Update on Fly Over Near Hitec MMTS

• The fly over is on a rail way track, so the HMDA(Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority) had to take the permission from the railway department to go ahead with the construction of the flyover.
  
• The railway department changed the design four times which literally dragged the issue very long.
  
• Apart from this due to crunch in the funds the work was stopped for 6 months
  
• After Dr. JP took charge in Kukatpally he spoke to these 2 departments to expedite the process.
  
• Now the work is going on in full swing (day & night).
  
• The part of the fly over apart from the stretch on railway track will be complete in next 3-4 months.
  
• The part of the fly over on railway track will be complete in 3 months from then.
  

Dr. JP spoke to the HMDA commissioner regarding the flyover at Cyber Towers, though it does not come under Kukatpally, and requested them to complete that one also as soon as possible. They promised that the fly over will be done in 3 months.

Dr. JP welcomes TDP stand on Eradicating corruption (Telugu)

Dr. JP welcomes TDP stand on Eradicating corruption

The Lok Satta Party today wholeheartedly welcomed the Telugu Desam Party demand that the State and Union Governments enact a law providing for attachment of ill-gotten wealth of politicians. (The TDP adopted a resolution to this effect at its Mahanadu under way in Hyderabad now).

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, now in the U. S., said in a statement that the TDP demand was heartening.

Dr. JP, who circulated a draft Bill to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act among all legislature parties, had already requested TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu to take the initiative as Leader of the Opposition to convene an all-party meeting to consider the Bill and move it in the Assembly, if the Government did not come forward. Dr. JP pointed out that the Bill specifically envisages a key role to the Leader of the Opposition in all appointments of senior officials of the Anti Corruption Bureau.

Dr. JP appealed to Chief Minister K. Rosaiah to view corruption from a non-partisan angle and eliminate it by creating the requisite institutional mechanisms. In his connection, he recalled Mr. Rosaiah’s recent call to the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to be stern in dealing with irregularities and corruption and advising it “to command people’s respect and strike terror in the hearts of the corrupt.”

Dr. JP hoped that Mr. Rosaiah would walk his talk by taking the initiative to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act.

If the Bill drafted by Dr. JP is adopted, MLAs and MLCs, elected members of panchayats, municipalities, and municipal corporations will be deemed as public servants and attract the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

As per the Bill, an accused public servant has to prove his innocence in cases of trap or disproportional assets. It provides for attachment and seizure of property during investigation and forfeiture of property when he or she is found guilty.

The Bill provides for establishment of a special court in every district, appointment of chief judicial magistrates as special public prosecutors and autonomy to the Anti Corruption Bureau, and effective powers to the Lok Ayukta. Special courts can on their own take cognizance of corruption involving public servants.

The amendment Bill says in its preamble, “Corruption is so deeply entrenched in the system that most people regard corruption as inevitable and any effort to fight it as futile. This cynicism is spreading so fast that it bodes ill for our democratic system itself.”

"In fact, there is no reason to believe that we, as a people, are more prone to corruption than any other culture or society. Wherever competition and choice have been institutionalized, and technology and transparency introduced, corruption has been reduced. What we need is political will, systemic improvement, and relentless and assured application of law" Dr.JP said.

Lok Satta regrets violence (Telugu)

Lok Satta regrets violence

The Lok Satta Party today regretted that the innocent have been put to avoidable suffering following violence in Mahbubabad of Warangal district in the wake of Lok Sabha member Mr. Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy’s visit to Warangal district.

The Lok Satta Spokesman Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao retiterated its stand that in a democracy every citizen is free to visit, live and work anywhere in the country. The attempt of separate Telangana agitators to disrupt Mr. Jaganmohana Reddy’s visit to Warangal district by resorting to violence is blatantly undemocratic.

The Lok Satta Party leader said that it was surprising that the police could not prevent protesters from assembling at the station.

The party also condemned the naxalites for causing the death of 65 and injuries to more than 200 people by triggering a train disaster.

Dr. JP Seeks NRI Help In Transforming India (Telugu)

Dr. JP Seeks NRI Help In Transforming India

India has the potential to become the second largest economy of the world accounting for 15 to 18 percent of the world’s GDP in the next 20 years, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan.

Addressing meetings organized by People for Lok Satta in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, Dr. JP recalled that India contributed 25 percent of the world’s GDP up to the beginning of the 18th century. As it missed the industrial revolution, India’s contribution plummeted to just one percent of the world’s GDP by 1991. Thanks to certain measures taken out of compulsion, and not conviction, it rose to two percent in 2010 when India is said to be ‘shining and rising.’

“India has today the potential for phenomenal growth because it has the technology and resources. It is, however, possible ibkt if we change our practices, institutions, and mechanisms in which we are deficient.”

Dr. JP sought the cooperation of NRIs in building institutions in India. “India needs your talent, leadership, commitment, and participation. You can take an Indian out of India but you can not take India out of an Indian.”

Loksatta Tamil Nadu President, Vijay Anand said that the most dangerous problem facing the nation today is the silence of the middle class with respect to its participation in the democratic process.

Dr. JP also addressed the student community at Stanford University where he was the keynote speaker for the Brainstorming India 2010 conference. Dr. JP and Vijay Anand took part in an intellectual discussion at Google headquarters in Mountain View.

Lok Satta Turns To Human Rights Commission To Halt Liquor Shop Auctions (Telugu)

Lok Satta Turns To Human Rights Commission To Halt Liquor Shop Auctions

The Lok Satta Party today sought the State Human Rights Commission’s intervention in halting liquor shop auctions scheduled to begin in the first week of June.

Lok Satta leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and V. Laxman Balaji, Mahila Satta leaders N. Sarojadevi and S. V. Gajanani and Yuva Satta leaders Dasari Ratnam and P. Sivaji made a representation to this effect to Justice Subhashan Reddy, Chairman, Human Rights Commission.

The leaders pointed out that dealers who obtained liquor shop licenses by paying astronomical amounts as bid money, sought to maximize their sales and revenue by opening unauthorized outlets. Although the Lok Satta Party repeatedly drew the Government’s attention to the havoc caused to people’s health and incomes because of growing liquor consumption, the Government chose not to act. In contrast, the Election Commission acted on the party’s plea and got the belt shops shut in just two weeks.

Quoting a NIMHANS survey for WHO, the party recalled that while the Government would earn a revenue of Rs.15000 crore on liquor sales during the Excise Year, the people would lose Rs.16900 crore by way of health care costs.

The State Government has also ignored the Union Health Ministry advice that the State Health Department be entrusted with the responsibility formulating a comprehensive liquor policy keeping people’s health in mind. The Excise Department, on the contrary, did not bother about people’s health since its interest lay in maximizing liquor revenue.

Dr.JP's activities in Kukatpally

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has been elected as the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kukatpally Assembly Constituency in 2009 Assembly Elections. On 01-06-2009 he took charge as MLA for Kukatpally. From that day till date he has taken up several works for the development of Kukatpally .

