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"The Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) has already established its credentials as an Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) serving the public causes, your organisation has distinction of moving the Apex Court in a public cause for preserving environment - stopping limestone quarry around Mussoorie and Doon Valley. It did it at the very initial stage sometimes in early 1980s - which gave a breakthrough to seek help of the courts if necessary for preservation of ecological balance and environment. It was rather recognised in this case, that it was one of the fundamental duties of every citizen to advance such causes. It is heartening to find that RLEK has set up a Human Rights Centre and is conducting a One (1) year Post Graduate Diploma course in Human Rights. I have just cursorily gone through the syllabus prescribed for the course and I find that it is an all-encompassing course covering numerous aspects relating to human rights. It may be Preservation of Environment, Helping Weaker and Ignored Citizens of the Society, Protection from Child Abuse, for humane conditions for prisoners and persons in custody, and excesses against the exercise of power by authorities, gender justice and so on and so forth. The course provides a wide range of profile and exposure to the current problems."
Syndicate Reports of the IAS Professional Course Phase-1 (1993-95 batch), at page 33, states:
"Accountability of Voluntary Organisations to the Public can also be exercised if they make their activities and achievements public. The press has a crucial role to play here as in the case of Avdhash Kaushal's Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra. Mr. Kaushal has been working in the Mohand area on a project to educate Gujjars. The Government of India finances this project. He, on 18th April 1994, organised, in Dehra Dun, a gathering of tribals and invited the public, press and independent, interested citizens to come and see for themselves, how well he had succeeded in his endeavour. This open accountability to all is commendable. It is specially recommended for voluntary organisations since they should not possess the rigidities and lack of transparency inherent in the Government and bureaucracy."
"We must place on record our appreciation of the steps taken by the 'Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra'. But for this move, all that has happened perhaps may not have come. Preservation of the forest and keeping the ecological balance unaffected is a task which not only governments but also every citizen must undertake. It is a social obligation and let us remind every Indian citizen that it is his fundamental duty as enshrined in Article 51 A(G) of the Constitution".
| (sd/- P.N. BHAGWATI] | (sd/- [RANGANATH MISRA] |
| JUSTICE | JUSTICE |
(Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, December 16, 1986)
"Today in this country the role of NGOs cannot sufficiently be emphasised, for instance, this RLEK itself a shining example of what an NGO can do to its constituents. Perhaps the litigation in regards to the rehabilitation of the Doon Valley is an ideal example of how a public interest Litigation should be conducted."
Mr. Justice M. N.
Venkatachaliah,
Former Chief Justice of India and former Chairman of the
National Human Rights Commission.