Monday, December 31, 2012
Dr.JP seeks President's support for fundamental reforms
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today called on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolarum in Secunderabad and sought his support in ushering in some fundamental political and governance reforms in the New Year.
Dr. JP underlined that the reforms are a must to dispel the pall of gloom and despair that has shrouded the nation in 2012.
Dr. JP told the President that his blessings are necessary to accelerate the pace of change on a number of fronts. In particular, he called for political and electoral reforms including replacement of the first-past-the post system by a proportional representation system. Local governments should be strengthened and made as the third tier of federalism. A National Judicial Commission for appointment and removal of higher judiciary and an Indian Judicial Service for appointment of district judges should be constituted. There is need for institution of strong and independent anti corruption mechanisms like Lokpal, Lokayukta and Ombudsmen and effective policing. Citizens should be entitled to Government services as a matter of right.
Wishing people a happy and prosperous 2013, Dr. JP said in a media statement that 2012 was characterized by inchoate discontent, street protests, parliamentary logjams and further erosion of legitimacy of Governments and political parties.
"This political decline coupled with economic slowdown has spread an air of defeatism and despair. Let us, however, remember that the night is darkest before the dawn. India has the capacity and resources to come out of temporary difficulties and build a vibrant democracy and prosperous economy of which all of us can justly be proud."
Dr. JP pointed out that big changes require a few critical levers to be in place. They include strong local government, service delivery, anti corruption mechanisms and electoral reforms. On the economic front, the focus should be on sectors like power, transport, education and healthcare.
DR. JP said: "The energy and passion of millions of young people need to be channelized creatively and constructively to a build an India of our dreams and liberate every citizen from the scourge of poverty. I am sure that 2013 will herald the beginning of change."
Saturday, December 29, 2012
A defining moment to transform history: Lok Satta
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said that the tragic death of gang-rape victim Nirbhaya should be viewed as a defining moment in the life of Indian society and harnessed property to transform history.
Dr. JP said in a media statement that Nirbhaya’s courageous fight against heavy odds symbolizes the spirit and resolve of young people even as the episode mirrors the evil that pervades our society.
Conveying Lok Satta Party’s deepest sympathies to the grieving parents and family, Dr. JP said the tragedy should help us focus on two fundamental issues: First, what the State and society should do to make our homes and public spaces safe for all citizens, especially women. We need to act with clarity and resolve on legal, institutional, educational, police, society and family fronts.
“It is easy to focus on one or two areas and ignore the rest. That will be an act of cowardice. We need to focus the searchlight into ourselves and convert the tragedy into an opportunity for a more humane, gender-sensitive and civilized society.”
Second, the episode highlights the neglect and failure of the Indian State in discharging its primary duty. In any civilized society, the Government should focus on protection of citizens. It encompasses maintenance of public order, rule of law, competent, effective, impartial and fair policing, speedy and efficient justice delivery and building of institutions and infrastructure to facilitate these outcomes.
“The Indian State has woefully neglected these areas because they are not regarded as significant for vote mobilization. It is time that we changed our attitude and make the State do its primary job.
“Even at this late hour, we can act with determination and integrity on these two fronts. That will be a fitting tribute to the young life that is snuffed out prematurely. It will be a creative and honest response to the angst that millions of Indians now share.”
At the Lok Satta Party headquarters, leaders observed two minutes of silence to express their grief over the death of Nirbhay. State party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao and Greater Hyderabad unit President M. Satyanarayana were among those who took part in the program.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Maharashtra Village Votes For Lok Satta Candidates
The Lok Satta Party has earned the distinction of winning six of the nine seats in a Maharashtra village panchayat which went to polls on December 23.
Giving this information in a media release here today, Lok Satta Party Andhra Pradesh General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao said that the Lok Satta contested eight of the nine seats in the panchayat of Adele village in Maval taluk of Pune district in Maharashtra. The village has a population of about 5,000.
The following are the six Lok Satta Party winners: Nikita Ghotkule, Shubhange, Jaideep Waghmare, Shivaji Katrak, Hanumant Katke and Ranjana Dhakad.
