Centre for Legislative Research and Advocacy

infobox Organization
name = Centre for Legislative Research and Advocacy

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abbreviation = CLRA
motto = An initiative to strengthen legislatures for good governance
formation = August 2002
type = NGO
status = Trust
purpose = Legislative research and Advocacy
headquarters = New Delhi, India
location = 160, South Avenue
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website = [http://www.clraindia.org www.clraindia.org]

The Centre for Legislative Research and Advocacy (CLRA) is an Indian not-for-profit organisation mandated to strengthen and promote legitimacy, transparency and accountability within institutions of governance. It began its work in 2004 by engaging with Members of Parliament. Later, it was registered as a Trust. Within a short period of time since its inception, the centre has gained reputation for its expertise in legislative advocacy and legislative research.

Through effective interventions, the CLRA seeks to mobilise MPs and Parliamentary Committees around issues related to social and human development. In order to develop the capacity of MPs to carry out their constitutional and representative responsibilities within the Parliament, the CLRA provides members with relevant and topical research and information support. The CLRA works closely with civil society groups, parliamentary institutions, legislators, political parties, civil servants and media to create participatory and collective wisdom and praxis in the policy and decision-making process. The CLRA is the pioneer organisation in this comprehensive area of work in India.

The Trust comprises eleven members known as Trustees. Seven members make up the Board of Trustees (BoT), who act as the Executive Committee and manage the responsibilities of the Trust. The BoT appoints the Executive Director who takes the executive responsibility of the CLRA. Mr. Vinod Bhanu is the present Executive Director.

CLRA and Parliament

As a suprme representative body of the largest democracy in the world, the Indian Parliament has a challenging but pivotal role in representing the interests of the people of India. Parliament nowadays has become more of a multifunctional body; it retains the core functions of representation, law and policy making and Executive oversight, but its role also extends to areas of conflict resolution, national integration, grievance ventilation, informational activities, etc.

Against this backdrop, the test is for Parliament to exercise its democratic functions, and to promote greater answerability, transparency and participation within policy and praxis.

CLRA sustains a positive engagement with the Parliament and develops its capacity to efficiently carry out its functions and responsibilities. This enables a proactive and deliberative role in the processes of policy and law-making, increased capability in oversight functions, more vibrant representation and consequently a more responsive and pro-people system of governance.

CLRA is able to secure access to parliamentarians at critical junctures in the policy making process. CLRA fosters a sustained, positive engagement with the Parliament, and through effective interventions seeks to mobilise MPs and Parliamentary Committees around issues related to social and human development.

Partner Organisations

Gender and Trade Initiative is an initiative of the Society for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (SOFCAR) a New Delhi based research and advocacy organisation.

External links

* [http://www.clraindia.org/ Official CLRA website]
* [http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ Indian Parliament Website]
* [http://www.ipu.org/ Inter-Parliamentary Union]
* [http://www.cpahq.org/ Commonwealth Parliamentary Association]