Press Releases Archive

Proposed new liquor policy unacceptable: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today expressed deep concern over the proposed liquor policy under which the Government seeks to allot shops by draw of lots among private bidders.

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma said the policy would once again spawn liquor syndicates along with benami bidders and lead to unbridled liquor sales.

Mr. Varma also took exception to the proposal to increase the number of shops in the name of preventing illicit liquor distillation.

Mr. Varma said the Government should aim at restricting liquor consumption by limiting the number of shops and timing of sales, considering that liquor has played havoc with the health and finances of the poor.

Illicit liquor distillation can be controlled if panchayats and self-help groups are given powers and incentives to act against offenders. Liquor consumption can be restricted if the Government itself takes over the retail trade and limits the number of shops and hours of sales.

Mr. Varma said that the Government would incur the wrath of womenfolk if it unilaterally unveils the new policy without calling for an all-party meeting.

Saturday, June 2, 2012 - 21:27

Judicial Commission essential to prevent corruption in judiciary: Lok Satta

The suspension of Mr. T. Pattabhirama Rao, First Additional Judge for CBI cases, on corruption charges in granting bail to Obulapuram mining case accused Gali Janardhana Reddy merely reflects the precipitous decline in judicial standards, commented Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma here today.

In a media statement, Mr. Varma pointed out that democracy has remained intact so far because the judiciary enjoyed credibility among people when both elected representatives and officials lost it by indulging in corruption.

It is time that a National Judicial Commission is constituted to safeguard judiciary and ensure its credibility. Mr. Varma recalled that at the initiative of the Lok Satta three former Chief justices of the Supreme Court – Justice J. S. Varma, Justice M. N. Venkatachalaiah and Justice Krishna Iyer – have drawn up a National Judicial Commission Bill and submitted it to the Government.

Mr. Varma said that there have been no instances in Andhra Pradesh of elected people's representatives and bureaucrats who indulged in massive corruption by squandering away finite natural resources being sacked and jailed and their ill-gotten wealth being confiscated. It is only because of judicial intervention scams in Jalaygnam, land allotment and liquor distribution have come to light. Even at the national level, it is the Supreme Court's intervention in issues like the 2-G scam, caste reservations, Rama Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute and inter-State water issues that has preserved the country's integrity. If even the judiciary becomes corrupt against such a backdrop, democracy ceases to work and paves way for military rule. Therefore, Mr. Varma said, all democrats should strive for the constitution of a National Judicial Commission to ensure an independent and strong judiciary.

Mr. Varma said the Judicial Commission would have powers to appoint competent and honest judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts and weed out corrupt elements.

Mr. Varma also called for making the CBI, ACB and CB CID autonomous and bringing them under the purview of strong and independent Lokpal and Lokayukta institutions. Once such institutions are in place, the regular courts can be spared the bother of ordering inquiries into corruption scams.

Friday, June 1, 2012 - 19:37

Dr.JP’s Road Show in Parkal on May 30

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will campaign for Mr. Maheswarapu Gattaiah, the party’s candidate in the by-election to the assembly from Parkal constituency on Wednesday, May 30.

Arriving at Parkal from Hanumakonda at 10-00 a.m., Dr.JP will be conducting a roadshow in Parkal, Atmakur in the forenoon and in Geesukonda, Gangadevipalli and Sangem in the evening.

Forty-three-year-old Gattaiah, President of the Lok Satta Party's Warangal district unit, has been practicing law in Warangal district court for the last 17 years.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 18:41

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