11, 2008
Event
Interactive session on‘Public-Private Partnershipin India Railways’organised by theAssociated Chambers ofCommerce and Industry ofIndia (ASSOCHAM)
United NationsEnvironment Programme’s(UNEP) Expert Meeting onSustainable Innovationand OECD UNEPConference on ResourceEfficiency
‘Microfinance in India:Evolving Strategies toDeepen and Broaden theOutreach’ organised byMahatma Gandhi LabourInstitute
Demand for GoodGovernance (DFGG)Summit organised by theWorld Bank
‘Making Markets Work forSmall Farmers:Understanding Marketingand MarketIntermediation’, organisedby the Asia Development ofHuman Resources in RuralAsia (DHRRA), incollaboration with VietDHRRA, Vietnam FarmersUnion, Foro Rural Mundialand ASEAN Foundation
A Regional Conference onthe ‘Right to Food andVoluntary Guidelines’,organised by an NGO,United Sisters at work,with the support of FoodFirst Information & ActionNetwork (FIAN)International and Breadfor the World (Pain Pour leMonde)
Issue
Provided a uniqueopportunity for the customerof Indian Railways to knowtheir expectations are beingtaken into account by variouspolicy initiatives whiledrawing the future course ofaction
A presentation on ‘Bio-fuelsand the course of worldeconomic development’
Paper presentation on‘Strengthening theinstitutional base for reachingextreme poverty’
Presentation on ‘ImprovingPublic Expenditure Outcomesthrough Social AccountabilityApproaches: FieldExperiences from Rajasthan,India’
Enhance the knowledge andskills of participants inmarketing and marketintermediation which wouldlink small farmers to markets
Launch the ‘Right to FoodNetwork’ in Africa andestablish a network thatwould help a permanent andcontinuous dialogue amonghuman rights activists
Participants
Ramrao Mundhe
Siddharth Mitra
Amit Chowdhury
George Cheriyan
Pham Thi QueAnh
Angela MwapeMulenga
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Date & Venue Event Issue Participants
Venice, Italy, July18-19, 2008
Greece, Athens, July04-05, 2008
Australia, Sydney,October 04, 2008
Hanoi, Vietnam,October 23, 2008
Geneva, SwitzerlandNovember 24-26,2008
Islamabad,Pakistan, December01-03, 2008
CESifo Venice SummerInstitute workshop on‘Reforming Rules andRegulations: Laws,Institutions andEnforcement’
‘Third European Conferenceon Competition andRegulation’
‘Unleashing the Tiger?Competition Law in Chinaand Hong Kong’ sponsoredby premier competition lawfirm Gilbert + Tobin, theAustralian and New ZealandSchool of Government(ANZSOG), and the AsianCompetition Forum
‘Sharing Experience andIdentifying orientation onAdvocacy of NGOs’, jointlyorganised by Centre forSupport of SocialDevelopment Programmes(CSDP) and Centre forDevelopment Assistance(CDA)
‘Confronting the Global FoodChallenge: Finding NewApproaches to Trade andInvestment that Support theRight to Food’ convened byThe World Alliance of YoungMen’s Christian Associations(YMCAs), together with theEcumenical AdvocacyAlliance, FoodFirstInformation and ActionNetwork and Institute forAgriculture and Trade Policy
The 11th SustainableDevelopmentConference with theoverarching theme: ‘Peaceand SustainableDevelopment in South Asia:Issues and Challenges ofGlobalisation’.
Presentation on ‘HowVital Is RegulatoryIndependence: TheTelecom Sector inDeveloping Countries’
Presentation on‘Competition Policy:Institutions andProcedures’
Explore the emergence ofcompetition law in Chinaand Hong Kong and alsodiscuss policy questionsand concerns ofregulators and lawyers
Sharing experiences onadvocacy regardingpoverty reduction anddevelopment cooperationbetween NGOs in andoutside of CooperationDevelopment Group(CDG) and identifyingorientation on advocacyfor NGOs in general, andCDG in particular
Trade impact andinvestment on the right tofood; explore the impactof climate change andagro-fuels, and developadvocacy strategies toraise human rightsconcerns vis-à-vis tradeand investment policies
Presentation on ‘Of PeaceDividends and TradeDividends: The Case ofPakistan andIndia’
Contd...
Siddhartha Mitra
Pradeep S Mehta
Pradeep S Mehta
To Tam
Atul KaushikRashid S KaukabAnnieHaakenstad
Siddhartha Mitra
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Date & Venue Event Issue Participants
Asian Competition Forumorganised by the Hong KongPolytechnic University
‘Infrastructure Regulation:What works, Why, and Howdo we know? organised byLIRNEasia, in collaborationwith the Institute of WaterPolicy, Lee Kuan Yew Schoolof Public Policy, Singaporeand the University of HongKong
‘Securing our CommonFuture: A Conference on theFuture of InternationalDevelopment’, organised bythe Department forInternational Development(DFID)
‘State Level Seminar onCompetition Policy and Law’jointly organised by theCompetition Commission ofIndia and Government ofRajasthan
‘Broadening EconomicIntegration in South Asia:Incorporating ServicesLiberalisation at a Time ofGlobal Economic Crisis’organised by the Institute ofPolicy Studies and UnitedNations DevelopmentProgramme
‘The Future of Agriculture ina Globalised World’organised by Organisationfor Economic Cooperationand Development (OECD)
Hong Kong,December 08-09,2008
Hong Kong,February 26-27,2009
London, UKMarch 09-10, 2009
Jaipur, Rajasthan,March 20, 2009
Colombo, SriLanka, March 30-31, 2009
Paris, March 30-31, 2009
Paper presentation onthe ‘InternationalCompetition Fund:Solution for EffectiveDeterrence andDistribution of CartelFines’
Presented a paper on‘Assessing RegulatoryPerformance: The Case ofthe Indian Power Sector’
Focused on issues facingworld security andbrought together some ofthe leading thinkers andpractitioners oninternationaldevelopment
Mehta spoke in theopening session on‘Competition Law ofIndia’
Facilitate informeddiscussion andconsultations on the wayforward for the SAARCcountries’ engagement innegotiations
Agriculture and its Linkwith Other Sectors
Rijit Sengupta
Rajesh Kumar
Pradeep S Mehta
Pradeep S MehtaRijit SenguptaUdai S Mehta
Archana Jhatkar
Pranav Kumar
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Bipul ChatterjeeDeputy
ExecutiveDirector & Head,
CITEE
CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics
& Environment (CITEE)
CUTS CITEE was established in 1996, with the aim of being aglobal level institution for research and advocacy on multilateraltrade and sustainable development issues, and has been workingon issues related to trade and economics. The centre’s philosophyis “liberalisation yes, but with safety nets”. In the early 1990s,when the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffsand Trade (GATT) was at its peak, CUTS got involved with tradeand economic issues (including regulatory issues such ascompetition policy and investment).
The Mission of CITEE is Pursuing economic equity and socialjustice within and across borders by persuading governments andempowering people.
The main objective of the Centre is to enable and empowerrepresentatives of civil society, especially from developingcountries, to articulate and advocate on relevant issues atappropriate fora and thus create a questioning society,characterised by transparent and accountable institutions.Simultaneously, it also tries to promote equity within and acrossdeveloped and developing countries through network-basedresearch and advocacy on emerging and relevant issues.
CITEE aims to achieve its mission and objectives by means ofthree inter-linked functions: research, advocacy and networking.Capacity building of civil society organisations (CSOs) and otherstakeholders, especially from developing and least developedcountries (LDCs) cuts across these functions. CITEE is regardedas a key research and advocacy group working on issues of tradeand development of interest to developing countries. CITEEoperates closely with other CUTS centres to strengthen upwardand downward linkages on critical trade and economic policyissues involving policymakers and civil society.
Pranav KumarPolicy Analyst &Deputy Head,
CITEE
Simi TBalakrishnan
AssistantPolicy Analyst
and Researcher
Purnima PurohitProgrammeCoordinator
Vishwajit HabbuProgramme
Officer
Archana JatkarAssistant Policy
Analyst &Researcher
Kritika KapilResearchAssistant
Anutosh BiswasProgramme
Assistant
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Programme Areas• WTO Issues• Regional Economic Cooperation• Developmental Issues: Trade, Environment, Pro-poor Growth• Capacity-building: A Cross Cutting Issue
Projects• Linkages between Trade, Development and Poverty Reduction• WTO Doha Round and South Asia: Linking Civil Society with
Trade Negotiations• Mainstreaming International Trade into National Development
Strategy: A Pilot Project in Bangladesh and India• Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment of Free Trade
Agreement• Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Consumption and
Production of Vegetable Oils in India• Training Programmes on IPRs and Related WTO Issues• India and Regional Economic Cooperation in South and
Southeast Asia• Welfare Impacts of the Doha Round Agreement on India• India’s Engagement with PTAs• State Business Relationship in Indian States under the IPPG
Project
International Advisory BoardThe Centre carries out its activities under the guidance of anadvisory board comprised of the following members.Ladli Prasad Katara
Personal AssistantT N Srinivasan, Samuel C Park, Jr. Professor ofEconomics, Yale University, US
L Alan Winters, Professor of Economics, Universityof Sussex, UK
Ann Weston, Vice-President and ResearchCoordinator, The North-South Institute Ottawa,Canada
M Supperamaniam, Adviser, Federation ofMalaysian Manufacturers, Kuala Lumpur
Jean-Pierre LehmannChairman , Professor, International PoliticalEconomy and Founding Director of Evian Group atIMD, Lausanne
Dianna Tussie, Senior Research Fellow, LatinAmerican School of Social Sciences (FLACSO),Buenos Aires, Argentina
Dominique Njinkeu, Executive Director, Lawyersand Economists Against Poverty (ILEAP), Canada
Veena Jha, Visiting Professor, Institute of AdvancedStudies, University of Warwick and Fellow,International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Pradeep S Mehta, Secretary General, CUTSInternational
Chairman
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• Enabling Developing Countries to Sieze Ecolabel Opportunities• Grassroots Reachout & Networking in India on Trade &
Economics
Linkages between Trade, Development & PovertyReduction (TDP)The TDP project aimed to explore the policy environment duringthe distribution of the fruits of globalisation and advocate atdifferent levels with diverse stakeholders for remedial action, ifrequired. The project aimed to enable stakeholders to takedecisions and formulate strategies that were based on a deeperunderstanding of the impact/opportunities of/from internationaltrade, with a pro-poor perspective.
TDP was a multi-country project involving 15 countries fromSouth and Southeast Asia; Eastern and Southern Africa; andEurope, viz., Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Kenya, Nepal,The Netherlands, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania,Uganda, UK, Vietnam and Zambia. Project activities includedanalysis of stakeholder perceptions regarding TDP, networkingwith partner organisations and other stakeholders, advocacy withpolicymakers and CSOs, dialogues involving producers and CSOsand other stakeholders, outreach aimed at diplomats,parliamentarians and developmental agencies (including donoragencies). The duration of the project was of four years, i.e.January 2005-December 2008.
Advocacy and Networking• CITEE, in association with the Sustainable Development Policy
Institute (SDPI) and Foreign Trade Institute of Pakistan (FTIP),jointly organised a seminar on Mainstreaming DevelopmentIssues in Pakistan’s Trade Policy in Islamabad, on April 12,2008. The seminar was organised in the backdrop of UnitedNations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) XIImeeting being held in Accra during April 20-25, 2008. Theobjective of the seminar was to discuss and debate on thelinkages between trade and development.
• On the occasion of quadrennial meeting of the UNCTAD XIIin Accra, CUTS organised an event entitled Trade-Development-Poverty Linkages on April 18, 2008. The mainobjective of the event was to place a set of key messages ontrade-development-poverty linkages to the trade communityat large. The book entitled Trade-Development-PovertyLinkages – Reflections from Selected Asian and Sub SaharanAfrican Countries’ Volume I – Country Case Studies was alsolaunched on the occasion.
• CITEE organised a training workshop on trade related issuesfor journalists in Bangladesh on June 29-30, 2008. Theworkshop was attended by 26 journalists representing bothprint and electronic media. Selim Raihan, Associate Professor,Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and M AbuEusuf, Associate Professor, Department of DevelopmentStudies, University of Dhaka and TDP project coordinator,Unnayan Shamannay facilitated the workshop. Raihancovered the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and regional
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trade related issues while Eusuf covered the basic trade relatedconcepts including an overview of Bangladesh trade policy.
• The Centre, in association with the Economic Institute ofCambodia (EIC), organised a workshop on MainstreamingDevelopment into the WTO in Cambodia, on July 01, 2008,with the main objective of highlighting issues of concern inthe international trading system and their relationship withdevelopment and poverty reduction in Cambodia. Theworkshop served as a forum for practitioners in the fields oftrade and development to discuss and exchange ideas. Theworkshop attracted around 100 participants from governmentagencies, donors, private sector, NGOs, academia and localmedia.
• A national conference on Towards a Coherent Trade andDevelopment Strategy of India was held in New Delhi, on July24-25, 2008. The conference aimed at providing a discussionforum on the dynamic relationship linking international tradeand poverty reduction at the national as well as internationallevel. It addressed the need for mainstreaming India’s nationaldevelopment strategy into international trade so as tomaximise the benefits of the latter for enhancing developmentand poverty alleviation.
• The Centre and National Economic Research Institute jointlyorganised a seminar in Beijing, in November 2008. Thepurpose of the seminar was to discuss the macroeconomicsituation in China, especially the impact of global economiccrisis on the world economy, in general, and the Chineseeconomy, in particular, with focus on the impact ofinternational trade. The discussion was attended by 16government officials from China.
Research and PublicationsResearch Report• Trade-Development-Poverty Linkages: Reflections from
Selected Asian and Sub-Saharan African Countries – VolumeII - Sector Case Studies
Discussion Papers• Linkages between Trade, Development and Poverty Reduction:
Perceptions of UK Trade Policy• Trade and Poverty: A Case Study of The Netherlands
Briefing Papers• Trade as a Tool for Employment Generation• Aid for Trade: The Process So Far, But What Next?• Mainstreaming Development in the WTO: Developing Countries
in the Doha Round• From UNCTAD XI to UNCTAD XII – A Stocktaking
WTO Doha Round and South Asia: Linking CivilSociety with Trade NegotiationsThe Centre implemented Phase II of the project entitled WTODoha Round & South Asia: Linking Civil Society with TradeNegotiations. The project was also known as South Asia Forum
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for International Trade (SAFIT-II). It aimed at establishing linkagesbetween the CSOs and research institutions while conductingadvocacy with the governments. The project was implementedin five South Asian countries, viz. Bangladesh, India, Nepal,Pakistan and Sri Lanka in partnership with variousorganisations. The duration of the project was of four years, i.e.April 2006-March 2009. It was divided into three components.
Component I (Focus on Doha Round of Trade Negotiations)Component I focused on research of some key issues of WTOHong Kong Ministerial Declaration. The research aimed atproviding negotiating inputs to the policymakers before theconclusion of the Doha Round. The researched topics werepublished in the form of a book entitled South Asian Positions inthe WTO Doha Round: In Search of A True Development Agenda –Volume II.
Component II (Focus on Domestic Preparedness)Component II focused on the domestic preparedness of thepartner countries to face the challenges of trade liberalisationand globalisation in ‘Services’ sector. The researched topics werepublished in the form of a book entitled Domestic Preparednessfor Services Trade Liberalisation: Are South Asian CountriesPrepared For Further Liberalisation?
Component III (Focus on Campaign-based Advocacy andDemand-driven Capacity Building)The advocacy began as part of project activity in all the fiveSouth Asian countries after the completion of Component II.This was done by linking the final outcomes of Component I andII to help South Asian countries better understand each other’sconcerns.
Advocacy & Networking• A session was organised at UNCTAD XII Civil Society Forum
on Services Liberalisation and Domestic Regulation in Accraon April 17-19, 2008 to increase awareness about the researchcarried out under SAFIT as well as enhance networking amongCSOs on the issues. A paper entitled Domestic Regulation andService Trade Liberalisation – A South Asian Perspectiveencapsulating some key messages from the study under theproject was also discussed.
• CUTS, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambersof Commerce and Industry of India (FICCI), organised aConference entitled Global Partnership for Development: WhereDo We Stand and Where to Go? in New Delhi, on August 12-13, 2008. Among others, the conference covered and discussedissues such as aid for trade, LDC concerns pertaining to theWTO, services trade liberalisation, which are subject areasunder the WTO as well as SAFIT II.
• The Centre organised an advocacy meeting entitled South Asia:Stakes and Role in the Global Trading System – Doha Roundand Beyond in Geneva on January 13, 2009. This eventdiscussed the emerging issues relevant to the South Asiancountries in the global trading system and further assessed
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the way forward for them. In this regard, an effort was madeto bring diverse views ranging from government officials tothe independent voices from these South Asian countries.The meeting was attended by more than 40 participants.
• The Centre and South Asian Network on Economic Modelling(SANEM) organised a seminar entitled, A Southern Agendaon Global Trade Governance: Some Views and Concerns fromSouth Asia in Dhaka, on February 02, 2009.
Research & PublicationsResearch Report• Domestic Preparedness for Services Trade Liberalisation: Are
South Asian Countries Prepared For Further Liberalisation?
Briefing Paper• Domestic Regulation and Service Trade Liberalisation: A South
Asian Perspective
Mainstreaming International Trade into NationalDevelopment Strategy: A Pilot Project inBangladesh and India (MINTDEV)CITEE implemented a project entitled Mainstreaming InternationalTrade into National Development Strategy: A Pilot Project inBangladesh and India with the support of the Royal NorwegianEmbassy, New Delhi, India. The duration of the project was oftwo years, i.e. December 2006-December 2008. The project wasimplemented in two South Asian countries – Bangladesh andIndia.
The objectives of the project were to ensure and enhance positivelinkages between trade and human development, foster equityand accountability of the national trade policy; and enhance amore coherent civil society voice in the formulation of nationaltrade policy and its linkages with national development strategy.
The project addressed a major problem of trade policy-makingand its implementation in developing countries, i.e. the problemof social exclusion through collection of data/information fromthe grassroots and its analysis. It addressed several questions,such as:• How to embed social and political considerations into trade
policy making?• How to engage civil society into trade policy making in a
socially inclusive manner?• What are the conditions necessary for mainstreaming trade
into national development strategy?
Advocacy & Networking• A training-cum-advocacy meeting entitled International Trade
and National Development Strategy in India: Voices from theGround for farmers, farmer leaders and panchayatrepresentatives was held in Jaipur on May 07, 2008. Thismarked the culmination of rigorous field based research inRajasthan and aimed at demystifying the contents of
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globalisation and international trade and its impacts onagriculture. The workshop also shed light on the importanceof good governance at the local level, i.e. Panchayati RajInstitutions.
• CRC and CITEE organised a training-cum-advocacy workshopentitled International Trade and National Development Strategyin India: Voices from the Ground for farmers, farmer leaders,CSOs and panchayat representatives in Kolkata on June 12,2008. The workshop was a follow-up activity to address themajor information gaps in the decision making process, asrevealed from the field survey of 400 agricultural householdsconducted in four districts of Kolkata namely – Hooghly,Purulia, Malda and Jalpaiguri.
• A Rajasthan State Level Meeting entitled International Tradeand its Reach at the Grassroots was organised in Jaipur onJune 17, 2008. This meeting was broadly aimed at taking adetailed look at the process of international trade and itsimpact on development in India. More specifically, it enableda thorough discussion on the research findings on “the levelof stakeholder participation in the formulation andimplementation of the National Foreign Trade Policy of India(2004-09) –Rajasthan’s Perspective”.
• CRC and CITEE organised a state-level advocacy workshopentitled Mainstreaming International Trade and NationalDevelopment Strategy in India with government officials,people’s representatives, members of different political parties,farmers, farmer leaders, CSOs, panchayat representatives andacademicians in Kolkata on July 05, 2008. This workshopemphasised the important role played by CSOs in effectiveimplementation of pro-poor schemes at the grassroots; andunderstand ways to incorporate development needs intopolitical considerations.
• A National Conference entitled Towards a Coherent Trade andDevelopment Strategy of India was held in New Delhi on July24-25, 2008. The conference discussed important issues, suchas the need for mainstreaming international trade intonational development strategy of India and how the countrycould respond to the challenges of international trade andsecure an inclusive path to development. The discussion tookinto account various measures of disparity and deprivation –the regional trade openness index, income disparity andpoverty.
• CUTS and SANEM organised a seminar entitled,Mainstreaming International Trade into National Development:Some Perspectives from South Asia in Dhaka on February 01,2009.
Research & PublicationsResearch Reports• Political Economy of Trade Liberalisation in Bangladesh:
Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Bangladesh Agriculture• Is the Stage set for Mainstreaming Trade into National
Development Strategy of India? Results of Field Survey in TwoStates
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• Trade Liberalisation, Growth and Poverty in Bangladesh• Trade and Poverty Linkages: A Case Study of the Poultry
Industry in Bangladesh• Exploring the Post-1990s Trade-Labour Linkage in India – A
Set of Case Studies from West Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujarat• Regional Trade Openness Index, Income Disparity and Poverty:
An Indian Case Study
Briefing Papers• Is the Stage set for Mainstreaming Trade into National
Development Strategy of India?• Political Economy of Trade Liberalisation in Bangladesh:
Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Bangladesh Agriculture• Trade Liberalisation, Growth and Poverty in Bangladesh
Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment of FreeTrade Agreement (FTA)The project entitled ‘Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA)of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Unionand the Republic of India’ was awarded by the ECORYSNetherlands on behalf of the European Commission, to assesshow the trade and investment provisions of the enhancedagreement under negotiation could affect economic, social,environmental and developmental issues in the EU and India.
The project was implemented in three phases, i.e. Phase 1 –Global Analysis Report (April 07, 2008), Phase 2 – Interim Report(August 25, 2008) and Phase 3 – Final Report (November 2008).The duration of the study was of one year, i.e. March 2008-April2009.
Advocacy & Networking• A Trade SIA workshop was held in New Delhi on June 23,
2008. The objectives of the workshop were to inform civilsociety and key stakeholders about the methodology and goalsof the SIA; and discuss the results of Phase 1 with the Indianand the EU stakeholders and gather their views/critiques onthese results.