The works are divided into 3 categories for convenience. They are,

1. Solved Problems
2. Development works in progress
3. Proposed to govt. for sanction

Solved Problems

1. Kukatpally has around 10% of water connections in Hyderabad; however we have only 5% of the total drinking water supply. The drinking water supply in constituency is increased from 8 MGD (Million Gallons per Day) to 12 MGD which will shortly be increased to 16 MGD.

2. Laid 300 mm and 400 mm pipe lines for Manjeera water supply for the overhead tank in Moosapet Division (This was pending for last 5 years). This overhead tank supplies water to 1.5 lakh people.

3. Samples of drinking water at 98 different places in constituency were tested for the levels of chlorine and bacteria. Chlorine was not present as per the norms at all the places and bacteria are present in 48 samples. The concerned authorities are ordered to take necessary steps to improve the above standards of drinking water.

4. Booster Pumps to increase the pressure of water supply are installed in Satyanarayana Swamy Colony (KPHB Division), Parvath Nagar (Motinagar) and Old Bowenpally (Total worth of 24 Lakhs).

5. Arranged 20 Bore wells (Power Bores & Hand Pump Bores) in different areas of Kukatpally Assembly Constituency.

6. To overcome the water shortage, approximately 35 new bores are sanctioned in the constituency…..work will start shortly.

7. The long pending issue of Under Ground Drainage system which affects 2 lakh people across 11 colonies/slums is laid in the constituency.

8. Rain Water drainage pipe line from Vasanthnagar to Bagath Singh Nagar is completed in KPHB Division (Worth 50 Lakhs).

9. 6 STP’s (Sewerage Treatment Plant) are proposed to be arranged in Kukatpally Constituency 1 STP is completed, 1 STP is on the verge of completion, 2STP’s are sanctioned and the work will be started soon & 2 others are yet to be sanctioned

10. All the 14 lakes present in Kukatpally are surveyed and FTL (Full Tank Level) stones are laid for 3 lakes. To avoid encroachments, efforts are in progress with different government departments to make sure that the registrations of the lands with in the boundaries of these 14 lakes are not being done.

11. Free Eye, Thyroid & other Health checkup camps are conducted several times in the constituency.

12. A free health checkup center is set up in Balanagar area; everyday a doctor voluntarily checks up the patients and occasionally provides medicines for free.

Venue: Abhishek Towers, Opp. HAL Gate near Vimal Theatre, Balanagar.
Contact: Sudhakar (Org.) – 9246336765

13. Only under Municipal Department, 69.69 crores worth of works were sanctioned & 24.24 crores worth of works were already completed, which is very high by any standards.

14. After Dr. JP took charge, works on 37 BT roads & 66 CC roads were completed in the whole constituency and works on 8 BT roads & 25 CC roads are in progress. Apart from these there are several other roads that are in the pipeline.

15. Street lights are arranged throughout Vasanthnagar, Dilkushnagar colony & Satyanarayana Swamy Colony (Total worth of 14 lakhs).

16. An underground railway bridge is constructed at Safdhar Nagar (Mothinagar Division).

17. Guidelines to maintain community halls in the constituency are drafted and are ready to be issued.

18. Dr JP has been meeting the concerned officials of GHMC, HMDA, HMWS &SB, and Revenue and is monitoring the progress of works in Kukatpally on a regular basis.

Development works in progress

1. To ease traffic in JNTU junction, two alternate roads to Hi-Tech city were sanctioned. First one through IDL factory and the second one through Moosapet.

2. Sufficient land is allotted for a newly sanctioned 220/132/33 KVA power substation (50 crores worth project apart from land cost) at Kaithallapur for providing quality power supply to the residents of Kukatpally, which is ready for construction.

3 more small 33/11 KVA substations are in the pipeline. 3. New water pipe lines in Old Bowenpally are sanctioned and called for Tenders.

4. Proposal for a water tank in Swarnadhama Nagar is sanctioned and called for Tenders.

5. A Bridge on open nala is sanctioned, on the way from Prasanth Nagar to Rajiv Gandhi Nagar (estimation cost is 49 Lakhs,) a foundation stone is laid by Dr. JP.

6. KPHB Division 6th Phase Swimming Pool & Indoor Stadium construction work is in progress.

Proposed to govt. for sanction

1. Road from Moosapet ‘Y’ Junction to Miyapur on NH-9 is proposed for widening and providing the service roads from both left & right sides to control heavy traffic on this route.

2. 5 foot over bridges on proposal are sanctioned to be set up at 5 different locations in Kukatpally Assembly Constituency. They are JNTU Junction, Kukatpally Bus Stop, Moosapet Junction, Balanagar area, & Begumpet.

3. Proposed 2 Acres of land for construction of Govt. Degree College, in Kukatpally which is presently running in shifts, in the premises of Govt. Jr. College, Kukatpally.

4. A proposal is sent to the govt. for shifting the Kukatpally Truck Parking area and to develop the same place for community use, construction of an auditorium and a shopping complex.

5. Construction of 3 SULABH Complexes at busy public places is proposed.

Why this hullabaloo over Jagan, KCR visits, asks Lok Satta (Telugu)

Why this hullabaloo over Jagan, KCR visits, asks Lok Satta

“Neither KCR needs a visa to visit Vijayawada nor Jagan to visit Warangal,” said the Lok Satta Party today and added that every Indian has the fundamental right not merely to visit, but live and work almost anywhere in the country.

Addressing the media, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, V. Laxman Balaji and V. Vijayender Reddy took exception to threats being hurled against such visits and attempts to fan regional animosities.

They said they could not understand why there should be hullabaloo, when Mr. Y. Jaganmohan Reddy, Kadapa MP, planned a visit to families which lost a member following the death of his father and Chief Minister Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash.

The Lok Satta leaders said that who differed with Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy could have ignored his planned visit instead of holding out warnings and threats. Politicians should realize they would succeed if they base their arguments on the strength of their cause and not by threatening their perceived opponents.

The Lok Satta leaders regretted that politicians and the media had given undue importance to a small issue, not paying enough attention to problems ranging from the havoc caused by cyclone Laila to acute drinking water scarcity in the State.

Financial crisis self-inflicted, Charges Lok Satta (Telugu)

Financial crisis self-inflicted, Charges Lok Satta

The State Government has to shoulder the responsibility squarely for the financial mess it is steeped in today, said the Lok Satta Party here today.

Party leaders Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao, Mr. Karthik Chandra were commenting on Chief Minister K. Rosaiah’s presentation to the Cabinet in which he reportedly said that arrears under various heads as of now amounted to more than Rs.18000 crore and his subsequent assertion that the Government was determined to continue all the schemes.

The Lok Satta leaders pointed out that the Congress Government right from the day it was elected in 2004 has pursued ad hoc policies with a view to garnering votes instead of long-term policies which help people stand on their own feet.

The leaders conceded the need for mitigating suffering among the poor and the disadvantaged through subsidies and concessions. Instead of going to the rescue of merely the needy, the State Government with an eye on election after election squandered precious resources on showering its benevolence on more than 80 percent of the people.

