ADVOCACY

Generating public debate and sensitizing governments on the legal issues of local governments. Taking up specific instances of violation of constitutional guarantees and legal provisions of local governments in India for instance:-

Constitution of 3rd Finance Commission in state of Kerala

The centre took up this important issue for advocacy. It generated strong debate on what it deemed illegal and arbitrary constitution of 3rd State Finance Commission (SFC) in Kerala, which was constituted in gross violation of norms laid down in Constitution of India and the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. The matter received wide media publicity.

Chhattisgarh's basic literacy norm for contesting local body elections.

In Chhattisgarh, the state government had enacted a provision through legislation prescribing basic literacy as an essential qualification for contesting the seats to local governments in the state. The Legal Aid Centre took a strong note of this arbitrary and unconstitutional measure since there is no similar provision to contest the seats for Parliament and the State Legislature. The centre issued press release which was carried by leading newspapers and built up strong public opinion.