• Three public meetings were held in Brussels, on June 05,2008; November 06, 2008; and January 29, 2009. The purposeof the meetings was to collect/assemble comments of theIndian and the EU stakeholders and discuss with the civilsociety the results and analysis at various stages throughoutthe study.
Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Consumptionand Production of Vegetable Oils in IndiaA study on assessing the impact of trade liberalisation on oilseedsand edible oil sector in India was conducted by the Centre. Thestudy commissioned by UNCTAD India Programme revisits theimpact of trade liberalisation process on the entire economy, i.e.oilseed crop cultivators, edible oil processors and consumers ofedible oil by adopting a concrete and rigorous quantitative andqualitative approach.
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Training Programme on IPRs and WTO Issuesheld in Jaipur on April 28-May 02, 2008
Training Programmes on IPRs and Related WTOIssuesTraining programmes on IPRs and Related WTO Issues wereorganised with the support of the Department of Science andTechnology, Government of India in order to build the capacityof scientists and technologists working with various departments,institutes and research laboratories of the Government of India.Two training programmes were conducted in Jaipur, on April28-May 02, 2008; and November 03-07, 2008 respectively. Outof these two, one was only for women scientists and technologistsfrom government departments/institutes/labs.
These training programmes helpedfacilitate an overview of the basicprinciples of multilateral tradingsystem (MTS) enshrined in the WTOand an understanding of the traderules that apply to IPRs under itsTrade Related Aspects of IntellectualProperty Rights (TRIPs) Agreement.The methodology adopted forundertaking the trainingprogramme included lectures, caseanalysis, simulation exercises,interaction with experts, groupdiscussions, etc.
These five-day training programmescovered broadly an overview of theWTO, an overview of the WTO Agreement on TRIPs, enforcementunder the TRIPs Agreement, copyrights and related rights,implications of IPRs for developing countries, basic features ofthe Indian Copyright Act, the Indian Patent Act, the Indian PlantVarieties Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act, a brief overview ofother IPR laws in India, relationship of IPRs with biotechnology,traditional knowledge and access and benefit sharing, patentdrafting, and negotiations in the WTO on IPR issues.
Resource persons comprised of eminent experts, practitionersand academicians in the field of advance IPR, WTO related issuesand patent writing.
India and Regional Economic Cooperation (REC)in South and South East AsiaThe Centre with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES),India implemented this project to engage diverse stakeholdersin India with regional trade initiatives in South Asia and promotepolicy responses that would be inclusive of stakeholderpreferences. The project helped assess future prospects of India’sapproach towards REC in South Asia in a bilateral or multilateralsetting. The duration of the project was of three months, i.e.July 2008-October 2008.
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Advocacy & Networking• The Centre organised a stakeholder consultation on Regional
Economic Cooperation in South Asia with a Focus on India-SriLanka Trade in Kochi on August 21, 2008. It marked therelease of a CUTS monograph entitled ‘India and PreferentialTrade Agreements: The Path Traversed and the Road Ahead’.The event brought together like-minded people to ascertaintheir opinions/views on India’s engagement in regionaleconomic cooperation in South Asia.
• A stakeholder consultation on Regional Economic Cooperationin South Asia with a Focus on India-Bangladesh Trade washeld in Kolkata, on September 19, 2008. The objectives wereto engage Indian stakeholders in regional trade initiatives inSouth Asia and promote policy responses that would beinclusive of stakeholder preferences; and involve businessrepresentatives, farmer organisations, civil societyrepresentatives, academics, and government to createawareness and momentum towards REC in South Asia toinfluence future policy direction in trade and investmentpromotion within the country.
• The Centre organised a stakeholder consultation on Indo-Bangla Trade: Focus on the North East in Assam, on March13, 2009. The twin objectives of this consultation were toelicit views of stakeholders in Bangladesh and North EasternIndia about the prospects for trade and pertinent economicactivities involving these two regions; and create awarenessabout stakeholder preferences for trade between Bangladeshand North Eastern India.
Research & Publications• India and Preferential Trade Agreements: The Path Traversed
and the Road Ahead
Welfare Impacts of the Doha Round Agreement onIndiaThe Doha Development Round (DDR) of negotiations under theWTO will have profound and far-reaching impact on developingcountries like India. Therefore, a research project entitled DohaRound Impacts on India: A Study in a Sequential Dynamic CGEFramework was initiated by CUTS to examine the impact of DDRon the economy of India.
The specific objectives of the project were to examine the impactof agricultural trade liberalisation and non-agricultural marketaccess (NAMA) under the Doha negotiations; explore thecombined effect of agricultural and NAMA negotiations; and studythe impact of liberalisation of the domestic services sectors. Theproject was launched in November 2008 with duration of eightmonths. The Centre engaged Selim Raihan and Bazlul HaqueKhondker of Department of Economics, University of Dhaka forcarrying out the following research components of the project:(i) Review and modification of Social Accounting Matrix (SAM)
for India;(ii) Numerical specification and parameterisation of the static
and dynamic CGE models;
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(iii) Simulation design and conduct;(iv) Construction of poverty module;(v) Analysis of simulation outcomes; and(vi) Final report and policy briefs.
India’s Engagement with PTAsThe Centre conducted a research study to provide a holisticapproach to the entire gamut of issues relating to India’sinvolvement in Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) so as toachieve a better informed decision making process both at thestage of launching a PTA negotiation and at various decisionmaking stages during negotiations and final conclusion of thedeal. The study commissioned by the Ministry of Commerce &Industry, Government of India, encapsulates the internationalexperience in negotiating PTAs, India’s own experience with PTAnegotiations, and an ex-post assessment of the results of PTAsfinalised by India.
State Business Relationship (SBR) in Indian Statesunder the IPPG ProjectWhile growth has accelerated in India since the 1980s, theoutcomes with respect to growth and poverty reduction havediffered widely across Indian states. The differential paths ofIndian states with respect to poverty reduction and economicgrowth since the reforms of the 1980s and 1990s seem to berelated, to some degree, with the nature of SBRs at the statelevel. In this context, the University of Manchester, UK and CUTShave undertaken a study to assess SBRs across Indian statesover the post-independence period and its impact on growthand growth-related outcomes in the state economy. Bothorganisations are a part of the Research Consortium on ImprovingInstitutions for Pro-Poor Growth, based at the Institute forDevelopment Policy and Management, School of Environmentand Development, University of Manchester, formerly at theLondon School of Economics, London. The duration of the studyis of one-and-a-half-year, i.e. June 2008-December 2009.
The study will construct a state-level measure of SBRs for 16major Indian states. The index construction will be based onsecondary as well as primary data collected through extensiveinterviews with business associations as well as state ministriesin the state capitals. The index will be used to analyse therelationship between state business relations and growth acrossIndian states and gradually at the macro level. The specificobjectives of this research are to understand the nature of formaland informal interactions between the state and business acrossstates in India, and how the institutions governing these haveevolved over time; and understand the effects of different typesof state business relations on measures of economicperformance.
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Enabling Developing Countries to Sieze EcolabelOpportunities The Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch of theUnited Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Division ofTechnology, Industry and Economics together with other Nationalpartners initiated a project, co-funded by the EuropeanCommission within the EuropeAid programme and the FederalMinistry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany)aimed at promoting eco-labelling in emerging economies. CUTSis the national partner from India. The project involves severalcountries: Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Mexico and South Africa.The duration of the project is of four years, i.e. July 2007-December 2010.
The overall objective of this project is to increase theenvironmental efficiency of key export products and relatedindustrial processes in the target countries. The environmentalefficiency would increase by supporting the active contributionof the industry and the government to the 10-year Frameworkof Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production(Marrakech process). The specific objective is to increase thenumber of products from target countries in the EU as well asin their national and global markets eco-labelled with the EUEco-label or other European countries’ ‘Type I’ environmentallabels. Advocacy and Networking• The Centre and the Confederation of Indian Textiles Industries
(CITI), New Delhi, in collaboration with the UNEP organised anational workshop in Jaipur, on June 23-24, 2008. Theobjectives of the workshop were to create awareness amongrelevant stakeholders on the opportunities related to eco-labelling; and increase textile industry stakeholders’knowledge of the EU Eco-label, its procedure, criteria andrelated market opportunities.
Grassroots Reachout & Networking in India onTrade & Economics (GRANITE Phase II)GRANITE Phase II is a three year project (2007-10) funded byOxfam Novib, The Netherlands and Royal Norwegian Embassy,New Delhi. The objective of this project is to “generate a morecoherent civil society voice on economic governance in India inthe context of globalisation and its effects on the livelihoods ofthe poor, particularly the marginalised and women”, by ensuringbetter economic literacy especially at the grassroots. The project,which is being implemented in eight Indian states in partnershipwith local CSOs working at the grassroots focuses on the fivemajor thrust areas under the NFTP, namely agriculture,handloom and handicrafts, leather and leather products, marineproducts and gems & jewellery. The duration of the project is offour years, i.e. July 2007-June 2010.
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Focus Group Discussion held in Kolkata under GRANITE Project
Advocacy & Networking• CRC organised a State Level meeting
in Kolkata on May 07, 2008, afterthe completion of the field survey infive districts of West Bengal namelyHooghly, Nadia, Malda,Murshidabad, and Darjeeling. Theobjectives of the meeting were topresent the findings of the fieldresearch in the state; share views/pinions on how to make NFTP morepro poor; chalk out strategies topromote agricultural and handloomexports through institutionalisedmechanisms; facilitate interactionbetween government of ficials,exporters, farmers’/weavers’associations, mediarepresentatives and otherstakeholders; and finalisefurther research areas.
• A national seminar entitledNational Foreign Trade Policy ofIndia: Why is Civil Society’sInvolvement Required? wasorganised in New Delhi on July01-02, 2008. The seminaraddressed the need for civilsociety involvement in theimplementation and formulation of NFTP and maderecommendations to the policymakers to ensure pro-poorchanges in the existing policy. More than 60 participants fromdifferent parts of India attended this meeting.
Research & PublicationsResearch Report• A Critical Look at Economic Governance in India: The Case of
National Foreign Trade Policy
Briefing Paper• The National Foreign Trade Policy – An Impact Assessment
Other InitiativesCUTS@WTO ForumCUTS, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat andthe Evian Group and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, organised twosessions entitled The Missing Link between Trade Openness andPoverty Reduction: The Role of the Multilateral Trading Systemand What Future for Global Economic Governance: Potential Roleof the WTO at the WTO Public Forum in Geneva, on September24-25, 2008.
National Seminar held in New Delhi on July 01-02, 2008
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Date & Place
Paris, France, April22, 2008
Paris, France, April23-25, 2008
Barcelona, Spain,May 28-31, 2008
Oslo, Norway, June03-06, 2008
Kathmandu, Nepal,July 14-18, 2008
July 18-19, 2008San Servolo, Venice,Italy
Des Moines, US,September 17-19,2008
Crans-Montana,Switzerland,September 17-20,2008
Islamabad,Pakistan, December01-03, 2008
Events & Organiser
UNEP’s Expert Meeting onSustainable Innovation
Organisation for EconomicCooperation and Development(OECD) UNEP Conference onResource Efficiency
Barcelona Dialogue, jointlyorganised by the InternationalChair WTO/Regional Integration(University of Barcelona) and theInternational Centre for Tradeand Sustainable Development
Seminar presentation atNorwegian Institute ofInternational Affairs (NUPI)
South Asian TrainingProgramme on ComputableGeneral Equilibrium Modellingjointly organised by the SouthAsia Watch on Trade, Economics& Environment, Nepal, andSANEM
CESifo Venice Summer Instituteworkshop on ‘Reforming Rulesand Regulations: Laws,Institutions and Enforcement’
International Food andAgricultural Trade Policy Council(IPC) Meetings
Geneva Trade and DevelopmentForum, organised by the Geneva-based International DevelopmentEconomics Associates (IDEAS)Centre
The 11th SustainableDevelopmentConference with the overarchingtheme: ‘Peace and SustainableDevelopment in South Asia:Issues and Challenges ofGlobalisation’
Issue/objective
Presentation on ‘Bio-fuels and the course ofworld economicdevelopment’
Impact of globalisationon poverty in India
Introduction to applied(numerical) generalequilibrium modelsconstructed usingGeneral AlgebraicModelling System
Presentation on ‘HowVital Is RegulatoryIndependence: TheTelecom Sector inDeveloping Countries’
Paper Presentation onAgricultural ExportRestrictions with TimJosling
Deliberate on variousissues relating toinclusive globalisation
Paper Presentation, ‘OfPeace Dividends andTrade Dividends: TheCase of Pakistan andIndia’
Participant(s)
Siddhartha Mitra
Siddhartha Mitra
Pranav Kumar
Siddhartha Mitra
Purnima Purohit
Siddhartha Mitra
Siddhartha Mitra
Bipul Chatterjee
Siddhartha Mitra
Representations
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Date & Place Events & Organiser Issue/objective Participant(s)
Paris, France,February 17-20,2009
Colombo, SriLanka, March30-31, 2009
Paris, France,March 30-31,2009
OECD Global CompetitionForum
Broadening EconomicIntegration in South Asia:Incorporating ServicesLiberalisation at a Time ofGlobal Economic Crisis’organised by the Institute ofPolicy Studies and UnitedNations DevelopmentProgramme
OECD event entitled, ‘TheFuture of Agriculture in aGlobalised World’
Paper Presentation on therelationship betweeninformality andcompetition
CUTS publication,‘Domestic Preparedness forServices TradeLiberalisation: Are SouthAsian Countries Preparedfor Further Liberalisation?’was launched
Agriculture and its Linkwith Other Sectors
Siddhartha Mitra
Archana Jhatkar
Pranav Kumar
The objectives of the sessions were to identify the feasibility roleof trade liberalisation under the WTO regime for povertyalleviation and formulate recommendations for making globaleconomic governance effective for development.
Outreach & PublicationsFollowing publications were brought out during the period:
Briefing Papers• The Saga of Rising Food Prices• Regional Trade Openness Index, Income Disparity and Poverty
– An Experiment with Indian Data• ‘Energising’ India’s Development through Economic
Diplomacy• Activism against Low Labour Standards in Developing
Countries: Is It a bane in disguise?• SAARC and BIMSTEC: Understanding their Experience in
Regional Cooperation• Do India’s AEZs Need a Fresh Start?• Fighting the Financial Meltdown• India’s Stand in the WTO Doha Round• African Regional Integration: Turning a Dream into a Reality• Doha Development Agenda Needs Confidence Building
Measures• Services Trade and Domestic Regulation in Kenya• Services Trade and Domestic Regulation in the Gambia• Services Trade and Domestic Regulation in Jamaica• Evolution of Service Sector in Bangladesh: An Overview
Book• Multilateralism will Reinvent Itself in a More Resolute Avatar
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Trade Law Briefs• India, Thailand and US on Anti-dumping Measures relating
to Shrimp: Another case calling for clarity in the WTO rules• The Indian Patent (Amendment) Act 2005 and the Novartis
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Rijit Sen GuptaCentre
Coordinator &Deputy Head
CUTS Centre for Competition, Investment &Economic Regulation (CCIER)
To confer a distinct identity to CUTS’ work on competition,investment and regulatory issues as well as to take it forward in amore organised and structured manner, CUTS CCIER wasestablished in 2003 in Jaipur, India. Pursuing its mission, PromotingFair Markets to Enhance Consumer Welfare and EconomicDevelopment, CCIER has been undertaking its activities across Africaand Asia under the guidance of an International Advisory Boardchaired by renowned competition expert Frederic Jenny.
The Centre has been undertaking outcome-oriented research onrelevant policy issues (in the realm of competition, regulation andinvestment) that is ‘need based’ and almost always accompaniedwith an inbuilt element of advocacy; consistent with theorganisation’s approach of producing and using research/evidence.There is a constant effort to link research outcomes with policyprocesses, thereby contributing to ‘evidence-based policy’ incountries where CUTS has been involved in implementing projects.CCIER has now worked in nearly 20 countries of Africa, and over10 countries in Asia.
The Centre adopts a multi-stakeholder approach to facilitatecomposite dialogues among the policy community, academia, civilsociety, media etc. to ensure that its research findings have broad-based acceptability and therefore have greater possibility to bereflected in policy changes.
International Advisory BoardCCIER operates under the guidance of an authoritative InternationalAdvisory Board tabled below:
Frederic Jenny, Chairman of the Committee on CompetitionLaw and Policy, OECD, Paris.
Allan Asher, Chief Executive Of ficer, AustralianCommunications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
Cezley Sampson, Privatisation & Regulatory Consultant,Jamaica
Eleanor Fox, Professor of Law, New York University, US
George Lipimile, Senior Adviser-Competition Law andConsumer Policies Branch, UNCTAD, Switzerland
Gesner Oliveira, President, The Water and SanitationCompany of Sao Paulo (SABESP), Brazil
Philippe Brusick, Chairman, PRB International, Switzerland
S. L. Rao, Chairman of the Institute for Social and EconomicChange, India
Scott H. Jacobs, Managing Director of Jacobs & Associates,US
Taimoon Stewart, Senior Advisor, Business DevelopmentOffice, University of West Indies, Trinidad & Tobago
Chairman
Members
V V SinghFellow
Udai S MehtaAssistant Policy
Analyst
Vikash BathamProgramme
Officer
Cornelius DubeEconomist
Rajesh KumarAssistant Policy
Analyst
Ashutosh SoniOffice Assistant
Verity McGivernResearchAssistant
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Programme Areas• Competition Policy & Law• Economic Regulation• Investment Climate• Consumer Protection
Projects• Capacity Building on Electricity Reforms in Bangladesh, India
and Nepal (RESA Project)• Strengthening Constituencies for Effective Competition
Regimes in Select West African Countries’ (7Up4 Project)• India Competition & Regulation Report (ICRR-II)• Ghana Competition Bill• India’s Investment Environment
Capacity Building on Electricity Reforms inBangladesh, India and Nepal (RESA Project)CUTS with the support of the Norwegian Agency for DevelopmentCooperation (NORAD) Norway, has been implementing a projecton electricity regulation and reforms over a span of two years(2008-2010) in Bangladesh, India (States of West Bengal andRajasthan) and Nepal. The main objective of this project is toenhance the capacity of consumers to better understand the
regulatory process involved in electricityreforms – enabling them to take up action-oriented research and advocacy of policyissues in the electricity sector. The projectwas formally launched in Kolkata (India)on March 13-14, 2008.
Advocacy & Networking• The Local Inception Workshops(LIWs) were organised in each of theproject territories (Bangladesh, Rajasthan,West Bengal, and Nepal) in April 2008. Theobjective of these LIWs was primarily toorient key stakeholders about the objectiveand anticipated outcomes of the project
Members Xiaoye Wang, Professor and Director of Economic LawDepartment of the Institute of Law, CASS, China
Mona Yassine, Chairperson of the Egyptian CompetitionAuthority, Egypt
David Lewis, Extraordinary Professor, The Gordon Instituteof Business Science (GIBS), South Africa
Allan Fels, Dean of the Australia and New Zealand Schoolof Government (ANZSOG), Australia
Robert D Anderson, Counsellor, World Trade Organization(WTO), Switzerland
Simon J. Evenett, Professor, University of St. Gallen,Switzerland
R Shyam Khemani, Principal, MiCRA, US
S Chakravarthy, Competition Policy and Law Consultant
Local inception meeting of the Project in Jaipur (Rajasthan)
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were discussed at the workshops. Participants comprised ofrepresentatives from the partner organisations, members ofthe Reference Group (RG) – a group of 15-20 nationalstakeholders, who would be consulted to implement theproject in each of the territories, academia, governmentofficials, regulators and media.
• RG meetings were organised in each of the project territories(Bangladesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Nepal) in July2008. The RG meetings were organised to apprise RG memberson the project activities, its goals and outcomes, and also tobrief them about the activities implemented so far; seekcomments/inputs for further improvement in order to ensuresmooth functioning of future project activities; and invitecomments/suggestions on two important outputs – TerritorialBase Paper (TBP) and the Territorial Training Manual (TTM)prepared by CUTS.
• Territorial Meetings were organised across the projectterritories over the period August-September 2008 in orderto enhance the capacity of RG members on various keyelements of the electricity reforms process, and impart skillsof advocacy.
• The first phase of the GrassrootsInterface Meetings (GIMs) was conductedduring November-December 2008 in allthe respective project territories:Bangladesh, Nepal and India (Rajasthanand West Bengal). The objective of themeetings was to build the capacity ofconsumers and make them aware of theirresponsibilities and role that they needto play in the regulatory reform process.Local vernacular handouts based on theTerritorial Base Paper (TBP) and projectposters were distributed to theparticipants during the meetings.
Research & Publications
Briefing Paper
Consumer Participation in Electricity Regulation:Rajasthan ExperienceThis briefing paper examines the status of consumer participationin the regulatory reform process in the electricity sector withspecial focus on Rajasthan. It concludes that though necessarysteps had been taken by the regulator in certain cases, due tolack of capacity to understand complex issues, consumerparticipation did not produce the desired results. The paper laysemphasis on the need to make consumers aware by developingtheir capacity to engage effectively in the regulatory reform process.
Strengthening Constituencies for EffectiveCompetition Regimes in Select West AfricanCountries’ (7Up4 Project)The Centre is implementing a two-year project ‘StrengtheningConstituencies for Effective Competition Regimes in Select West
Grassroots Interface Meeting held in Kota, Rajasthan,on November 06, 2008
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African Countries’ (also referred to as 7Up4Project) with the support of the DFID, UK;the International Development ResearchCentre (IDRC), Canada and the Ministry ofForeign Affairs, Sweden. The project isrunning in seven countries of West Africa –Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali,Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.
The project aims to raise the profile ofcompetition at the national and the regionallevels in West Africa. It endeavours tohighlight the relevance and need for aneffective competition regime for economicdevelopment and poverty reduction in the
project countries, and therefore set in motion the process ofevolution and implementation of competition regimes in them.
Advocacy & Networking• A two-day launch meeting was organised in collaboration with
Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER),Ghana in Accra, on June 19-20, 2008. The Deputy Ministerof Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development & President’sSpecial Initiatives of Ghana, Hon’ble Kwaku Agyeman-Manustressed on the commitment of the Ghanaian governmenttowards evolving competitive markets in the country to achieveeconomic growth and development.
