Monday, February 28, 2011

Pranab Mukherjee failed to usher in much needed reforms: Dr. JP

Pranab Mukherjee failed to usher in much needed reforms: Dr. JP

Pranab Mukherjee failed to usher in much needed reforms: Dr. JP

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 07:43 AM PST

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee confined himself to jugglery with statistics and allowed the golden opportunity to usher in basic reforms in the economy, charged Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.

Addressing media on the Union budget, Dr. JP said the budget was eloquently silent on strengthening the rural economy through making farming remunerative, providing livelihood opportunities to the youth, improving urban infrastructure, empowering local governments, providing better health care and education facilities and attaining fuel security.

Since Government revenues are satisfactory and there are no impending electoral compulsions, the Finance Minister ought to have reviewed the economic reforms initiated two decades ago, and introspected why farmers continued to end their lives and people opposed location of industries like a thermal power plant in Srikakulam district.

Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma and leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, N. Sarojadevi and Prof. D. Vishnu Murthy took part in the media conference.

Dr. JP said that although the Finance Minister dwelt at length on farming, he did not outline any measures to improve farmers' incomes, which continue to be one-seventh of their urban counterparts.

The Government viewed farmers as raw material producing machines and not as human beings in flesh and blood entitled to decent living. It has failed to liberate the farm sector from the license-permit raj 20 years after it initiated economic reforms.

The move to set apart Rs.500 crore towards enhancement of skills of youth translates into an allocation of Rs.50 or Rs.60 per head in a country with millions of unemployed youth. The Union Government could have earmarked one-third of Rs.3,50,000 crore it proposes to devolve on States, to local governments and helped them address local problems. The Government, which spent Rs.40,000 crore on the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, could have allocated Rs.100 crore to each of the 180 backward districts in the country.

Dr. JP accused the Government of trying to ruin agriculture further by promising food security to all even as it concedes corruption and leakages in the public distribution system.

The Government did not outline any measures to promote production and use of bio fuels to reduce dependence on oil imports.

Dr. JP condemned police firing at Vadditandra in Srikakulam district on people protesting against the setting up of a thermal power plant. A three-member Lok Satta Party comprising Mr. Bhisetty Babji, Mr. Poli Naidu and Prof. Vishnu Murthy will visit the village on a fact-finding mission.

Dr. JP demanded the publication of a white paper on the Government policy on thermal power plants. Allowing thermal power plants to sprout like mushrooms without reference to the State's requirements is unwarranted and harmful, Dr. JP warned. He also demanded reforms in the land acquisition policy to ensure justice to the dispossessed.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

MLC candidates enjoying Lok Satta backing (Telugu)

MLC candidates enjoying Lok Satta backing (Telugu)

MLC candidates enjoying Lok Satta backing (Telugu)

Posted: 26 Feb 2011 06:41 PM PST

Saturday, February 26, 2011

MLC candidates enjoying Lok Satta backing

MLC candidates enjoying Lok Satta backing

MLC candidates enjoying Lok Satta backing

Posted: 26 Feb 2011 05:46 AM PST

The Lok Satta today announced that it would support the following candidates contesting to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council in March from graduates' and teachers' constituencies:

Graduates' constituencies: Mr. M. V. S. Sarma (Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam), Mr. Srinivasa Reddy (Prakasam, Nellore and Chittoor) and Mr. G. Eswaraiah (Kadapa, Anantapur and Kurnool).

Teachers' constituencies: Mr. P. Subba Reddy (Kadapa, Anantapur and Kunrool), Mr. V. Balasubrahmanyam (Prakasam, Nellore and Chittoor) and Mr. N. Srivardhan Reddy (Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Mahabubnagar).

Releasing the list, Lok Satta Party Working President appealed to party workers and supporters to work for the victory of the candidates being supported by the party.

Friday, February 25, 2011

“Railway budget overlooks AP’s Demands: Lok Satta (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“Railway budget overlooks AP’s Demands: Lok Satta (Telugu)” plus 1 more

Railway budget overlooks AP’s Demands: Lok Satta (Telugu)

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 04:01 AM PST

Railway budget overlooks AP’s Demands: Lok Satta

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 04:00 AM PST

The Lok Satta Party said that the Union Railway budget overlooked many of the demands of Andhra Pradesh.

