Zero Rupee Note’ : NGO against corruption   A Chennai based NGO Fifth Pillar has started a rather unique initiative against corruption. It’s called a zero rupee note – a note that vows to take on the babus who ask for a bribe. Armed with the note they are not fighting aliens but a much more common evil – corruption. Their weapon looks like a Rs 500 note, but they call it a zero rupee note.The idea is whenever an official asks you for a bribe, just give him the zero rupee note and hope that he’ll get the message. It’s to help the corrupt officer understand the message there’s even an oath that’s printed on the note.“When handed over to people who are corrupt, they anxiously get the rupee, then they’re shocked and then they turn angry,” said Fifth Pillar Vice-president Rathna Pandian. “It’ll create an impact over the people,” said T Viswanath, a volunteer. And their effort is to hand the note over to the common man – be it an auto driver or a bus passenger or just about anyone who doesn’t want to pay a bribe.    In a country where corruption is a way of life, the zero rupee note still has a long way to go before it can make a difference. But at least it’s beginning on the right note. It is a sort of Gandhigiri

Zero Rupee Note’ : NGO against corruption

What is 5th Pillar? 5th Pillar is a non profit, non governmental organization aimed at fighting the evils of the Nation, corruption. The Nation already has four pillars of democracy – the legislature, executive, judiciary and the media. There is now one addition, 5th Pillar. 5th Pillar is a pillar of non political voluntary forces as well as voluntary members which fights corruption and helps the strengthen the first 4 pillars of democracy.  5th Pillar Objective “Mobilising the people Resource and making it ‘Social Capital’ through 5th Pillar and fight the evil of Nation, Corruption and strengthening the first four pillars of Democracy” Mission Statement "Encourage, Enable and Empower Every Citizen of India to Eliminate Corruption at All Levels of Society" 5th Pillar Activities To Realise “Anti Corruption Objective” To get remedy for citizens particularly the common man by use of the Right to Information Act Curb Corruption in Government and Public Sector, both of elected representatives and officials Prevent Corruption in Private Sector Get support from other Pillars and extend support to other Pillars in fighting corruption Organising the “bribe-givers” against bribe “No bribe-Red badges” to be given to honest officials and workers To work for Stricter laws to curb corruption and ensure stronger action Make propaganda against corruption and create awareness Get information on the evils of corruption in the school curriculum Information sharing and dissemination Recognition of Honest Men Giving HONESTY Award to Offices where every one is honest.  Dedicated Right to Information (RTI) centers  The rights group has also set up dedicated Right to Information (RTI) centers for the first time in India to help people get info under the Right to Information Act. “Since the Act came into existence in 2005, there have been many RTI activists in states including Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, but this is the first time in India that RTI-relatedservices have been institutionalized” , says Ramakrishnan.  “This is indeed a positive step,” he says adding these centers are expected to provide them direction as to how to get required information from Central and state governments, local bodies and non-governmental organizations getting public funds.  Activities of  Fifth Pillar related to RTI 1. Making full use of the RTI 2. Awareness among the poor & uneducated 3. Prevention of Misuse of RTI

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