Possibly the most crucial year of the project, this phase should see the completion of data and information collection, completion of data analyses and formulation and finalisation of plans of action vis-à-vis the lessons learnt from the analyses. This phase would also see the formulation, finalisation and implementation of plans for information dissemination.
More specifically, the project team proposes to ensure that all the information sought for is in place, and the analyses on the basis of information collected would be complete. In addition to this, interviews with beneficiaries on a sample basis would also be done, to get their views on the schemes, levels of corruption if any, time delays, if any and other such details which would throw greater insights into the actual scenario existing in the state.
A number of opinion surveys & polls have been designed, which would throw insights into various burning issues, and also enable the project team in designing and developing a document, the ultimate objective of which, would be to educate the masses on the existing scenario, in an attempt to bring them into the governance process and also to sensitise the government machinery on the various issues vis-à-vis the common man.
This phase would also see the formulation of the advisory committee, which would advise the project team on analyses, help in designing the agenda for lobbying with the government and information dissemination to the common man. The advisory committee is likely to be in place by the 2nd week of May 2001 and would continue not only for the entire project duration, but also guide the team for activities which would be beyond the project.
In furtherance to our work in promoting good governance, in the first phase of the project, CUTS was instrumental in setting up of the consortium of consumer organisations to monitor the functioning of consumer forums. The activities of the consortium would now be done in a big way, with visits to district forums, studies being undertaken to analyse the causes of the delay in handing over justice, some reasons are known, active lobbying to prevent lawyers in the consumer forums and other related issues.
The next 4 editions of 5th Estate, English and Hindi versions, 5th Estate Electronic Bulletin, 12 issues of Aap Ke Naam Chitti and 12 issues of Gram Gadar would be brought out during this period. It would also be our endeavour to bring out district wise fact sheets at regular intervals, starting from June 2001. The fact sheets would highlight on the ground realities existing in various districts and blocks.
The analyses of CAG reports, Finance Commission Reports and other reports would be published as briefing papers and situation papers in Hindi and English. Efforts would be made to circulate it to every village and Tehsil in the state of Rajasthan.
This phase would see a series of workshops and training seminars at various district and block levels, in addition to a national seminar, where the findings of the study would be made public. Details of these workshops and seminars are being worked out, and is likely to be finalised with the advise of the Advisory Committee.
Project related travel would continue, with Srinivas Krishnaswamy visiting other district and block head quarters. The other members of the team would also be visiting the field to supervise the interviews and to guide the field staff.