That the State Government itself has discovered there are more than 20 lakh white bogus/ineligible white ration card holders, 17 lakh bogus/ineligible pensioners, and lakhs of bogus INDIRAMMA housing beneficiaries testifies to the perverse manner in which funds have been utilized. Belatedly realizing that tens of thousands of ineligible students have been seeking fees reimbursements and scholarships, the Government is now trying to tighten the norms. It is persisting with its policy of free supply of power to most of the farmers without drawing a distinction between those who can afford charges and those who cannot and ignoring that the policy has led to depletion of groundwater tables. It continues to enrich corporate hospitals by encouraging high-cost terminal/tertiary care and neglecting preventive, primary and secondary care. It continues to swear by ‘Jalayagnam’ under which it has sanctioned projects with bloated estimates, called for tenders and paid mobilization advances unmindful of their feasibility and availability of resources.

The Lok Satta leaders said it is true that the economic slowdown in the State has resulted in a decline in Government revenue and exacerbated fiscal management.

Instead of regarding the present crisis as an opportunity to abandon some schemes and tweak some others rationally so that the benefits go only to the needy, the Rosaiah Government in the name of false prestige asserts it will go ahead with all of them.

The Lok Satta leaders recalled that Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan had requested Mr. Rosaiah to constitute a committee of experts to go into the desirability and feasibility of going ahead with scores of irrigation projects involving colossal expenditure.

The Lok Satta Party, the leaders recalled, sharply criticized the ruling and Opposition parties for indulging in competitive populism on the eve of the 2009 elections. It may be recalled that in their bid to unseat the ruling party which showered sops on all sections, one Opposition party promised free rice, a color television set, waiver of loans to self-help groups and cash transfer, and another party cultivable land to every poor family.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao, Mr. Karthik Chandra reiterated their party view that election-oriented sops perpetuate poverty and turn beneficiaries into beggars. A sensible Government should provide quality education and healthcare to all, employment and livelihood opportunities through skills enhancement, and empower local governments to promote good governance and eliminate corruption.

A new sort of togetherness

AT A Hindu temple in Chicago, hundreds of people of Indian descent, professing many faiths, turned up from across Illinois and farther afield to hear a speaker from back home. But the meeting on May 15th was not the usual style of diaspora politics, in which a nation’s far-flung children are urged to cheer for the homeland.

The man they came to see was Jayaprakash Narayan, head of a movement called Lok Satta which opposes corruption and wants electoral reform. And the aim of his month-long American tour, which includes venues like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Google headquarters in California, is to get support from Indian-Americans for a drive to correct some of India’s failings. That sounds a lot better than passing round the hat for hardline Hindu nationalist causes, something else that occurs in the diaspora.

Bad, sleazy government, Mr Narayan says, is holding India back, crippling the country in its race with China. Having voted with their feet by leaving the country, he adds, Indians abroad should now help make their homeland worth staying in. Independent India’s early rulers had picked up statist ideas when studying in Britain; a new cohort of Indians, having thrived in economies like America’s, are nudging the country towards a freer market. This transmission of ideas, he notes, is easier in an electronic age.

Courtesy: The Economist

A loss to Telugu Society: Lok Satta (Telugu)

A loss to Telugu Society: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today described Veturi Sundararama Murthy as a sage who has enriched Telugu language and society. Veturi’s movie songs will remain etched in people’s memory forever.

His death is a loss not merely to the movie industry but also to the Telugu language, said Lok Satta Party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, V. Laxman Balaji and Santosh Kumar who paid homage to Veturi at his residence.

Shed extreme positions, Dr. JP tells NRIs (Telugu)

Shed extreme positions, Dr. JP tells NRIs

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has told non-resident Indians that they are recognized and respected the world over as Indians, and not as southerners or northerners, Telugus or Kannadigas, Hindus or Muslims, or Reddys and Kammas. “For heaven’s sake don’t forget this fact,” said Dr. JP at a meeting in Seattle, Washington State, as part of his ‘Rejuvenate India’ campaign in the U. S. organized by People for Lok Satta, Seattle Chapter. He took part in a meeting organized in Mountain view, California, also.

About 300 NRIs from Greater Seattle area and nearby Portland took part in the event.

Dr. JP that one complaint against some NRIs was that they become irresponsible and take extreme positions on matters concerning caste and religion, region and language. “Civilization and democracy demand that we settle our differences amicably.”

Dr. JP appealed to Indians not to lose heart as the transformation they wish in India is time consuming. “Since we have the technology and resources, we can transform India in 10 years and not 100 years.” He requested them to spare a part of their time, resources, technological and organizational skills and their passion and love for India to transform it 10 years. Technology could be transplanted but not institutional reforms, he told the NRIs and added that political reforms were the hardest to accomplish and needed infinite patience.

Dr. JP added, “If anybody has any doubt, whether India will be transformed in the next few years or not, they have to see the young people of Indian origin in the United States.”

He recalled that a politician who contested elections to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly in 2009 told him he had spent Rs.25 crore and yet lost. In the recent U. K. elections, Dr. JP said that candidates belonging to all parties together had spent 50 million pound sterling equivalent to some Rs.360 crore, whereas each of the major political parties in the State spent three to four times more than that. Terming it as utterly insane, Dr. JP said that nowhere in the world politicians spent so much money to get elected to the legislature. A person who spends Rs.25 crore of illegitimate money in an election will hit the jackpot of earning Rs.500 crore if he gets elected.

“Every one from the Prime Minister downwards is aware of the problems India faces but none says we can resolve them here and now. We have to break the status quo shackles and initiate change since we can do.”

Dr. JP said the Lok Satta is fighting for the future of India. It wants empowerment of local governments, quality education and healthcare to all, police, judicial and electoral reforms and elimination of corruption.

Asked how he would change the current politics if he had Rs.2000 crore with him, Dr. JP replied that he needed about 10000 determined and willing people with excellent leadership skills who can take the movement forward and not Rs.2000 crore.

Earlier, Mr. Viay Anand appreciated the efforts of People for Lok Satta in organizing the ‘Rejuvenate India’ campaign.

Transformation of India: only stuff worthwhile, worth living for, worth fighting for

“When I see the disruptive technologies promoted in this city and the work done by many of you in this city, I feel privileged to be part of this era. In a place like this you feel like there is no limit to our capacity and you can achieve almost anything. What you can achieve is only limited by what you can dream” Dr. JP started his speech with these remarks at Rejuvenate India program in Seattle organized by young energetic volunteers of People for Lok Satta, Seattle Chapter.

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan and Mr. Vijay Anand, the President of Tamil Nadu Lok Satta Party, participated in a public event attended by 300 NRIs from Greater Seattle area and nearby Portland.

Addressing the gathering on “Transformation of India”, Dr.JP said, “I believe it’s the only stuff worthwhile, worth fighting for, worth living for and we will achieve that”. Deeply enthused by the Rejuvenate India campaign so far he said, "I have not come to inspire the young people of Indian origin, but I have come here to be inspired by the young people of Indian origin. They are truly inspiring. The amount of energy, enthusiasm, optimism, ‘we can do’ attitude, and a spirit of service that they bring is unmatched. If anybody has any doubt, whether India will be transformed in the next few years or not, they have to see the young people of Indian origin in the United States.”

