Dr.JP's Letter to MLAs, MLCs and MPs

Surajya Movement for good governance was launched on ‘Quit India Day’ (August 9, 2012). Since then, it has steadily progressed into an inclusive and constructive people’s movement. It is a non-partisan reforms movement, rising above the fray of competitive politics. It has generated considerable public support for its primary goals: curbing corruption through an effective and empowered Lokayukta, guaranteeing citizen’s right to public services, empowering local governments for creating basic amenities at the grassroots, guaranteeing quality health, education and opportunities for growth to enable everyone to live with dignity and self-respect.

Surajya Movement has now spread to nearly every town and city. Round Tables discussions conducted in more than 90 locations brought together thousands of leading opinion makers, intellectuals, public representatives including present and past legislators, eminent jurists, freedom fighters, representatives of organizations of advocates, doctors, teachers, employees and other professionals, luminaries from the print, electronic media and film industry and dozens of civil society organizations. Tens of thousands of ordinary and middle-class citizens along with prominent individuals at the town, ward and colony levels were covered in Surajya Movement activities. Also, over one lakh students and youth along with hundreds of educational institutions have enthusiastically and voluntarily participated in demonstrations, pledges, marches and creative competitions.

This first phase of the movement will be completed on the International Anti-Corruption Day (December 9). Subsequently, Surajya Movement will go into a second, direct participatory phase at the grassroots level under the banner of ‘Back to the People’. This phase transition will be marked by people’s mobilization activities in prominent cities and towns; a 3-Day Surajya Deeksha will be undertaken by the Surajya movement leaders at Hyderabad:

Surajya Deeksha : 3-day fast by Surajya Steering Committee leaders led by Convener, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan (MLA)

Dates : 5, 6 & 7 December, 2012

Venue : Surajya Deeksha Vedika, Dharna Chowk, near Indira Park, Hyderabad

Timings : 10am, December 5th, 2012


This 3-day Deeksha (fast) aims to focus the society’s attention on Surajya Charter of Demands so that the government may respond positively and in time.


SURAJYA CHARTER OF DEMANDS

Presented to the Government

I. Government must immediately create an independent, empowered and effective State Lokayukta institution for curbing widespread corruption at various levels. District Level Ombudsman should be an integral part of this Lokayukta.

II. Enact Citizen’s Right to Public Services legislation to guarantee timely and corruption-free services in all government offices. The government must also ensure: (a) Citizen’s Charters for every government office that compensate applicants for any delays and (b) the mandatory and proactive disclosure of public information by all public authorities as per the Sec 4.1(b) of Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005.

III. Ensure basic amenities through local governments: immediately conduct the long-delayed elections to our panchayats and municipalities and empower them as per the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments; at least 10% of the State budget must be directly transferred to these elected local governments for guaranteeing water and sanitation, roads, steady power supply in all our towns and villages.

IV. Guarantee quality health, education and opportunities for growth to enable everyone to live with dignity and self-respect by initiating fundamental reforms to our education, healthcare delivery systems and employment creation mechanisms.

V. India has signed and ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Therefore, the government must officially observe the International Anti-Corruption Day (December 9), on par with Women’s Day, Literacy Day, etc. It must ensure that all educational institutions, government offices and public authorities in the State take part in the anti-corruption day awareness generation and publicity programes.


The government must also support the national-level efforts to reform our electoral system so that the curse of money-and-muscle power is eradicated.

We warmly invite you to visit Surajya Deeksha Vedika any day between 5-7 December, to meet Surajya Movement leaders, express your support for the cause and reaffirm your commitment to its reform goals. You are welcome to visit this venue as per convenience. You can kindly be in touch with our colleague Sri Katari Srinivasa Rao (98660-74029; 040-23419949) for further details.

Given the non-partisan and constructive approach of Surajya Movement, and given your role as an elected legislator for the Andhra Pradesh State, we appeal to you to take up the movement’s goals and objectives in various and appropriate forums in the coming days and weeks.

Our freedom fighters and founding fathers made history by helping deliver ‘Swarajya’. It is time we stepped forward, stood on the right side of the unfolding history and help deliver ‘Surajya’ for our people.


With warm regards,

Jayaprakash Narayan

State Convener - Surajya Movement