Press Releases Archive

Lok Satta decries KCR’s threat to Demolish Metro Rail stretches

The Lok Satta Party today took strong exception to TRS President K. Chandrasekhara Rao’s reported threat to demolish Metro Rail in certain stretches. It amounts to cutting the face to spite the nose, commented State Lok Satta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao at a media conference here today.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said he is glad that the TRS, which had not contested even a single seat in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections in 2009 is focusing on city residents’ problems at least now. People, however, expect the TRS to play a constructive and not a destructive role.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao recalled that KCR himself acknowledged that it takes three hours by road to attend a wedding in Hyderabad where one spends hardly a few minutes. Does KCR plan to subject lakhs of daily commuters to greater suffering by derailing a modern transport system like Metro Rail, he asked.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao pointed out that traffic problems in some metropolises have acted as a dampener on new investments. In contrast, Metro Rail in Hyderabad is progressing at a brisk pace in Hyderabad although the entire State is regressing because of paralysis in administration. People who were taken aback by the crash of a section of the Punjagutta flyover under construction in the past are happy over the way Metro Rail Works are being carried out. In fact, thee are demands for extension of Metro Rail to places like Lingampalli and Vanasthalipuram.

Referring to KCR’s demand for taking up Metro Rail works underground at places like Sultan Bazar, Mojamjahi Market and the Assembly, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that according to experts an underground railway system causes more vibrations than one above the ground.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that underground construction costs Rs.500 crore per km as against only Rs.200 crore for overground construction, takes up to four to five years and results in permanent closure of certain road stretches. Protecting a heritage building like that of the Assembly is important, Mr. Srinivasa Rao conceded, but added that dignified discussions in the House would have enhanced its prestige more.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that KCR need not wait for Telangana formation if either the Chief Minister or L & T, the Metro Rail builder, has indulged in irregularities or corruption. He can expose them straightway and seek legal remdies including entrustment of the work to another agency. He need not indulge in demolition talk.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that people all over the State in almost all spheres have become victims of corruption and extortion. Corruption can be eradicated only if a strong Lokayukta is instituted and steps taken for swift punishment of the guilty including confiscation of their ill-gotten wealth. KCR should mobilize political support for the amendment proposed by Lok Satta Party legislator and Lok Satta Party national President to the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao congratulated ISRO scientists on successfully placing Mars Orbiter in the earth’s orbit.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 - 17:01

Dr.JP’s programs in coastal AP from Nov. 4

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be taking part in a number of programs in Coastal Andhra districts for five days from November 4.

On November 4, Dr. JP will visit cyclone-hit areas in Uddanam, Kaviti, Baruva and Ichapuram mandals in Srikakulam district and interact with farmers.

On November 5, he will visit cyclone-hit areas in Poosapatirega mandal in Vizianagaram district on his way to Visakhapatnam.

At Visakhapatnam, Dr. JP will take part in a round table being organized by the Foundation for Democratic Reforms at 10-00 a.m. on urban governance issues. In the evening, he will address a public meeting at Maddilapalem Junction.

At 10-00 a.m. on November 6, Dr. JP will take part in a round table at Rajahmundry on the crisis in the agriculture sector. The Federation of Independent Farmers’ Associations is organizing the event. He will meet party workers in the afternoon and address a public meeting in the evening.

At 3-00 p.m. on November 7, Dr. JP will take part in the birth anniversary celebrations of Prof. N. G. Ranga at Ranga Bhavan, Santhapet, Ongole and address a public meeting later.

On November 8, Dr. JP will take part in a round table on empowerment of local governments at Guntur being organized by Sthanika Prabhutvala Swadhikarata Samakhya and address a public meeting later.

Sunday, November 3, 2013 - 14:05

All-party meeting on Telangana Serves no purpose: Dr.JP

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today described the Union Government move to convene an all-party meeting to discuss Andhra Pradesh bifurcation as another act in the cynical drama it has been staging.

When almost all parties in Andhra Pradesh are divided on regional lines, no purpose would be served in holding consultations with them once again. Perhaps the move is meant to corner certain parties to serve the ruling party’s interests, said Dr. JP.

Addressing a meeting after garlanding the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Potti Sriramulu and unfurling the national flag to mark the Andhra Pradesh Formation Day at the party headquarters, Dr. JP wanted the Union Government to consult legislators and representatives of civil society organizations including joint action committees of Telangana, Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema separately or district-wise if necessary.

Dr. JP pointed out that the demand for carving out a separate Telangana is strong just as the fears and concerns of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema people over bifurcation are genuine. The Union Government and political parties should hammer out a comprehensive and amicable settlement by addressing the issues being raised by people of the three regions in the State.

Dr. JP recalled that a number of new States have been formed after the country attained Independence either as per recommendations of States Reorganization Commissions or by bringing about consensus among all stakeholders. Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav, who as Bihar Chief Minister thundered that Jharkhand could be formed only over his dead body, himself moved the resolution for the new State’s formation because through patient and persistent consultations the Center could build a consensus.

Dr. JP dismissed the contention of certain sections that a State can never be formed for a minority of people since the majority would always oppose it. He pointed out all the three States formed in 2000 – Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Uttaranchal – represented a minority of people in their parent States. The Union Government to its credit has honored people’s sentiments and did not disturb Union Territories although their consent is not required. For instance, Yanam, a tiny village in East Godavari continues to be a part of Puducherry, although it can be merged with East Godavari in AP with the stroke of a pen. Similarly, it has not chosen to unsettle Goa by merging Konkan areas with Karnataka and Marathi areas with Maharashtra.

Dr. JP said division of a large State and formation of a new State is always beset by problems. In the case of Andhra Pradesh, the problems span division of employees, water resources, electricity and assets and liabilities. The most important problems, however, center round Hyderabad and backward Rayalaseema region. It is for the first time in India’s history that an economic hub and a metropolis like Hyderabad is proposed to be made part of the new Telangana State triggering fears of insecurity among people of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions. Again, economically backward Rayalaseema with its peculiar problems has to go without an anchor city like Hyderabad.

All these problems, Dr. JP repeatedly said, are not intractable. What is required is patience and vision. If the Government of India is sincere, it can hold consultations with legislators and civic society representatives, ascertain their fears and concerns and short-list solutions that emanate. Based on them, it can build a consensus. Again, any division effected should remain political and not lead to emotional, economic and social division of people. After all, all Telugu-speaking people share not merely one language but also one civilization, history, customs and traditions.

Instead, the Union Government is enacting drama after drama and playing with the lives of people in the State solely to serve the ruling party’s interests in the ensuring general elections. If the Union Government ignores traditions and practices, continues to take unilateral and dictatorial decisions and impose them on people, India will lose its federal character and become another erstwhile Soviet Union or Yugoslavia or Pakistan which found themselves dismembered.

Lok Satta leaders D. V. V. S. Varma, N. Saroja Devi and M. Satyanarayana took part in the meeting.

Friday, November 1, 2013 - 18:26

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