• As a first exercise to familiarise themselves of the prevailingcompetition scenario in the project countries, the partnerorganisations from each project country drafted preliminarycountry papers (PCPs).
• The draft papers were discussedat the first meeting of a select group ofnational stakeholders (referred to as theNational Reference Group, NRG) in eachcountry capital during September-October, 2008. There were mainly threepurposes of these meetings: to introducethe project to this select group of keynational stakeholders; organise thesestakeholders into the NRG by sharingways in which they could contribute tothe project and benefit from it; and gettheir views on the PCP.• Subsequently, with the guidance
of the Project Adviser and the Research Adviser, CUTSdeveloped the methodology for undertaking a detailed researchon competition policy and law issues in each of the projectcountry. The outcome of this research would be documentedin Country Research Reports (CRRs), to be prepared for eachcountry. The CRRs aim to present background informationabout the state of competition in each country – and identifythe way forward for them to take forward, the process ofcompetition reforms.
Launch meeting of the project held in Accra,Ghana, on June 19-20, 2008
The National Reference Group meeting held in Maliunder the 7Up4 project
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India Competition and Regulation Report (ICRR) –Second CycleCUTS has been preparing the second edition (2009) of this biennialreport to assess the functioning of markets in India, and highlightvarious distortions in the economy that impede competition andthe regulatory reforms process in the country. An ultimate aimof this report is to provide relevant inputs to the policy community,key stakeholders, etc. to perform necessary actions to promotewell-functioning markets in the country. This edition of the reportwas supported by the British High Commission, New Delhi. Thefirst issue of the biennial report, “Competition and Regulation inIndia, 2007” was published and released in October 2007.
In continuation of the first research cycle, the second researchcycle was initiated with “Competition Assessment in India” asthe theme. The broad objective of the report is to familiarise theIndian policy community with the extent to which competitionhas been promoted by appropriate policies in select sectors; andinitiate discussion on better policy options vis-à-vis competitionin specific sectors.
ICRR 2009 covers the following sector:• Emerging Sectors: Civil Aviation and Water• Ports• Agricultural Markets• Higher Education• Power Sector
During the first research cycle of the report, a NRG comprisingup of eminent experts and economists in the country wasconstituted to guide the implementation of the project with formerUnder-Secretary General of United Nations, Nitin Desai as itsChair. The group met at regular intervals to take stock of theoverall progress of the report and to suggest ways to render shapeand structure to the report.
Advocacy & Networking• The first NRG meeting was held in New Delhi, on April 01,
2008. The meeting served as a brainstorming for the secondresearch phase of the project. Discussions indicated keepinginfrastructure as the focus.
• The second NRG meeting was held in New Delhi, on May 20,2008. Siddhartha Mitra (Director, Research) of CUTS made apresentation on the basis of an overview paper prepared asper the comments received during the 1st NRG meeting.
• The third NRG meeting was held in New Delhi, to review thefirst draft of the chapters (based on the selected sectors) of thereport. The draft version of various chapters were presentedand discussed with the NRG members. The purpose oforganising the meeting was also to provide an opportunity tothe NRG members to provide their inputs/suggestions forfinalising the report.
• The Centre, in association with CUTS Institute for Regulation& Competition (CIRC) organised a Roundtable on ‘The PoliticalEconomy of Regulation in India-What do we need to do?’ in
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New Delhi, on March 28, 2009.Montek Singh Ahluwalia, DeputyChairman of the PlanningCommission of India released anadvance copy of ICRR 2009(Competition and Regulation in India2009) report.
Research & PublicationsIndia Competition and RegulationReport, 2009 – A Curtain RaiserIt tries to examine the evolution ofregulation/regulatory problems froma political economy perspective andassesses the quality of regulation interms of the suitability of content for
tackling market failures, effectiveness and independence of theregulator and the extent to which the set of sector regulationsfoster competition.
Leveraging Economic Growth Through Better Regulation
Ghana Competition Bill
CUTS International was engaged by the Ministry of Trade andIndustry, Private Sector Development and President’s SpecialInitiatives (MOTIPSDPSI) of Ghana to develop a Competition Billfor Ghana from the perspective of international best practices,taking into consideration the socio-economic and politicalrealities of the country. CUTS prepared the first draft of the Billand submitted it to the MOTIPSDPSI in May 2008.
In order to refine the Bill (incorporating views of the nationalstakeholders), CUTS with assistance from MOTIPSDPSI organiseda stakeholders’ workshop in Accra, Ghana on June 18, 2008.Stakeholders included the major sectoral regulators, governmentdepartments and consumer associations, whose role is crucialfor competition administration in Ghana. The purpose of theworkshop was to solicit views, comments and suggestions onareas to help improve the Draft Bill to make it more suitable andacceptable for the economy. In addition, personal interviews werealso conducted with select stakeholders to register their viewson competition in Ghana and specifically on essential componentsthat the Competition Bill would cover.
Based on the comments received in this workshop, CUTS refinedthe Competition Bill, and tabled it again before these stakeholdersin September 2008 to arrive at the final form of the Bill. Finally,in November 2008, the Competition Bill of Ghana was deliveredto the MoTIPSDPSI, Ghana. The government is providing finishingtouches to this Bill, and is expected to embrace it in the form ofa Competition Act soon.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia releasing the report, ‘Competitionand Regulation in India, 2009’
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India’s Investment EnvironmentEconomic reforms and liberalisation of foreign direct investment(FDI) policy has been a dynamic process in India that has led tothe country having emerged as a global investment ‘hotspot’.The Central Government has by and large removed the obstaclesin obtaining FDI approvals and implementation hurdles. Butprocedures at the State level are still fairly cumbersome andtime consuming which leads to delay in project implementation.
The country is certainly an attractive destination for FDIespecially given its huge consumer base but there are certainfactors, which have prevented it from realising its true potential.More can be achieved through continued reforms that strengtheninstitutions, improve economic policies, ease administrativehurdles and create an environment conducive for privateinvestment.
CUTS International has completed a study for Organisation forEconomic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to analysecertain aspects of India’s investment environment. Theorganisation has also been periodically tracking developmentsthat aim to achieve investment policy reforms. As a follow up,CUTS has been preparing monthly updates on FDI policy changesin India.
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Representations
Place & Date
New Delhi, India,April 21, 2008
Stockholm, Sweden,June 12, 2008
Greece, Athens,July 04-05, 2008
Geneva,Switzerland, July15-18, 2008
Venice, Italy, July18-19, 2008
New Delhi, India,September 29, 2008
Trivandarum, India,October 20, 2008
New Delhi, India,December 03, 2008.
Hong Kong,December 08-09,2008
Event/Organiser
Public-Private Partnership inIndia Railways’ organised bythe Associated Chambers ofCommerce and Industry ofIndia (ASSOCHAM)
ICC World Business Summit
Third European Conferenceon Competition andRegulation’
Ninth sessionof the Inter-governmentalGroup of Experts onCompetition Law and Policy
CESifoVenice Summer Instituteworkshop on ‘ReformingRules and Regulations:Laws, Institutions andEnforcement’
Public Hearing on ‘Measuresfor Restraining the Prices ofElectricity in Short TermSale/Trading’, organised bythe Central ElectricityRegulatory Commission
Indian EconomicService Officers’ in a trainingprogramme organisedby National MaritimeAcademy
Captive and DistributedPower Generation’ organisedby Independent PowerProducers Association ofIndia
Asian Competition Forum,organised by the Hong KongPolytechnic University
Issue/Objective
Provided a uniqueopportunity for thecustomer of Indianrailways as to how theirexpectations are beingtaken into account byvarious policy initiativeswhile drawing the futurecourse of action
Challenges facing theWorld Trading System
A presentation onCompetition Policy:Institutions andProcedures’
How Vital Is RegulatoryIndependence: TheTelecom Sector inDeveloping Countries
Infrastructure Regulation
A presentation onInternational CompetitionFund: Solution forEffective Deterrence andDistribution of CartelFines’
Participant(s)
Ramrao Mundhe
Pradeep S Mehta
Pradeep S Mehta
Pradeep S Mehta
Siddhartha Mitra
Rajesh Kumar
Dr V V Singh
Rajesh Kumar
Rijit Sengupta
Contd...
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Date & Venue Event/Organiser Issue/Objective Participant(s)
A two-day conferenceentitled, ‘InfrastructureRegulation: What works,Why, and How do weknow? organised byLIRNEasia, in collaborationwith the Institute of WaterPolicy, Lee Kuan Yew Schoolof Public Policy, Singapore andthe University of Hong Kong
‘Securing our CommonFuture: A Conference on theFuture of InternationalDevelopment’, organisedby the Department forInternational Development(DFID)
State Level Seminar onCompetition Policy and Lawjointly organised by theCompetition Commission ofIndia and Government ofRajasthan
Other Activities• CUTS in association with
the International Networkof Civil SocietyOrganisations onCompetition (INCSOC)organised a seminarentitled, “EnhancingDevelopment Through aCompetition Culture” inNew Delhi, on August 14,2008. IDRC, Canadareleased their recentpublication, ‘Competition& Development: The Powerof Competitive Markets’. DFID, UK provided an orientation ofthe ‘Consumer Assessment Framework’ (CAF) developed bythem. An advanced copy of the ‘Competition Toolkit for India’prepared by CUTS was also released by Amitabh Kumar,Director General, Competition Commission of India.
• CCIER and Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ethiopia co-organised a training workshop on ‘Competition LawEnforcement for Ethiopia’ (CPS.06) in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)from May 12-16, 2008. The training workshop was conductedby CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition (CIRC). Thisworkshop was meant mostly for members and staff of theTrade Practice Investigative Commission (TPIC), Ethiopia,though the ministry also invited other government
Dignitaries at a seminar on ‘Enhancing Development through a Competition Culture’held in New Delhi, on August 14, 2008
Hong Kong,February 26-27,2009
London, UK,March 09-10,2009
Jaipur,Rajasthan,India, March20, 2009
Assessing RegulatoryPerformance: The Case ofthe Indian Power Sector
Focused on issues facingworld security andbrought together some ofthe leading thinkersand practitioners oninternationaldevelopment
Competition Law of India
Rajesh Kumar
Pradeep S Mehta
Pradeep S MehtaRijit SenguptaUdai S Mehta
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departments, select academics, consumerorganisation and media to the event. Over theperiod of the five days, the participantssharpened their skills on various aspects ofcompetition policy and law through lectures,practical examples provided by resourcepersons, case studies and focused groupdiscussions.
Outreach/Publications
Quarterly Newsletters
ReguLetterThe flagship newsletter of CUTC CCIER,
focuses on various issues relating to competition regulation atthe international level, under specific sections: macro, micro,restructuring, investment and privatisation, sectoral regulation,corporate issues and news and views.
Policy WatchCovers developments, policy responses, implementation anddistortions in key economic policy arenas in India. Currentdevelopments in the areas of infrastructure, trade & economics,governance & reforms and accountability are reported on aquarterly basis.
Discussion Paper• Regulation of Higher Education in India
Presents a review of the progress made in higher educationin India and examines the status of regulation of highereducation in India, and makes certain recommendations.
Briefing Papers• Policy-induced Barriers to Competition in Ethiopia
Focuses on the evolution of economic policy in Ethiopia andanalyses the current barriers to competition in the country.
• Minibus Operators and Passenger Welfare in MalawiSensitise readers of the situation in the Malawian publictransport system and highlights the possibilities for thecompetition agency to address the situation, by the effectiveimplementation of the country’s competition act.
• Competition Policy and Economic Growth – Is There aCausal Factor?Attempts to dwell on the issues surrounding the relationshipbetween competition policy/law and economic growth. Itdiscusses various channels through which economic growthand competition policy/law can be interlinked.
• Dealing With Anti-competitive Practices in the IndianPharmaceuticals and the Health Delivery Sector
Resource persons answering participants at the workshop
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Examines the legal and policy options, to effectively curb anti-competitive practices in the health sector in the country.
• Factors Affecting Competition in the Agricultural ProduceMarkets in IndiaSuggests steps to reduce geographical isolation of marketsfor farm produce and the economic distance between thefarmers to introduce competition in agriculture.
• Competition Policy in Malawi: A course to developmentClarifies how an effective implementation of the competitionregime in Malawi can help the country achieve itsdevelopmental goals.
• ‘Public Interest’ Issues In Competition AnalysisDefines ‘public interest’ and highlight, how some competitionauthorities deal with public interest issues in their respectivecountries, and make recommendations on ways of dealingwith public interest issues in competition law.
• The Basics of Bid RiggingExplains the concept of bid rigging with representativeexamples of cases which have been handled by competitionauthorities and makes policy recommendations.
• Cross-Border Mergers and the Experience of DevelopingCountriesExamines the experience from developing countries in dealingwith cross-border mergers by studying the possibleconstraints they have faced and their response in variouscases.
• Comparative Study of Regulatory Framework inInfrastructure Sector: Lessons for IndiaAnalyses and compares the regulatory framework in sevencountries with respect to institutional and governance aspects,and identifies lessons for India.
• Using Competition Policy to Regulate MNC Behaviour inNamibiaExplore ways in which the Namibian competition regime canbe effective in controlling unfavourable behaviours ofmultinational corporations (MNCs) operating in Namibia. Itlooks at recent anti-competitive practices by MNCs in thecement sector.
• Privatisation Initiative in Botswana: Any Bearing onCompetition?Examines the relationship between privatisation andcompetition, highlighting implementation of the privatisationpolicy in Botswana and its likely impact on competition inthe market.
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Issue Notes• Competition and Regulation in Indian Retail Sector
Describes the structure of the retail sector in the country,including its diverse components. It looks at the mainchallenges faced by the retail sector, and analyses the nuancesof regulation and competition for the sector.
• National Competition Policy for IndiaQuestions type of platforms that Competition Policy Council(CPC) can create to coordinate with all relevant stakeholdersin implementing the National Competition Policy (NCP) andthe best ways for providing incentives to state and sub-stategovernments to encourage them to carry out pro-competitionreforms keeping in mind the principles of the NCP.
Monographs• Competition Law and Intellectual Property Rights:
Controlling Abuse or Abusing Control?Examines the interface between competition issues andprotection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs);complementarities and conflicts.
• Competition Policy: Essential Element for Private SectorDevelopment in Eastern and Southern AfricaHighlights impediments to the effective operationalisation ofcompetition regimes in the Eastern and Southern Africanregion, which has been argued to be an imperative for privatesector development therein.
• The Competition Regime as a Determinant of ConsumerWelfare: Focus on Indian TelecomElaborates on the concept of consumer welfare which hasbeen concretised and delineated in the form of consumer rightsand examines how such rights can be furthered through acompetition regime. It also offers a case study of the telecomsector in India.
Competition Toolkit• Enforcing the Competition Law in Namibia: A Toolkit
Researched and compiled by CUTS and customised in theNamibia context, is meant to act as a manual for Namibia,providing a simple and concise handbook on variousimplementation issues relating to the Competition Act, 2003(Competition Law of Namibia).
Research ReportPolitics Triumphs Economics? Political Economy and theImplementation of Competition Law and Economic Regulation inDeveloping CountriesPublished under the ‘Competition, Regulation and DevelopmentResearch Forum’ (CDRF) project is a compendium of studiesdevoted to characterising the state of the world in regulation indeveloping countries and identifying the political economy andgovernance constraints that often frustrate the successfulimplementation of regulatory laws in the developing world.
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George CheriyanDirector & Head,
CUTS CART
CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training (CART)
CUTS was founded in the year 1983 with the mandate of pursuingthe cause of common consumers. As the organisation expandedboth in terms of infrastructure and activity areas, it handedover the inherited agenda of CUTS, i.e. consumer protection toCART, which was established in 1996. The programmes of theCentre are primarily aimed at generating awareness, creating amore responsible society and encouraging changes at the policylevel through advocacy with the government machinery andsensitising it to its issues of concern to the common man. TheCentre has spearheaded several campaigns and pioneeredconsumer empowerment. It has created and trained over 1200activists and helped establish over 300 independent groups inRajasthan and elsewhere. Persistently, CART is having morethan 1000 organisations in its network. Its mission is to enablepeople, particularly the poor and the marginalised, to achieve theirrights to basic needs and sustainable development through astrong consumer movement.
Advisory BoardThe Centre carries its activities under the guidance of an advisoryboard. The following is the list of the advisory board:
Members
Sharada Jain, Educationalist and Adviser, SANDHAN(Society for Education & Development), Jaipur
Padma Bhushan V S Vyas, Professor Emeritus, IDS,Jaipur
VS Dave, Former Judge, Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur
PN Bhandari, Former Chairman, Rajasthan StateElectricity Board, Jaipur
Anita Mathur, Social Activist, Jaipur
Madhavi Joshi, Centre for Environment Education(CEE), Ahmedabad
Ashok Bapna, Director, IILM Academy of HigherLearning, Jaipur
KB Kothari, Managing Trustee, ‘Pratham Rajasthan’,Jaipur
Sunny Sebastian, Special Correspondent, The Hindu,Jaipur
BL Swami, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,Malviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur
Chairman
Deepak SaxenaProgramme
Officer
DharmendraChaturvedi
Office Assistant
B N SharmaAssistant Editor
A K ThaliaOffice Assistant
Om PrakashArya
ProjectCoordinator
Amardeep SinghProject Officer
Amarjeet SinghAssistant Project
Coordinator
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Programme Areas• Consumer Education and Protection• Investor Education and Protection• Good Governance, which special focus on accountability and
access to information• Utility Reforms (Power and Water)• Sustainable Mobility, which includes Road Safety• Women and Child: Protection and Rights• Sustainable Development, which includes MDGs,
environment, livelihoods etc.
Projects• Combating Corruption in Rajasthan State by Applying RTI
as a tool (Phase I)• Consumer Awareness Programme (CAP)• Assessing 2Qs (Quality & Quantity) Outputs of the ‘National
Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme’ (NREGS) in SirohiDistrict of Rajasthan, India
• National Environmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC) 2008-09: RRA for Rajasthan
• Capacity Building on Regulatory Reforms in Electricity Sectorin South Asian Countries (RESA)
• Tobacco Control Campaign by Mobilising key Stakeholdersin Rajasthan
• Get Active: Health Promotion Programme in Schools• Crafting the Market for SAc Approaches and Tools in the
Supply-side Constituencies through Strategic Communicationand Dissemination
• Securities and Market Awareness Campaign (6th Round)• Traffic Calming Strategies to Improve Pedestrian Safety in
India• Road Safety Awareness
Combating Corruption in Rajasthan State byApplying RTI as a Tool (Phase I)CUTS CART in partnership with the Partnership forTransparency Fund (PTF), an international NGO based inWashington DC, US dedicated to helping civil society play aneffective role in the design, implementation and monitoring ofnational anti-corruption programmes, conceptualised a projectentitled ‘Combating Corruption in Rajasthan State, India, byApplying RTI Act as a Tool’ in 2007. The overall objective of theproject was to generate awareness in the rural areas, encouragingthe common citizens towards application of Right to Information(RTI) Act; empowering the CSOs and the vulnerable sections atthe grassroots in order to improve functioning of the existingaccountability mechanisms; and advocating with thepolicymakers for effective implementation of RTI Act to ensuregood governance and accountability.
Advocacy & Networking• Six focused group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in
Viratnagar, Jaipur on June 11, 2008; in Bansur, Alwar, onJune 12, 2008; in Tonk, on June 16, 2008; in Bhilwara, on
Arjun Kant JhaProject Associate
Madhu SudanShamra
Project Officer
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June 19, 2008; in Dudu, Jaipur on June25, 2008; and in Masuda, Ajmer on June27, 2008 respectively. The purpose ofFGDs was to understand the entireprocess of filing of RTI application asmotivated by Consortium of GroupsCombating Corruption (CGCC) members,the outcomes of the applications, itsimpact upon service delivery, enhancingtransparency and accountability andultimately its contribution in creating anenabling environment in addressingcorruption.
Consumer Awareness Programme (CAP)This was the first project implemented by CUTS, with the supportof Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of Rajasthan,after the awareness activities supported by the Consumer WelfareFund managed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Governmentof India was transferred to the state government. The objectiveof this project was to spread consumer awareness at thegrassroots by strengthening the capacity of networkers’ in 20selected blocks in Rajasthan within a year and to build up astrong consumer movement. The activities were in the followingthree broader categories:
Skill Training Programmes- Part IThe objective of skill training was to impart awareness and skilltraining to networkers and other volunteers of the block, whowere interested to undertake the training.
Consumer Friends Training- Part IIThe purpose of organising consumer friends training workshopsunder phase two of the project was to create a team ofnetworkers/activists, who would in turn take up litigation onbehalf of aggrieved poor consumers in the consumer forums.
Awareness Meetings on specific issues related to ConsumerProtection- Part IIIUnder the third phase, small meetings were organised with focuson specific consumer issues likeadulteration, misleading ads, right toinformation etc.
Advocacy & NetworkingThree events were held under the project:• In the first programme at Jayal (Nagaur)
on April 21-23, 2008, there weretechnical sessions on ConsumerProtection Act (COPRA) and its differentprovisions. Group discussion among theparticipants were held for their activeparticipation.
A view of the focused group discussion
Stakeholders discussing grassroots consumer activities at Nagaur
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• In the second meeting at Bhupal Sagar (Chittorgarh) on May12-13, 2008, Shantilal Bafna, Sarpanch of Panchayat villagenear Bhupalsagar block was the guest speaker. BhagwanlalSharma and Ravindra Joshi, both lawyers, were the otherspeakers in the training along with P R Vyas of Bhilwara,Jeevraj Paliwal of Rashtriya Manavta Mission, Rajmal Loharof Krishi Upbhokta Hit Raksha Samiti, and RadheyshyamParashar of Upbhokta Seva Samiti, Bhupalsagar were the otherspeakers.
• At Choti Sadri, Mamta Patidaar, Sarpanch of Gagrol village,Choti Sadri block was the guest speaker. Other speakers wereShivlal Ahir and Ramlal Meena, both workers and membersof Upbhokta Parmarsh evam Soochna Samiti. In all threeprogrammes, the participants were mainly students and nodalofficers of consumer clubs and citizens and a few NGOrepresentatives of the area.
