Bridging Law and Policy: My Journey to Make Justice Work for Everyone

Law. Policy. Justice. My Journey in Advancing Rights and Accountability

By Amarjeet Singh, Advocate | Public Policy & Legal Consultant | Founder – Public Right Action Network (PRAN)

“Justice must not remain confined to courts — it must reach communities through awareness, accountability, and action.”

⚖️ From Courtroom to Public Policy

The Beginning: From the Courtroom to the Cause

When I began my legal practice in 1999, I was a first-generation lawyer from a small farming family — with no connections, no lineage, and no shortcuts. My mission was simple yet profound: to use the law to uphold the rights of ordinary people who often lacked access to justice.

Over the years, as I represented clients in criminal, consumer, and civil cases, I came to realize that justice cannot stop at the courtroom door. Real change happens when law and policy work together — when rights are not just written on paper, but actually lived and experienced by people on the ground.

This realization shaped my professional journey and inspired me to bridge the worlds of law, public policy, and social justice. That realization took me from courtrooms to policy corridors — working with civil society and government to make laws more responsive, institutions more accountable, and citizens more empowered.

Today, I continue this mission through my dual roles:

·       Practicing Advocate (Supreme Court & Delhi High Court)

·       Consultant to NGOs, including Shivi, providing legal, compliance, and governance support.

·     Founder of the Public Right Action Network (PRAN) — a platform promoting justice, consumer rights, and public accountability.

Expanding the Canvas: From Litigation to Policy Reform

My career took a transformative turn in 2007 when I began collaborating with leading civil society organizations such as CUTS International, CECOEDECON, and Consumer VOICE. These associations gave me the platform to work on issues that extended beyond individual cases — into systems, laws, and institutions that affect millions.

Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege to contribute to policy advocacy, legal reform, and capacity building in diverse areas

🌍 Public Right Action Network (PRAN)

PRAN (Public Right Action Network) is a rights-based initiative dedicated to advancing justice, transparency, and equity in India. Through PRAN, I collaborate with civil society organizations, development partners, and institutions to:

·       Conduct policy and legal research on consumer, health, and social issues.

·       Provide legal advisory and advocacy strategies for social change.

·       Strengthen capacity through training, awareness, and governance reforms.

At PRAN, we believe that law and policy must work for people — not just on paper, but in practice.

🌐 Visit the Public Right Action Blog

My Experience in Social Sector- 

🧭 Key Projects & Campaigns

1. Consumer Protection & Market Reform

·       ConsumersUp Project (2011–2012) – Led national advocacy for a forward-looking consumer agenda, shaping the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
🔗 Project Link

·       State of the Indian Consumer Report (2012) – Designed a national survey of 11,499 respondents across 88 districts, offering key insights into consumer welfare policies.🔗 View Report

2. Public Health & Nutrition

·       Tobacco Control Project (2016–2024) – At Consumer VOICE, led research, advocacy, and enforcement training under the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) to strengthen tobacco control laws.
🔗 View Project

·       Monitoring Edible Salt Standards (2007–2018) – Collaborated with Nutrition International to strengthen iodine standards and enforcement in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

3. Road Safety & Safer Mobility

·       Road Safety Advocacy (2016–2024) – Supported the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) in policy reform and public awareness campaigns leading to the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
🔗 Project Link

·       Safer Cars Campaign (2017–2018) – Advocated for stronger vehicle safety regulations through Bharat NCAP.
🔗 Project Link

4. Energy, Governance & Accountability

·       RESA Project (2008–2010) – Coordinated the Regional Electricity Sector Reforms Project across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, training 1,000+ stakeholders.
🔗 Project Link

·       Electricity Consumer Satisfaction Survey (Haryana, 2010) – Conducted a World Bank-supported study assessing electricity consumer satisfaction and regulatory governance.

5. Gender Equality & Social Justice

·       Capacity Building for Women Representatives (2007–2008) – Conducted leadership and governance training for 300+ elected women in Rajasthan under The Hunger Project.

·       Tribal Land Rights & Food Sovereignty Campaign (2007–2008) – Supported Oxfam India in securing land and food rights for tribal communities.

·       Gender Resource Centres (2007–2008) – Managed legal aid services reaching over 2,000 marginalized women through CECOEDECON.

📚 Publications & Research Contributions

I have authored and co-authored over 20 reports, manuals, and policy papers in the areas of consumer protection, financial regulation, public health, and governance reform.