Dr. JP explained technology can be transplanted easily but building institutions and practices takes time. He said, Emergency Response system in Andhra Pradesh setup in a relatively short time is good, however we are unable to provide proper healthcare yet. He referred to a line from Tagore’s poem “Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into dreary desert sand of dead habit” and asked every Indian to take to the heart. He mentioned we continue many practices and institutions in India for no good reason but they were there like that for so many years. Quoting an example of the time taken by a country like US to bring campaign finance reform, he reiterated the importance of building institutions.

Dr.JP called everyone to work together to bring changes in India. An individual cannot bring about change no matter how worthy or meaningful the person is. He gave the example of Mahatma Gandhi who fought very hard to keep the country united, fought for an India with decentralized power, fought for a corruption free India, but he could not, because rest of the nation didn’t join. Change is not possible by a single person, but together we can bring change.

When asked about how he would change the current politics if he had 2,000 crore rupees with him, Dr. JP replied that he doesn't need 2,000 crore rupees but needs about 10,000 determined and willing people with excellent leadership skills who can take the movement forward.

He had one favor to ask NRIs, “You are not recognized as Telugus or Tamils, Northerners or Southerners, Hindus or Muslims, and not on any linguistic basis or caste basis, but, as Indians. For heaven’s sake, do not forget that” and the crowd responded with a tremendous applause. Vishal Joshi, a software engineer working for Microsoft said, "The situation out there is very difficult. We need extremely intelligent and honest people to simplify and make things happen. I hope there will be a change happening soon"

He urged the NRIs not to lose heart and some of it takes time as it is still a nation in progress. With the technology and resources we now have, he was hopeful that it can be done in 10 years and not 100 years. Finally to conclude, he said, “I ask of you to give a bit of your energy, your time, your organizational ability, your technological capability and your resources, most of all, your passion, your love of fellow human beings and your country of origin, a bit of it for the next 10 years so that the country can be truly transformed, much taller and much prouder”

Vivek Mandava, an organizer at the event said he learnt something today, not from Dr. JP directly, but, from the inspired audience, “Donations like $1116, $51, $11 is something that we see only in the temples. Today, I witnessed it in this elementary school auditorium, but, for a different cause. The overall amount is not that important. It is these odd numbers that convey a lot more meaning to it than meets the eye. To rejuvenate India, we need to propagate such religious beliefs and not just the traditional ones. When you are religious about your belief system, you can power through problems and overcome seemingly unsurpassable obstacles much more easily"

Earlier, Mr. Viay Anand appreciated the efforts of People for Loksatta in organizing the Rejuvenate India campaign and made a special mention of the video compiled with a selection of Dr. JP’s best speeches, which built a grand tempo for the evening. The last question from the audience was from the youngest person in the hall, a 2nd grade student, Nithya. Referring to the young generation, Dr. JP said that today we are discussing the problems of past 60 years, 30 years from now when he comes back; he wanted them to discuss problems of their generation.

Lok Satta team visiting Prakasam Dt. (Telugu)

Lok Satta team visiting Prakasam Dt.

A Lok Satta Party team from the headquarters is leaving for Prakasam district tomorrow to study the havoc caused by Cyclone Laila and evaluate how it could go to the rescue of victims.

Announcing this at a media conference, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, V. Laxman Balaji and V. Vijayender Reddy said that the party leaders planned to visit Addanki, Chirala and Ongole. A local Lok Satta Party is already engaged in distributing food packets and medicines in Ongole and coordinating with officials in ensuring that relief reached all sufferers.

The Lok Satta leaders congratulated the State Government on the alacrity with which it took precautionary measures and wanted it to display the same alacrity in extending relief and attending to rehabilitation. It should go to the assistance of farmers who had lost their produce, and fishermen who had lost their fishing gear. It should take steps for the purchase of paddy damaged by rain and floods.

The Lok Satta leaders hoped that the Government of India, unlike in the past, would extend liberal assistance promptly.

Support Government in Extending relief: Dr. JP (Telugu)

Support Government in Extending relief: Dr. JP

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today appealed to all parties and organizations to extend moral, material and human support to the Government in undertaking rescue and relief operations and mitigating people’s suffering in the wake of the cyclone.

Dr. JP, now on a tour of the U.S., said in a message that Andhra Pradesh has unfortunately been battered by one natural calamity or the other beginning with prolonged drought to unprecedented floods and severe cyclone now in the last one year. It is time that every one transcended politics and went to the rescue of people threatened by the cyclone.

Dr. JP congratulated the State and Union Governments on working closely and effectively in addressing the cyclone threat.

Dr. JP recalled that successive Governments have mostly focused on short-term measures in the wake of a natural calamity and asked the Rosaiah Government to give up ad hocism and take up long-term measures to preempt losses in future.

Lok Satta alerts Party Workers in Coastal Districts (Telugu)

Lok Satta alerts Party Workers in Coastal Districts

The Lok Satta Party today alerted its leaders and workers in districts likely to be struck by Cyclone Laila to be ready to go to the assistance of people in coastal areas.

Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao, party General Secretary, today reviewed the developing situation with coastal district units of the party.

He directed them to be ready to evacuate people from vulnerable areas and provide them food, drinking water and medical aid wherever necessary in coordination with officials.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the need of the hour was for the Government and all political parties to work together transcending their differences.

Dr. JP advocates proportional Representation (Telugu)

Dr. JP advocates proportional Representation

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has said that the best and the brightest will not be able to enter politics so long as the first-past-the post electoral system prevails in India. As of now, people are voting for the second worst candidate in a bid to defeat the first worst candidate and not for those who will make a difference in their lives.

Addressing a gathering of NRIs in Chicago as part of his ‘Rejuvenate India through citizen-centric politics’ organized by People for Lok Satta, Dr. JP said that nowhere in the world candidates and political parties spent crores of rupees of personal money to get elected to the legislatures. It was because a vote more spelt victory and a vote less meant defeat. Only when the country switched over to a proportional representation system, the importance of marginal vote would go.

Dr. JP recalled that people often asked him why the Lok Satta had not made any electoral impact and said that he would plead guilty if they deemed his provision of an alternative, political platform or the promise of ethical and clean politics a crime or a sin.

Dr. JP maintained he was not concerned whether the Lok Satta won or lost. His only concern was that Team India should win. India had the resources and technologies to grow at a fast pace and become the second largest economy in the world by 2039, next only to China and overtaking the U. S.

He underlined the need for educational reforms under which every child irrespective of its accident of birth in a certain caste or community could realize its true potential. He pointed out that the education system in the public sector in India had collapsed. Unless we focus on quality education right from the primary stage, India will lag behind other countries just as it missed the industrial revolution.

Dr. JP paid rich tributes to NRIs in the U. S. who have demonstrated India’s intellectual prowess braving a hostile environment. He was also full of praise for the Indian Consulate in Chicago for its services and said there was no reason why Government offices in India could not function equally effectively.