Assessing 2Qs (Quality & Quantity) Outputs of the‘National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme’(NREGS) in Sirohi District of Rajasthan, IndiaThe Centre started the project ‘Assessing 2Qs (Quality andQuantity) Outputs of the ‘National Rural Employment GuaranteeScheme’ (NREGS) in Sirohi District of Rajasthan’ on May 30,2007, though project activities formally began in June 2007.The main objective of the project was to assess the qualitativeand quantitative outcomes of the NREGS implementation inSirohi, with an aim to test the ef fectiveness of socialaccountability approaches in influencing the public expenditureoutcomes. The assessment mainly looked at three main aspectsof the scheme: highlights of implementation of the scheme; gaps,if any, in the implementation; and a set of recommendations toaddress the gaps.
Advocacy & Networking• Three dissemination meetingswere held at the block level: in Pindwara,on April 25, 2008; in Sirohi, on April 29,2008; and in Abu Road on April 30, 2008respectively. The participants wereofficials at the block level such as BlockDevelopment Officer (BDO), ProgrammeOfficer (NREGS), Pradhan and membersof the Panchayat Samiti, representativesof NGOs and beneficiaries in variousmeetings. The participants provided apositive feedback on the draft data of therespective blocks, which was presented.
• A dissemination meeting was held in Reodar on May 19, 2008.Other officials at the block level and also the Panchayati RajInstitution (PRI) members including the Pradhan attended themeeting. The draft data for Reodar block was presented andthe participants gave their feedback on the same.
• A one-day District Level Dissemination meeting was held inSirohi on May 21, 2008. The objective of the meeting was todisseminate findings of the assessment done under the project
District Level Dissemination meeting inprogress in Sirohi on May 21, 2008
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across the relevant stakeholders. This was mainly to showthem the status of implementation of NREGS in their district.It also aimed to suggest measures to rectifythe gaps for further smoothimplementation.
• A State Level Dissemination Meeting washeld in Jaipur, on July 16, 2008 to sharekey findings of the project, especiallyvarious social accountability tools used forthe assessment. The event started withscreening of a film ‘Social Accountabilityin Action: Experiences from Grassroots’.More than 60 participants including seniorbureaucrats, government officials,representatives of donor agencies, CSOsand PRI were present during the meeting.
National Environmental Awareness Campaign(NEAC)The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of Indiahas appointed CUTS as the Regional Resource Agency (RRA) forRajasthan under NEAC for three years from 2006-07 to 2008-09. CUTS CART was entrusted with the responsibility offunctioning as the RRA. The Ministry of Environment & Forests,Government of India has been organising NEAC every year since1986, with the objective of creating environmental awareness atthe national level. In all, 34 organisations located in differentparts of the country have been designated as RRAs. ‘ClimateChange’ was the campaign theme for 2008-09.
Advocacy & Networking• A rally of 35 school children was organised
on the occasion of the ‘World EnvironmentDay’ from Ram Mandir, Bani Park toRailway Station on June 05, 2008. Whenthe rally reached the Station Road junction,they received an overwhelming responseand was received by the traffic departmentpersonnel. Pollution safety masks wereprovided to the traffic personnel by theschool children. Electronic and print mediaprovided wider coverage of the event.
• To make NEAC programme more effective,an interactive workshop was organised inNew Delhi, during July 31-August 01, 2008for the benefit of all RRAs, on behalf of the Ministry, IndianEnvironment Society (IES), Delhi.
• A total of six divisional level pre-proposal workshops wereorganised at Bhilwara on August 07, Chittorgarh on August08, Kota on August 11, Jodhpur on August 12, Churu onAugust 13, and Jaipur on August 20, 2008. A total of 540proposals were received from the NGOs.
• The Regional Committee meeting was held at BAIF, Pune onSeptember 23-25, 2008, which was headed by R Mehta,
A view of the workshop held uder NEAC in Jaipur,on July 16, 2008
The Pollution Safety Mask is being demonstrated
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Adviser, NEAC. Out of 445 proposals recommended by CUTS,a total of 257 proposals were sanctioned with a total grant ofRs 17,42,000 in 2008.
• Post proposal workshop of sanctioned NGOs was held inJaipur, on November 15, 2008. About 154 participantsparticipated in workshop. BS Nathawat, Deputy SecretaryDepartment of Environment, Government of Rajasthan wasthe chief guest and delivered the main address in theworkshop.
Capacity Building on Regulatory Reforms inElectricity in South Asian Countries (RESA)CUTS with the support of the Norwegian Agency for DevelopmentCooperation (NORAD) undertook an initiative over two years(2008-2010) in Bangladesh, Nepal and two states of India, i.e.West Bengal and Rajasthan to build capacity of consumergroups/CSOs to enable them to deal with the issues involved,take up action oriented research and carry out advocacy withpolicymakers and regulatory agencies to effect pro-consumerchanges in the electricity regulatory/policy processes. CUTS C-CIER in partnership with CUTS CART (Rajasthan), CUTS CRC(West Bengal), Unnayan Shamannay (Bangladesh) and SouthAsia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE,Nepal) is responsible for the implementation of the project. Theproject was launched in Kolkata, on March 13-15, 2008.
The baseline survey was done in all the10 districts, to assess the level ofawareness of various categories of users.Based on the key findings and analysis,a Territorial Base Paper (TBP) wasprepared and circulated among themembers of Reference Group (RG) fortheir comments and inputs. The RG wasformed in Rajasthan comprising 14members. The objectives of RG are toapprise with the project activities, to seekcomments/inputs for furtherimprovement in order to ensure smootherfunctioning of the future project activitiesand to seek comments/suggestions ontwo important documents; TBP and aTerritorial Training Manual (TTM).
Advocacy & Networking• Local inception workshop forRajasthan was organised in Jaipur, onApril 17, 2008. The overall objective ofthe workshop was to launch the projectin the state of Rajasthan and share itsobjective and activities with local partnerCSOs, so that it can be implementedproperly and effectively at the state level.
Dignitaries at the local inception workshop held in Jaipur,on April 17, 2008
Territorial Training held in Jaipur, on September 28-26, 2008
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• A meeting of RG was held in Jaipur on July 11, 2008. Out of14 RG members, 10 attended the meeting.
• Territorial Trainings (Phase I & II) in Rajasthan under theproject were organised in Jaipur on September 17-18 & 25-26, 2008 respectively. The objectives were capacity buildingof second tier partner CSOs and other consumer activistsand networking with regulator, utilities,media and subject experts.
• 10 Grassroots Interface Meetings (GIMs)were organised in Kota, November 06,2008; Sawai Madhopur, November 07,2008; Jhunjhunu, November 13, 2008;Churu, November 14, 2008; Dholpur,November 25, 2008; Chittorgarh,December 09, 2008; Banswara,December 10, 2008; Udaipur, December11, 2008; Sirohi, December 19, 2008;and Bikaner, December 23, 2008respectively. In addition, the partnersalso organised four sub-GIMs in each ofthe districts.
Tobacco Control Campaign by Mobilising KeyStakeholders in RajasthanThe Centre with the support of the World Health Organisation(WHO) India and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW),Government of India (GoI) undertook a project entitled, ‘TobaccoControl Campaign by Mobilising Key Stakeholders in Rajasthan’.The objective of the project was to sensitise and educate theeducational institutions and the common public on variousprovisions of Tobacco Control Act all over Rajasthan.
Advocacy & Networking• The project was launched in Jaipur, on
August 06, 2008 with the aim to createa platform for various stakeholders todiscuss issues and work together toincrease the level of awareness amongthe participants. More than 90participants including officials, CSOs,NGOs working on health issues, tobaccocessation centers, selected schools,doctors of government hospitals, mediaand others working on the issue werepresent in the meeting.
• A survey was conducted in 12 keylocations in Jaipur city, a day after theimplementation of the ‘ban on smoking in public places’, whichcame into effect from October 02, 2008. The locations in Jaipursurveyed include railway station, Sindhi camp bus station,Crystal Mall, Moti Mahal Cinema Hall, Satellite Hospital,Session’s Court, Central Library, Mini Secretariat, IndianCoffee house etc. Times of India carried a good story on thesurvey findings and some other Hindi newspapers also coveredit.
Grassroot Interface Meeting held in Jhunjhunu,on November 13, 2008
A State-level Project launch meeting held in Jaipur,on August 06, 2008
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• An awareness rally, along with a publicmeeting, was organised in Alwar, onNovember 18, 2008 to mark the beginningof divisional level events. Yadunath Singh,Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer of AlwarDistrict, flagged off the rally, afteraddressing the participants. Rally coveredthe main market of Alwar district, NagarParishad Road, Kendalganj etc. andconcluded at Purjan Vihar, Campany Baag.• Divisional Level Advocacy Meetings wereheld in Jaipur, on November 26, 2008; inDholpur, on December 01-02, 2008; in Kota,on December 11, 2008; in Bhilwara, onJanuary 05-06, 2009; in Chittorgarh, onJanuary 08-09, 2009; in Churu, on
February 04-05, 2009; and in Jodhpur, on February 25-26,2009 respectively. Under the divisional level events, a tobaccocontrol awareness rally was organised in Kota on January16, 2009. The objective of these meetings was to disseminatethe findings of baseline survey in all the seven administrativedivisions of Rajasthan State.
Research & PublicationsA newsletter entitled, ‘Choose Life not Tobacco’ was brought out.
Get Active: Health PromotionProgramme in SchoolsThe Centre in partnership with HealthRelated Information DisseminationAmongst Youth–Student Health ActionNetwork (HRIDAY-SHAN), New Delhiundertook a project in Jaipur cityentitled ‘Get Active’ involving 25selected schools in Jaipur. ‘Get Active’is a health promotion programmefocusing on diet, nutrition and physicalactivity with an aim to inculcate healthynutritional intake and physical activitypromotion among school students. Thetarget groups for the programme werestudents of Class VI-VIII.
Advocacy & Networking• The Centre organised the ‘Launch-cum-Teachers Training Workshop’ inJaipur, on December 12, 2008. The mainobjective of the workshop was togenerate awareness among teachersabout the importance of diet, nutritionand physical activity in a student’s lifewith an aim to make students realisethe importance of nutritional intake andphysical activity and provide training to
Divisional Level Advocacy Meeting held in Jaipur,on November 26, 2008
Project Launch-cum-Teachers Training Workshop held in Jaipur, onDecember 12, 2008
An ‘Inter-School Poster Competition’ held in Jaipur, on January 30, 2009
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teachers for effective implementation of project activities intheir respective schools.
• An ‘Inter-school Poster Competition’ was held in Jaipur, onJanuary 30, 2009. The theme of the competition was ‘EatHealthy, Think Healthy’. The main objective of the competitionwas to provide a common platform to all students to expressknowledge and information gained by them, under the ‘GetActive’ programme, by the means of colours. About 75students from 25 partnering schools accompanied by 25teachers participated in the competition.
Crafting the Market for SAc Approaches and Toolsin the Supply-side Constituencies throughStrategic Communication and DisseminationCUTS CART with the support of the World Bank, WashingtonDC has undertaken a project entitled, ‘Crafting the Market forSAc Tools and Approaches in Supply-side Constituencies throughStrategic Communication and Dissemination’. The objective ofthe project is to build up and strengthen the market to be sociallyaccountable.
The activities under the project would include two divisionallevel advocacy meetings at Jodhpur and Kota, media workshop,a documentary narrating the potential of SAc tools in influencingpolicies etc. and a national level workshop on ‘SocialAccountability in India’. These activities could further propelthe environment building process and draw more attention andinterest of decision makers to institutionalise such mechanisms.
Securities & Market Awareness Campaign (6thRound)Though all consumers are not investors, all investors areconsumers of financial services. Considering this aspect, theCentre is actively involved in investor education and protectionactivities. CUTS is an Investor Association recognised by theSecurities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and registeredwith Ministry of Company Affairs, Government of India underInvestor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF). Earlier, CUTShad implemented investor education and protection programmeswith the support of IEPF and SEBI.
Advocacy & Networking• Under the sixth round of Securities and
Market Awareness Campaign (SMAC)programmes, seven workshops wereorganised: Bhilwara, September 20,2008; Pratapgarh, September 20, 2008;Bandikui (Dausa), December 14, 2008;Thanagazi (Alwar), December 29, 2008;Dholpur, January 12, 2009; Kolayat(Bikaner), February 27, 2009; andPipadcity (Jodhpur), March 07, 2009respectively.
SMAC workshop held in Dholpur, on January 12, 2009
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The workshops aimed at reaching out to the common investorsand were being held primarily in small and medium townsand cities all over the country. The aim of these workshopswas to acclimatise the investors with the functioning of thesecurities market, fundamentals of investment and riskmanagement and their rights and responsibilities.
Traffic Calming Strategies to Improve PedestrianSafety in IndiaCUTS CART, jointly with Lund University, Sweden implementedthe project entitled, ‘Traffic Calming Strategies to improvePedestrian Safety in India’. The project aims to highlight the keyflaws in the design of Indian roads and develop a manual, firstof its kind in India, which will contain suggestions/recommendations on “remedial traffic calming strategies” forconcerned policymakers, primarily in the Departments of Police,Transport, Municipal Corporation, Development Authority andPublic Works.
Experiences from Sweden and other countries clearlydemonstrate the relevance of these strategies. Under this project24 sites out of six locations in Jaipur city are aimed to be studiedfor road crashes involving pedestrians. The project was launchedon March 03, 2008 in Jaipur.
ResearchThe research component in this project primarily includes ‘BeforeStudies & Its Analysis’, ‘After Studies & Its Analysis’ and‘Preparation of a Manual’. The Swedish Conflict Technique wouldbe used as the research tool.
Primary SurveyA primary survey was carried out to collect accident details fromregistered First Information Reports (FIRs – a written documentprepared by the police when they receive information about thecommission of a cognisable offence) by visiting 37 police stationsacross Jaipur.
Site SelectionIn all, 24 accidental sites were shortlisted based on the accidentsrecorded in the FIRs for the year 2006 out of which seven highaccident prone sites were identified for intensive analysis.
Conflict TechniqueConflict technique primarily focuses on manual and videorecordings of the split seconds before near accidents (which were,however, avoided). The technique considers only two road usersfor the analysis who were involved in a situation of a potentialaccident. The conflict technique observes two factors, namely;• Time to Accident (TA): This records the split seconds that
record the time a road user starts evasive manoeuvres toavoid a possible collision.
• Conflicting Speed (CS): Records the speed of vehicles (km perhr) including bicycles at the start of the evasive manoeuvre.
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Field StudiesField studies include video recording of traffic for four days ateach site after which the Swedish experts along with the IndianInstitute of Technology (IIT) consultants will provide remedialmeasures for each site. Implementation shall then be soughtthrough the stakeholders on our suggested measures.
Research & PublicationsA bi-monthly newsletter entitled, ‘CityMatters’ and brochure wasbrought out.
Road Safety Awareness Programme in JaipurCUTS has been implementing road safety awareness activitiesunder the aegis of the Ministry since many years and the purposeof these programmes to raise the level of awareness among allkinds of road users on different road safety issues throughawareness programmes like road junction campaigns, road safetycamps, rallies, trainings and workshops etc.
Advocacy & Networking• In connection with the formal inaugural of
Road Safety Week on January 05, 2009 atJawahar Kala Kendra, CUTS CART put upa stall displaying road safety initiatives,along with other CSOs working on roadsafety issues. Rajasthan Chief Minister,Ashok Gehlot visited the stall andappreciated CUTS’ concern on road safetyissues and inaugurated the ‘Make RoadsSafe’ global campaign by releasing thecampaign materials. T-shirts, buttons,wristbands, pamphlets and brochures werethe centre of attraction of the stall. A set ofroad safety kit was also handed over to theChief Minister.
• Coinciding with the road safety weekactivities, CUTS with the support of theMinistry of Road Transport & Highways(MoRTH), Government of India kick started road safetyawareness campaign with a workshop on Section 134 of MotorVehicle (MV) Act held at Pink City Press Club, in Jaipur, onJanuary 07, 2009. About 40 people participated in theworkshop.
• To conduct eye check-ups and glare recovery and reactiontime related tests, a team of professionals were hired, whichincluded eye specialist, Dr Sunil Gupta and Malaviya NationalInstitute of Technology (MNIT) professors along with theirtechnical staff. These camps were organised at five busstands/depots of Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation(RSRTC) in Jaipur during January 2009. A total of 628persons were tested in these camps.
• Lakshya Human Development Sansthan was hired to conductbus drivers’ training programme. Training activities wereorganised during January 19-23, 2009. Media provided a widecoverage to various activities under this project.
A set of Road Safety kit was provided to theChief Minister by CUTS staff
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• A workshop on Section 134 of the MV Act was held onFebruary 20, 2009. Brij Kishore Sharma, Hon’ble Ministerfor Transport, Rajasthan was the chief guest at the workshopand delivered an inaugural address.
Special Endeavours
Gram Gadar AwardsThe Gram Gadar Awards for 2007 were distributed at an eventorganised in Birla Auditorium on August 18, 2008, as part ofthe Silver Jubilee Celebrations of CUTS. Sumitra Singh, Speaker,Rajasthan State Legislative Assembly distributed the awards tothe following persons on the mentioned topics.1. Food Security: Chandra Mehta, Executive Editor, Nafa
Nuksan, Jaipur2. Environment & Bio-diversity: Nitesh Soni, Deputy Editor,
Rajasthan Patrika, Sikar3. Corruption: An Obstruction in Development: Ramcharan Mali,
Freelance Journalist & Chief Editor, Pakshik Vanvasi Express,Baran (a local news paper)
Vidhayak SamvadVidhayak Samvaad is a non-partisan forum of legislators inRajasthan to discuss economic issues, issues related toinfrastructure, economic, centre-state issues etc. initiated byCUTS. CUTS initiated ‘Vidhayak Samvaad’ in April 2007 todiscuss the key issues affecting the public and to increase thepace of developmental reforms in Rajasthan State. A meeting ofthe All Party Committee under Vidhayak Samvad, was heldcomprising the legislators under the chairmanship of SumitraSingh in State Assembly premises on June 04, 2008. Discussionswere held on water, electricity and other infrastructure
development issues.
Three years of RTI in India:Rajasthan PerspectiveCART and Commonwealth Human RightsInitiative (CHRI), New Delhi in collaborationwith the Rajasthan State InformationCommission and Department ofAdministrative Reforms, Government ofRajasthan (GoR) organised a day-long StateLevel seminar on ‘Three Years of RTI inIndia: Problems and Possibilities’ in Jaipur,Rajasthan, on October 22, 2008. Theobjective of the seminar was tocommemorate the three years of the RTI
Act in India, which came into force on October 12, 2005; analyseproblems in the way of effective implementation of the Act; andrejuvenate the immense potential and possibilities of this Actwith special reference to Rajasthan state.
State-level Seminar on RTI held in Jaipur, on October 22, 2008
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Assembly of Grassroots ChangeMakersAn ‘Assembly of Grassroots Change Makers’ wasorganised at Birla Auditorium on August 18,2008 as part of the Silver Jubilee Celebrationsof CUTS. The theme of the Assembly was ‘Roleof Civil Society in Good Governance’. As the ChiefGuest of the event, Sumitra Singh, Speaker,Rajasthan State Legislative Assembly deliveredthe inaugural address. Surendra Goyal, Ministerfor Urban Development & Housing, Governmentof Rajasthan delivered the keynote address.Sharda Jain, Chairperson, CART AdvisoryCommittee chaired the thematic session on ‘Roleof Civil Society in Good Governance’.
World Consumer Rights DayA sample survey entitled ‘The Junk Food Trap’ was carried outby CART as a part of a global strategy to advocate againstmarketing of unhealthy foods on the eve of the World ConsumerRights Day (WCRD), 2009. Every year, March 15th is observed asWCRD and this year’s theme is ‘Stopping the Marketing ofUnhealthy Food to Children’. This survey was part of aninternational campaign for ‘International Code on Marketing ofFood and non-alcoholic Beverages to Children’, which will protectthe present and future generations from damage to health dueto consumption of energy-dense and nutrient poor food. Thisstudy was conducted in 30 schools across Jaipur city, whichincluded both government and private schools. The surveycovered three segments: students, parents and schoolauthorities. The students covered in the sample had 50:50 ratioof boys and girls from classes VI-VIII in the age group of 11-13.
Consumer Complaints Handling, Information &Advisory ServicesDuring the period, the Consumer Information Cell (CIC) locatedat CART office handled a total of 103 main complaints, in additionto providing information and advisory services to a large numberof consumers through direct counseling, and also through e-mail and telephone. Out of the total complaints handled 31percent were related to the telecom services; 12 percent tobanking and insurance services; 11 percent to post/courier; fourpercent to transport/parking; nine percent to the sale of inferiorquality of goods; six percent to power services and 27 percentcomplaints of unsatisfactory services in other miscellaneousareas.
Outreach Activities (including publications)In addition to Gram Gadar, the following are the regularpublications of CART, which are the main tools for outreachactivities:• Paanchwan Stambh (in Hindi),• Catalyst (E-newsletter in English)
Pradeep S Mehta and Sumitra Singh on the occasion of SilverJubilee Celebrations of CUTS on August 18, 2008
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CART Mini RetreatCART Mini Retreat was held on August 23,2008 at Maharani Plaza. In addition toreviewing the projects just concluded as wellas ongoing projects, detailed discussionswere held on the funding strategy, positivedevelopments and the critical limitations. Asdecided in the retreat, a strategic planningmeeting was organised on August 29, 2008in the CART premises to finalise the strategicbusiness plan for 2008-10. All the 13 staffmembers of the Centre attended the retreatas well as the strategic planning meeting.