Mrs. Nikita Ghotkule is expected to be elected sarpanch of the village.
Mr. Nitin Ghotkule, Lok Satta Party's Pune district leader and Mr. Ranjan Jogani, Maharashtra Lok Satta leader, worked tirelessly for the victory of the party candidates.
The Lok Satta Party plans to develop Adele as a model village in the next five years.
Enthused by the success it recorded in one village, the Lok Satta Party plans to field its candidates in some more villages where elections are still due.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Dr. JP to Unveil Gandhi Statue at Nallajerla
During a day’s visit to West Godavari district on Thursday, December 27, Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be unveiling a Mahatma Gandhi statue and interacting with AKRG Engineering College students at Nallajerla in the morning and taking part in the anniversary celebrations of the State Private Medical Practitioners’ Association at Tadepalligudem in the afternoon.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Summary trial and swift punishment will ward off crimes against women: Lok Satta
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayapraksh Narayan today suggested that India emulate Singapore's system of summary trial of persons guilty of misbehavior towards women and award of caning as a punishment.
Such certain and swift punishment will ward off bigger crimes like rape, Dr. JP told a media conference here today.
Dr. JP said he wholeheartedly welcomed the Prime Minister's initiative in appointing a committee headed by Justice J. S. Varma to suggest changes in laws to prevent atrocities against women and added the Lok Satta Party would offer its suggestions to the committee.
Dr. JP said adoption of stringent laws is necessary but not enough. As of today, there is a huge shortage of judges all over the country. India has only one judge for every lakh of population. The global norm is five judges per one lakh, and many developed countries have over ten judges for one lakh people.
Although Parliament enacted the Grameena Nyayalaya Act three years ago and allocated funds for constitution of local courts, not a single court has so far been formed in Andhra Pradesh. As one of the architects of the Act, Dr. JP recalled, he had repeatedly represented in vain to successive Chief Ministers and Law Ministers for constitution of local courts. Such courts should be constituted at the rate of one for every 50,000 people in both urban and rural areas to expedite delivery of justice. If such courts are enabled to punish the guilty in cases of misbehavior towards women within a week, bigger crimes like rape and murder can be prevented.
Dr. JP said that one of the primary duties of a Government is providing security to people. Andhra Pradesh's boast of having an annual budget of nearly Rs.147000 crore sounds hollow if the Government cannot ensure security of people.
Dr. JP strongly condemned attempts of ruling party politicians to pack cooperative societies with their followers with a view to taking control of them. Lakhs of people who have nothing to do with the cooperatives are being enrolled as members these days on the eve of elections to them.
Dr. JP recalled that at the Lok Satta initiative, the 97th Constitution Amendment Bill has provided for autonomy to cooperatives. Dr JP was closely involved in enacting the Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies Act of 1995 and getting it upheld by the High Court and the Supreme Court when the State Government sought to dilute it in respect of dairy cooperatives.
Dr. JP demanded that the Cooperative Societies Act of 1964 be overhauled to ensure that only those who derive services from a cooperative are eligible to become its members and that they be conferred voting right only one year after becoming members. For instance, a person who makes a deposit of say Rs.5000 should be eligible to become a member of a primary agricultural cooperative, a milk supplier a member of a milk cooperative and a cane supplier a member of a sugarcane growers' cooperative. Otherwise, cooperatives become the fiefdoms of those in power to whichever party they may belong.
Replying to a question on the all-party meeting in New Delhi on the demand for Telangana State, Dr. JP said he would like the Government of India to hammer out a comprehensive and permanent solution that safeguards the interests of people in all regions. The Union Government and political parties have played with the feelings and future of Andhra Pradesh people for long. It is time the Union Government seriously and sincerely tried to work out a solution. Dr JP reiterated Loksatta’s known stand that a cordial and comprehensive solution should be achieved immediately, and Lok Satta whole-heartedly welcomes formation of Telangana as a part of such a solution. He hoped the all-party meeting was not merely a ploy to placate Telangana Congress Members of Parliament for voting in favor of FDI entry into multi-brand retail.
Dr.JP extended his greetings to Christians all over the country on the eve of X-Mas.
Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao, Mrs. Hyma Praveen and Ms. Manasa Mahati took part in the media conference.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Dr. JP calls for changes in law to prevent crimes against women
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has called for changes in law to provide for certain, swift and exemplary punishment of the guilty in cases of atrocities against women.
In a media statement, Dr. JP said that the national outrage against the rape of a para-medical student in New Delhi is natural and that a solution to the problem does not lie in lathi-charging protesters. The Delhi incidents mirror the failure of our system.
Dr. JP said that along with changes in law, community policing should be introduced in urban areas to prevent harassment of women. Boys should be trained to treat girls as their equals.
The Lok Satta Party in consultation with women leaders and legal experts draw up a specific and practicable plan to prevent crimes against women and submit it to the Government. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister should initiate measures to infuse confidence in girls and parents, Dr. JP added.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
It is a vote for stability and competent delivery, says Lok Satta
It is a vote for competent governance, effective service delivery and stability in government, said Lok Satta Party National President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, commenting on the victory of the BJP in Gujarat and the Congress in Himachal Pradesh.
In a media statement issued here today, Dr. JP said the elections once again highlighted the brighter aspects of the working of democracy in India like free and fair franchise and peaceful transfer of power.
Dr. JP said the BJP’s return to office for the fifth time since 1995 and third time under Mr. Narendra Modi’s leadership is a noteworthy development. Mr. Narendra Modi has created for himself and the party a positive vote, reversing anti-incumbency trends. His secret of success lies in providing competent governance, ensuring effective service delivery and developing infrastructure. To cite just one instance, the Gujarat Government has succeeded in ensuring 24-hour power supply to villages and supplying power to agriculture at Rs.800 per hp or 50 paise a unit. People have demonstrated that they want good infrastructure, economic growth and incomes, not short term benefits alone.
Dr. JP underlined that the Gujarat election outcome should not be construed as a vote for either communal polarization or politics of populism. That people repose faith in politics of rapid economic growth and development is highlighted by the rise of Mr. Nitish Kumar in Bihar also. Himachal Pradesh is a state where both Congress and BJP have done a commendable job over the years in ensuring good infrastructure, education and healthcare in a difficult terrain. All three states symbolize the aspiration of people, especially youth and women, for a prosperous India with better opportunities for the next generation. People clearly are hungry for stability and competence.
Dr. JP pointed that India is going through troubled times because of economic uncertainty, political volatility, mindless populism, poor infrastructure and low quality education and skills. It is time the people transcended their differences rooted in caste, religion, region and language and worked shoulder to shoulder to ensure inclusive economic growth and opportunities to every young person for a better life.
Lok Satta Times December 16th-31st, 2012
Lok Satta Times December 16th-31st, 2012 can be downloaded from the following link.
http://www.loksatta.org/cms/documents/lstimes/lstimes-2012-12-16-31.pdf
http://www.loksatta.org/cms/documents/lstimes/lstimes-2012-12-16-31.pdf
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Lok Satta calls upon youth to transform politics
Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma today called upon youth to realize their dreams and aspirations as part of the country's development.
Mr. Varma said India is blessed in many ways: Youth in the 18-35 age group account for 40 percent of the country's population; the country has immense natural and human resources and excellent climate. Yet, poverty, destitution and unemployment continue to be the country's banes, notwithstanding progress in many directions.
Mr. Varma traced the present crisis in the country to the rot in politics and asked youth to strive to transform politics even as they excel in their chosen field.
Mr. Varma was addressing media after releasing the booklet "Randi .. Rajakiyalloki', a call to enter politics by Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan. Mr. Suresh Veluguri, a senior journalist, authored the booklet epitomizing Dr. JP's political philosophy and his counsel to youth.
Mr. Varma advised the youth not to hate politics since the remedy to bad politics lies in good politics. People of the older generation can build only a platform for the youth to realize their ambitions. The youth have to leap onto the platform and utilize it to transform politics.
Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao, Lok Satta Party State Secretary and Mr. M. Satyanarayana, President of the party's Greater Hyderabad unit, and the author Suresh called upon youth to shoulder leadership responsibilities.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Dr. JP visiting Srikakulam
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be addressing students of the Gurajada group of educational institutions in Srikakulam on Tuesday, December 11.
