Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Loksatta Party State Working Committee Meeting On July 1st and 2nd

Loksatta Party State Working Committee Meeting On July 1st and 2nd

Loksatta Party State Working Committee Meeting On July 1st and 2nd

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 05:08 AM PDT

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

“Spare students from agony: Lok Satta (Telugu)” plus 3 more

“Spare students from agony: Lok Satta (Telugu)” plus 3 more

Spare students from agony: Lok Satta (Telugu)

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 09:10 AM PDT

Spare students from agony: Lok Satta

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 09:06 AM PDT


The Lok Satta Party has asked the State Government to clear all tuition fee reimbursement and scholarship dues and spare students from further avoidable agony.

Party leaders Eeda Chennayya and P. Hanumantha Rao said in a statement that no deserving student should be denied access to higher education because of his/her inability to afford it.

They wanted the Government to act with foresight and prevent such situations from arising in future.

Lok Satta gains strength in Tamil Nadu (Telugu)

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 05:17 AM PDT

Lok Satta gains strength in Tamil Nadu

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 05:16 AM PDT


The Makkal Shakthi Katchi (meaning party of people's power) has decided to function as the Lok Satta Party unit in Tamil Nadu.

An eight-member delegation, comprising members of the party's Steering Committee, called on Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan at the Lok Satta Party headquarters here and discussed modalities for taking the party forward.

Most of the one-year-old Makkal Shakthi Katchi members had been active in Makkal Shakthi Iyakkam founded by Mr. Udaya Murthy in 1988. They came out of the movement and founded the political party. They even contested in three by-elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly in the last one year.

The delegation comprised Messrs Senthil Arumugam, Prabhakar, Uday Kumar, Shiva Shankar, Shiva Ilango, Satish, Stayaraj and Mohan.

According to Mr. Senthil, the Makkal Shakthi Katchi will hereafter be the Lok Satta's Tamil Nadu unit.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Implement third phase of Krishna water scheme To solve city’s drinking water problem: Dr. JP

Implement third phase of Krishna water scheme To solve city’s drinking water problem: Dr. JP

Implement third phase of Krishna water scheme To solve city’s drinking water problem: Dr. JP

Posted: 27 Jun 2010 08:51 AM PDT


Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today asked the Chief Minister to take up the third phase of the Krishna drinking water scheme to quench the thirst of citizens in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area. "Please do not stand on false prestige and persist with costly and time-consuming plans like bringing water from River Godavari to Hyderabad."

In a media statement, Dr. JP recalled that Hyderabad City has already been drawing 11 TMC ft of water from the Nagarjunasagar reservoir across the Krishna and supplying 180 million gallons a day (mgd) to its citizens. The scheme, implemented in two phases, has brought great relief to the city. Implementation of the planned third phase at a cost of Rs.600 crore will facilitate the drawing of another 5.5 TMC ft. from Nagarjunasagar and supplying an additional 90 mgd to the city.

The drying up of Osman Sagar, one of the main drinking water sources of Hyderabad, this year has deprived the citizens of 15 mgd of drinking water for the last few weeks. Had the Government not abandoned the third phase of the Krishna scheme, the citizens would have been spared avoidable agony.

Dr. JP said the Government could complete the Krishna drinking water scheme in less than two years and resolve the recurring drinking water problem in Greater Hyderabad at least for the next five years. Hyderabad would not go through the pangs of a drinking water crisis even during a worst drought year because there is always 180 TMC ft of water as dead level storage at Nagarjunasagar.

In contrast, Dr. JP pointed out there is no reservoir across the Godavari from where the Government could tap water for supply to Hyderabad. The Godavari scheme involves lifting of water over great heights and its transmission over long distances. Costing Rs.3500 crore, it takes many years for completion. The Government has already spent a few hundred crores of rupees on the Godavari scheme in the last couple of years without a single drop of water percolating to the city.

Dr. JP hoped that Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, known for prudent fiscal management, would not throw good money after bad money. "Do not be misled by people who are pushing costly projects for personal gain and not out of consideration for the thirsty Hyderabad citizens," Dr. JP told Mr. Rosaiah.

Friday, June 25, 2010

“Lok Satta attacks irrational, arbitrary oil policy, Demands subsidy for public transportation (Telugu)” plus 3 more

“Lok Satta attacks irrational, arbitrary oil policy, Demands subsidy for public transportation (Telugu)” plus 3 more

Lok Satta attacks irrational, arbitrary oil policy, Demands subsidy for public transportation (Telugu)

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 04:55 AM PDT

Lok Satta Municipolls training classes begin tomorrow (Telugu)

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 04:54 AM PDT

Lok Satta attacks irrational, arbitrary oil policy, Demands subsidy for public transportation

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 04:51 AM PDT


Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today asked the Government of India to subsidize diesel consumption by public road transport systems and the Railways.