Staff during the Mini Retreat held in Jaipur, on August 23, 2008
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Representations
Date & Place
New Delhi, India,April 04-05, 2008
Jaipur, India,April 09, 2008
Jaipur, India,April 25-26, 2008
Dehradun, India,May 09, 2008
New Delhi, India,May 23, 2008
Jaipur, India,June 07, 2008
Jaipur, India,July 19, 2008
Jaipur, India,September 12,2008
Jaipur, India,September 19,2008
New Delhi, India,September 29-30,2008
Events & Organiser
National Capacity Building Workshopfor NGO personnel for EffectiveEnforcement of the Indian TobaccoControl Act, 2003’ organised byAdvocacy Forum for Tobacco Control(AFTC) India
City Level Consultation on ‘PublicDistribution System and Urban Poor’organised by the Centre for Advocacyand Research (CFAR), in associationwith Women’s Forums’ – Jagriti MahilaManch
A national workshop on ‘Driverlicensing systems’ organised by theTransport Department, Government ofRajasthan, in collaboration with IRTE,New Delhi, Jaipur DevelopmentAuthority, Ministry of Road Transport &Highways, FIA Foundation andMuskaan
Capacity Building of ConsumerAdvocacy Groups and ConsumerEducation at Dehradun organised bythe Telecom Regulatory Authority ofIndia (TRAI)
A workshop on ‘Social Accountability(SAc)’ project organised by the WorldBank
Inaugural session of the workshopentitled, ‘RTI: Challenge to Existence’organised by the Centre for MediaResearch & Development
NGO Personnel on Tobacco Controlorganised by Rajasthan CancerFoundation with support of HRIDAY
A State Level Workshop of PanchayatiRaj Women Sangathan, organised byThe Hunger Project, Rajasthan Chapter
The Dialogue on ‘Sanitation withSpecial Reference to MDGs inRajasthan’, jointly organised by UNICEFand IILM
A National Consultation & PlanningWorkshop on Local MDG Monitoring inIndia, organised by UNDP & PRIA
Issue/objective
Tobacco Control
PublicDistributionSystem (PDS)and Urban Poor
Road Safety
Telecom Issues
SocialAccountability
Right toInformation
Tobacco Control
Panchayati RajInstitution (PRI)
Sanitation andMDGs
MDGs
Participant(s)
George Cheriyan
DharmendraChaturvedi
Bhavna Tripathi
Aamrjeet Singh
Om PrakashArya
R K Sharma
DharmendraChaturvediAmar Deep Singh
Arjun Kant Jha
Om PrakashArya
George Cheriyan
Contd...
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Date & Venue Events & Organiser Issue/objective Participant(s)
Ahmedabad,India,October 11,2008
Jaipur, India,October 20,2008
New Delhi,India, October24, 2008
Jaipur, India,November 13,2008
Jaipur, India,November 27,2008
Jaipur, India,January 16,2009
Mangalore,Karnataka,January 20-21, 2009
Jaipur, India,March 15,2009
Jaipur, India,March 24,2009
An ‘Open House-cum-Seminar’ on‘Three years of RTI Act in India’,organised by Maheti Adhikar GujaratPahel (MAGP) in collaboration withState Information Commission ofGujarat
A meeting of NGOs, working on roadsafety issues in Jaipur, organised bythe Transport Department, GoR
The Annual Meeting of ConsumerAdvocacy Groups (CAGs) organised byTRAI
Delivered a lecture on ‘TobaccoControl Initiatives’ at the GovernmentSenior Secondary Girls School,Jhotwara, Jaipur
The inaugural session of a workshopon the theme ‘Right to Education’jointly organised by IDS and BharatGyan Vigyan Samiti in Jaipur
A conference on ‘WomenEntrepreneurship and Empowerment’
‘International Workshop onGovernance and Accountability in theRural Sector’ organised by the Water& Sanitation Programme-South Asia(WSP-SA) of the World Bank
An open discussion on ‘Road Accidentand the Role of Media’ organised byPeople’s Trust
A workshop on ‘Education and ChildLabour’ organised by ‘World Vision’
RTI
Road Safety
Telecom Sector
Tobacco Control
Right to Education
WomenEmpowerment
Presentation on‘Right toInformation (RTI)and Its Use in theRuralService Delivery’
Road safety andmedia
Child Labour
Madhu SudanSharma
Deepak Saxena
Amarjeet Singh
DharmendraChaturvediAmar Deep Singh
R K Sharma
SudiptaMukherjee
George Cheriyan
Deepak Saxena
KhushbuParnami
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ML Mehta, Former Chief Secretary of Rajasthan
Usha Jumani, Jumani Foundation, Ahmedabad
I M Sethiya, Charted Accountant, Chittorgarh
Indu Kapoor, Director, CHETNA, Ahemedabad
Neelima Khetan, Chief Executive, Seva Mandir Udaipur
M S Rathore, Senior Fellow, Institution of DevelopmentStudies (IDS), Jaipur
Barun Kanjilal, Indian Institution of Health ManagementResearch (IIHMR), Jaipur
B S Tanwar, Chief Engineer (retd.) Chittorgarh
Anil K Singh, Chief Executive, Network of Entrepreneurshipand Economic Development (NEED), Lucknow
B L Sisodiya, Senior Advocate and Social Worker,Chittorgarh
Chairman
Members
Amit ChoudharyCentre Coordinator
CUTS Human Resource Centre (CHD)
Under the policy of working at the grassroots, Centre for HumanDevelopment (CUTS CHD) was established in 1991 in Senti villageof Chittorgarh district. It was aimed at raising the living standardsof people, especially women, neglected, deprived and weakersections of the society. The Centre has been working to facilitateintervention process for ‘community based action programmes’at the grassroots level. The Mission of the Centre is “To be aninnovative centre for strategic interventions to raise the livingstandards of people”. The centre aims to be an innovative centrefor strategic interventions to raise the living standards of people.
Advisory BoardCUTS CHD works under an Advisory Board. They are:
Programme Areas• Empowerment• Reproductive & Child Health• Good Governance• Natural Resource Management
Projects• Improving Quality of Elementary Education Project (IQEEP)• SHG Promotion and Bank Linkage Project Chittorgarh and
Bhilwara• Micro Credit project for poverty alleviation (SGSY)• MNGO Scheme, Chittorgarh and Bhilwara• Climate Change under National Environment Awareness
Campaign (NEAC)
Madan GiriGoswami
Senior FieldOfficer
Madan Lal KeerField Organiser
Neetu JoshiBlock Officer
Vandana ChauhanComputer Operator
Sanjay MoudAssistantProjectOfficer
Pushkar Lal MeenaBlock Officer
Seema YagikBlock Officer
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• Tobacco Control Campaign by Mobilising Key Stakeholdersin Rajasthan
• Capacity Building on Electricity Reforms in Select South AsianCountries’ (RESA)
Improving Quality of Elementary EducationProject (IQEEP)CUTS CHD implemented the Improving Quality of ElementaryEducation Project (IQEEP) in partnership with Save the Children-Bal Raksha Bharat in 100 villages in four of the disadvantageddistricts Alwar, Chittour, Karauli and Rajsamand of Rajasthan.Four NGOs had been selected for implementing the project infour districts; CUTS CHD for Chittorgarh, AIMED for Alwar, PRIAfor Karauli and Pratham for Rajsamand.
The project was based on the twin strategies:first, involvement of children and communityempowerment; and second, developing thecapacity of government functionaries toeffectively implement the policies andprogrammes to enable children, especially themost marginalised, to realise their right toeducation. This project also complements theIndian government’s ambitious programmecalled Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), aninitiative that aims to provide useful age groupby 2010. The duration of the project was of 11months, i.e. May 2008 to March 2009.
The overall objective of the project was to improve the quality ofgovernment elementary education system in Rajasthan so thatit becomes more relevant and responsive to the needs of children,especially those who are from migratory families, tribal
communities, ethnic minorities, or havedisabilities, girls or engaged in hazardouslabour.
Advocacy and Networking• Two district Level orientation-cum-consultation workshops on quality educationfor policymakers and media were organised atthe Centre on September 25 & 26, 2008respectively. The purpose of the workshopswere to sensitise local leaders and districtadministration and devising a mechanism forsupporting government and NGO initiatives inpromoting quality education. 16 people fromlocal electronic and print media attended the
workshop on quality education for media.• One-day Orientation-cum-Training Workshop was organised
for school headmasters and teachers of the target schools atthe Centre’s premises on November 21, 2008, with an aim toorient about quality education and request them to cooperatein successful implementation of the project. Narmada Bhambi,Additional District Education Officer (Primary), attended the
Amit Chowdhury addressing media anddistrict administration representatives
Narmada Bhambhi speaking at the launch meeting
Shiv Lal PrajapatBlock Officer
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programme and urged theparticipants to extend theircooperation with CUTS.
• Consultation workshops forSchool Development &Monitoring Committee(SDMC) members of 27schools from 25 IQEEPvillages were held at CHD onFebruary 02, 03, 10 & 12,2008 respectively. Thepurpose of these workshopswas to activate SDMCs andmake them feel accountabletowards their responsibilities. SDMCs have been constitutedfor every government school for reviewing school activities ona regular basis.
• A Bal Mela was organised at CHD on February 15, 2009. Thepurpose of the mela was to provide opportunity to membersof Bal Sabha formed under IQEEP to interact with childrenfrom different villages and exchange their views on their rights,responsibilities and quality education. Various games wereplanned for the day in which children participatedoverwhelmingly.
• Education tour of Bal Panchayat members fromIQEEP villages to three selected NGOs (Vikash,Manav Aashrita Sansthan and Mahan SewaSansthan) of Udaipur was organised on February22-23, 2009. The purpose of the tour was to helpchildren learn from experiences of other childforums and build their confidence to work as ateam.
• The Jan Sammelan (public meeting) was held atCHD on March 16, 2009. Narmada Bhambi –Additional District Education Officer (Primary),Chandra Kanta Tripathi Additional DistrictEducation Officer (Secondary), Suresh Sharma,Additional District Education Officer (SarwaSikhsha Abhiyan), Abha Mehta – Professor – DIET, KumarBikram- District Convergence Officer, UN Agency and officersfrom District Education Office attended the programme andexpressed their views on quality education.
• The life skill education training for children of IQEEP villageswere organised in two phases. The purpose of the trainingwas to teach children about the characteristics of life skilland the art of saying no to wrong things. First training wasorganised at CHD on March 16-17, 2009; and the secondwas held at CHD on March 21-22, 2009 respectively.
Research & Publications• Poster on Quality Education (aao milkar haath badhayein,
shiksha mein gunvatta laayen) was published.
Amit with School Teachers during the Teacher'sTraining in Chittorgarh on November 21, 2008
Narmada Bhambi lighting candle during Jan Sammelan
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SHG Promotion and Bank Linkage ProjectChittorgarh and BhilwaraContinuing its effort to empower women, CHD has undertakena new Self help Group (SHG) project with the National Bank forAgricultural and Rural Development (NABARD). CHD will beforming 800 SHGs in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts. In all,400 SHGs will be formed in each district during the project period.The duration of the project is of three years and targets mainlyAbove Poverty Line (APL) families. This being the first year, thefocus was on mobilising women and men, formation of groups,inter-loaning, opening bank accounts in the local banks andcapacity building of group leaders and members.
In Bhilwara district, the project is being implemented in Banera,Suwana and Mandalgarh blocks. In Chittorgarh district, theproject is being implemented in Chittorgarh, Nimbahera andGangrar blocks. The objective of the project is to increase thesavings activity among women, and help them engage in income-generating activities, which will raise their living standards onsustainable basis. During the first year of the project CUTSsuccessfully promoted 123 SHGs in Chittorgarh and 242 SHGsin Bhilwara district.
Advocacy and Networking• The orientation-cum-training programmefor animators of Bhilwara SHG project was heldat Senior Secondary School, Bigod, Mandalgarhon June 13, 2008, in which 13 out of 32animators attended the programme. Animatorswere oriented on project objectives and activitiesand training kits were provided to them forfuture reference.• The training programme in Chittorgarhblock was held on September 24-25, 2008 atCHD, in which 69 SHG members from six SHGsparticipated. Another training programme forseven SHGs of Chittor block was held atGharwara village on September 27-28, 2008.Rajeshawri Meena, Pradhan, Chittor block andrepresentative from Krishi Vighyan Kendra werepresent along with local school teachers andvillage leaders. A two-day training programmeat Gangrar block was held on September 26-27, 2008 in Gangrar in which 76 SHG membersfrom seven SHGs attended the trainingprogramme.• Project Implementation & MonitoringCommittee (PIMC) was held at CHD, on May12, 2008. The purpose of the meeting was toshare the project objectives and plan ofexecution with the committee members and taketheir approval for release of the first installment.• The first PMIC was held at Bhilwara, onMay 06, 2008. The meeting was attended byHS Shekhawat, District Development Manager
Stakeholders at the orientation-cum-training of the SHGs
Bal Kishan Chawla, Project Officer-SGSY Chittorgarhimparting training to SHG members
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(DDM) NABARD, Bhilwara, RSChundawat, Manager -CentralCooperative Bank, Bhilwara, PankajKumar, Additional Lead Bank Manager,SK Sharma, Manager, Bank of Barodaand BK Arora of Bank of Rajasthan.
• PIMC meeting for Bhilwara was held onDecember 18, 2008 in which HSShekhawat, District DevelopmentManager (DDM)-NABARD, Bhilwara; JLSuthar, Lead District Manager (LDM),Bank of Baroda, Bhilwara; GS Johari,Chief Manager, Bank of Rajasthan; MKGupta, Bank of Rajasthan; AKKathuria, Manager, Baroda Rajasthan Grameen Bank,Barundni; and ML Rathore, Manager, Baroda RajasthanGrameen Bank attended the meeting.
• PIMC meeting for Chittorgarh was held at CHD on December22, 2008. Sudhanshu Kumar, DDM NABARD, Chittorgarh;NK Sanidhya, LDM, Bank of Baroda, Chittorgarh; MathuraPrasad, Managing Director, Cooperative Bank, Chittorgarh;and AK Surana, Manager, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur,Chittorgarh attended the meeting.
Swarn Jayanti Grameen Swa-Rozgar Yojna (SGSY)– ChittorgarhCHD is implementing a micro-credit project in three blocks(Nimbaheda, Bhadesar and Chittorgarh) of Chittorgarh. Theproject is being funded by Zila Parishad under SGSY scheme ofGovernment of India. The project covers below poverty level (BPL)community. The objective of the project is to empower weakersections of the society, linking them with income generationactivities and make them self reliant.
Advocacy and Networking• The orientation-cum-training programme for animators was
held at CHD on June 11-12, 2008, in which 32 out of 40animators turned up for the training. Aarti Joshi, SHG expertand Project Officer, Swarn Jayanti Grameen Swa-Rojgar Yojna(SGSY), Chittorgarh attended the programme as a trainer.Rajeshwari Meena, Pradhan, Chittorgarh was the Chief Guest.
• Training programmes were organised for SHG members inChittor, Nimbahera and Gangrar blocksof Chittorgarh district. The trainingprogramme in Nimbahera block was heldon September 22-23, 2008 at PanchayatSamiti Parisar, in which 33 SHG membersfrom three SHGs participated. TheProject Officer-SGSY, Chittorgarh; BlockDevelopment Officer, Nimbahera block;Bank Manager, Central CooperativeBank; Block Coordinator, SGSY; localNGO representative and Panchayati RajInstitution (PRI) member attended theprogramme as resource persons. Rajeshwari Meena, addressing SGSY SHG members at
Gharwara village
Project Implementation and Monitoring Committee meeting
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Mother NGO SchemeCHD has been working as Mother NGO for Chittorgarh under
the ‘Reproductive and Child Health (RCH)’scheme of the Ministry of Health and FamilyWelfare, Government of India. The objectivesof the project broadly include: utilisationand delivery of health services for reductionin maternal mortality; reproductivemortality; infant mortality and fertility;improvement in maternal healthcare;addressing general healthcare issues;childcare; and family welfare through multi-stakeholder involvement and action.
BhilwaraUnder the Mother NGO Project, the dataentry of RCH baseline survey of Bhilwaradistrict was completed during April-June.
A two-day project proposal writing workshop was organised atCHD on May 09-10, 2008. Two representatives each from MewarSewa Sansthan, Gharib Nawaz Mahila Avam Bal Kalyan Samiti,Prayas Sewa Sansthan and Vikalang Kalyan Shayata Samitiattended the workshop. During the programme, participantswere enlightened on the project proposal concepts. Gapsidentified on health issues in the survey data analysis werediscussed and FNGOs were asked to prepare proposal based onthe identified gaps. Issues related to finance and monitoringsystems were also covered. The draft proposal submitted byMewar Sewa Sansthan, Gharib Nawaz Mahila Avam Bal KalyanSamiti, Prayas Sewa Sansthan and Vikalang Kalyan ShayataSamiti were thoroughly assessed and feedback was given to thepartners. A composite project proposal for Bhilwara district wasprepared with suggestions from VHAI and submitted to DistrictHealth Society (Bhilwara).
Climate Change under National EnvironmentAwareness Campaign (NEAC)The main objective of the NEAC programme is to raise awarenessamong the public and make environmental protection a people’smovement, so that each and every citizen of this country isinvolved in the protection of the environment. The localenvironmental problems must be highlighted during theprogramme to find long asting solutions to them. The MoEF hasfurther identified sub-themes for conducting the campaign.CUTS, with the support of the MoEF, has been organisingawareness programmes on various themes under the NationalEnvironmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC).
CUTS CART is the nodal agency for implementing the project inall the districts of Rajasthan. CHD is the project partner inimplementing it in Chittorgarh district. The objective of NEACis to raise awareness and motivate the community to protectand conserve the environment.
Project Proposal Writing workshop held inChittorgarh on May 09-10, 2008
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Advocacy and Networking• One day consultation workshop was organised at the Centre
on August 08, 2008 for seeking application for NationalEnvironmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC) programme. Theworkshop was attended by NGOs from Udaipur division. Thetheme of the campaign is ‘Climate Change’ for the year 2008.The Centre has decided to engage local schools in theimplementation of the programme for better results.Application from 25 schools from Chittorgarh have beensubmitted to CUTS CART.
Research & Publications• Poster on Climate Change (Jalvaayu parivartan ke liye
jimmedar??) was brought out.
Tobacco Control Campaign by Mobilising KeyStakeholders in RajasthanCUTS CART has been implementing a project, ‘Tobacco ControlCampaign by Mobilising Key Stakeholders in Rajasthan’ withthe support of World Health Organisation (WHO India) & Ministryof Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
Advocacy and Networking• A District Level Workshop was held at CHD on January 07,
2009. The purpose of the workshop was to disseminate surveyfindings carried out on tobacco product consumers andsellers, sensitise citizens about dangerous consequences oftobacco consumption and discuss various provisions ofTobacco Control Law.
• A Tobacco Control Awareness Rally was organised inRaghunathpura on January 09, 2009. The purpose of therally was to create awareness amonggeneral masses about ill consequencesof tobacco consumption. 115 children ofGovernment Upper Primary School (UPS)participated in the rally.
Capacity Building on ElectricityReforms in Select South AsianCountries (RESA)CUTS with the support of the NorwegianAgency for Development Cooperation(NORAD) is undertaking an initiative overtwo years (2008-2010) in Nepal,Bangladesh, and two states of India (WestBengal and Rajasthan) to build capacity ofconsumer groups/CSOs to enable them to deal with the issuesinvolved, take-up action research, share experiences, and carryout advocacy with policymakers and regulatory agencies to affectpro-consumer changes in the electricity regulatory/policyprocesses. The project is being implemented in association withlocal partners CHD is the local partner in Chittorgarh.
A tobacco control awareness rally in Raghunathpuraon January 09, 2009
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Advocacy and Networking• The Centre organised a GrassrootInterface Meeting (GIM) at the Centre onDecember 11, 2008. The purpose of themeeting was to appreciate the role playedby different stakeholders in electricityreforms and pass on the advocacy skills tothem to enhance the efficiency to continuetheir good work.• The Sub Grassroots InterfaceMeetings (SGIMs) were held in Bhopalsagar,on January 06, 2009; Rashmi, on January09, 2009; Begu, on January 09, 2009; andin Gangrar, on January 07, 2009
respectively. The objective of SGIMs was to reach out to thelocal people who were targeted during the baseline surveyand transfer some of the key advocacy skills to them.
Other Initiatives
A New Beginning for Kanjar CommunityThe livelihood of Kanjar community ispracticing burglary/robbery/crime. Inorder to change their criminal profession,CUTS was approached and a district teamwas formed to draw a plan for theirrehabilitation A team including CUTS Staff,Superintendent of Police (SP), AssistantSuperintendent of Police (ASP), andcommunity leaders was formed forcommunity dialogue and rehabilitationprogramme for Kanjar communitymembers who were willing to surrenderbefore the police. After a series of meetings,19 people surrendered during a programme
organised by CHD at the Government High School, Kapasan,Chittorgarh, on July 16, 2008. The Kanjars were taken to thelocal court to file their cases. The District Administration assuredto provide future opportunities to them.
CHD Advisory Board MeetingCHD Advisory Board meeting was held on August 08, 2008. Thepurpose of the meeting was to apprise the board members aboutthe Centre’s programme and project activities. The meeting waschaired by the Chairman of the Advisory Board, Metha Lal Mehta,Chairman, Rajasthan Mission on Livelihoods (RMoL). Status ofongoing programmes as well as future projects was briefed. Theachievements and problems were discussed in detail andsuggestions were sought from the committee members. The boardmembers and other participants praised Centre’s initiatives invarious fields.
A View of the RESA Workshop
Kanjar community members surrendering before the police
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International Hand Wash DayOn International Hand Wash Day an event was organised at theGovernment Primary School in Raghunathpura village of Chittorblock on October 15, 2008. Children were told about theimportance of washing hands prior to meals and after usingtoilet. They were shown the correct way of washing hands withsoap. United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) along withGovernment of India has taken the initiative to sensitisecommunity about the importance of hygienic life and howimportant washing hands is prior to meals and after using toilet.It is a pilot project under the Sarwa Sikhsha Abhiyan started inschools.
ASER Survey TrainingASER 2008 survey training was organised at CHD on October17-21, 2008. The purpose of the ASER survey was to assess thelearning level of school going students. CHD is one of the partnersin carrying out the survey for Pratham Rajasthan for Chittorgarh.The survey was carried out in 30 villages of Chittorgarh district.30 volunteers participated for the survey work.
Polio Eradication InitiativeA campaign to support polio eradication was organised inGovernment Primary School, Rithola on December 20, 2008.The purpose of the campaign was to spread message of NationalPolio Vaccination Day on December 21, 2008 and request parentsto visit polio booths with their kids for polio drops. A polio boothwas set up at CHD premises.
