Press Releases Archive

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Government/Road Transport Corporation roll back the increase in bus fares as it would adversely impact the finances of poor and lower middle class families.

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao said that the State Government should meet the additional burden of the hike in diesel charges on the RTC since it caters to public transportation.

The Lok Satta Party has steadfastly maintained that public transportation be spared from periodical hike in diesel charges, Mr. Srinivasa Rao recalled.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao warned that the steep hike in RTC bus fares would prove counterproductive in no time since lower rail fares will lure passengers.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao expressed surprise over political parties hitting the roads on issues like bus fares now, having allowed the monsoon session of the legislature to get washed out without pinning down the Government on its anti people policies.

The Lok Satta Party today condemned concerted and malicious attempts at distorting its views on formation of Telangana as a separate State.

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao referred to the report in a newspaper which sought to portray the Lok Satta Party as opposed to the bifurcation of the State.

The Lok Satta, pointed out Mr. Srinivasa Rao, believes that the recent by-elections to the Assembly merely confirmed Telangana people's long and ardent desire for a separate State. The party has, therefore repeatedly sought an early solution to the issue. The Lok Satta Party whole-heartedly welcomes formation of Telangana as part of a comprehensive and amicable solution to the problem.

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan attempted to elucidate his party's view during the discussion in the Assembly on September 18. In that context, he reiterated the party view that activities like bandhs that disrupt normal life will harm the State's economy and hurt the interests of youth. Going on economic disruptive activities is tantamount to cutting the nose to spite the face.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao underlined that Dr. JP did not utter a word against Telangana and on the contrary sought an early solution. But he sharply criticized observance of bandhs in the name of Telangana. Although Dr. JP drew a distinction between the demand for Telangana and calls for bandhs etc, his detractors clubbed the two and alleged that the Lok Satta is opposed to Telangana.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao recalled that the Lok Satta is opposed to bandhs right from its inception since they inconvenience people. Without allowing Dr. JP to complete the speech, his detractors sought to put words in his mouth and a responsible newspaper carried a speculative report. Dr. JP spoke just one sentence on the inconvenience caused to IBM because of the bandh. People are fully aware of the loss caused to the State because of frequent bandhs.

The Lok Satta believes that opportunistic policies of both the Congress and the Opposition TDP are responsible for turning the Telangana problem into a crisis and driving hundreds of people to suicide. The Union Government's inaction even 20 months after the Srikrishna Committee submitted its report borders on irresponsibility.