In a media statement, party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma and Secretary Bandaru Ramamohan Rao pointed out that the budget, lacking in vision, sought to maintain the status quo.

It would take more than 100 years to realize the goal of building 25000 km of new railway lines by2020 if allocations for new lines continued as at present. The budget is silent on building of six high-speed corridors, development of ten stations to international standards and taking of new lines like Nadikudi-Srikalahasti and Bhadrachalam-Kovvur jointly with the State Government – all announced in the last budget.

The Lok Satta leaders recalled that cargo movement by railways has plummeted to 20 percent now from the 80 percent during the early years of Independence and contributed to high costs of cargo movement by road. A solution to the problem lies in building new railway lines in association with the private sector. Instead of discharging its primary responsibility of expanding the railway network , the railways is seeking to shoulder unwarranted tasks of generating power, building coaches and constructing houses.

The Lok Satta leaders said decentralization of railways, greater role for States, and promotion of public private partnerships would facilitate development of railways on the lines of ports and airports.

They welcomed allocation of funds for the second phase of MMTS in Hyderabad, reduction in reservation charges, scholarships to children of weaker section railway employees and taking up of projects in north eastern States.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Dr.JP Tribute to Mullapudi

Dr.JP Tribute to Mullapudi

Dr.JP Tribute to Mullapudi

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 02:36 AM PST

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

“State budget ignores burning problems: Dr.JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“State budget ignores burning problems: Dr.JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more

State budget ignores burning problems: Dr.JP (Telugu)

Posted: 23 Feb 2011 07:32 AM PST

State budget ignores burning problems: Dr.JP

Posted: 23 Feb 2011 07:22 AM PST

The Andhra Pradesh Government, which has budgeted to spend Rs.352crore a day or Rs.15 crore an hour during 2011-12, lacks direction in that it has ignored key areas which are crying for attention, commented Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.

Addressing media on the State Government's budget presented in the Assembly on February23, Dr. JP said the budget failed to touch upon measures to increase farmers' incomes, provide livelihood opportunities to youth, establish a gas grid to accelerate industrialization, improve infrastructure in the capital city, and devolve resources and powers on local governments. The budget envisages a per capita debt of Rs.20000, and liquor as the mainstay of State's revenue.

Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma and leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and P. Ravi Maruth took part in the media meet.

Dr. JP pointed out that the Government which raised its revenue from liquor in a mission mode by 54 percent in the last two years is indulging in hollow promises on eradicating poverty. Although the food grain production this year is expected to be 190 lakh tons compared to 156 lakh tons last year, the Government would not allow farmers to market their produce wherever they want. Although the State stands No.1 in horticultural production, the Government would not allocate adequate funds to promote storage, processing, and marketing in the interest of farmers and consumers.

Dr. JP said that by spending Rs.2500 crore a year on imparting skills to 10 lakh youth, the Government could have provided them livelihood opportunities. Yet the budget is silent on such a scheme.

Although agitations on regional disparities are rocking the State, the budget does not talk of decentralization of powers. A per capita allocation of Rs.1000 to local governments, costing Rs.8000 crore to the State exchequer, would have helped people address many of their problems.

Dr. JP said that although the State capital with a population of more than one crore is suffering from drinking water and drainage problems, the Government has not focused on them. Instead of taking up the third phase of the Krishna water scheme to quench Hyderabad's thirst, the Government is squandering precious resources on unviable schemes in the name of Jalayagnam.

Dr. JP said that the budget is silent on developing a gas grid to give a fillip to industrialization. A small State like Gujarat recently attracted investment proposals worth Rs,15 lakh crore whereas our Government is boasting of having attracted investments of Rs.17000 crore in five years.

