Press Releases Archive

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today wholeheartedly welcomed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s announcement of his intention to introduce a Public Services Delivery Bill in the Legislature.

In a media statement, Dr. JP, who represents Kukatpally in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, said he had informed the Business Advisory Committee only a few days ago of his plan to introduce the Bill and sought the support of all parties to it.

It may be recalled that Dr. JP had observed a three-day Surajya fast in December 2012 seeking among other things enactment of a law to guarantee basic services to citizens as a matter of their right.

Dr. JP pointed out that citizens now have to put up with huge delays, harassment and corruption in getting basic public services from a host of Government departments. The citizens’ basic entitlements to name a few include birth, death, income, caste, disability and marriage certificates, water, electricity and sewerage connections, building plan permissions, voter cards, ration cards and copies of land records. He pointed out that revenue officials charged Rs.2000 to Rs.3000 per acre as speed money for issuing them a record of rights.

The law should guarantee delivery of basic services within a stipulated time frame and incorporate provisions for imposing a penalty on errant officials and compensating applicants for delays.

Dr. JP suggested that the Andhra Pradesh law can be modeled after the Public Services Bill before Parliament now. At the request of the Parliament’s Standing Committee, the Lok Satta had drafted the Bill integrating the two Bills dealing with delivery of services in physical form and electronic services.

Dr. JP recalled that a number of States had already enacted laws guaranteeing citizens’ right to basic services. He is glad that the Andhra Pradesh Government has at long last started moving in the right direction.

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today reiterated the maxim that politics is too serious a business to be left alone to politicians and called upon people with integrity, leadership qualities, resources and concern for society to plunge into politics.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Mrs. Kanthimathi Kannan, founder-President, The Right to Walk Foundation, joining the Lok Satta Party, Dr. JP said politics is about changing the lives of people not about the electoral fortunes of politicians. Mrs. Kanthimathi, Dr. JP said, is a true politician in that sense since she has devoted her time and energy to improve the lot of pedestrians, unfazed by discouragement from many quarters.

Dr. JP said that the Lok Satta Party has a comprehensive philosophical outlook unlike other political parties. It believes in reconciliation of conflicting interests, adopts a rational approach and offers solutions to problems and practices what it preaches in word and deed. What the LSP says today, the entire country will follow tomorrow, Dr. JP added.

Dr. JP said that honesty in politics is a minimum requirement but not the maximum qualification. One should, besides being honest, have the intellectual and moral capacity and courage to bring about transformation in society.

There is no need for cynicism since we have the resources and technology to realize our dream of building a better society.

The society cannot be transformed if people confine themselves to deriding politics and politicians. It is true that sometimes tussle for power and factionalism and other evils characterize politics. But that should not deter the finest men and women from playing a creative role in politics. Lincoln and Gandhi are great examples of leaders who while being part of contemporary politics, had risen above pettiness, and rebuilt their respective nations. That is what India needs today, Dr.JP said.

Mrs. Kanthimathi said that she would like to improve the living conditions of the poorest of the poor and brings smiles to their faces.

Lok Satta Party State President Katari Srinivasa Rao described Mrs. Kanthimathi as a warrior in the cause of pedestrians.

Mr. Bandaru Ramamohan Rao, Vice President, took part in the meeting.