The occasion is the valedictory of the photo exhibition and blood donation camp organized by the educational group’s Gurajada Youth for Society.
The society has organized the exhibition to showcase development in Srikakulam district.
Dr. JP will also be interacting with Lok Satta leaders and activists during his one-day visit to Srikakulam.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Reform but not deride politics for achieving Surajya: Dr. JP
Surajya Movement Convener Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan counseled people to strive to reform politics instead of blaming, hating and deriding politicians. The ultimate responsibility for the present pathetic state of affairs rests with voters and not the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister or law makers all of whom they elect.
Addressing a large gathering after calling off his three-day Jana Chaitnaya Nirahara Deeksha at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park here, Dr. JP said the Steering Committee of the Surajya Movement conceived the deeksha not as a protest against either the Government or political parties but as a means to educate and enlighten people on a few basic demands. Dr. JP sipped coconut water offered by Mr. Chukka Ramaiah to mark the ending of the fast and the beginning of a widespread movement for good governance.
Dr. JP said that problems in a vast country like India with 120 crore people belonging to diverse religions and castes and speaking scores of languages cannot be resolved with a magic wand. Corruption, for instance, cannot be eradicated by locking up the corrupt in a room and shooting them down.
Dr. JP, who is also national President of the Lok Satta Party, expressed happiness over leaders of all political parties and organizations expressing their support to and solidarity with the movement.
The very fact that he and others had to go on a fast underlines the failure of the political system in India. “We claim we are a vibrant democracy, comparing ourselves to China. But democracy does not lie merely in having freedom of speech and regular elections. We cannot claim we are a democracy so long as we do not empower people to address their problems at the local level as in China. In India, people cannot get even basic services without greasing the palms of officials or exerting pressure through elected representatives.” That is why the Surajya Movement seeks devolution of 10 percent of the State’s 1.5 lakh crore annual budget on village panchayats and municipal wards.
The other demands of the Surajaya Movement are institution of a strong Lokayukta at the State level, provision of quality education and healthcare to all, guaranteeing basic services to citizens as a matter of their right and replacement of the present first-past-the-post representation system by a proportional system.
Dr. JP pointed out that the present electoral system spawned a host of evils like vote buying, liquor distribution, offer of freebies and appeals to people’s primordial loyalties since the difference of a few votes makes all the difference between victory and defeat. One cannot hope to win an election unless one buys votes, although vote buying does not necessarily guarantee one’s victory.
Dr. JP underlined that people can achieve these demands if they fight together transcending party lines. He was glad that Surjya message has reached hundreds of thousands of people throughout the State because of the three-day deeksha.
Dr. advised the youth to spare at least four days in a year to spread the Surajya message and address people’s problems at the local level.
Representatives of various political parties and organizations lauded Dr. JP for bringing all of them onto a single platform and pledged to work for Surajya goals.
Among those who addressed the Surajya meeting today were: State Congress President Botsa Satyanarayana, BJP leaders Kishen Reddy and Bandaru Dattatreya, Mr. Chukka Ramaiah , Prof. K. Nageshwar, Mr. Jupudi Prabhakar Rao (YSR CP) and Mr. Dileep Kumar (TVS), all MLCs, CPI leader Chada Venkata Reddy, CPM leader Krishnaiah, TVS leade K. Dilip, TRS leader Shravan, Tripurana Venkataratnam, Aam Aadmi Party leaders, movie director Rajamouli, Tammareddi Bharadhwaz, Farmers’ Association leaders Balaram Reddy, Hanumanthu Reddy and representatives of many civil society organizations.
Mr. Kartik Chandra and P. Shivaji administered the Surajya pledge to the large gathering which included students and youth. Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao, Coordinator of the deeksha, proposed a vote of thanks.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Surajya Movement seeks to realize Dr. Ambedkar’s dreams: Dr. JP
We will be paying a real tribute to Baba Saheb B. R. Ambedkar only when we provide quality education to all irrespective of the accident of their birth in a particular caste or religion, said Surajya Movement Convener Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.