Commenting on the deregulation of petrol prices and a hike in diesel, kerosene and LPG prices, Dr. JP said that the public road transport systems consumed about 500 crore liters and the Railways about 250 crore liters of diesel a year. If the Government extended a subsidy of say Rs.10 per liter consumed by these two major transport systems, the burden on the exchequer would not exceed Rs.7500 crore, hardly 10 percent of the Rs, 74000 crore subsidy the Government is extending as of now.

Pointing out that the Government subsidy policy has been ad hoc, arbitrary and irrational, Dr. JP suggested provision of fixed subsidy on both kerosene and LPG. The Government could bring down kerosene consumption and the subsidy burden on it by supplying solar paneled LED lamps to the poor. It could promote mass transport by buses with excise duty relief.

He wanted the Government to promote public transport by extending diesel subsidy and by undertaking capital works in urban areas. Such a policy will minimize the burden on the common person and contribute to economic growth. The Government should realize that people go in for their own vehicles because the public transport system in India is in a shambles.

Dr. JP is communicating his ideas to the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the Oil and Gas Minister, and the Planning Commission.

Lok Satta Municipolls training classes begin tomorrow

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 04:51 AM PDT


The Lok Satta Party is organizing training classes for its district leaders to galvanize them for the municipal elections scheduled to take place soon.

Party senior leaders will be imparting the training for three days beginning tomorrow (June 26, 2010) at four places in the State – Hyderabad (for Telangana districts), Visakhapatnam (North Coastal Andhra including East Godavari) Ongole (South Coastal Andhra) and Tirupati (Rayalaseema districts).

Messrs G. Raja Reddy, P. Bhaskara Rao, and Karthik Chandra will be the master trainers in Hyderabad, D. V. V. S. Varma, Y. D. Rama Rao and Bhisetty Babji in Visakhapatnam, Katari Srinivsara Rao, P. Panduranga Rao and Madhav in Ongole and V. Vijayender Reddy, Bandaru Ramamohana Rao and Venkata Ramana in Tirupati.

The training will encompass preparation of ward manifestos with specific solutions to people's day-to-day problems, importance of promoting voting in local elections and campaign against unbridled liquor consumption.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

“Lok Satta to take fight against Corruption to Delhi: Dr. JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“Lok Satta to take fight against Corruption to Delhi: Dr. JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more

Lok Satta to take fight against Corruption to Delhi: Dr. JP (Telugu)

Posted: 24 Jun 2010 05:16 AM PDT

Lok Satta to take fight against Corruption to Delhi: Dr. JP

Posted: 24 Jun 2010 05:12 AM PDT


The Lok Satta Party will take the initiative to lead a delegation to the Prime Minister to demand a comprehensive amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Announcing this in a media statement, Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said that monumental and growing corruption in India has made it the laughing stock in the comity of nations. India cannot accomplish its dream of becoming a super power by ignoring the omnipresent and omnipotent corruption.

The immediate provocation for the Lok Satta initiative is the resignation by Justice Santosh Hegde as Karnataka Lokaykta protesting against the Karnataka Government's failure to honor its recommendations, reinstatement of officials suspended for corruption and harassment of Lokayukta employees for their role in ferreting out corruption.

Dr. JP spoke to Justice Santosh Hegde to express his solidarity with him even as a Karnataka Lok Satta Party delegation was to call on the Karnataka Governor to protest against its hostile attitude towards the highly respected institution.

"The resignation of Justice Hegde, a valiant fighter against corruption, eloquently testifies to Karnataka Government's moral bankruptcy," said Dr. JP. He recalled that Karnataka had been more fortunate than other States in that eminent jurists like Justice Venkatachala earlier and Justice Santosh Hegde until now, both Justices of the Supreme Court, had occupied the Lokayukta position. The previous Congress Government and the present BJP Government made the institution toothless by denying it powers, resources, and personnel. The situation in other States including Andhra Pradesh is much worse, said Dr. JP.

It is tragic that both the Union and State Governments are allowing corruption to flourish at a time the U. S. Government has successfully bent the Swiss banking giant to reveal the names of American tax dodgers who stashed away their black money with it.

The Lok Satta-led delegation to the Prime Minister will seek an amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act providing for the creation of a Lokpal /Rashtriya Lokayukta headed by a jurist of the rank of a former Chief Justice of India. It should have jurisdiction over the Central Vigilance Commission, the Central Bureau of Investigation and similar agencies and be armed with powers and resources to inquire into corruption indulged in by all Central Government officials and elected people's representatives barring the President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha Speaker, and the higher judiciary. Chief Ministers will, however, come under its purview.