Drive Against Alcohol AbuseIn an effort to create awareness amongthe community about the ill effects ofalcohol and for protecting youth from theconsequences of consumption of alcohol,Dainik Bhaskar launched a statewidecampaign warning youth against therisks of abuse. The newspaper requestedCHD to join hands in the advocacycampaign for Chittorgarh. Twocampaigns against alcoholism wereorganised in Rithola village on December20, 2008 and Ghatiawali village withwomen SHG on December 21, 2008respectively. More than 100 womenjoined hands and vowed to work againstalcoholism.
National Consumer DayCHD with the support from DistrictSupply Office, Chittorgarh organised aconsultation workshop to mark theoccasion of National Consumer Day onDecember 24, 2008. The national themewas ‘Sajag Upbhokta, SurakshitUpbhokta’. 108 participants attended
Campaign Against Liquor
Sumit Sharma, District Collector, Chittorgarh duringNational Consumer Day on December 24, 2008
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the workshop. Samit Sharma District Collector, Chittorgarhrequested participants to support the consumer movement ofCUTS. Speaking on the use of generic medicine, Sharma stressedon using generic medicine and shared his plan to developChittorgarh as a model district.
Team Building WorkshopA team building training workshop was organised at CHD onFebruary 07-08, 2009. The training programme was planned toenhance the work efficiency of CUTS staff. TASMAC ManagementTraining resources Pvt. Ltd, Pune was given the responsibilityfor conducting the training. Major General Lal Ram Rakhyaniwas the trainer. 19 participants attended the training programme,out of which 12 were from CHD and seven from CUTS HeadOffice. The purpose of the training was to help team membersidentify key factors that impact team learning and development,assess their current role in promoting team learning anddevelopment, and identify good practices such as providing andreceiving feedback, a core skill.
International Consumer DayA function was organised on the occasion ofInternational Consumer Day at CHD on March15, 2009. Samit Sharma, District Collector;Vimla Sethiya, Member, State Consumer Forum;Shayam Sunder Sharma, District SupplyOfficer; and BL Sishodiya, Senior Advocategraced the occasion. More than 100participants, including district of ficials,teachers, members of consumer club, villagers,businessmen and non-governmentalorganisation (NGO) workers were present in theevent. Discussions were centered on consumerissues. Participants raised concerns over thebehaviour of shopkeepers and stressed on the
need to strengthen information dissemination process to educateconsumers about their rights and responsibilities.
Outreach ActivitiesThe outreach resources of CHD include newsletter, monthly wallnewspaper, training manuals, such as Gram Gadar (VillageRevolution) and a quarterly e-newsletter entitled, ‘Participationand Action Towards Community Empowerment’ (PACE). GramGadar is widely read in the Choupal Baithaks, gram Baithaks,and SHG meetings. Information contained in the trainingmaterials and publications are disseminated among the villagersby the networkers. A brochure showcasing the activities of theCentre has also been brought out.
Participants sharing views on consumer problems duringInternational Consumer Day on March 15, 2009
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Representations
Date & Place
May 14, 2008,Ahmedabad, India
July 21, 2008,Jaipur, India
September 02,2008, Jaipur, India
September 18-19,2008, Jaipur, India
September 17,2008, Bhilwara,India
September 29,2008, Chittorgarh,India
October 16, 2008,Jaipur, India
November 05, 2008,Jaipur, India
November 05, 2008,Chittorgarh, India
January 30, 2009,Jaipur, India
Events & Organiser
National consultationworkshop on“Microfinance in India:Evolving Strategies toDeepen and Broaden theOutreach” organised byMahatma Gandhi LabourInstitute (MGLI)
Consultation meeting ofMAMTA-New Delhi andPlan Internationalorganised by Seva Mandir,Udaipur
MNGO projectconsultation meetingorganised by State RCHoffice, Rajasthan andRegional Resource Centre(RRC) Voluntary HealthAssociation of India(VHAI), New Delhi
Project consultationmeeting of IQEEPorganised by Save theChildren
NABARD-Bankersmeeting
Swarnjayanti GramSwarojgar Yojana (SGSY)Project CommitteeMeeting
Training programmeorganised by the StateRCH office, Rajasthan andRRC-Voluntary HealthAssociation of India(RRCVHAI), New Delhi
State level consultationmeeting organised bySave the Children
Meeting with PrincipalDIET, Chittorgarh
Consultation Workshop
Issue/objective
Microfinance in India:Evolving Strategies toDeepen and Broaden theOutreach
Draw a plan of futureactivities for Sexual andReproductive HealthInitiative for Joint ActionNetwork (SRIJAN) project
Project ConsultationMeeting
Project ConsultationMeeting
To discuss problems facedby NGOs during accountopening and loan procuringfor SHGs.
To review the progress ofSHG work in the district
Project management forMother NGO partners
Child Survival Environmentin Rajasthan
Cooperation with CUTS forImproving Quality ofEducation in the district
Social Protection: Means toEnhance Children’s Rightsin South Asia
Participant(s)
Amit Chowdhury
Amit Chowdhury
Madan Lal Keer
Amit Chowdhury
Lokendra Pandya
Amit Chowdhuryand Madan GiriGoswami
Madan Lal Keer
PrasantoBaakshi
Amit Chowdhuryand Madan LalKeer
Amit Chowdhury
Contd...
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Date & Venue Event Issue Participant(s)
District level consultationworkshop organised byDRCH and PNDT Cell,Chittorgarh
Training Programmeorganised by Save theChildren
National Conferenceorganised by the Centrefor Development Studies
Consultation Meetorganised by NABARD
District Health Society(DHS) meeting
Consultation Workshoporganised by IndianMedical Association andCMHO office
Training Programmeorganised by Save theChildren
Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques(PC&PNDT) Act
Paper presentation on ‘Life-Skill Education’
Challenges in HumanDevelopment in India’
NABARD Micro Creditproject
Review health projects andprogrammes in the district
Decreasing Sex ratio
Preparing Life-SkillEducation Module
January 01, 2009,Chittorgarh, India
January 15-18,2009, Jaipur, India
January 24-25,2009, Trivandrum,India
January 23, 2009,Udaipur, India
February 24, 2009,Chittorgarh, India
March 09, 2009,Chittorgarh, India
March 19-20, 2009Jaipur, India
Amit Chowdhuryand Madan LalKeer
AmitChowdhury,Madan Lal Keer,VandanaChouhan,Sanjay Moud,Neetu Joshi andfour animators
Amit Chowdhury
Madan GiriGoswami
Madan Lal Keer
Amit Chowdhury
VandanaChouhan
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Keya GhoshAdviser
CUTS Calcutta Resource Centre (CRC)
CUTS Calcutta Resource Centre (CRC) became operational in1987. Gradually working in the area of consumer protection in1991, it began work on trade, economics and environment. Lateron, a specialised centre, called Centre for International Trade,Economics & Environment (CITEE), was launched to undertakethis work. Meanwhile, a network, ‘South Asia Watch on TradeEconomics and Environment’ (SAWTEE), was launched jointlywith other NGOs in South Asia. The same was developed with aview of strengthening work on capacity building, policy researchand advocacy in the regional bloc.
In the latter part of 1997, CITEE moved to Jaipur and thedimension of CRC changed. A programme centre was started,called Safety Watch, which focused on consumer safety. A newround of activities on Sustainable Production and Consumptionwas also taken up at this Centre. A host of projects onenvironmental sustainability and atmospheric issues was takenup during 1999 to 2002.
In 2001, once again trade-related activities were reintroduced.A cluster of programmes on Grassroots Economic Developmentwas taken up during this period. From then, the Centre continuesto work in parallel on Trade & Economics, Environment andConsumer Safety. The mission of the centre is ‘To ensureconsumer sovereignty and economic equality within and acrossborders, in association with other CUTS Centres’.
Programme Areas• Trade & Economics• Electricity Reforms• Environment
Projects• Mainstreaming International Trade into National Development
Strategy• Grassroots Reachout and Networking in India on Trade and
Economics (GRANITE Phase-II)• Capacity Building on Electricity Reforms in Bangladesh, India
and Nepal (RESA)• Lead-Acid Battery Waste Management in West Bengal• A Study on Socioeconomic Impact Assessment of Rural
Electrification in the State of West Bengal
Mainstreaming International Trade into NationalDevelopment StrategyCUTS CRC, with support from CUTS CITEE, implemented theproject entitled ‘Mainstreaming International Trade into NationalDevelopment Strategy: A Pilot Project in Bangladesh and India’.
NK SinhaOffice Manager
Prithviraj NathProgramme Officer
Sumanta BiswasProject Assitant
Arnab GangulyResearchAssociate
Sushanto BanerjeeOffice Assistant
Mrinmoy DeyProject
Associate
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The initiative was funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, NewDelhi, India. The objectives of the project were to ensure andenhance positive linkages between trade and humandevelopment; foster equity and accountability of the nationaltrade policy; and enhance a more coherent civil society voice inthe formulation and implementation of national trade policy andin its linkages with national development strategy.
A field survey of 400 agricultural households spread across fourdistricts of West Bengal, namely, Hooghly, Purulia, Malda andJalpaiguri, was conducted by the Centre. The survey took intoaccount views and concerns about the various governmentofficials and people’s representatives who are considered to bethe key players for facilitating effective information flow anddecision flow between the grassroot stakeholders and centralpolicymakers. Based on the major findings of the survey, a locallevel training workshop and a state level advocacy workshopwas organised by the Centre.
Advocacy & Networking• The Centre organised a day-long Local Level Training
Workshop in Kolkata, on June 12, 2008, for farmers, farmerleaders, academicians, CSOs and Panchayatrepresentatives. The one-day workshop aimedat demystifying the relationship betweeninternational trade and how it affects theagriculture sector at large. It further simplifieda number of issues related to GramPanchayats, including their composition,structure, functioning and linkages with thePanchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishads. Theworkshop also made the participants awareabout various provisions and ways to avail twovery important schemes implemented by theGram Panchayats – The National RuralEmployment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS),which guarantees to provide 100 days ofemployment to each of the families seekingwork, and Swarnajayanti Gramin SwarozgarYojna (SGSY), which aims at improving thesocioeconomic conditions of the below povertyline (BPL) families.• The Centre organised a half-day StateLevel Advocacy Workshop in Kolkata, on July05, 2008 with government of ficials,representatives of the people, members ofdifferent political parties, farmers, farmerleaders, CSOs, Panchayat representatives andacademicians. The major objectives of theworkshop were: to emphasise the role of SocialAccountability Techniques for better PublicExpenditure outcomes; understand ways to
incorporate development needs into political considerations;and emphasise the role played by CSOs in effectiveimplementation of pro-poor schemes at the grassroots.
Local Level Training Workshop in Kolkata on June 12, 2008
State Level Advocacy Workshop in Kolkata on July 05, 2008
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Research & Publications• A publication, entitled “Is the Stage Set for Mainstreaming
Trade into National Development Strategy in India? – Resultsof Field Survey in Two States”, was published. The primaryobjective of this study is to go beyond an exploration ofthe likely impact of globalisation and trade liberalisation onthe stakeholders of the agriculture sector, especially the mostvulnerable amongst them and enquire about the prevailingconditions for mainstreaming trade into national developmentstrategy. The study also enquired the implementation ofNREGS to understand its effectiveness as a support measure.
Grassroots Reachout and Networking in India onTrade and Economics (GRANITE Phase-II)The Centre implemented, as a project partner, a two-year project,entitled GRANITE Phase-I, in partnership with CSOs in WestBengal, from 2005. The project was implemented in eight Indianstates, viz., Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa,Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, withsupport from the Norwegian Agency for Development andCooperation (NORAD) and Novib (Oxfam, The Netherlands). Afterthe successful completion of the first phase of the project, theCentre has been involved in the second phase (GRANITE-II) ofthe project. In the second phase, the project focused on theNational Foreign Trade Policy (NFTP) of India, 2004-09 by takingstock of how state governments and other stakeholders in theseeight states were involved in the process of preparation andimplementation of this policy and how the NFTP has benefited(or not benefited) export of specific products from West Bengal.
The Centre undertook a survey to gauge the perception of variousstakeholders on National Foreign Trade Policy 2004-09 in fivedistricts of West Bengal, namely, Hooghly, Nadia, Malda,Murshidabad and Darjeeling. In these districts, a questionnairewas also used for the survey. A case study was conducted onthe mango economy of Malda. Conducting the case study involvedliterature review, conducting questionnaire survey and focusedgroup discussions with relevant stakeholders in the mangoeconomy of Malda. A pilot study was also undertaken in Maldathat was followed by the questionnaire survey and FocussedGroup discussion in January 2009.
Advocacy & Networking• A State Level Advocacy Workshop was held in Kolkata, on
May 07, 2008. The major objectives of the workshop were topresent the findings of the field research in the state, shareopinions on how to make NFTP more pro–poor, chalk outstrategies to promote agricultural and handloom exportsthrough institutionalised mechanisms, facilitate interactionbetween government officials, exporters, farmers’/weavers’associations, media representatives and other stake holders,and to finalise further research areas. It was proposed thatsome kind of a benefit-sharing mechanism needs to be devisedso that the primary producers at the grassroots can get a
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share of the profits earned by the exporters in internationalmarkets.
Capacity Building on Electricity Reforms inBangladesh, India and Nepal (RESA)CUTS Centre for Competition, Investment & Economic Regulationis implementing the project entitled ‘Capacity Building onElectricity Reforms in Bangladesh, India and Nepal’ (RESA). Theproject is being implemented with the support of NORAD. Overa period of two years, this project intends to build capacity ofconsumer groups/CSOs to enable them to deal with the issuesinvolved, take-up action research, share experiences and carryoutadvocacy with policymakers and regulatory agencies to effectpro-consumer changes in the electricity regulatory/policyprocesses in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The Centre has beeninvolved in the implementation of the project in West Bengal.
Advocacy & Networking• A State Level Inception Workshop wasorganised in Kolkata, on April 17, 2008. The mainobjectives of the workshop were to identify 10-12 CSOs to undertake various activities over thespan of two years; train local CSOs on theconsumer survey methodology so that they couldundertake baseline consumer survey at thegrassroots level; build capacity of civil society onelectricity reforms in project countries; and makeCSOs aware of the project objectives andactivities to be conducted at the state level.• Reference Group (RG) Meeting I wasorganised in Kolkata, on July 16, 2008. The mainobjectives of the meeting were to apprise RGmembers of the project activities, its goals andoutcomes and also to brief them about theactivities implemented so far; seek comments/inputs for further improvement in order to ensuresmoother functioning of the future projectactivities; and seek comments/suggestions ontwo important documents prepared by theCentre: Territorial Base Paper (TBP) andTerritorial Training Manual (TTM) which wasalready circulated to all the members before themeeting.• Territorial Trainings (TTs) were organisedon September 11-12 and 25-26, 2008respectively. The trainings were designed toenhance the capacity of the local CSOs to makesure that they act effectively to transfer theknowledge to the grass roots for making theordinary consumers aware and capable ofparticipating in the electricity reform process. Themain objectives of the Territorial Training wereto enhance the knowledge of consumers
regarding issues and processes of electricity reforms in the
State Level Inception Workshop in Kolkata on April 17, 2008
A Cross-section of participants in Territoral Trainingunder the project
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Representations
Date & Place
July 25, 2008,Kolkata, India
August 09, 2008,Kolkata, India
August, 22-23,2008Kolkata, India
August 28-30,2008Colombo, SriLanka
November 08,2008,Kolkata, India
November 22,2008,Kolkata, India
December 13,2008, Kolkata,India
January 15,2009, Hili, India
March 25, 2009,Kolkata, India
Event
Opportunities andChallenges of GeographicalIndications (GI) Protectionin West Bengal
141st Divisional RailwayUsers’ ConsultativeCommittee (DRUCC)Meeting
Energy Conclave 2008:Energy in the Age ofClimate Change
1st South Asian EconomicSummit on EconomicIntegration in South Asia:South Asian Free TradeAgreement (SAFTA) andBeyond
Curtain Raiser to Bay ofBengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical andEconomic Cooperation(BIMSTEC) Summit 2008
Second State LevelConsultation on Right toInformation (RTI)
Observation of EnergyConservation Day
Consultative meetingbetween mango exporters,DGFT Officials andOfficials from CustomsDepartment
Economic Crisis andResponse
Issue
Generate awarenessamong different groups ofstakeholders about thebasic issues pertaining toGIs in West Bengal
The objective of themeeting was to discuss theall-round safety issue andsuggestion for developmentin the Railway’s Howrahdivision
Energy Efficiency,Conservation and NewOptions
Greater economiccooperationwithin the region in anincreasingly globalisingworld
Regional economiccooperationamong the majorSoutheast Asian Countriesaround the Bay of Bengal
Sensitising variousstakeholders about theirresponsibilities and tochalk out a road map tofacilitate effectiveimplementation of RTI inWest Bengal.
Energy Conservationand scope fornon-conventional energy
Facilitating better exportsand export-relatedpractices
Discussions on strategies/measures to be adopted bythe state to tide over thepresent phase of worldeconomic crisis
Participant
Jayeeta SarkarSelina Kabir
N K Sinha
Arnab GangulyMrinmoy Dey
Keya Ghosh
Arnab Ganguly
Keya GhoshPrithviraj Nath
Prithviraj NathMrinmoy Dey
Arnab GangulySumanta Biswas
Arnab GangulyMrinmoy Dey
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country; and develop the capacity of the CSOs and enhanceconsumer participation in the process of electricity reforms.
Research/Publications• A four page Calendar for year 2009 was published bearing
key message for electricity consumers. The areas covered wereenergy conservation, grievance redressal mechanism andpower theft.
Lead-Acid Battery Waste Management in WestBengalThe Centre with the support of the West Bengal Pollution ControlBoard (WBPCB) is implementing the project entitled ‘Lead-AcidBattery Waste Management in West Bengal’. The overall objectiveof the project is to identify the stakeholders involved in differentstages of battery usage and assess the extent of compliance tothe Battery (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001, amongvarious stakeholders.
Advocacy & NetworkingThe major activities for this period included:• Study and data entry of returns filed by different stakeholders;• Analysis of returns to prepare a report on the status of return
filing and compliance level, as reflected by the returns;• Presentation of findings to the WBPCB; and• Questionnaire survey of different stakeholder groups.
A Study on Socioeconomic Impact Assessment ofRural Electrification in the State of West BengalThe Centre with the support of KPMG Advisory Services Pvt. Ltdis implementing the project entitled ‘A Study on SocioeconomicImpact Assessment of Rural Electrification in the State of WestBengal’. The overall objective of the project is to study the socialand economic linkages to various components of the power sectorreforms and to identify cross-linkages of the power sector withother sectors like impact of rural electrification on social,environmental and economic fabric of villages and linkages ofagriculture to water, irrigation and energy issues.
Advocacy & Networking• Conducting questionnaire survey of 1200 households insix districts in West Bengal. This included electrified, as wellas non-electrified households. In every district at least fourmoujas were studied.• Conducting Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in the saiddistricts with diverse groups like farmers groups, women’sgroups, etc., to understand how electrification has affectedthem.• Conducting Key Informants’ Interviews with at least eightrespondents from each of the six districts. This includedPanchayat members, local opinion leaders, NGOrepresentatives, government officials, school masters,prominent businessmen, etc.
Keya Ghosh handing over the RESA TerritorialTraining Momento to P Ray, WBERC
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CUTS Delhi Resource Centre (DRC)
CUTS Delhi Resource Centre (CUTS DRC) was established in2002 to act as the focal point for CUTS’ advocacy, outreach andexternal relations with national and international institutions,including government departments and agencies. The objectiveof the Centre is to feed the work being done at the national levelby other centres of CUTS into policy level interventions.
Besides showcasing the work of CUTS and feeding the same invarious policy advocacies at appropriate forums, the Centre alsoworks towards strengthening network with researchorganisations and consumer groups. The Centre maintainsregular communication with national and international media,national associations of trade and industry, other NGOs,parliamentarians and special interest groups and affiliations.
Programme Areas• Parliamentary Advocacy• Media Outreach• Networking• Event Management
Parliamentary AdvocacyParliamentary advocacy is an important activity of the Centre.To facilitate the parliamentary advocacy, the Centre worked on:• sending questions to identified parliamentarians to be raised
during the parliamentary sessions;• following up of the questions raised and responses received,
on subjects of interest; and• informing and sensitising members of Parliament (MPs) for
raising parliamentary questions on different socio-economicissues, including bills to be put forth for a wider and well-informed discussion on the floor of the Parliament.
A Souvenir on PAFORE and an Issue Note entitled, ‘Social SectorBudgeting: Higher Allocations Mask Poor Utilisation’ werepublished.
Media OutreachCUTS DRC has successfully organised participation and coverageof media both print as well as electronic for CUTS’ various events.The Centre is responsible for coordinating for columns/writeups in various newspapers in print and electronic media forgreater visibility of CUTS activities in media. It liases with thepress on one to one basis through informal meetings, givingpress releases, sharing exclusive stories, and initiating debateson topical issues. The Centre also did advocacy with media,making them aware of issues of immediate attention coming outof CUTS’ research.
P S VermaActing CentreCoordinator
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NetworkingThe Centre was able to maintain working relationships withimportant Delhi-based CSOs, developmental organisations,premier Chambers of Commerce and Industries, GovernmentMinistries and their various departments. It has been able tobuild up an effective and meaningful working relationship withthe following ministries and their departments: Ministry ofCommerce & Industry, Ministry of Finance (especially DCA &DEA) Ministry of Consumer Affairs (especially BIS), Ministry ofEnvironment & Forest, and Planning Commission.