Dr. JP was addressing a large gathering of students and youth on the second day of the Jana Chaitnya Deeksha launched by the Steering Committee of the Surajya Movement at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park.
Speaking after garlanding a portrait of Dr. Ambedkar on his death anniversary, Dr. JP said the architect of the Indian Constitution visualized caste barriers breaking down and everyone becoming self-reliant once every child is provided quality education. We have dashed Dr. Ambedkar’s dreams going by an OECD survey of educational standards of 15-year-old students in 74 countries. India is ranked as the 73rd and China as the first among the countries. Although the Government spends Rs.18,000 per student per year on school education, their standards are abysmally poor. Education in private schools is no better although even poor parents spend a disproportionate amount of their incomes on admitting their wards in them. Education should enable every student to compete with the son of a Collector or the daughter of a Minister in real life. Eighty percent of students who come out of colleges are unemployable.
One of the aims of the Surajya Movement is provision of good education to everyone, Dr. JP pointed out and added that politicians would buy votes or shower sops but not talk about quality education during electioneering.
The Surajya Movement would like to see citizens get basic services as a matter of right. Citizens should be compensated if there is delay in provision of services in the stipulated period and the guilty officials penalized. It wants a strong and independent Lokayukta at the State level to eradicate corruption and devolution of 10 percent of the State budget to village panchayats and municipal wards. In a State which has an annual budget of Rs.1.5 lakh crore, allocation of Rs.15,000 crore to local governments is not a big deal. Citizens need not run after legislators and officials for basic needs like drinking water and street lighting if they there is devolution of funds on local governments.
As on the first day, people from diverse walks of life and leaders of various political parties visited the camp and pledged their support to the Surajya Movement.
Addressing the gathering Mr. K. Taraka Ramarao (KTR), MLA of the TRS, said ideological differences should not prevent people from fighting shoulder to shoulder on basic issues which have a bearing on people’s welfare. He lauded Dr. JP for his ‘wonderful work’ in bringing leaders of different parties onto the Surajya platform to fight for certain core demands.
KTR recalled that he had taken part in the Surajya Movement the day it was launched on August 9, because he subscribed to its demands. The educated should take part in politics because politics and government affected every aspect of citizens’ life. He endorsed the demand for electoral reforms and decentralization of powers.
KTR expressed the hope that Dr. JP would support the Telangana demand at the all-party meeting g convened by the Union Home Minister for December 28 since it is in pursuance of decentralization of power.
Dr. N. Tulasi Reddy, Congress party spokesman and Chairman of the 20-Point Implementation Committee, commended Dr. JP for launching a movement to awaken the public.
CPI (M) leader Mr. YV Rao, Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Janaki Ram, Corporators from Kukatpally Assembly Constituency came and expressed their whole-hearted support to Surajya Deeksha.
Leaders of journalists – Devulapalli Amar, K. Srinivasa Reddy and A. Somasundaram – pledged journalists’ support to the Surajya Movement.
Among others who expressed their solidarity with the movement were Tripuraneni Hanumana Chowdary (Pragna Bharati), Shetkari Sanghatana, AP Representative Venkata Reddy, State Coordinator of ‘Khaza’ Premkumar, State Coordinator of Jai Bharath Loknath, Swadesh Jagaran Manch leader Narasimha Naidu, Samata Hizra Rights United Forum leader Vijaya Kumar, India Against Corruption representatives Hanumanthu Yadav, Rajesh, Citizen Activist from Chennai Satya Prasad, Youth benevolent Jampanna, I-Focus Representatives.
Messrs Karthik Chandra, Hyma Praveen, K.Srinivasa Reddy, D.Somasundar, Solipeta Ramachandra Reddy, Chennamaneni Rajeswara Rao, DVVS Varma, Kaki Madhava Rao, S.Manorama, P.Annapurna, MVS Raju, Prof. Anwar Khan, Dr. Rao Chelikani, Ramakrishnam Raju, Saroja and Vardhani joined Dr. JP in his fast on the second day.
Singers Vangapandu Prasada Rao and Srikant and their teams rendered patriotic and Surajya songs.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
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