Mr. Vijayanad, a software engineer who quit his job in the U. S. to take up social service, said that the Lok Satta has units in five States of India. He is the president of the Tamil Nadu unit.

Mr. Jampala Chowdary welcomed the gathering and introduced Dr. JP.

Lok Satta welcomes 4% loans to students (Telugu)

Lok Satta tribute to Shekawat (Telugu)

Lok Satta welcomes 4% loans to students

The Lok Satta Party today whole-heartedly welcomed the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development plans to facilitate grant of bank loans at four percent interest to students for pursuing higher education.

The proposed policy is in tune with the Lok Satta Party’s stand that every one should be provided quality education free of cost and that no student is denied an opportunity to pursue higher education because of poverty so long as s/he is desirous and deserving.

Talking to the media, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and V. Laxman Balaji recalled that the Andhra Pradesh Government has run into trouble in fulfilling its promise to reimburse tuition fee to a limited number of students. The proposed bank loan scheme will enable every deserving student to pursue higher education and it is doubly welcome in the context of foreign universities opening their campuses in India.

The Lok Satta leaders underlined that the State Government could stand guarantee for repayment of loans by students and consider even subsidizing part of interest payment, if necessary. The banks should consider the ability of the students to repay loans once they complete education and land a job and not insist on collaterals.

The proposed scheme will go a long way in building human resources in India which has a demographic advantage, said the Lok Satta leaders.

Lok Satta tribute to Shekawat

The Lok Satta Party today expressed profound grief over the death of former Vice President of India Bhairon Singh Shekawat.

A self-made leader, Mr. Shekawat will go down in history for scripting the ‘Antyodaya’ scheme to provide food security to the poorest of the poor, said party leaders Katari Srinivsa Rao and V. Laxman Balaji. The pro-farmer leader played a key role in the era of coalition Governments in the country, they added.

Dr. JP counsels NRIs not to lose hope Of transforming India (Telugu)

Dr. JP counsels NRIs not to lose hope Of transforming India

There are many, many leaders of impeccable integrity in all parties in India, Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan told a gathering of non-resident Indians here.

Taking part in the ‘Rejuvenate India’ program launched by People for Lok Satta, Dr. JP said said that leaders like Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mr. A. K. Antony, Mr. L. K. Advani, Mr. Narendra Modi, Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, Mr. Prakash Karat, Mr. Nitish Kumar are all honest. Yet, they have not been able to dictate the political process for reasons beyond their control.

“There is no need to turn cynical and conclude India is a gone case. Things do happen,” he said and instanced how top leaders of all parties facilitated the enactment of a law on funding of political parties.

Dr. JP said that the bane of India is that most people take the status quo for granted instead of attempting to change it. “If we only we set aside petty differences, we can resolve all problems and grow.”

The greatest hurdle to India’s transformation is the first-past-the-post electoral system, which comes in the way of people voting for the right person. The country can be transformed in no time with a switchover to the proportional representation system. The second hurdle is the reluctance of the best and the brightest to take to politics as a calling and not as a career. So long as the middle classes do not go to the polling booth, there can be no change in the country.

He pointed out that the average polling in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections was 41 percent. Assuming that 30 percent of polled votes were bought with money or liquor, the genuine voting was only 11 percent. It was a disgrace. Do people who do not go to the polling booth believe that a miracle or a baba will bring about change? “There is no wonder we get the government we deserve.”

If the Lok Satta Party had not won any seats in the GHMC, it was not its failure. It fielded good candidates at least in 70 constituencies, and mounted an impressive campaign. Yet the people were more interested in getting some candidate defeated and not in getting the right candidate elected. Earlier, the people used to complain they had to choose the lesser evil in elections as they had no choice. They had not changed their behavior although the Lok Satta provided an alternative, ethical forum.

He told the NRIs that he was determined to make Kukatpally, his Assembly constituency, a model constituency. In the last one year, works worth Rs.33 crore had been grounded. He had to bring about change without enjoying any power but with patience and persuasive skills.

Rigging of ward committees Undemocratic: Lok Satta (Telugu)

Convene all-party meeting on tenants’ Problems: Lok Satta (Telugu)

Rigging of ward committees Undemocratic: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today expressed its surprise and shock over political parties resorting to ‘match fixing’ in the election of members to ward committees in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

“It is nothing but an attempt at thwarting the very purpose of constituting ward committees,” said Lok Satta Party leaders Mr.Katari Srinivasa Rao, Mr.V.Lakshman Balaji and Mr.V.Vijayender Reddy at a media conference here.

According to media reports, the parties have reached a broad understanding to the effect that each corporator will be entitled to have five of his/her nominees and the other five will be those of the local MLA, the MP and other party leaders.

The Government has conceived ward committees as a means of empowering local people in governance. Ideally, the voters in a ward should elect the members of the ward committee. Instead, the Government order has provided for election of ward committees by the 150-member Municipal Council from out of the applicants for the position.

The Congress and the Majlis, which together enjoy a majority in the municipal council can elect their nominees to all ward committees. Alarmed by such a prospect, the TDP and the BJP have reportedly struck a deal with the Congress and the MIM under which every corporator will have a say in the election of his/her ward committee to the extent of five of the ten members.

The ward committees so constituted will not be representative and be merely the handmaidens of corporators, commented the Lok Satta leaders.

Convene all-party meeting on tenants’ Problems: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today charged the State Government with failure in going to the assistance of tenant farmers in the provision of credit and agricultural inputs at subsidized prices.

Commenting on the State-level Bankers’ Committee’s decision to extend higher credit to farmers during the current financial year, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, Mr.V.Lakshman Balaji and Mr.V.Vijayender Reddy said that the Government seemed to have forgotten the existence of nearly 30 lakh tenant farmers in the State.

The Lok Satta leaders pointed out that land holders give their land on lease to tenants without entering into any written agreement for fear of losing land. Since tenant farmers cannot produce either title deeds or lease deeds, they cannot avail of bank loans and subsidies from the State Government. They have to forgo benefits under the ‘pavala vaddi’ and crop insurance schemes also. As a result, they borrow money from private moneylenders at exorbitant rates of interest. If the crop fails for any reason like floods or drought or pests and diseases, the tenant farmer falls into a debt trap and ends life as a last resort in some cases. No wonder, Andhra Pradesh has become notorious for farmers’ suicides.

The Lok Satta leaders wanted the Government to convene an all-party meeting to hammer out a permanent solution to the tenant farmers’ problems.

The party leaders pointed out that by treating gold loans as agricultural loans, the bankers claimed to have exceeded the loan targets for farmers in the financial year 2009-10.

On the State Government proposal to provide land on lease to self-help groups, the Lok Satta leaders said that the Government seemed to be encouraging cooperative farming through the backdoor. Since cooperative farming had not been a success anywhere in the world, the proposed Government scheme would be a financial disaster.

Free And Quality Education Should Be Provided Till 12th

Let there be no role for Ministers in Spending BPS, LRS funds (Telugu)

Let there be no role for Ministers in Spending BPS, LRS funds

The Lok Satta Party today took strong exception to the Government directive that funds accruing to municipalities and municipal corporations through Building Penalization and Layout Regularization Schemes shall be spent as decided by the district in-charge Ministers.