Event ManagementThe Centre was involved in executing and organising variousevents – beginning from booking of the venues, dealing withvendors, necessary logistics till the final execution of the event.This also includes the necessary follow-up with the participants,hotels/venues, signing the contract and ensuring the necessaryand crucial elements for organising an event with economies ofscale. Some of such events in which the Centre was involvedare:• ICRR Conference, on April 01, 2008• NRG meeting under ICRR on May 20, 2008• Ecorys-TSIA conference, on June 23, 2008• GRANITE-II, on July 01-02, 2008• MINTDEV & TDP Workshop, July 24-25, 2008• ‘Global Partnership for Development’ MDG-8, an international
conference organised by CUTS and FICCI in association withthe Ministry of Commerce & Industry, CommonwealthSecretariat and India Office of the World Bank at FICCI onAugust 12-13, 2008
• Reception and Dinner hosted by CUTS at Hotel Le-Meridianmarking 25 years of existence on August 12, 2008
• ‘Enhancing Development through a Competition Culture’ aseminar on August 14, 2008
• Doha Impacts on India in January 2009• ICRR-II Conference, on March 28, 2009• Roundtable on ‘Political Economy of Regulation in India –
What do we need to do’ to mark release of ‘Competition andRegulation in India 2009’ report by Montek Singh Ahluwalia,Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission followed by a paneldiscussion on March 28, 2009
RepresentationsDuring the period, the Centre was involved in representing CUTSin different conferences, seminars, workshops, meetingsorganised by different CSOs, consumer organisations, academicresearch bodies and institutions, ministries and financialinstitutions.
Other ActivitiesInvolved in the coordination of two CCIER projects, namelyConsumer Protection Regimes in the World and Creation ofCompetition Database. Both are non-funded CUTS initiativeunder the banner of INCSOC and CCIER respectively.
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Angela MwapeMulengaCentre
Coordinator
Overseas Resource Centres
CUTS Africa Resource Centre (CUTS ARC)CUTS Africa Resource Centre (CUTS ARC), Lusaka is a nongovernmental organisation which was established in December2000 in Lusaka Zambia. CUTS ARC is the southern AfricaResource Centre for CUTS international based in India. Thecentre is functioning as a resource centre for Africa based CivilSociety Organisations, as well as a centre for studies, researchand advocacy programmes. It is entrusted with the responsibilityof developing a close and beneficial relationship between twodeveloping regions namely Southern Africa and South Asia. Thecentre also works with partner institutions in Kenya, Tanzania,South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Namibia, Mozambique andMalawi among others in the implementation of policy, investment,and consumer protection issues.
Programme Areas• Trade and Development• Competition & Regulatory Policy• Consumer Protection
Projects• Linkages between Trade, Development & Poverty Reduction
Project (TDP)• Supply side Capacity• Incorporating CSOs’ Views in the Formulation of the Zambian
Competition Policy and Underlying Implementation Processes• Fostering Equity and Accountability in the Trading System
(FEATS)• Building Capacity for Media Coverage on Trade and Economic
Issues in Zambia• Enhanced Integrated Framework (Aid for Trade to LDCs)• Capacity Building for Parliamentarians in Zambia
Linkages between Trade, Development and PovertyReduction (TDP)This was a four-year project (December 2005-December 2008)implemented by CUTS CITEE. It was aimed at facilitating cross-fertilisation of experiences and lessons learnt on linkages betweentrade, development and poverty. CUTS CITEE is implementingthese activities in association with its different centres andpartner organisations in 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa(SSA), Asia and Europe.
Advocacy and Networking• An advocacy workshop was held in Katete District in Eastern
Province of Zambia on August 06, 2008. The main objectivesof the workshop were to draw lessons and experiences onlinkages between trade and poverty reduction among farmers
Patrick C ChengoProgramme
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Simon Ng’onaProgramme
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Tamiko SichingaMule
AdministrativeAssistant
CharlesKatangola
Office Assistant
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in the district; and facilitate the synergy between governmentand CSOs so as to learn from each other and strengthenperspectives and osition on trade, development and povertyreduction in the district.
• A one-day workshop for small farmers was organised inChibombo district, Central Province of Zambia, on June 25,2008. The Advocacy Document entitled, ‘Strengthening theLinkages between Trade, Development and Poverty Reduction’and the TDP Campaign Toolkit for Zambia were presented atthe workshop.
• A one day workshop was held in Livingstone at holy crossrecreation centre. The TDP volume entitled, ‘Trade-Development-Poverty Linkages: Reflections from Selected Asianand Sub-Saharan African Countries – Volume II Country CaseStudies’ was also presented.
Supply side CapacityThis study was part of a multi country project “UnderstandingSupply-Side Capacity and Export Response: Diagnostic Studiesin Selected Commonwealth Countries”. The broad objectives ofthis research project were to find out the factors determiningexport success of a few firms in certain sectors of the countriesbeing studied and to learn lessons from the success experiencesso that appropriate interventions could be undertaken for thebenefit of other potential entrepreneurs to strengthen thecountries’ efforts towards diversification.
‘Incorporating CSOs’ Views in the Formulation of the ZambianCompetition Policy and Underlying Implementation Processes’was a two-month study under Capacity Building for Private SectorDevelopment (CBPSD)/ Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry(MCTI) which was undertaken in order to generate inputs of CSOsin a coordinated and harmonised manner in the drafting of thecompetition policy in Zambia. Focussed group discussions wereheld on September 29, 2008.
Fostering Equity and Accountability in the TradingSystem (FEATS)CUTS Geneva Resource Centre (CUTS GRC) with the support ofThe William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, US, is implementingthe “Fostering Equity and Accountability in the Trading System(FEATS)” Project. FEATS project began in 2008 and will continuethrough March 2011 with the broad goals to raise awareness forbetter coherence between development and trade policies, thuscontributing to economic development and poverty reduction inproject countries. FEATS project countries include Kenya, Malawi,Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
Advocacy and NetworkingThe Centre hosted its national inception meeting in Lusaka,Zambia, on October 21, 2008. This meeting was one of the fiveproject meetings in five countries of which Zambia was one ofthem. The meetings achieved the main objectives, including theadoption of revised Terms of Reference for trade policy researchand the establishment of the five National Reference Groups.
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Building Capacity for Media Coverage on Tradeand Economic Issues in ZambiaThis was a one off activity that aimed to bring change in thetrade and development agenda through using journalist. It aimedat building the capacity of journalists from all selected provincesin Zambia to report and analyse trade, economic and developmentrelated issues. The project endeavoured to bridge links betweensector stakeholders vis-à-vis civil society, academics, privatesector, business associations and Policy makers with the objectiveof building an environment which will sustain media coverageon trade, economics and developmental issues.
Enhanced Integrated Framework (Aid for Trade toLDCs)This is a one-year project spanning from December 2008-December 2009. It is aimed at supporting CSOs respond to policydiscussions in the Integrated Framework process and CUTS willact as the focal point. Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) isa measure to bridge the gap between demand and supply aseffectively as possible and mainstream trade into nationaldevelopment strategies. The objective of the project is to engagecivil society and other actors in the EIF process and supportingthem to respond to ongoing policy discussions on trade anddevelopment taking place in the EIF process, thus playing anactive role in the Trade Expansion Working Group.
• A national sensitisation workshop was organised in Lusaka,Zambia on January 21, 2009. The workshop was also usedas a platform to sensitise and engage stakeholders on theEIF process so that they can assess the opportunities of theEIF for to the LDCs. The workshop was attended by 42representatives from government, CSOs, research institutionsand the media.
• The Centre hosted a provincialworkshop in Kitwe Town of theCopperbelt Province incontinuation with the lined upactivities on the EIF project onFebruary 11, 2009. The mainpurpose of the workshop was tosensitise both state and non-stateactors of the Copperbelt Provinceon the importance of the EIFprocess.
• ARC, Lusaka organised a roundtable meeting on February27, 2009. The meeting was organised for CSOs to discuss,analyse and give an input into the EIF implementation processin Zambia. Recommendations from this workshop will bepresented to Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry andthe EIF team in Geneva.
Centre EIF Nattional Adviser Alain P Bernard responding to a question
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• The Centre with CSPR hosted asensitisation workshop on EIF in Mansa onMarch 19, 2009. The objectives of the workshopwere to build awareness about the EIF and tradein Luapula Province, identify the needs of thoseinvolved in trade and those marginalised duringtrade, discuss strategies to improve trade andlook at ways of integrating these strategies intonational programmes.
Research & PublicationsAn e-newsletter has been published under theproject.
Capacity Building forParliamentarians in ZambiaARC, Lusaka developed a capacity buildingconcept paper for Members of Parliament (MPs)
on Trade, Development and Poverty Reduction. The objective ofthe project would be to sensitise MPs on the Linkages betweenTrade, Development and Poverty Reduction, so that these issuesare related at constituency level and MPs are able to engage anddebate around various trade agreements, such as EPAs and WTO.
Outreach• Consumer Watch: This e-newsletter enhances consumer
welfare, through sensitisation, information dissemination andcapacity building of consumers, business entities and thegovernment.
• Tradequity: The Centre produces this quarterly e-newsletteron trade and development issues.
Local Level Training Workshop in Kolkata on June 12, 2008
Centre EIF Nattional Adviser Alain P Bernard responding to aquestion
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Representations
Date & Place
April 03, 2008,Lusaka, Zambia
April 16-19,2008, Accra,Ghana
May 11, 2008,Lusaka, Zambia
May 23, 2008,Lusaka, Zambia
May 29-30,2008, Lusaka,Zambia
June 03-05,2008, Lusaka,Zambia
July 09-10,2008, Cotonou,Benin
August 21, 2008,Lusaka, Zambia
Event & Organiser
Working Group meetingat The ZambiaAssociation for Researchand Development
UNCTAD XII CSOactivities
Midmorning Televisionprogramme featured onthe National televisionprogramme “Midmorningshow”
Domestic Trade Policiesand Process Workshoporganised by the CivilSociety Trade NetworkZambia (CSTNZ)
Southern AfricaDevelopment Forum onProgress and Prospectsfor the Implementation ofProtocols in SouthernAfrica
EPAs and RegionalIntegration Workshoporganised by The Easternand Southern AfricaFarmers Forum
Regional Conference onthe ‘Right to Food andVoluntary Guidelines’organised by an NGO,United Sisters at work,with the support of FoodFirst Information &Action NetworkInternational and Breadfor the World
Launch of the joint MDG8progress reports by CTNZ,Civil Society for PovertyReduction and JesuitsCentre for TheologicalReflection
Issues/Objectives
Strategise on what messageregional CSOs were requiredto carry as regard to EPAs
Networking with variousCSOs from both the Northand South
Inform the public aboutCUTS work and itsengagement with the EPA’snegotiations
Focus on domestic tradepolicies and provideinformation regardingstatutory instruments beingprovided for by thegovernment
Focus on the SADCprotocols and COMESATreaty provisions on trade,transport and the freemovement of persons
‘EU’s Position onDevelopment’ MarketChallenges andOpportunities Locally andRegionally’
Launch the ‘Right to FoodNetwork’ in Africa thatwould help a permanent andcontinuous dialogue amonghuman rights activists
The three reports vividlylooked at the key elements ofMDG8 which include debtrelief, increased aid flowsand better trade and marketaccess for goods fromdeveloping countries
Participant(s)
Patrick Chengo
Angela MwapeMulenga
Angela MwapeMulenga
Patrick Chengo
Angela MwapeMulenga
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Date & Venue Event Issue Participant(s)
September 19,2008, Lusaka,Zambia
December 09,2008, Zambia
December 09-10,2008
“4th Edition of the ZSFon Trade andDevelopment in Zambia”organised by ZambiaCouncil for SocialDevelopment
Workshop on FarmersOrganisations in Zambiaorganised by PELUMZambia
Aid for Trade (AfT)Seminar organised bythe Embassy of Finland
Angela presented a paper
To develop a clearunderstanding of theeffectiveness of the FarmerAssociation in povertyreduction
To improve the knowledgeof the global AfT agendaand awareness options
Angela MwapeMulenga
Simon Ng’ona
Patrick Chengo
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CUTS Africa Resource Centre (CUTS ARC), Nairobi
CUTS Africa Resource Centre (CUTS ARC), Nairobi is aregistered non-governmental organisation (NGO) that startedits operations in the year 2002 to work in not only the region ofEast Africa but also the Horn of Africa. It was set up with themandate of providing support to NGO’s in eastern Africa in theareas of consumer protection, poverty reduction, developmentof trade and economic policy, training and advocacy in theseregions. All this continues to be done with a view to consolidateand expand the activities of CUTS International in promotingSouth-South civil society cooperation in economic developmentand trade in the world economy.
Programme Areas• Competition Policy and Law• Consumer Education and Awareness• Economic Regulation
Projects• Fostering Equity and Accountability in the Trading system(
FEATS)• Competition Policy and Regulation in the Energy Sector in
Kenya• Building an Inclusive East African Community (BIEAC)• Understanding Supply-side Capacity and Export Response:
Diagnostic studies in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia• Joint Africa Trade Strategy• Economic Roundtables• Linkages between Trade, Development and Poverty
Reduction (TDP)• Capacity Building on Competition Policy in Select Countries
of Eastern and Southern Africa (7Up3)
Fostering Equity and Accountability in theTrading System (FEATS)CUTS Geneva Resource Centre (CUTS GRC) is implementatingthe FEATS project, in collaboration with CUTS Africa ResourceCentres in Lusaka, Zambia and Nairobi,Kenya. This project began in April 2008with support from the William and FloraHewlett Foundation of the US. The three-year project focuses on five countries: threefrom Eastern (Kenya, Tanzania andUganda); and two from Southern (Malawiand Zambia) Africa. The overarchingobjective of the project is to generate a morecoherent and pro-trade, pro-developmentvoice in the formulation andimplementation of trade policy at both thenational and international levels.
Advocacy & NetworkingA National Inception Meeting was held inNairobi, on October 14, 2008. The main
Clement Victor OnyangoAdministration Officer
National Inception meeting held in Nairobi, on October 14, 2008
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objectives of the meeting were to broaden and deepen theunderstanding of all stakeholders about the Project and the TradePolity study; better understand the ground realities of trade anddevelopment in the project countries; establish networks bylaunching five National Reference Groups; and discuss andfinalise the Terms of Reference.
Research Project on Competition Policy andRegulations in the Energy Sector in KenyaThe Centre with the support of TrustAfrica has undertaken aproject entitled ‘Research Project on Competition Policy andRegulations in the Energy Sector in Kenya’. The objective of theproject is to assess the institutional framework of the nationalcompetition policy and the regulatory structures; review andevaluate the competition policy and regulatory framework of theenergy sector in light of energy sector reforms; and undertake acomparative analysis of competition and regulatory frameworkin energy sector in other countries.
Advocacy & NetworkingA Scoping workshop was held in Nairobi, on November 20, 2008.The workshop aimed at seeking views and recommendationsfrom the relevant stakeholders to help fine tune and enrich thescope and the Terms of Reference for the project.
Building an Inclusive East African Community(BIEAC)Building an Inclusive East African Community (BIEAC) projectis being implemented by CUTS GRC in December 2008 and isenvisaged to conclude in November 2010. The project is fundedby Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ),Germany, and its implementation is in the five East AfricaCommunity (EAC) member countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda,Tanzania and Uganda. ARC, Nairobi is the project partner.
Understanding Supply-side Capacity and ExportResponse: Diagnostic studies in Kenya, Ugandaand ZambiaThis was a research project aimed at finding out the factorsdetermining export success of a few firms in certain sectors ofindividual Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and SmallVulnerable States (SVS). It further aimed at drawing lessonsfrom the success experiences so that appropriate interventionscan be undertaken for the benefit of other potential entrepreneursto strengthen the countries’ efforts towards diversification. Theproject was supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Research & PublicationsA Research Report entitled, ‘Understanding Supply-side Capacityand Export Response: Diagnostic Studies in Three SelectedCommonwealth Developing Countries’ was published.
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Joint Africa Trade Strategy ProjectThe Centre with the support of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES)Kenya has undertaken a project entitled, ‘Joint Africa TradeStrategy (ATS)’. The main objective of the project is to discussand provide modalities for formulating a joint African TradeStrategy (ATS) that can further Africa’s integration and itsbeneficial interaction with the rest of the world trading economy.
Advocacy & NetworkingA two-day regional conference on “Joining Forces in the GlobalTrading Arena-Formulating African Trade Strategy” was heldNaivasha, Kenya, on July 24-25, 2008. The event drew 26participants from different Africa’s regional trading blocs. Thefinal outcome of the meeting was that the formulation of thejoint ATS will be very crucial in the integration process of Africa.
Economic RoundtablesARC Nairobi, in partnership with FES Kenya, initiated a seriesof periodic roundtable debates as a modern concept of dialoguingon pertinent issues on the Kenyan economy, be they internallyor externally instigated. During 2008, the following events wereorganised to enhance the objectives of the Roundtable initiative:
Advocacy & Networking• The 3rd Economic Roundtable meeting was organised in
Nairobi, on April 10, 2008. The objective of the roundtablewas to discuss and provide guidance on the possible strategiesfor post-conflict recovery, following the disputed 2007presidential election and on how to ensure long term peaceand sustained economic development in Kenya.
• The 4th Economic Roundtable meeting was held in Nairobi.The main objective of the forum was to work out and provideguidance to policy makers on feasible strategies for ensuringsustainable development and management of an efficient, co-ordinated and integrated intervention that enables smoothtransformation of youth unemployment conditions in Kenya.
Research and PublicationsA policy brief, entitled ‘Bridging the Gap’, and an advocacy toolkit on “Putting Kenya onto the Path Back to SustainableEconomic Growth and Development: Strategies and Ideas”, werepublished.
Linkages between Trade, Development and PovertyReduction (TDP)The Centre jointly with CUTS CITEE, coordinated theadvocacy and networking aspect of the ongoing project entitled,‘Linkages between Trade, Development and Poverty Reduction(TDP)’, which was implemented over a period of four years(January 2005 to December 2008), with support from the RoyalNetherlands Embassy and DFID, UK. The project has beenimplemented in selected countries in Asia, Africa and Europe ina partnership mode.
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Advocacy & NetworkingARC Nairobi, in liaison with CUTS CITEE, India, organised apre-UNCTAD XII meeting in Nairobi, on March 13-14, 2008 whichsought to formulate a set of key messages to be fed into theUNCTAD XII. The event was in line with the quadrennial meetingof the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD XII) held in Accra, Ghana, on April 20-25, 2008.
Capacity Building on Competition Policy in SelectCountries of Eastern and Southern Africa (7Up3)CUTS ARC, as resource partner coordinated the project entitled‘Capacity Building on Competition Policy in Select Countries ofEastern and Southern Africa’ codenamed 7Up3, which wasimplemented in seven countries, viz. Botswana, Ethiopia, Malawi,Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Uganda, with support fromthe NORAD, Norway and DFID, UK. One of the main objectivesof the 7Up3 project was to develop the capacity of nationalstakeholders including the policy makers, regulators, CSOs,academicians and the media in each of the project countriesthrough a participatory process.
Advocacy & Networking• An international competition conference to mark the
culmination of the project was held in Gaborone, on February14-15, 2008. In addition to drawing project partners and otherstakeholders from the seven project countries, this conferenceoffered an opportunity for competition scholars andpractitioners from the continent and outside to engage in thediscourse on the road ahead for evolving effective competitionregimes in sub-Saharan Africa.
OutreachTradequity: The newsletter highlights the current topics anddebates on trade, environment and regional integration.
Regional Co-operation and Development Monitor: The e-newsletter aims at bringing out stories and resources fromvarious sources in the region on trade and development. It alsocomprises activities of the Centre and the entire CUTS and otherrelevant news items on trade, consumer protection, environmentand development.
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Representations
Date & Place
February 11,2009, Nairobi,Kenya
February 26,2009, Nairobi,Kenya
February 25-27,2009, Nairobi,Kenya
October 23,2008, Nairobi,Kenya
September 22-23, 2008,Nairobi, Kenya
Event & Organiser(s)
Sensitisation workshopon food safety organisedby National ExecutiveCodex Committee
Organised byKEPLOTRADE/ECORYSmeeting
‘CSO EPA Audit’organised by Kenya Civilsociety Alliance andKEPLOTRADE
World Standards Daycelebration under thetheme; ‘Intelligent andSustainable Buildings’organised by the KenyaBureau of Standards(KEBS)
ISO Workshop onConsumer Involvement inStandardisationorganised by the KEBS inpartnership withConsumer International
Issue & Objectives
Create awareness and theway forward on theprevalence of melamine inimported milk and milkproducts in the market andthe health hazards posed toconsumers
Discuss the new programmeon productivity andcompetitiveness and endorsethe coordinating committee
Bridge the gap betweengovernment and civil societyon their divergingperspectives on EPAs so asto achieve a nationalconsensus
Create awareness andemphasise the need forstandards for buildings thatbring in usability andsustainability worldwide
Enhance the participants’understanding of standardsand standards-developmentprocess; and build rapportbetween consumerorganisations and thenational standards body(KEBS) for futureengagement
Participant(s)
David OkendoAsher
Clement VictorOnyangoSamson Awino
Victor OgaloOmondi
David OkendoAsher
David OkendoAsher
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CUTS Hanoi Resource Centre (CUTS HRC)
CUTS Hanoi Resource Centre (CUTS HRC) was officially launchedon February 29, 2008. It is one of five overseas centre of CUTSInternational in Hanoi, aimed at promoting trilateral developmentcooperation on a range of trade and economic policy issues.
Initially, CUTS HRC actively engaged itself in capacity buildingfor competition authorities and also strengthening the consumermovement in Vietnam. It also contributed significantly to policymaking process, poverty reduction, trade development andeconomic policy, advocacy and networking.
The Centre’s mission is: To be a catalyst in transferring objectiveknowledge and advocacy skills from India and elsewhere to theGreater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) towards mainstreaming the civilsociety movement therein into the development process.
Programme Areas• Competition Policy and Law• Economic Regulation• Investment Climate• Consumer Protection Policy• International Trade & Economics
Projects• Strengthening the Competition Authorities in Vietnam (SCAV)• Strengthening the Consumer Movement in Vietnam (SCMV)• Using Competition Law/Policy Tools in Dealing with
Anticompetitive Practices in the Pharmaceutical DistributionSystem in Vietnam
Strengthening the Competition Authorities inVietnam (SCAV)The project entitled, ‘Strengthening the Competition Authoritiesin Vietnam’ has been implemented with the support of StateSecretariat for Economic Affairs, Switzerland (SECO) and theSwiss Competition Commission (COMCO). It would contributeto the establishment of a business environment that is conduciveto the development of the private sector; and would deepen theapplication and the implementation of Vietnamese competitionpolicies. The duration of the project is of three years.