Dr. JP congratulated Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy on limiting the deficit to 2.6 percent of the State's GDP and successfully introducing the budget in the backdrop of the developments in the State in the last few days.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

“Godhra verdict testifies to judiciary’s Independence: Dr. JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“Godhra verdict testifies to judiciary’s Independence: Dr. JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more

Godhra verdict testifies to judiciary’s Independence: Dr. JP (Telugu)

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 04:27 AM PST

Godhra verdict testifies to judiciary’s Independence: Dr. JP

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 04:26 AM PST

That the Indian judiciary remains independent and impartial and provides an opportunity to everyone to prove his innocence is exemplified by the special court's verdict in the Godhra case, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today in a media statement.

The verdict, which took nine years to be pronounced as in the Rajiv assassination case, at the same time highlighted the deficiencies in the judicial system and the need for reforms to ensure swift justice to victims and punishment to criminals.

He said that criminals should be looked at as mere criminals and not as belonging to a particular religion or caste or region. The Government should ensure such atrocities do not recur.

Monday, February 21, 2011

“False Accusations cannot Hide Hard Realities: Lok Satta (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“False Accusations cannot Hide Hard Realities: Lok Satta (Telugu)” plus 1 more

False Accusations cannot Hide Hard Realities: Lok Satta (Telugu)

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 09:53 AM PST

False Accusations cannot Hide Hard Realities: Lok Satta

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 09:50 AM PST

Senior Congress leader K. Kesava Rao has merely betrayed his ignorance and political bankruptcy by supporting those who physically attacked Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan on the legislature premises on February 17 and leveled scurrilous charges against him shamelessly, said the Lok Satta Party here today.

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma, and leaders Bandaru Ramamohan Rao and V. Vijaeyender Reddy said that Mr. Kesava Rao feigned ignorance of the fact that the Lok Satta since its inception as an NGO has been fighting against the presence of criminal, corrupt and rowdy elements in legislatures. Dr. JP did not enter the Assembly to run away from such elements, they said. "Those who threw democratic traditions to winds have no moral right to mouth moral platitudes. People know that it is Dr. JP alone who has been espousing people's problems sincerely with reasoned arguments even as he upholds the dignity of the House and does not waste its precious time."

The Lok Satta leaders accused Mr. Kesava Rao of distorting Dr. JP's remarks. Dr. JP had said that India's first generation leaders disproved British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's dire prediction that Indians, if given freedom, would fight among themselves on the basis of caste and religion and region and language and people's lives would become miserable with taxes even on dal and salt. In contrast, Dr. JP said, present day politicians with their behavior seemed to be proving Winston Churchill right. Mr. Kesava Rao exposed his level of intelligence by commenting that even worms have intelligence in an allusion to Dr. JP. People are fully cognizant of the intellect and values of different leaders.

Dr.Kesava Rao is a senior functionary at the national level of the Congress party. If his expressed views are to the construed as the stance of the Congress party itself, then they would reveal the attitude of the party towards constitutional values and the fight against the scourge of corruption, they said.

The Lok Satta leaders said that elements like Mr. Kesava Rao, who have not bothered about Telangana people's problems, are falsely accusing the Lok Satta of not fighting for their cause. It was the Lok Satta Party alone which took the lead for deletion of Section 14 F from the Presidential Order on police recruitment, opposed diversion of the Godavari water to Hyderabad in the interests of Telangana people, advocated utilization of the entire Nagarjunasagar water for the benefit of Telangana and Rayalaseema, and sought empowerment of local governments and provision of quality education and health care to all and livelihood opportunities to the youth in Telangana. It was Dr. JP who got the cotton market yard at Siddipet which had remained closed for six months reopened and extended financial aid to Mallesam of Nawabpet who burnt away his paddy crop as he could not get it harvested.

A remedy to ailments in a democracy lies in strengthening democracy and rebuilding failed institutions and not in destroying them.

The Lok Satta leaders wanted the Government to go the immediate rescue of farmers of Adilabad, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts where unseasonal rains damaged crops like chilli, turmeric, bengal gram, maize, and mango.

