CAG came into existence on 7 October 1985 as a non-profit, non-political, non-religious, voluntary and professional citizens group based in Chennai, India. S. Govind Swaminadhan, legal practitioner and former Advocate General of the State of Tamil Nadu, was the founding trustee of CAG. The initial trustees included S. Guhan (former Finance Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu), S.L.Rao (former Chairman, Central Electricity Regulatory Commissioner), Shyamala Nataraj (development journalist with the South India Aids Action Program) and Sriram Panchu (Senior Advocate).
The Group was originally christened Consumer Action Group. After nearly a decade of our existence, we decided to change it to CAG (Citizen, consumer and civic Action Group), keeping in mind the larger role that groups such as ours have to play. Specifically, issues affecting the common citizen such as extreme pollution, lack of access to information, poor quality health care and civic amenities have emerged as priorities in the work undertaken by CAG. |
Over the last five years, our main activities have ranged from campaigning for greater access to information, monitoring the functioning of public utilities and advocating for greater transparency and accountability in governmental and private sector functioning to decentralised and localised urban planning, and the protection of open spaces and our natural environment.
A Board of Trustees consisting of persons from different walks of life, but with a common objective of improving the quality of life for citizens oversee the Groups’ activities.
CAG ’s activities are carried out by a team of young professionals with different academic and work backgrounds. In the implementation of our programmes we draw upon the resources of a wide range of experts skilled professionals, government officials academia, journalists and fellow civil society and NGO activists. This informal consultation with the ‘Friends of CAG’ results in an inclusive, comprehensive and informed kaleidoscope of ideas that we analyse and apply appropriately.
Every activity of ours is characterized by the identification of the one critical intervention, which will directly impact the citizen-consumer in a significant way. We arrive at this core conclusion by the following steps: |
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Collect Data – Through a variety of sources like original research, government and other publications, expert reports etc. we build our case. |
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Diagnose the problem – Very often what is observed from data collection are just symptoms of a deeper problem, we identify the core issue from the data collected. Subsequently we carry out any or all of the following steps depending on the need of the intervention. |
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Halt the problem – Through a variety of tools including advocacy, signature campaigns, formal complaints, public interest litigation and igniting public participation. |
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Evolve a Solution – In order to bring about an equitable solution, which would address the core issue, we collaborate with academia/ academicians, civil society activists and government agencies. |
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Help present the solution – Through our network of contacts we help present the solution in the appropriate fora. |
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Disseminate Information: We carry out capacity-building exercises for the citizenry through outreach programmes, publications and other communication tools, which would make them aware of the issue and its solution. |
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Implement /Monitor the Solution: We provide the expertise and resources to ensure solutions are appropriately implemented and monitored. |
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