Major Reports & Manuals

1.      State of the Indian Consumer 2012 – Detailed Report

2.     State of the Indian Consumer 2012 – Overview

3.     Training Manual on Consumer Protection (English)

4.     Training Manual on Consumer Protection (Hindi)

5.     Manual on Electricity Sector in Rajasthan

6.     Access to Medicines: Challenges and the Way Forward

7.     Consumer Protection in the Financial Sector: Challenges and the Way Forward

8.     Consumer Participation in Standardization Process

9.     Consumer Protection in Rajasthan: Issues for Advocacy

10.  Strengthening Consumer Voices: The Way Forward in Rajasthan

11.   Status of Consumer Protection in Rajasthan

12.  Law Enforcement for Misleading Advertisements in India and its Impact on Consumers (GIZ)

13.  Holding Broadband Service Providers to Account (Consumers International)

Key Published Articles

14.  “Why Should We Pay for Online Transactions?” – Governance Now, Aug. 2013
🔗 Read Article

15.   “Consumer Safety in India: Documented but Yet to Be Implemented” – Consumer Voice, Sept. 2013
🔗 Read Article

16.  “Reforms to Boost Power Sector and Curtail Losses” – Hindustan Times, Oct. 2009

17.   “Nothing Plastic: Cut Misuse of Your Lost Credit Card” – Economic Times, Sept. 2009
🔗 Read Article

18.  “Does It Make Sense to Separate ATM & Debit Card for Security?” – Economic Times, Oct. 2009
🔗 Read Article

19.  “Fill in Correct Facts for Smooth Insurance Claims” – Economic Times, Oct. 2009
🔗 Read Article

🎓 Education & Global Training

·       LL.M. (Master of Laws) – Jagannath University, Jaipur (2014)

·       LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws) – M.D.S. University, Ajmer (1999)

·       M.A. (English) – Bikaner University (2004)

·       B.A. (Economics & Political Science) – Kurukshetra University (1996)

International Certifications

·       Food & Nutrition Legal Symposium – GHAI, Bali (2024)

·       Global Road Safety Leadership Course – Johns Hopkins University & GRSP, Nairobi (2018)

·       Decentralization & Good Governance (Gender Perspective) – ICLD, Sweden (2011)

·       Tobacco Control Workshop – CTFK, Bangkok (2019)

·       People-Centred Advocacy & Governance – NCAS, Oxfam India

·       Standardization Process & Consumer Protection – GIZ, CI & BIS

💼 Areas of Expertise

·       Consumer Protection Law

·       Legal Research & Policy Analysis

·       Regulatory Framework Development

·       Public Health & Road Safety Policy

·       Capacity Building & Stakeholder Training

·       Governance, Transparency & Accountability

·       Gender-Sensitive Policy Reform

·       Civil and Consumer Litigation

💬 Looking Ahead

Through my ongoing legal practice and consultancy with NGOs like Shivi, I remain committed to promoting justice, accountability, and rights-based governance.

At PRAN, our mission is to translate law into lived justice — empowering people with knowledge, institutions with capacity, and systems with integrity.

Law. Policy. Justice. Together, they define the path toward an equitable and sustainable society.

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📧 Contact: amarjeetpanghal@gmail.com | 📞 +91-9829015812
🔗 LinkedIn: Amarjeet Singh Panghal
🌐 Public Right Action Blog: https://publicrightaction.blogspot.com

#PublicPolicy #ConsumerRights #LegalReform #PublicHealth #SocialJustice #Governance #CompetitionPolicy #Advocacy #LawAndDevelopment #AmarjeetSingh

 

Clean Air Is Our Right: Time for Data-Driven Action to Protect Lives in Delhi-NCR

🌫️ Clean Air Is Our Right: Time for Data-Driven Action to Protect Lives in Delhi-NCR

By Amarjeet Singh Panghal, Advocate & Public Policy Professional
Published on: 5 November 2025

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A Nation Gasping for Breath

Every winter, Delhi and North India choke under a blanket of toxic smog. AQI readings routinely hit “severe” levels, crossing 400–500, exposing millions to life-threatening air pollution.

Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses are the worst affected. Hospitals overflow, outdoor life halts, and citizens are forced to breathe a silent public health crisis.

This is not just an environmental problem — it is a violation of our fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Health Experts Sound the Alarm

Doctors are now advising children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions to leave Delhi-NCR during peak pollution periods to avoid serious health risks. Hospitals report increasing cases of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses every winter. This highlights that air pollution is no longer a seasonal inconvenience — it is a public health crisis affecting millions. Authorities cannot continue to delay action or rely on incomplete data; scientific evidence must be used to protect lives, not hide negligence.

Supreme Court Steps In

On 3–4 November 2025, the Supreme Court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit affidavits detailing proactive measures taken to prevent deterioration of air quality.

The Court expressed serious concern that only 9 out of Delhi’s 37 monitoring stations were operational during the Diwali period, raising the question:

“Without reliable data, how can the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) be effectively triggered?”

