Friday, December 31, 2010

“India’s future will be bright in 2011 if it learns its lessons from 2010: Dr. JP (Telugu)” plus 7 more

“India’s future will be bright in 2011 if it learns its lessons from 2010: Dr. JP (Telugu)” plus 7 more


India’s future will be bright in 2011 if it learns its lessons from 2010: Dr. JP (Telugu)

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 05:14 AM PST

India’s future will be bright in 2011 if it learns its lessons from 2010: Dr. JP

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 05:13 AM PST

Year 2010 witnessed not merely a series of scandals but also India's economic resilience and the vitality of our constitutional organs, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.

Greeting people on eve of the New Year, Dr. JP said in a media statement that India could look forward to a bright future in the next decade if it learns the right lessons from past fiascos and takes remedial action.

Notwithstanding the 2 G spectrum scandal, the commonwealth Games fiasco, and serious allegations of corruption against the highest judiciary, the Indian economy withstood the global recession and registered remarkable growth, thanks to the dynamism of its people. In contrast, the Government squandered away priceless opportunities to undertake systemic reforms and catapult the nation into a higher growth trajectory. Against such a gloomy background, the judiciary in the Ayodhya case and the Comptroller and Auditor General in the 2 G scandal shone as beacons of light.

The first task before the nation in the year 2011 should be preserving, promoting, and strengthening the independence of all constitutional mechanisms. Constitution of a national judicial commission would go a long way in ensuring integrity among higher judiciary.

The Government should view the scandals that rocked the nation as an opportunity to unveil a policy under which all scarce natural resources are allocated on competitive bidding, without any scope for nepotism and corruption. The Government should constitute a powerful, independent anti corruption commission.

The Government should acknowledge the systemic crisis in agriculture and unshackle it from the license-permit raj to ensure better incomes for farmers.

It should impart skills to at least 10 million youth a year and enable them to find livelihood opportunities, and empower local governments.

Dr. JP said that all these goals are within our reach since we have the resources and technologies. The Government should have the will and determination to accomplish them.

Yuva Satta GHMC Committee (Telugu)

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 03:11 AM PST

Sarvajana Satta New Committee elected (Telugu)

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 03:11 AM PST

Yuva Satta GHMC Committee

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 03:15 AM PST

The following have been appointed members for the Committee of the Lok Satta affiliated 'Yuva Satta' GHMC unit.

Vice-Presidents: Ms.Krishna Priya, Mr.Hemanth, Gireesh, Siva Rama Krishna, Praveen Goud
General Secretaries: M. Kishore, Babu Anand, Vijay Kiran, Rachoori Raja Shekar, Srinivasa Varma
Secretaries: M. Mahender, Ravinder, Pavan (Sunny), Raja Manohar, Mahender

Sarvajana Satta New Committee elected

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 03:06 AM PST

The following have been elected state office bearers of 'Sarvajana Satta', a Lok Satta Party affiliate representing S.Cs, S.Ts,B.Cs and Minorities.

President: Eeda Chennaiah
Vice-Presidents: Balanna Dora, Md. Raffi, P.V Rao
General Secretary: C.Vinod Yadav
Secretaries: Bharani Venkatesh, Sudhakar Babu
Treasurer: Hanumantha Rao
Cultural Wing: Paata Srinu, M.Swamy
Working Committee Members: Dr.Ravi, K.S Babu, Chandrasekhar Yadav, Obulesu, Aarif, Vijaya Kumar
Council of Advisors: V.Yadagiri, K.Vijaya Lakshmi, Y. Rama Devi, A. Raghaviah, K.Omkar, Dr.P.R Rao, Jupally Satyanarayana

Loksatta Times - Dec 16th - 31st 2010

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 02:41 AM PST

Loksatta Times - Dec 16th - 31st 2010 can be downloaded from the below link.

http://www.loksatta.org/cms/documents/lstimes/december2.pdf

Tribunal verdict underlines need for diverting Godavari water to Krishna: Dr. JP

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 02:28 AM PST

The State Government has to focus its attention on diverting the Godavari water to the Krishna basin to meet the irrigation needs of people in Telangana and Rayalaseema districts and upland areas in some Coastal Andhra districts, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.