The G. O. No. 190 under which the Government released funds realized through BPS and LRS to civic bodies belatedly emasculates elected local governments as it provides for interference by in-charge Ministers.

Talking to the media, Lok Satta Party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and P. Bhaskara Rao demanded that the civic bodies be enabled to spend the amounts in consultation with colony/apartment welfare associations in the absence of elected ward committees.

The party leaders referred to large-scale abuse of power in the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme by Ministers and said that history would repeat itself if Ministers were to be provided for a role in spending BPS/LRS funds.

On Government advice to civic bodies to raise their revenue through higher taxes etc, the Lok Satta leaders pointed out that the people were opposed to higher taxes since they had lost faith in the civic bodies’ ability to deliver quality services through proper funds’ utilization.

Vigilance probe not enough: Lok Satta (Telugu)

Vigilance probe not enough: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today demanded the appointment of fully-empowered ombudsmen in all districts to go into irregularities in NREGS implementation in all districts.

The Lok Satta Party was reacting to the Chief Minister’s directive to the Vigilance Department to probe into allegations of NREGS irregularities in Srikakulam district.

Talking to the media, Lok Satta Party leaders Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao, Mr. Bheesetti Babji, Mr. V.Lakshman Balaji, Mr.V.Vijayender Reddy said that reports of irregularities have been pouring in from all districts and not merely from Srikakulam. By limiting the inquiry to Srikakulam district and that too works in the Revenue Minister’s constituency, the Chief Minister seemed to be minimizing the gravity and magnitude of the problem.

The Lok Satta leaders recalled that the Government had already issued an order for appointment of ombudsmen in all districts. Ombudsmen appointed according to the order would be toothless in that they would go into irregularities thrown up by social audits only.

The Lok Satta leaders said that the proposed ombudsmen should be empowered to probe into instances of corruption and irregularities in all schemes at the local government level and not limited to NREGS irregularities.

Pointing out that around Rs.2000 crore a year is being spent directly at the district level under various Government schemes, the Lok Satta leaders underlined the need to curb irregularities and corruption in all the schemes executed at the local level.

The ombudsmen should be empowered to act upon complaints, undertake investigations suo motu, and initiate punitive action against both officials and elected people’s representatives.

The Lok Satta leaders also suggested that the proposed ombudsmen should enjoy the rank, salary, allowances and privileges of a sitting district judge.

India can become the second largest Economy in the world: Dr. JP (Telugu)

India can become the second largest Economy in the world: Dr. JP

“Miracles do not happen on their own; we have to strive hard to make miracles take place,” counseled Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here.

Addressing a gathering of non-resident Indians on the subject “Rejuvenate India,” Dr. JP said that India had the potential to become the second largest economy in the world accounting for 15 percent of its GDP if it sets house in order. It is possible if we focus on providing quality education and healthcare, livelihood and self-employment opportunities to all with skill enhancement, improved infrastructure, empowering local governments and eradicatiing corruption.

There is no intractable problem and sensible solutions are available to all problems, Dr. JP said.

“Although all of us are victims of extortion, we feel helpless and get reconciled to the status quo. Gandhiji, a barrister, became a Mahatma because he felt outraged at racial discrimination in South Africa and sought to fight it.”

Dr. JP while describing the Role of NRI’s in Rejuvenating India, explained how since pre-independence days till recent tech revolution how the NRI’s played an active role. Today NRI’s who has seen various societies of the world can promote good things back in India. He mentioned how NRI’s can play bridge between India and the rest of the world and how they are the true brand ambassadors of India.

Dr. JP pointed out that the first-past-the-post electoral system in India perpetuated vote buying since marginal votes made all the difference between victory and defeat. Vote buying could be minimized if the country switched over to a proportional representation system. He hoped that Britain would embrace the proportional representation system in the context of the historic win registered by the Liberal Democratic Party for the first time since its inception 80 years ago.

Lok Satta demands amendments to Prevention of Corruption Act (Telugu)

Lok Satta demands amendments to Prevention of Corruption Act

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Andhra Pradesh Government amend the Prevention of Corruption Act immediately in the wake of corruption charges laid by Mr. Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, and Mr. P. Govardhan Reddy, former Minister, against Cabinet Ministers.

Talking to the media, Lok Satta leaders Mr. Bheesetti Babji, Mr. V.Lakshman Balaji, Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao said corruption in Andhra Pradesh has become ubiquitous and the guilty are going unscathed as the Government is not serious and sincere about mitigating if not eliminating corruption altogether.

They recalled that Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has sent a draft Bill to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act to leaders of all parties to tackle the growing menace of corruption in the State.

If the Bill is adopted, MLAs and MLcs, elected members of panchayats, municipalities, municipal corporations will be deemed as public servants and attract the provisions of the Corruption Act.

It may be recalled that Mr. Rayapati had asked why the Anti Corruption Bureau did not raid Ministers. It was simply because the ACB hands are tied by the present provisions in the law. Thanks to a court judgment , the ACB has of late started raiding even IAS officials since it need not seek prior Government clearance.

A permanent solution, however, lies in a comprehensive amendment of the Prevention of Corruption Act providing for attachment and seizure of properties of a corrupt public servant during inquiry and forfeiture once the person is pronounced guilty.

The Lok Satta sponsored Bill provides for the establishment of a special court in every district, appointment of chief judicial magistrates as special public prosecutors, and autonomy to the Anti Corruption Bureau.

The Lok Satta leaders recalled that Legislature sessions have witnessed leaders of both the ruling party and the opposition trading corruption charges. But surprisingly, neither the ruling party nor the Opposition seems to be serious of seeking an inquiry and the punishment of the guilty.

Lok Satta Party lashes out at Govt. liquor policy (Telugu)

Lok Satta hails SC verdict (Telugu)

Letter to Union Health Minister on Liquor Control

7th May 2010
Hyderabad

To
Shri Gulam Nabi Azad
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare
South Avenue Lane
New Delhi


Dear Shri Gulam Nabi Azad ji,

We appreciate your recent efforts on Alcohol Consumption Control Policy in States and towards ensuring that the respective State Health Departments develop and implement the same. Such a policy becomes crucial as consumption of alcohol is ruining lakhs of households in the nation.

As you are aware, liquor has become major source of revenue for many State governments. In Andhra Pradesh successive state governments have generated income through liquor license auctions, sales tax, excise duties and other such avenues unmindful of the ill-effects that consumption of liquor has caused in over 75 lakh households in the State.

According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences for the World Health Organization; alcohol generates a revenue of Rs.21,600 crore while the losses caused by it in terms of health amount to Rs.24,400 crore. It can be understood that the gain of Rs.15000 crore to the Andhra Pradesh by way of liquor would mean a loss of Rs.16,944 crore to the public in terms of health care costs.

