CUTS is a civil society organisation that strives to influence national policies in the areas of international trade, competition, consumer protection and economic regulation. To achieve this, CUTS conducts research on issues of public interest and engages in advocacy and networking at various levels. Since its establishment in 1983 CUTS has been working closely with Indian parliamentarians, sharing its research findings and engaging in policy dialogues in order to facilitate the process of advocacy and influence social and economic policy.

The impact of these efforts was minimal in the organisation’s initial years. However, since 2000 CUTS has gradually devised a strategy that combines establishing a close institutional relationship with select parliamentarians and maintaining a formal process of engaging them on policy matters. The new approach involved rethinking the topics of research and synchronising and aligning with the way the political agenda evolved in the country. CUTS identified key politicians with similar interests who were receptive to new ideas.

Influencing parliament

In 2001 CUTS introduced a tool called a ‘bill blow-up’, a document written in English that provides analysis of the salient features of a proposed bill. It poses questions intended to help parliamentarians find ways in which the bill, if it were to become law, should be structured for effective implementation.

CUTS prepares these documents for bills that relate to topics the organisation is researching. This way, relevant findings from its research activities can be presented at a time when policymakers are most receptive to them. Bill blow-ups have helped politicians have an informed debate on specific legislation in the parliament as well, thereby contributing to evidence-based policymaking.

In 2001 the Indian government drafted a competition bill that was set for discussion in the parliament. CUTS produced its first bill blow-up entitled, ‘Competition Bill of India, 2001: A Right Step in the Right Direction’. Competition law is a subject that CUTS had researched in India and other Asian and African countries. CUTS analysed the bill and asked fundamental questions about some of its provisions, which it felt were contrary to the country’s economic development, consumer welfare and poverty alleviation objectives. This bill blow-up was circulated among all the parliamentarians, who found it to be an informative and effective tool for facilitating an informed debate. Since then the organisation has continued to produce bill blow-ups, particularly on social and economic policy issues with which the organisation is actively engaged.

Initiating discussion

In 2005 this approach to policy advocacy was complemented by a forum of Indian parliamentarians created at the behest of five members of parliament representing different political parties. Through this Parliamentarians Forum on Economic Policy Issues (PAR-FORE), a unique initiative in India, CUTS has established a non-partisan and informal platform where parliamentarians from different political parties discuss specific social and economic policy issues that are relevant to CUTS. These issues include trade, competition, regulatory reforms, investment and their cross linkages with other developmental policies in the country. So far, nearly 40 MPs have joined the forum.

CUTS invites the members of PAR-FORE for half-day discussions during ongoing sessions of parliament. The members gather to talk about policy issues that are being debated in parliament at the same time. To facilitate the discussions, CUTS develops four-page ‘issue notes’ on specific policy issues. An issue note summarises critical aspects of specific social and/or economic issues based on research done by CUTS.

In early 2007, drawing inspiration from PAR-FORE, CUTS initiated a similar state forum for legislators called Vidhayak Samvaad in Rajasthan. Chaired by the Honourable Sumitra Singh, Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan, the forum has met a few times to discuss power and water.

Through bill blow-ups and PAR-FORE, CUTS has helped members of parliament better understand complex issues, which has enhanced the quality of policy debate in the country and resulted in better laws and policies.

Resources

For information on bill blow-ups, click here.

For information on the Parliamentarians Forum on Economic Policy Issues (PAR-FORE), click here.