Commenting on the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal verdict, Dr. JP told the media that the State had forgone the golden opportunity of building projects to utilize the surplus waters in the Krishna to which it was entitled under the the Bachawat Tribunal verdict of 1976. Had not rulers and parties wasted precious 35 years in wrangling over petty matters for partisan gains, the State would have enjoyed the right of first use and received higher allocation under the Brajesh Kumar Tribunal verdict now.

Dr. JP appealed to all parties to act with tact and restraint and explore all legal options open to the State since the tribunal's verdict is akin to that of the Supreme Court. There is no point in indulging in blame-game at this stage. All of us together should do everything possible to protect the State's interests. "When India and Pakistan could resolve the Baglihar water dispute peacefully through an international arbitrator, States in the Krishna basin can certainly resolve all differences amicably", Dr JP said.

Dr. JP said the verdict had merely underlined the importance of going ahead with the diversion of the Godavari water to the Krishna basin. Earlier, the State had to share such diverted water with the other two riparian States, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Now that the tribunal has finally allocated all the available water in the Krishna, the State need not share the water it diverts from the Godavari to the Krishna at its own cost. "The State Government has to obtain a categorical undertaking from the tribunal that it need not share such diverted water with the other two States."

Dr. JP said the State stood to lose because the Brajesh Mishra Tribunal estimated the total available water for allocation by reducing the dependability from 75 percent to 65 percent. Similarly, the tribunal's permission to Karnataka to raise the Alamatti dam height would hurt State's interests, unless timely releases downstream are enforced.

Dr. JP wanted the Chief Minister to discuss the tribunal verdict with all political parties and irrigation experts and record its objections based on reasoned arguments.

He said the Government should request the tribunal to allocate water based on 75 percent dependability and data for 113 years and not on 65 percent dependability and data for 47 years.

The State should seek release of more water from the Alamatti dam during June – July as the 10 -15tmc ft stipulated by the tribunal is meager and does not serve its kharif crop requirements.

It should press for constitution of an independent Krishna river control authority to ensure that the upstream States do not utilize more water, and timely releases to AP are guaranteed.

Since Karnataka maintains it is raising the Alamatti dam height for hydroelectric purposes, Andhra Pradesh should strive to get part of its share of Krishna water from Alamatti itself so that it can supply drinking water by gravity flow to certain areas in the State. A suitable bipartisan agreement between the two States would be in our interest.

Replying to a question on the Srikrishna Committee on the demands for and against the State's bifurcation, Dr. JP hoped political parties and people would react with restraint and maturity once the report is out. A satisfactory solution can be found to the vexed problem if there is fair and firm leadership at the national level. Both groups should be willing to adopt a give-and-take approach. In a democracy, there cannot be winners and losers – all have to gain together. Under any circumstances, the Government of India should not drag the issue for political gain, and a finality should be given to the issue within three months

In reply to another query, he said the Government might have deployed additional police personnel to assure the people that neither life nor economy would be allowed to be paralyzed.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

“Dr.JP On Krishna Tribunal Draft Judgement” plus 1 more

“Dr.JP On Krishna Tribunal Draft Judgement” plus 1 more


Dr.JP On Krishna Tribunal Draft Judgement

Posted: 30 Dec 2010 06:56 AM PST



Dr.JP Condoles For Kannabhiran's Death

Posted: 30 Dec 2010 06:53 AM PST

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

“Scandals provide an opportunity to Fight against corruption: Dr. JP” plus 1 more

“Scandals provide an opportunity to Fight against corruption: Dr. JP” plus 1 more


Scandals provide an opportunity to Fight against corruption: Dr. JP

Posted: 29 Dec 2010 06:37 AM PST

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's offer to appear before the Public Accounts Committee on the 2 G spectrum scandal, and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's call at the Congress plenary for competitive bidding for allocation of natural resources are welcome developments, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.

Addressing representatives of student organizations who have come forward to fight against corruption under the leadership of Youth for Better India, Dr. JP said students and youth should view the scandals over 2 G spectrum allocation and Commonwealth Games and allegations against Supreme Court judges as an opportunity to fight against corruption. The Lok Satta Party campaign against the 2 G spectrum scandal has yielded good results.

Dr. JP underlined that corruption reared its ugly head not because Indians are more corrupt but because of institutional loopholes. If the Government puts in place mechanisms to ensure that the corrupt will lose much more than what they have earned through illicit means, corruption will come under control.