The amendment will also provide for the creation of an empowered Lokayukta at the State level with jurisdiction over all anti corruption agencies including the Anti Corruption Bureau and the Vigilance Commission and authority to go into cases of corruption against all State Government employees and elected people's representatives other than the Chief Minister.

Both the Lokpal/Rashtriya Lokayukta at the national level and the Lokayukta at the State level will have powers to order seizure and confiscation of ill-gotten wealth pending an inquiry.

Dr. JP said that Justice Santosh Hegde's resignation should spur all right-thinking people to take corrective action before it is too late. Corruption further impoverishes the already poor people and hurts economic growth and investments. As a signatory to the International Convention against Corruption, India cannot hold its high so long as it adopts an amoral attitude to corruption.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

“Dr. JP wants hospitals rated (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“Dr. JP wants hospitals rated (Telugu)” plus 1 more

Dr. JP wants hospitals rated (Telugu)

Posted: 23 Jun 2010 05:53 AM PDT

Dr. JP wants hospitals rated

Posted: 23 Jun 2010 05:51 AM PDT


Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today underlined the need for the establishment of an independent agency to rate healthcare providers on the quality of their services.

Launching 'manahealthcare.com', a portal giving details of healthcare facilities in Hyderabad to begin with, Dr. JP said public, private and voluntary institutions have to work together to make quality healthcare available to all. He pointed out that 85 percent of healthcare providers in the U. S. are 'no-profit' entities.

Mere provision of healthcare services would not guarantee healthcare, said Dr. JP and referred to supply of contaminated drinking water even in upmarket localities like Banajara Hills and Jubilee Hills. How could you ensure good health without making available safe drinking water and eradicating mosquito menace even in Hyderabad, the 37th largest city in the world, he asked.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

“Lok Satta to keep off by-elections in Telangana (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“Lok Satta to keep off by-elections in Telangana (Telugu)” plus 1 more

Lok Satta to keep off by-elections in Telangana (Telugu)

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 04:11 AM PDT

Lok Satta to keep off by-elections in Telangana

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 04:10 AM PDT


"Set aside parties and vote for the best candidate among contestants in the by-elections to the Assembly in Telangana," the Lok Satta Party advised its party workers today.

The Lok Satta announced that it is not in the by-election race as the atmosphere is not conducive to spreading its thought-provoking ideology that takes care of the interests of all.

Talking to the media, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, V. Laxman Balaji and Bandaru Rammohan Rao said that the party, after wide-ranging consultations, had decided to keep off the elections for two reasons. One, the prevailing tense situation will not permit it promote a healthy debate on safeguarding the interests of all sections of the people. Second, engaged as it is in finding a solution acceptable to all it is not fair for the Lok Satta to contest to contest elections taking place precisely on the bifurcation issue.

Since all parties engaged in the by-elections are either whipping up regional animosities or spreading falsehoods, the Lok Satta would advise its supporters to transcend parties and opt for candidates with integrity, commitment, and record of service.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

“Lok Satta gearing up to fight Municipal elections (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“Lok Satta gearing up to fight Municipal elections (Telugu)” plus 1 more

Lok Satta gearing up to fight Municipal elections (Telugu)

Posted: 19 Jun 2010 09:28 AM PDT

Lok Satta gearing up to fight Municipal elections

Posted: 19 Jun 2010 09:21 AM PDT


The Lok Satta Party is getting ready to contest municipal elections whenever they are held, announced party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, V.Lakshman Balaji and V.Vijayender Reddy at a media conference here today.

The party will be organizing training classes for local leaders and prospective contestants from July 1 to 10 in 40 municipalities and eight municipal corporations in the first phase. The party is holding training classes for master trainers from June 25 to 27. State party leaders will train the master trainers belonging to Telangana districts in Hyderabad, Rayalaseema districts in Tirupati, South Coastal Andhra districts in Ongole and North Coastal Andhra districts including East Godavari in Visakhapatnam.

The party's main election plank is formation of ward governments. It will formulate ward manifestos and educate voters on the importance of exercising their franchise as a means to fashion their lives.

The party leaders hoped the Government would not defer the elections trotting out some excuse or the other, as some media reports hinted at, since it would be unconstitutional.

The Lok Satta leaders disclosed that the party had finalized its course of action after extensive discussions within the party on June 17 and 18.

The party decided to carry on its movement for restricting liquor consumption by joining hands with other political parties, NGOs and women's associations. It will carry on the campaign in a sustained manner in at least one mandal in each district.

On the implementation of the Right to Education Act, the party leaders said that party units are surveying the situation prevailing at the ground level. An action program will be drawn up once the party headquarters receives their reports by the month-end.

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