Andhra Pradesh Government has not yet acted upon the advice of the Union Health Ministry: its primary focus appears to be maximizing revenue through the sale and consumption of alcohol even at the cost of people’s health. Despite, repeated appeals from the Lok Satta Party, the State Government is yet to act upon the Government of India’s advice to impose curbs on curbs on alcohol consumption and seek compensation from it for any loss of revenue. Also the Andhra Pradesh government had earlier constituted a committee to carry on an anti-liquor awareness campaign has not reconstituted the committee on the expiry of its tenure.

We therefore urge you to ensure that concrete measures are put in place so that Health Departments in the States are empowered to oversee all alcohol-related issues, in the States. If necessary, the Government of India can legislate under Article 249 of the Constitution on a subject in the State list.

In view of the importance of the issue, we are marking a copy of this letter to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Governor of Andhra Pradesh.


Sincerely

V. Lakshman Balaji
General Secretary,
Lok Satta Party

Lok Satta Party lashes out at Govt. liquor policy

The Lok Satta Party today flayed the Andhra Pradesh Government for persisting with its policy of liquor auctions unmindful of the havoc liquor has played with the lives of nearly 75 lakh families in the State.

When shops are auctioned to highest bidders, shop owners are forced to maximize their earnings by promoting and encouraging as many unauthorized outlets or belt shops as possible. A random survey by the Lok Satta has revealed that there are already 150,000 belt shops in the State.

Talking to the media, Lok Satta Party leaders Mr.V.Laxman Balaji, Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao pointed out that the liquor has become the main source of revenue to the Andhra Pradesh Government. The State Government will be earning Rs.15000 crore in the Excise Year beginning on July 1 by way of license fees, excise and sales tax and other incidental charges.

The Lok Satta leaders said the revenue the State Government generates by promoting liquor consumption is much more than what it spends on schemes like supply of rice at Rs.2 a kg, INDIRAMMA houses, pensions to the aged, widows and the physically disabled and tuition fee reimbursement and scholarships to students.

According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences for the World Health Organization, alcohol generates a revenue of Rs.21,600 crore while the losses caused by it in terms of health amount to Rs.24,400 crore. The gain of Rs.15000 crore to the Andhra Pradesh by way of liquor would mean a loss of Rs.16,944 crore to the public in terms of health care costs.

The Lok Satta leaders expressed surprise that the Andhra Pradesh Government has not bothered to heed the advice of the Union Health Ministry that the Excise Department be stripped of the responsibility of alcohol related regulations since its primary focus always remained on maximizing revenue and not people’s health. The Union Health Ministry suggested that the State Department of Health and Family Welfare be entrusted with the development and implementation of an overall Alcohol Consumption Control Policy.

The Lok Satta leaders appealed to the State Government to fall in line with the Government of India advice and seek compensation from it for loss of revenue because of curbs on alcohol consumption.

The Lok Satta leaders in a letter to the Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad wanted him to ensure that concrete measures are put in place so that Health Departments are empowered to oversee all alcohol-related issues, in the States. If necessary, the Government of India can legislate under Article 249 of the Constitution on a subject in the State list.

The Lok Satta leaders recalled that the State Government had constituted a committee to carry on an anti-liquor campaign to camouflage its drive to maximize revenue from liquor sales and douse protests from women’s organizations. This year, the Government had given up even that pretence since it did not re-appoint the committee once its term expired.

The Lok Satta would like the State Government to run liquor shops instead of auctioning them and limit their total number to the barest minimum. It would want the Government to empower panchayats to curb illicit liquor distillation and unauthorized liquor outlets.

Lok Satta hails SC verdict

The Lok Satta Party today welcomed the Supreme Court in the Ambani brothers’ dispute over natural gas sharing and pricing.

In a statement, Lok Satta Party leaders Mr. V. Laxman Balaji, Mr. P. Bahaskara Rao said the Supreme Court verdict upheld the sovereign right of the Government of India’s sovereign right on the pricing and utilization of natural gas.

The Lok Satta leaders appealed to the Government of India to ensure that Andhra Pradesh’s gas needs are fully met.

Capital Punishment For Kasab In Special Court

Letter to IV Subba Rao on MLC Elections

6th May 2010

To
Dr. IV Subba Rao, IAS
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Andhra Pradesh
Election Commission of India (ECI)
New ‘H’ Block South Wing, AP Secretariat
Hyderabad


Sub: Run up to the AP Legislative Council elections – widespread corrupt electoral practices reported – reg.


Dear Sir,

We would like to bring to your attention several, recent and credible reports carried by the print and electronic media, of widespread instances of bribing of voters, exercising undue influence (esp. by bussing voters to ‘camps’ outside the State and holding them there) and other attempts at voter intimidation by traditional political parties, their candidates and leaders, in the run up to the upcoming elections to the AP Legislative Council.

Such brazen attempts by candidates and their parties, as reported, at vote-buying and intimidation would surely act an undue influence on the voters’ electoral choice. Therefore they constitute nothing but corrupt electoral practices, under the provisions of Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act (1951).

Vote-buying through money and liquor has been a ubiquitous feature of elections in the country for some time. Illegitimate expenditure for such corrupt electoral practices is astronomical. However, in this case of elections to the AP Legislative Council (May 2010), new depths have been plumbed: it is widely reported that such illegitimate expenses have already exceeded Rs. 15 crores – just for one seat of the RR District local authorities’ constituency having only 653 voters.

If such brazen attempts to hijack the electoral process are allowed without hindrance, ‘free-and-fair elections’ would be reduced to a mockery and all canons of democracy and free exercise of franchise will stand violated.

We therefore urge the Election Commission to take cognizance of the reported gross violations of the RP Act and rules, in the manner of widespread and blatant vote-buying and voter intimidation and take all necessary action. We have faith in the Election Commission to act swiftly and decisively to curb such illegal, illegitimate and undemocratic practices.

Sincerely,

Katari Srinivasa Rao (General Secretary)
V L Balaji (General Secretary)
P. Bhaskara Rao (Secretary)

Lok Satta complains to CEO on corrupt Practices in MLC elections (Telugu)

Lok Satta complains to CEO on corrupt Practices in MLC elections

The Lok Satta Party today represented to the Election Commission of India to take cognizance of the corrupt electoral practices in the elections to the AP Legislative Council on May 7 and act swiftly and decisively to curb them.

In a memorandum presented to Dr. I. V. Subba Rao, Chief Electoral Officer, Election Commission of India, Lok Satta leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, V. Laxman Balaji, and P. Bhaskara Rao referred to reports of widespread instances of bribing of voters, bussing of voters to ‘camps’ outside the State and other attempts at intimidation. “Such brazen attempts constitute nothing but corrupt electoral practices under the Representation of the People Act.”

The Lok Satta said that although vote buying through money and liquor has been a feature of elections, new depths were reached in elections to the Legislative Council in that such illegitimate expenses have already exceeded Rs.15 crore for one seat of the RR District local authorities’ constituency with 653 voters.

“If such brazen attempts to hijack the electoral process are allowed without hindrance, ‘free-and-fair elections’ would be reduced to a mockery and all canons of democracy and free exercise of franchise will stand violated.”

Talking to the media, the Lok Satta leaders said that direct election of heads of government ranging from Chief Minister to sarpanch, and election of legislators and others through proportional representation alone would curb money power in elections.