Dr. JP called upon the youth to focus on issues plaguing people in general and not get sucked into sectarian movements revolving round caste, religion etc. As responsible citizens, they should concern themselves with politics, whether they joined any political party or not.

The student organizations pledged themselves to fight for an amendment of the Prevention of Corruption Act as suggested by the Lok Satta Party, and constitution of an anti corruption commission at the national level and special courts to try the corrupt.

Student Organizations Support Lok Satta 'Anti-Corruption Fight'

Posted: 29 Dec 2010 05:10 AM PST


Tuesday, December 28, 2010

“Time ripe for Lok Satta’s growth: Dr. JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“Time ripe for Lok Satta’s growth: Dr. JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more


Time ripe for Lok Satta’s growth: Dr. JP (Telugu)

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 03:51 AM PST

Time ripe for Lok Satta’s growth: Dr. JP

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 03:50 AM PST

The growth prospects of the Lok Satta Party are bright because of its adherence to certain values and policies, said its party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today. Parties bereft of values and policies, despite of their money and muscle power are disintegrating in front of our eyes, Dr. JP told a meeting of party leaders in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

Dr. JP referred to the flux in all political parties right from the village level and said the Lok Satta had to utilize the opportunity to attract more people and strengthen itself at the grassroots.

Dr. JP said that although the Lok Satta enjoyed credibility and popularity all over, it could not make the grade in elections because of organizational weakness. The party should grow from the village level onwards in the next three years and a half and face the 2014 general elections.

The Lok Satta Party, he underlined, does not view any party as untouchable and is prepared to work with all on the basis of broad policies. The time is not ripe for broaching electoral alliances, he added.

Dr. JP suggested that the party mobilize people on issues like eradication of corruption, empowerment of local governments and plight of villagers.

Mr. D. V. V. S. Varma, party Working President, took part in the meeting.

Monday, December 27, 2010

“Lok Satta Pays Tribute to Farmers' Veteran Leader Y.V.Krishna Rao” plus 2 more

“Lok Satta Pays Tribute to Farmers' Veteran Leader Y.V.Krishna Rao” plus 2 more


Lok Satta Pays Tribute to Farmers' Veteran Leader Y.V.Krishna Rao

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 03:48 AM PST

Dr. JP calls for quick appeal hearing of Dr. Binayak Sen's sentence (Telugu)

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 03:46 AM PST

Dr. JP calls for quick appeal hearing of Dr. Binayak Sen's sentence

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 03:45 AM PST

Lok Satta Party today said that the life sentence meted out by a Chhatisgarh court to Dr Binayak Sen has exposed some of the weaknesses in the country's justice system, and called upon the higher judiciary to rapidly take up the case on appeal.

In a statement issued today Dr Jayaprakash Narayan, Lok Satta Party's National President, said that "In any democracy, the liberty of citizens is among the most cherished rights, next only to life itself. Therefore, the State must exercise great caution before depriving someone of this right, ensuring that only those who are truly a threat to the nation are incarcerated. In Dr Sen's case, there appears to be plenty of doubt whether he poses any such threat."

"In most people's eyes," noted Dr. JP, "equating Dr Sen's humanitarian actions with acts of sedition or violence by Maoists are patently untenable given the doctor's stellar record of service to the poor, and the equally indefensible record of governments in strong-arming those who opposed its policies and actions."

Dr JP acknowledged that Chhatisgarh, like any other State, has a responsibility to take action against individuals who are a threat to public good, but in doing so it must not only act fairly, but also be seen as acting fairly. In Dr Sen's case, this second test has not been successfully passed by the court that convicted him, and this is the reason why there is so much anguish over the judgment.

"The wide-spread dissatisfaction with the court's verdict among human rights and welfare organisations in India and even around the world must be taken to heart. This outpouring of support for Dr Sen must give us pause to ask if the verdict may have overlooked something. It is no small feat for any individual to win the hearts and minds of so many different groups, across the country, over many decades. And history has repeatedly shown that people who earn such trust and respect are often on the side of justice, no matter what their governments might like the public to believe."

"In India," he added, "we live under a system of law in which the courts too play an important role in safeguarding rights. The higher courts must now quickly step in to review Dr Sen's conviction, and carry out a trial which is of a much higher standard, and also seen to be so. The world's largest democracy has a responsibility to strive to also lead the world in the quality of its system of justice.