Janaagraha / I Paid a Bribe (IPAB) citizen-reporting and anti-corruption reform platform
Intervention Mechanism
A citizen-reporting platform collects reports of bribes in public-service delivery. It records the type, location, frequency, and value of reported demands. The data can help identify recurring bribery patterns and weak procedures in citizen-facing services.
Initiative Summary
Janaagraha’s I Paid a Bribe platform allows citizens to report bribe demands linked to public services. The platform uses these reports to track patterns of petty corruption. Janaagraha has used IPAB data to engage public departments and support procedural improvements. In one reported case, citizen complaints helped improve information on water-meter replacement procedures.
Practice Lesson
This initiative demonstrates how citizen reporting can turn scattered bribery experiences into evidence for service-delivery reform. It helps identify where citizens face recurring unofficial payments. It is most useful for public-facing services, including utility and maintenance services, where unclear procedures create opportunities for bribery.
Reference
Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy. (2017). Janaagraha annual report 2016–17. Available from: https://www.janaagraha.org/annual-report-2016-17/
Supporting References
Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy. (n.d.). Recognition. Available from: https://www.janaagraha.org/about/recognition/