This order underscores a critical point: clean air is a constitutional right, and authorities cannot remain reactive or allow systemic failures to persist.

Scientific Data Must Be Used Constructively

Data is a tool for prevention, enforcement, and policy improvement, not a shield to avoid accountability.

• Transparent monitoring: All AQI data must be published in real-time and easily accessible. Gaps in data or offline stations must be publicly acknowledged and addressed immediately.

• Proactive measures: Patterns in pollution data should trigger pre-emptive interventions — restricting industrial activity, controlling traffic, managing stubble burning, and issuing public health advisories.

• Policy improvement: Data must guide long-term solutions, not justify inaction. Manipulating, suppressing, or selectively reporting data undermines trust and violates citizens’ rights.

• Independent verification: Citizens, civil society groups, and auditors should have access to data for monitoring and accountability.

Clean Air = Right to Life

The Supreme Court has repeatedly confirmed that the right to life includes the right to breathe clean air.

• Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991): Article 21 protects pollution-free air.

• M.C. Mehta cases: Established principles of polluter pays, precaution, and public trust.

Yet enforcement gaps persist. Policies exist, but monitoring is weak, compliance is inconsistent, and citizen health continues to suffer. The Supreme Court’s recent orders highlight that law without implementation is meaningless.

Lessons from Other Cities: How Delhi-NCR Can Learn from Global Examples

Delhi-NCR is not alone in facing severe air pollution. Cities around the world have implemented data-driven, proactive solutions. Examining these examples can guide effective interventions here.

1. Beijing, China — Aggressive Emission Controls

• Industrial relocation, coal-to-clean-energy transition, traffic restrictions, urban greening.

• Lesson for Delhi: Combine strict industrial compliance with temporary traffic restrictions and renewable energy adoption.

2. Los Angeles, USA — Technology & Regulation

• Strict vehicle emission standards, phased-out leaded fuel, EV incentives, public air-quality dashboards.

• Lesson for Delhi: Enforcement of vehicular emission norms (BS-VI) and EV promotion, supported by transparent real-time monitoring, reduces exposure and encourages compliance.

3. London, UK — Congestion Charging & Clean Air Zones

• Congestion charges, Ultra-Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), public monitoring and reporting.

• Lesson for Delhi: Implement low-emission zones in high-density areas and couple traffic management with public awareness campaigns.

4. Tokyo, Japan — Integrated Transport & Urban Planning

• Robust public transport, strict industrial emission norms, green infrastructure.

• Lesson for Delhi: Invest in public transport, enforce industrial norms strictly, and increase urban green cover to improve air quality sustainably.

Key Takeaways for Delhi-NCR:

1. Proactive, data-driven action is essential.

2. Traffic management and low-emission zones reduce vehicle pollution.

3. Clean energy transition and EV adoption reduce particulate emissions.

4. Industrial enforcement with penalties prevents unregulated emissions.

5. Urban greening and green infrastructure improve air quality.

6. Public transparency and engagement empower citizens and ensure accountability.

What Citizens Can Do Now

While authorities are pressed to act, citizens can play a constructive role:

1. File complaints with CAQM (link) or CPCB (link) about pollution sources.

2. Use RTI to access operational data from monitoring stations and enforcement records.

3. Support or join PILs demanding accountability and transparency.

4. Promote local initiatives: RWAs, schools, and workplaces can prevent burning waste, encourage public transport, and monitor air quality locally.

5. Raise awareness with verified data, tagging @CAQM_Official and @CPCB_OFFICIAL, demanding weekly public compliance reports.

A Constitutional, Moral, and National Imperative

Clean air is not optional — it is a constitutional guarantee and a public health necessity. Authorities must use scientific data proactively, not manipulate it to avoid accountability.

It is high time for the government to take decisive action to protect the lives of millions in Delhi-NCR. Failure to act not only endangers public health but also tarnishes India’s image internationally as a modern, livable capital.

If air quality continues to deteriorate unchecked, Delhi-NCR risks becoming increasingly uninhabitable — forcing citizens, businesses, and skilled professionals to consider relocating elsewhere.

The Supreme Court’s recent directions are a reminder: protecting our air is a shared responsibility of the State, authorities, and citizens alike. Every delay costs lives. Every inaction denies justice. Clean air is essential to keep the city livable, preserve public health, and safeguard India’s reputation on the global stage.

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🖋️ Disclaimer:

This post is for public awareness. It does not constitute legal advice. Citizens seeking remedies should consult a qualified advocate or file representations before the appropriate authorities or courts.

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#RightToCleanAir #RightToLife #SupremeCourtIndia #PublicRightAction #AirPollutionCrisis #EnvironmentalJustice #DelhiSmog #DataDrivenAction #CAQM #CPCB #CleanAirNow