Lok Satta to campaign for non-party Municipal elections (Telugu)

Lok Satta to campaign for non-party Municipal elections

The Lok Satta Party is seeking non-party elections to municipalities and municipal corporations as also direct election of municipal chairpersons and corporation mayors and formation of ward committees.

The party has decided to launch its campaign for municipal elections in 32 municipalities and 14 municipal corporations immediately.

The State leadership of the party held a meeting with leaders of 16 districts here on May 4 and 5 to finalize the party strategy for the civic elections likely be held in September 2010.

Giving this information to the media here today, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Ra, V. Laxman Balaji and V. Vijayender Reddy said the party would focus on the need for empowerment of local governments to improve governance. It would organize discussions and conduct ballots on the need for non-party and direct elections and ward governments. Preparation of ward manifestos and induction of youth and NGO representatives into the party would form part of the campaign.

In the first phase the party will launch the campaign in the following: Municipalities: Manchiryal, Bellampalli, Miryalaguda, Nalgonda, Jangaon, Kothagudem, Khammam, Machilipatnam, Jaggayyapet, Ongole, Chirala, Markapuram, Narasaraopet, Repalle, Tenali, Chilakaluripet, Gudur, Venkattagiri, Rajampet, Nandyal, Adoni, Yemmiganuru, Done, Guntakal, Chittoor, Madanapalli, Srikalahasti, Vizianagara, Bobbili, Bhimavaram, Tanuku and Srikakulam.

The party will launch the campaign in all the corporations going to the polls.

The party wanted the Government to assure college managements that it would reimburse the Backward Class students’ tuition fee and relieve the students of stress during examinations.

Let Ombudsmen deal with corruption In all Govt. schemes: Dr. JP (Telugu)

Letter to CM on Ombudsmen

01st May 2010

Sri K. Rosaiah
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
Secretariat
Hyderabad.

Dear Sri Rosaiah garu,

This communication is regarding the recent decision of the AP Government to appoint ombudsmen to go into irregularities in the implementation of NREGS (AP GO Ms No. 142, dated 21-4-2010 and the Government of India (Ministry of Rural Development)’s Order dated 7-9-2009).

Lok Satta Party has always been a strong advocate for establishing independent, fully empowered and statutorily-constituted ombudsmen at the district-level as effective instruments of transparency and accountability in public service delivery and the implementation of various government schemes. While we welcome your government’s recent step towards constituting the body of ombudsmen under NREG Act at the district level, the present scheme of their powers and functions would not serve the required purpose. It is evident that there is an urgent need to duly reconstitute this ombudsmen mechanism.

We therefore request you to examine and act upon the following critical issues:

• At present, around Rs.2000 crore a year is being spent directly at the district-level, under various schemes. Therefore, the powers of the ombudsmen must not be limited only to the implementation of the NREGS, but should be enlarged to cover any instances of corruption and irregularities in all schemes at the local government-level.

  
  

• At present, the NREGS ombudsmen’s powers are limited only to inquiry into irregularities thrown up by NREGS social audit. The scope of their powers must be expanded to enable them to take up and act upon complaints of corruption and mal-administration against both elected members and officials at the local government-level. This would enable them to:

  
  
  
  
  • lodge or take up complaints (suo motu) against erring parties
    
  • conduct investigations
    
  • initiate proceedings on any related grievance, and
    
  • award and implement redressal, disciplinary and punitive actions against erring parties.
    

  
  Ombudsmen must be made autonomous and powerful – under the existing provisions of law, to ensure that guilty elected public representatives and local government officials are removed from service and duly punished.

  
  

• The AP Government has prescribed that retired judicial personnel who have served not below the rank of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) be appointed as district ombudsmen for the NREGS. Instead, persons of the rank of District Judge should be selected as district level ombudsmen to ensure that the expanded powers and functions over various aspects of district-level governance are exercised, as recommended above.

  
  

• The remuneration awarded to the ombudsmen too should be enhanced to accordingly. In any case, the present notified sitting fee of Rs.500 a day allowed for an ombudsman is too low and impractical an amount, and therefore would not attract talent. Instead, a permanent Ombudsman monitoring and investigating complaints relating to all government schemes at district and sub-district levels or for metropolitan cities should enjoy the status, rank, salary, allowances and privileges of the sitting judge of the same rank. Since there will be one Ombudsman for all programmes including NREG Act, it will be cost-effective."

  
  

• Finally, multiplicity of agencies dealing with wrongdoings of public servants should be eliminated by integrating the functional jurisdiction of various such agencies. To this extent, the district-level ombudsmen mechanism should be integrated at the State level, under an appropriate, independent framework.

  
  

The Sixth Report of the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) of India also emphasized upon these issues (subsequently echoed by the 13th Finance Commission, 2010 - 2015), which are integral towards establishing an independent and fully empowered Ombudsman mechanism at the district level to ensure due accountability and transparency in governance at the third tier of the government.

I therefore urge you to act immediately to create a body of effective, independent, empowered Ombudsmen – one per district on the lines suggested above.

With warm personal regards,

Sincerely,

Jayaprakash Narayan

Let Ombudsmen deal with corruption In all Govt. schemes: Dr. JP

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has urged Chief Minister K. Rosaiah to widen and deepen the ombudsmen mechanism to cover any instances of corruption and irregularities in all schemes at the local government level.

It may be recalled that the State Government in its order dated April 21 proposed appointment of ombudsmen at the district level to go into NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) irregularities.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Dr. JP pointed out that since around Rs.2000 crore a year is being spent directly at the district level under various Government schemes, ombudsmen powers must not be limited only to NREGS implementation but enlarged to cover any instances of corruption and irregularities in all schemes at the local government level.

Lok Satta Party spokespersons Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao, Mr. V. Laxman Balaji, Mr. Eeda Chennaiah released Dr. JP’s letter at a media conference here today.

Dr. JP pointed out in his letter that the State Government order limits ombudsmen’s powers to inquire only into irregularities thrown up by NREGS social audit. “The scope of their powers must be expanded to enable them to take up and act upon complaints of corruption and maladministration against both elected members and officials at the local government level. This would enable them to lodge or take up complaints (suo motu) against erring parties, conduct investigations, initiate proceedings on any related grievance, and award and implement redressal, disciplinary and punitive actions against erring parties. Ombudsmen must be made autonomous and powerful to ensure that guilty elected public representatives and local government officials are removed from service and duly punished. “

Dr. JP suggested that persons of the rank of district judge and not first class judicial magistrate should be selected as district-level ombudsmen. Since the proposed sitting fee of Rs.500 a day for an ombudsman is too low, it would not attract talent. Since the ombudsmen will be monitoring and investigating complaints relating to all government schemes at district and sub-district levels, they should enjoy the status, rank, salary, allowances and privileges of a sitting judge.

Dr. JP called for eliminating the multiplicity of agencies dealing with wrongdoings of public servants and integrating the functional jurisdiction of various such agencies. To this extent, the district-level ombudsmen mechanism should be integrated at the State level, under an appropriate, independent framework.