ResearchAs per the Project schedule, a market study on the telecomssector in Vietnam has been conducted by the VCAD officials inthe 1st year. CUTS HRC has provided technical support to themin this regard, such as commenting on study outline, providinglist of references and available (soft) copies on the identified topic,i.e. Telecom Sector and comments on a Survey Questionnaireprepared by the VCAD.
Pham Thi QueAnh
Director
Ngo Rich ThuyPart-time
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Strengthening the Consumer Movement inVietnam (SCMV)The Centre has implemented a project entitled “Strengtheningthe consumer movement in Vietnam” in association with theVietnam Standards and Consumers Association (VINASTAS) withthe support of The Ford Foundation - Office for Vietnam andThailand. The overall goal of this project is to promote a healthyand vibrant consumer culture in Vietnam, which ensures themeeting, in the long term, of the seven legitimate needs ofconsumers as set out in the United Nations’ Guidelines forConsumer Protection. The duration of the project is two years,expected to be completed by 2010.
Advocacy & NetworkingTwo training workshops entitled, ‘How toHandle Consumer Complaints –Legislation Problems and Practices’ wereorganised in Hai Phong, on November 18,2008; and in Vung Tau, Vietnam, onNovember 20, 2008 respectively. Whiledelivering the inaugural address, DrDoan Phuong, President, VINASTASpointed out myriad difficulties that theconsumer movement in Vietnam isfacing. George Cheriyan, Director, CUTSCentre for Consumer Action, Research &Training (CUTS CART) participated as aresource person.
The workshops deliberated on legal issues (litigation) as well asthe practices of consumer redressal mechanism. There werepresentations on legal framework analysis, case studies andhypothetical case handling techniques, with an introduction ofIndian system of consumer dispute settlement mechanisms toVietnam.
ResearchThe Centre, jointly with the VCAD, prepared a research reporton most common provisions in consumer protection laws in theworld to serve as a baseline for the Consumer Protection Lawdrafting process in Vietnam.
Using Competition Law/Policy Tools in Dealingwith Anticompetitive Practices in thePharmaceutical Distribution System in VietnamThe Project, supported under the Competition Research forEconomic Development (CRED) Grant of IDRC, implemented fromAugust 2008-March 2009, is meant to contribute to thepromotion of public (consumer) welfare in Vietnam, by way ofensuring and enhancing access to medicines and enhancing theefficiency of health delivery systems in the country. This is ajoint research project between HRC and VCAD, with VCAD takingthe lead as the institutional partner for IDRC. Two seminars
A Training Workshop on Consumer Protection held in Hanoi,on November 20, 2008
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were organised in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on March 18 &20, 2009 respectively, for the purpose of informationdissemination.
Representations
Place & Date
March 27, 2009,Hanoi, Vietnam
March 18 & 20,2009, Ho ChiMinh City,Vietnam
March 18-20,2008, KualaLumpur, Malaysia
December 16,2008, Hanoi,Vietnam
November 11,2008, Hanoi,Vietnam
October 23, 2008,Hanoi, Vietnam
June 11, 2008,Hanoi, Vietnam
Event/Organiser
Seminar organised by theDepartment of Industry andTrade of Da Nang, within thesupport of EC-fundedMultilateral Trade AssistanceProject III
Information disseminationseminars organised incollaboration with the VCAD
Consumers International’sAsia Pacific RegionalMembers Meeting, organisedby CI Kuala Lumpur Office
Vietnam Innovation Day2009, co-organised by theGovernment Inspectorateand the World Bank Vietnam
‘Impacts on Economics,Employment and PovertyReduction of Vietnam TwoTears after WTO’s Admission’jointly organised by theCentre of Development andIntegration and the VietnamAsia-Pacific Economic Centre
Sharing Experience andIdentifying orientation onAdvocacy of NGOs’, jointlyorganised by Centre forSupport of SocialDevelopment Programmesand Centre for DevelopmentAssistance
‘Reviewing the LawEnforcement Practices onConsumer Protection andBuilding a Bill on ConsumerProtection in Vietnam’,organised by the VCAD
Issue/Objective
Presentation on ‘ClassAction in ConsumerProtection Law andConsumer ProtectionRegimes in the World –Lessons for Vietnam’
Presentation on‘Competition & ConsumerProtection’
More Accountability andTransparency, LessCorruption
To share experiences inadvocacy regarding povertyreduction and developmentcooperation between NGOsin and outside ofCooperation DevelopmentGroup and identifyingorientation on advocacy forNGOs in general, and CDGin particular
Participant(s)
To Tam
Pham Thi QueAnh
Pham Thi QueAnh
To Tam
To Tam
To Tam
Pham Thi QueAnh Thanh Mai
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Other Activities
Lectures on “Restrictive Business Practices and the EC andUS Response”HRC in association with the Business AdministrationDepartment, Foreign Trade University of Vietnam and the LawDepartment, Hanoi National University organised two lectureson “Restrictive Business Practices (RBPs) and the EC and USresponse” in Hanoi, on December 13 & 15, 2008 respectively.Professor Mark Furse, a visiting scholar on competition fromGlasgow University, Scotland delivered the lectures to a wideaudience of teachers and students in these universities. Thelectures were organised as part of CUTS HRC’s advocacy andnetworking programmes.
Asian Civil Society Lauds UNCTAD’s XIIQuadrennial ConferenceOn the eve of the forthcoming quadrennial meeting of theUNCTAD XII to be held in Accra, Ghana on April 20-25, 2008,CUTS organised a two-day international conference in Hanoi,on March 06-07, 2008. The conference sought to formulate aset of key messages to be fed into the Civil Society Forum, to beheld during the UNCTAD XII. This event was held under a projectentitled, “Linkages between Trade, Development and PovertyReduction” by CUTS International. A total of 37 participantsfrom 16 countries attended the conference. Several mediarepresentatives attended the conference, who facilitated a widecoverage of the event in Vietnam and abroad.
Date & Place Event Issue Participant(s)
Regional Training andForum on ‘Making MarketsWork for Small Farmers:Understanding Marketingand Market Intermediation’,organised by the AsiaDevelopment of HumanResources in Rural Asia(DHRRA), in collaborationwith Viet DHRRA, VietnamFarmers Union, Foro RuralMundial and ASEANFoundation
Regional Policy Dialogue onTrade Facilitation Policy GapAnalysis on Cross-TransportAgreement in the GreaterMekong Sub-region,organised by the MekongInstitute, with the support ofNew Zealand’s InternationalAid and Development Agency
June 07-11,2008, Hanoi,Vietnam
April 07-08,2008, KhonKaen, Thailand
Pham Thi QueAnh
Pham Thi QueAnh
To enhance the knowledgeand skills of participantsin marketing and marketintermediation whichwould link small farmersto markets
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OutreachCompetition Law and Intellectual Property Rights:Controlling Abuse or Abusing Control?This Monograph examines the interface between competition lawissues and the protection of IPRs – both complementarities andconflicts. It discusses the IPRs-related competition issues,highlighting abuse of a dominance position due to IPRs. Inaddition, the paper provides an overview of the competition lawand IPRs in developing countries. Written in an easy-to-understand language, it aims to serve the purpose of reachingout to relevant stakeholders as well as general readers.
New ‘Windows’ on Competition: The Microsoft CaseThe Microsoft cases are still under controversy. This monographexamines Microsoft’s various alleged anti-competitive practicesand its long-lasting battle with successive trials from nationsworldwide. It also looks into some legal issues that should bediscussed that are based on Microsoft’s experiences. The ultimateobjective is to raise awareness on the new application ofcompetition law, especially for reference in developing countriesto deal with cases of the same nature.
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CUTS Geneva Resource Centre (CUTS GRC)
CUTS Geneva Resource Centre (CUTS GRC) was established asa research based advocacy NGO in Geneva, Switzerland, inNovember 2007. The potential beneficiaries of the work of GRCinclude all the key stakeholders in and from developing countries:governments and inter-governmental organisations (IGOs),Parliamentarians, civil society organisations (CSOs) and theprivate sector. GRC started functioning in July 2009. CUTS GRCoffice was inaugurated on July 16, 2009 by Valentine Rugwabiza,Deputy Director General of WTO. Staff members were appointedin September 2009. The mission of the Centre is: To establishand promote a pro-trade, pro-equity credible Southern NGO voiceas well as the means to achieve this in the policymaking circlesworking on trade and development and other related issues inGeneva.
Programme Areas• Trade and Development• Competition• Consumer Protection
Projects• Fostering Equity and Accountability in the Trading System
(FEATS)• Building an Inclusive East African Community (BIEAC)
Fostering Equity and Accountability in the TradingSystem (FEATS)GRC is implementating the FEATSproject, in collaboration with CUTSAfrica Resource Centres in Lusaka,Zambia and Nairobi, Kenya. Thisproject began in April 2008, beforeGRC was launched in July 2008,with support from the William andFlora Hewlett Foundation of theUS. The three-year project focuseson five countries: three fromEastern (Kenya, Tanzania andUganda); and two from Southern(Malawi and Zambia) Africa.
The overarching objective of the project is to generate a morecoherent and pro-trade, pro-development voice in the formulationand implementation of trade policy at both the national andinternational levels. The specific objectives of the project include:• Ensuring and enhancing positive linkages between trade and
development in Africa by developing the capacity ofgovernments to proactively and positively respond to tradeissues, through their involvement in policy research;
• Advocacy with trade officials and in national capitals byestablishing robust, two-way linkages between activities inGeneva and in project countries; and
Valentine Rugwabiza, Pradeep S Mehta & Lakshmi Puri during thelaunch of the Centre on July 16, 2008
Atul KaushikDirector, Geneva
Resource Centre &Adviser (Projects) CUTS
Rashid S KaukabDeputy Director,
Geneva ResourceCentre &Research
Coordinator
Julian MukhibiResearch Officer
Josiane RufenerAdministrative
Officer
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• Generating a more coherent and pro-trade for developmentvoice in the formulation and implementation of trade anddevelopment policy at both the national and internationallevels.
To achieve these objectives, three sets of interlinked activitiesare being undertaken, i.e. research and analysis, advocacy andnetworking.
Advocacy & Networking• The Geneva Inception Meeting established the Initial
Reference Group for the FEATS Project consisting of all theparticipants. This Group is to facilitate communication andfeedback on policy research as well as other FEATS activities.
• National Inception Meetings (NIMs) were held in Kenya,Nairobi, on October 14, 2008; in Uganda, Kampala, onOctober 15, 2008; in Tanzania, Dar-Es-Salaam, on October17, 2008; in Zambia, Lusaka, on October 20, 2008; and inMalawi, Lilongwe, on October 23, 2008 respectively. Thesemeetings were organised with the support of the local partnersin each country and attended by about 30 stakeholders,including representatives of the government, the private sectorand the civil society. One representative each from theMinistry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, a CSO and aresearch institute contributed short papers to the NIMs ineach project country and made presentations. The NIMs werewell attended and held open and constructive discussions.They also approved the revised ToRs for the first policy studyand the establishment of NRG for the FEATS project in eachcountry.
Building an Inclusive East African Community(BIEAC)Building an Inclusive East African Community (BIEAC) projectcommenced in December 2008 and is envisaged to conclude inNovember 2010. The project is funded by Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), Germany, and itsimplementation is in the five East Africa Community (EAC)member countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania andUganda. The BIEAC project aims and expected outputs includethe following:• Supporting a range of CSOs in the EAC member states to
examine the implications of external trade policies on thelivelihood of the people and provide a better understandingof both the challenges and opportunities of trade integration;
• Raising awareness of the general public on the relevant issues,gathering their concerns and carrying out advocacy tohighlight them to the policy makers; and
• Studying the potential implications of the proposed intra-EAC and external trade policies for the poor and themarginalised in the region; identifying interventions andpolicies required to support economic and social adjustmentsto trade reforms; and the measures required to support betteraccess to opportunities provided through regional andexternal trade integration.
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The project is divided into two major year-long phases, whereinthe activities in each year are research, awareness-raising andadvocacy. The implementation is through research and outreachpartners. The research component is undertaken from both in-house resources and research partners contracted from the EACregion. There are five outreach partners in the EAC membercountries that will carry out the awareness-raising and advocacyactivities.
The inception/project awareness-raising workshops weresuccessfully held in February 2009 in Kenya, Uganda andTanzania and registered a good turnout of the targetedstakeholders.
Representations
Place & Date
July 15-17, 2008,Geneva,Switzerland
September 17,2008, Geneva,Switzerland
November 13-14,2008, Arusha,Tanzania
November 15-16,2008, Chateau deBossy,Switzerland
November 17,2008, Geneva,Switzerland
March 21-22,2009, Brussels,Belgium
Event/Organiser
Inaugural Conference of theSociety for InternationalEconomic Law (SIEL) jointlywith the Centre for Tradeand Economic Integration ofthe Graduate Institute ofInternational andDevelopment Studies
UNCTAD Civil SocietyHearing
Annual Conference of theTrade Policy TrainingCentre in Africa (TRAPCA)entitled ‘Strengthening andDeepening EconomicIntegration in DevelopingCountries’
FES Second Workshop onGlobal EconomicGovernance Scenarios2020
ICTSD Meeting onSustainable Developmentand China Trade Policy
German Marshall Fund ofthe US (GMFUS) GlobalForum
Issue/Objective
The International TradingSystem: Revisiting the Pastto Address the Future
Theme 1: The Global FoodCrisis: Addressing aSystemic Failure inDevelopment Strategy;Theme 2: The GlobalFinancial Crisis and ItsImpact on SustainableDevelopment
Moderated one of thesessions and also presentedto one of the sessions apaper by Dr Yenkong
Moderated the finalsession
Made a presentation onsome issues related toChina-Africa traderelationship
Key discussant for a sessionentitled ‘Competing forLand: How to Balance Foodand Energy Security in theEra of Global Warming’
Participant(s)
Atul Kaushik
Rashid S Kaukab
Rashid S Kaukab
Rashid S Kaukab
Atul Kaushik
Contd...
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Other ActivitiesGRC facilitated the organisation of a meeting entitled ‘SouthAsia: Stakes and Role in the Global Trading System – Doha Roundand Beyond’ under CUTS project on South Asia Forum onInternational Trade (SAFIT) II in Geneva, on January 13, 2009.During this meeting, wide interest for CUTS facilitatingdiscussions on South Asian issues in Geneva was expressed.Taking into consideration this interest and with a view toorganising its possible future work for South Asian countries,the Centre organised a meeting of the South Asian Genevamission delegates on March 16, 2009. All the eight South AsianMissions in Geneva were invited. Except for Maldives and Bhutan,all others were represented. They were asked to provide theirthoughts on the role they would like GRC to fulfil in trade anddevelopment discussions within and beyond Geneva. Allparticipants gratefully recognised this initiative taken by GRCto organise the meetings of South Asian countries in Geneva asa positive step and wanted this effort to continue.
Outreach• An advocacy Briefing Paper on “African Regional Integration:
Turning a Dream into a Reality” was prepared that has beenpublished electronically.
• Another Briefing Paper on “Developing Countries and the WTODispute Settlement Mechanism” was prepared that has alsobeen published electronically.
• The Commonwealth Secretariat has commissioned GRC tocontribute a study on “DDA Negotiations: Implications forthe Development of SVEs”. The draft of the study has beenprepared and submitted to the Commonwealth Secretariat.The draft will be finalised and published after discussion in aworkshop being organised by the Commonwealth Secretariatin London on “Doha: Securing Development Outcomes forSmall Economies and LDCs” on March 31-April 01, 2009.
Place & Date Event/Organiser Issue/Objective Participant(s)
March 25, 2009,Geneva,Switzerland
March 31-April01, 2009,London, UK
ACP/WTI Advisors Meetingon Issues of Interest to ACPCountries in Doha Round
Commonwealth SecretariatWorkshop on ‘Doha:Securing DevelopmentOutcomes for SmallEconomies and LDCs’organised by theCommonwealth Secretariat
presentation on “Buildinga StrategicVision of the DevelopmentComponent of the DohaRound
A presentation based on adraft paper on “DDANegotiations: Implicationsfor the Development ofSVEs”.
Atul Kaushik
Rashid S Kaukab
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Selected CUTS Publications
Books• Multilateralism will Reinvent Itself in a More Resolute Avatar• Domestic Preparedness for Services Trade Liberalisation: Are South Asian Countries Prepared
For Further Liberalisation?• Politics Triumphs Economics? Political Economy and the Implementation of Competition
Law and Economic Regulation in Developing Countries
Research Reports• Training Needs for Commercial and Economic Diplomacy: An Indian Case Study• Regional Trade Openness Index, Income Disparity and Poverty – An Experiment with Indian
Data• Political Economy of Trade Liberalisation in Bangladesh: Impact of Trade Liberalisation on
Bangladesh Agriculture• Is the Stage set for Mainstreaming Trade into National Development Strategy of India?
Results of Field Survey in Two States• Trade Liberalisation, Growth and Poverty in Bangladesh• Trade and Poverty Linkages: A Case Study of the Poultry Industry in Bangladesh• Exploring the Post-1990s Trade-Labour Linkage in India – A Set of Case Studies from West
Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujarat• A Critical Look at Economic Governance in India: The Case of National Foreign Trade Policy• Trade-Development-Poverty Linkages: Reflections from Selected Asian and Sub-Saharan
African Countries Volume II Sector Case Studies
Monographs• India and Preferential Trade Agreements: The Path Traversed and the Road Ahead (No• Services Trade and Investment Liberalisation, and Domestic Regulation: A Summary of
Six Country Case Studies• Policy-induced Barriers to Competition in Ethiopia• Competition Law and Intellectual Property Rights: Controlling Abuse or Abusing Control?• Competition Policy: Essential Element for Private Sector Development in Eastern and
Southern Africa• Using Consumer Law to Improve Governance• The Competition Regime as a Determinant of Consumer Welfare: Focus on Indian Telecom• Competition and Regulation in India, 2009 – A Curtain Raiser
Advocacy Document• How does Trade Lead to Development and Poverty Reduction? Evidence from the field
Toolkit• Enforcing the Competition Law in Namibia: A Toolkit
Briefing Papers• The Saga of Rising Food Prices• From UNCTAD XI to UNCTAD XII – A Stocktaking• Mainstreaming Development in the WTO: Developing Countries in the Doha Round• Aid for Trade: The Process So Far, But What Next?• Domestic Regulation and Service Trade Liberalisation: A South Asian Perspective• Minibus Operators and Passenger Welfare in Malawi• Trade as a Tool for Employment Generation• Services Trade and Domestic Regulation in Kenya
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• Services Trade and Domestic Regulation in the Gambia• Services Trade and Domestic Regulation in Jamaica• Evolution of Service Sector in Bangladesh: An Overview• ‘Energising’ India’s Development through Economic Diplomacy• Activism against Low Labour Standards in Developing Countries: Is It a bane in disguise?• Competition Policy and Economic Growth – Is There a Causal Factor?• Dealing With Anti-Competitive Practices in the Indian Pharmaceuticals and the Health
Delivery Sector• Factors Affecting Competition in the Agricultural Produce Markets in India• Competition Policy in Malawi: A course to development• ‘Public Interest’ Issues In Competition Analysis• SAARC and BIMSTEC: Understanding their Experience in Regional Cooperation• Do India’s AEZs Need a Fresh Start?• Designing A Consumer Policy Framework For Small States• The Basics of Bid Rigging• Cross-Border Mergers and the Experience of Developing Countries• Comparative Study of Regulatory Framework in Infrastructure Sector: Lessons for• Using Competition Policy to Regulate MNC Behaviour in Namibia• Is the Stage set for Mainstreaming Trade into National Development Strategy of India?• Fighting the Financial Meltdown• Political Economy of Trade Liberalisation in Bangladesh: Impact of Trade Liberalisation on
Bangladesh Agriculture• Trade Liberalisation, Growth and Poverty in Bangladesh• Regional Trade Openness Index, Income Disparity and Poverty: An Indian Case Study• The National Foreign Trade Policy – An Impact Assessment• India’s Stand in the WTO Doha Round• Assessing Impacts of Government Policies on Consumers• African Regional Integration: Turning a Dream into a Reality• Doha Development Agenda Needs Confidence Building Measures• Consumer Participation in Electricity Regulation: Rajasthan Experience• Surrogate Advertising in India• Patent Rights on Goods in Transit: A Threat to Access Affordable Medicines• Trade and Climate Change
Discussion Paper• Regulation of Higher Education in India• Informal Sector and Competition: A Comprehensive Agenda for Research and Action
Policy Briefs• Privatisation Initiative in Botswana: Any Bearing on Competition?• Leveraging Economic Growth Through Better Regulation
Issue Notes• Competition and Regulation in Indian Retail Sector• National Competition Policy for India• Ensuring Quality in Indian Higher Education
Trade Law Brief• India, Thailand and US on Anti-dumping Measures relating to Shrimp: Another case
calling for clarity in the WTO rules• The Indian Patent (Amendment) Act 2005 and the Novartis Case
Viewpoint Paper• Competition Authorities and Sector Regulators: What is the Best Operational Framework?• India 2006 National Environment Policy: Not a Paradigm Shift
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Annual Accounts 2008-09
Management Report
The management of the CUTS International is responsible forpreparing the financial statements, which are in accordance withthe auditing standards generally applied in India. These are ona consistent manner and are never overstated or misstated forreasons varying from error to fraud. The financial statementincludes amounts that are based on management’s bestestimates, accuracy and consistency.
The management of CUTS International has formulated andmaintains a system of internal discipline by providing theintegrity and reliability of the financial statements, the protectionof assets from unauthorised use or misuse and prevention offraudulent financial reporting.
In addition, management administers its responsibility byfostering ethical environment so that the organisation’s affairsare carried out according to the highest standards of individualas well organisational regulation. This responsibility is reflectedin the organisation’s code of conduct, development of a systematicprocess in compliance with the policies, and open communicationin resolving conflicts, if any.
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Consumer Unity & Trust SocietyD-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: 91-141-228 2821, Fx: 91-141-228 2485Email: [email protected], Web Site: www.cuts-international.org