Appeal to students

The Lok Satta Party leaders appealed to students not to disrupt their studies or indulge in violence even as they pursue their agitations. They expressed concern that children belonging to poor families were at the receiving end of police baton charges and firings and ruining their future even as agitation leaders safeguarded their properties and their children's future. Andhra Pradesh has become a festering sore as the two main political parties – the Congress and the TDP – adopted double standards in the two regions on the Telangana issue. They demanded a comprehensive debate on the issue in the legislature and its early resolution.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

“Dr.JP Condoles Death of Vanam Jhansi” plus 2 more

“Dr.JP Condoles Death of Vanam Jhansi” plus 2 more

Dr.JP Condoles Death of Vanam Jhansi

Posted: 19 Feb 2011 04:24 AM PST

Letter to DGP on Attacks on LSP (Telugu)

Posted: 19 Feb 2011 04:21 AM PST

Letter to DGP on Attacks on LSP

Posted: 19 Feb 2011 02:58 AM PST

The following is the text of representation that Lok Satta team led by Party Working President DVVS Varma submitted to DGP, seeking security cover to Lok Satta Party leaders and activists, immediately arresting all the culprits involved in the widespread attacks and pursuing necessary course of action...


To
Shri K. Aravinda Rao, IPS
Director General of Police (DGP), Andhra Pradesh
Lakdikapul, Hyderabad.

Sub: Attack on Dr. JP in Assembly - widespread attacks on Lok Satta Party members – need for urgent action, confidence building measures by the police – reg.


Dear Sir,

A heinous physical attack on Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan (Lok Satta Party President and Kukatpally MLA) on the morning of 17th of February, 2011 took place within the hallowed precincts of the Legislative Assembly itself. This was followed by widespread and brazen attacks on the Lok Satta activists in other parts of the State:

  • TRS activists attacked a totally peaceful demonstration that was being conducted against the attack on Dr. JP and in support of democracy and rule-of-law, in Siddipet (near Ambedkar Statue) on 17th February 2011 at around 3 PM. This demonstration-cum-rally was being led by LSP Medak District President Advocate Tummanpalli Srinivas. Several prominent and reputed citizens, Lok Satta members and activists and civil society representatives also took part. Notorious local goons having a history of previous offences repeatedly attacked this peaceful procession and mercilessly beat up T. Srinivas. Lok Satta leaders and members who tried to save Mr. Srinivas too were assaulted and consequently suffered injuries; these injured members included Mr. Nagesh (Siddpet constituency In charge), Mahesh (Siddipet town incharge), Shankaramma, Sharat, Srinivas and Ramachandra.

Some of the attackers were readily identified by everyone present: Mr. 'Karate' Krishna, husband of local Councillor Naveena (representing the Ambedkar Nagar and Balaji Nagar areas of Siddipet), Mr. 'Dolphin' Murali, and Mr. Nandu, all notorious and having previous record of violent behaviour and breaking the law. The entire assault was captured on video by the television channels present at the scene.

  • On the same day, Lok Satta Party activists were also attacked in Sangareddy (near Gandhi Statue), while they attempting to peacefully demonstrate against the attack on Dr. JP

  • Dozens of Lok Satta Party activists were also attacked in KPHB Colony on the 17th February, (at around 6 PM; at the Gandhi Statue, Road No.1, KPHB Colony) by TRS activists using sticks and stones, resulting in injuries to two volunteers.

  • Lok Satta Party workers were also attacked in broad daylight in Moti Nagar, of Hyderabad.

  • On the 18th of February, Lok Satta Party Ranga Reddy District Incharge Mr. Jangaiah Yadav and his colleagues were attacked in LB Nagar (in front of BSNL Office, Kotapet).

These continuing series of brazen, violent and condemnable physical attacks are threatening the very life and liberty, fundamental and political rights of Lok Satta Party activists. Put together, these incidents are assaults on democracy itself. They are attacks on constitutional and democratic values and freedom of expression. Despite all these blatant provocations, we have appealed to people not to react violently either in word or deed. We now urge you to direct the police to immediately take firm, visible and concrete steps by:

  • Providing/enhancing security cover to Lok Satta Party leaders and activists

  • Immediately arresting all the culprits involved in these widespread attacks and pursing the necessary course of action.

Your timely, vigorous and much-needed response would greatly help reduce the clear-and-present threat to Lok Satta Party activists. It would also surely help strengthen the confidence of the public in the rule-of-law and preserve peace and order in the society.

Sincerely,


DVVS Varma

(Working President, Andhra Pradesh Lok Satta Party)


K. Srinivasa Rao

(State General Secretary)

K. Geeta Murty

(Member, State Working Committee)

T. Padma

(State Executive committee)

S. Gajanani

State Executive committee)

Friday, February 18, 2011

“Parties resolve to promote democratic values, Condemn attack on Dr.JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more

“Parties resolve to promote democratic values, Condemn attack on Dr.JP (Telugu)” plus 1 more

Parties resolve to promote democratic values, Condemn attack on Dr.JP (Telugu)

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 04:36 AM PST

Parties resolve to promote democratic values, Condemn attack on Dr.JP

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 04:36 AM PST

An all-party meeting conducted here today said that the attack on Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Lok Satta Party President and Kukatpally legislator, on the legislature premises was an attack on constitutional and democratic values and freedom of expression. The attack epitomized the decline in democratic values, the meeting said in an unanimous resolution.

The meeting conducted at the Lok Satta Party headquarters also condemned attacks on Lok Satta activists in Medak, and L. B. Nagar and Moti Nagar in Hyderabad, and congratulated youth in the U. S. who took out protest rallies in Irwin and other cities.

Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma presided over the meeting attended by representatives of the Congress, TDP, PRP, CPI, CPM, Forward Block, RSP, and Telangana Democratic Front and a number of voluntary organizations.

Inaugurating the meeting, Mr. Varma said rowdyism and goondaism in legislatures mirrored the decline the democratic values. The Lok Satta Party had convened the meeting not to seek sympathy for its leader or to demand action against culprits responsible for the assault. It aimed at discussing how political parties with different ideologies and policies should conduct their activities.

Mr. N. Tulasi Reddy(Congress) said it was shameful that at a time countries like Egypt are fighting against despotism, democratic traditions are being given a go-by in India.

Mr. Ramakrishna (CPI) said that political parties would lose credibility further if they choose to physically attack their opponents, instead of respecting their point of view. Mr. Y. V. Rao (CPM) said that all parties should condemn physical attacks transcending their political differences.

Mr. B. N. Reddy and Ms. Vijayalakshmi (both TDP) said physical attacks based on brute numbers deserved to be condemned by all.

Mr. Ramachandraiah (PRP) said means should be as noble as ends. The attack on Dr. JP, who is fighting for restoration of ethics in politics, is reprehensible.

Mr. Deshpande (Forward Bloc) said the struggle for a Telangana would not be furthered by attacks on freedom of expression. The TRS legislators should have peacefully protested against the Governor's address. Telangana people's pleasure over the success of the non-cooperation movement evaporated in the wake of the attack on Dr. JP, said Ms. Vijayalaskhmi (Telangana Democratic Front).

Mr. Padmanabha Reddy (Center for Good Governance) regretted that the attack would prevent good people from entering politics. Mr. Justice Lakshman Reddy(Jana Chaitanya Vedika) said the attack triggered concern over the safety of people from other regions in Hyderabad.

Mr. Srinivasa Reddy (IJU) said he believed that Dr. JP is the only real people's representative in the Assembly. Although he too stood for a Telangana State, he felt the attack adversely affected the morale of separatists. Mr. Devulapalli Amar, senior journalist, said that politicians should respect others' opinions even when they differed from theirs.

Among others who condemned the attack on Dr. JP were Mr. Lok Nath (Jai Bharat), Mohd. Turab (Kova), Mr. Chengalreddy (Rytu Samakhya), Ms. K. Aruna (Vikas Dhatri), Mr. Venkatramayya (Satyanveshana Mandali) and Mr. Prasad (Jana Vignana Vedika).

Lok Satta Party leaders G. Raja Reddy, Katari Srinivasa Rao, and Mrs. Gita Murthy coordinated the meeting.

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