Press Releases Archive

FIFA satyagraha yatra begins on 25th Feb

The Federation of Independent Farmers' Associations (FIFA) is launching a farmers' satyagraha yatra from Nizamabad district in Andhra Pradesh tomorrow (February 25) to Nanded district in Maharashtra to assert farmers' right to sell paddy and rice outside the State.

It may be recalled that FIFA had defied Andhra Pradesh Government restrictions on movement of fine varieties of paddy and rice outside the State by marching into Karnataka and undertaking sales on February 19.

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, President of FIFA and the Lok Satta Party, will lead the satyagraha yatra from Pocharam village in Nizamabad district at 10-00 a.m. tomorrow.

The farmers will reach Bodhan for the night after touching Nagireddipet, Ellareddy, Banswada, Varni and Rudrur en route

They will resume the yatra from Bodhan at 9-00 a.m. on February 26 and pass through Kotagiri, Yettonda, Pentakurru, Salampadu and Salur, anad cross the border check-post at Salur. They will undertake sale of paddy at Esgi in Nanded district of Maharashtra around 1-30 p.m. on February 26.

According to Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma, the farmers have launched the movement to protest against the ruinous policy of the Andhra Pradesh Government which would neither ensure the minimum support price nor allow farmers to sell paddy outside the State. The Andhra Pradesh Government's restrictions are illegal and run counter to Government of India directives, he says.

Farmers cutting across party lines are joining the movement. The Shetkari Sanghatan of Maharashtra too has extended its support to the yatra.

Dr. JP will be addressing public meetings and interacting with farmers at a number of places during the road show.

Friday, February 24, 2012 - 17:28

Lok Satta and FIFA hails NREGS extension to agriculture

The Lok Satta Party and the Federation of Independent Farmers’ Associations (FIFA) today welcomed the Union Rural Development Ministry decision to bring 30 kinds of agricultural operations under the purview of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma recalled that it was the Lok Satta Party and FIFA under the leadership of Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan which had first sought NREGS extension to the agriculture sector.

The measure will facilitate extension of a little investment subsidy to the farmer and provide relief to the crisis-ridden agriculture sector, said Mr. Varma.

He suggested that the NREGS allocate funds for 20 work days per acre and not merely 12 days as proposed to cover operations like sowing, weeding, application of fertilizer and pesticides and land leveling. The scheme should benefit farmers as well as tenants.

If farmers are united and have credible leaders, they can forge many victories in their battle for a better deal, Mr. Varma said.

Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 18:52

Dr.JP's Appeal to Friends and Concerned Citizens

Dear friends and concerned citizens,

When we started Lok Satta many years ago, it was like many civil society movements today. However, it became apparent over time that in order to bring about the change all of us are fighting for in our different ways, we have to operate in the political spaces as well, or else we will not be effective.

This goes against a lot of our sentiments about politics, but it is the bitter truth.

In more recent times, the fight against corruption run by so many organisations and groups across India has seen such massive public support, especially from the middle class, that many a political observer was surprised. This in turn has galvanised many Citizen Candidates into joining electoral battle in the recently concluded municipal elections in Mumbai and elsewhere. This trend will endure.

But let us also do better. While the 5-7% vote share these candidates collected is impressive for a first attempt, it is also clear that this could have been higher. The public perception of a splintered 'front' kept many Citizen Candidates from making the full impact that the crowds in anti-corruption rallies indicated.

We've been fragmented by the multiplicity of platforms, causing some confusion and maybe even suspicion of the new 'brands' that have suddenly cropped up for elections.

We can and must overcome this. Lok Satta is not only a party created out of an Andolan, but it also has a constitution that is tailor-made for all those who are fighting for open, transparent, equitable and clean government at all levels. Lok Satta has been designed to be an inclusive platform for all Indians seeking political transformation. It has always been recognized and acknowledged that Lok Satta is not owned by current members; it belongs to all India. The members and leaders at any point of time are humble custodians of a national platform. ‘Nation above party; and party above self’ is the motto of Lok Satta. Membership has to be open, and leadership has to be by democratic choice at all levels. Each of us can proudly call this our own platform.

The next round is to be played out in Delhi a few weeks from now. The lessons of Mumbai should not be forgotten, nor the fragmentation repeated in Delhi and elsewhere. It's time to act as one force. I am therefore inviting all our friends fighting for the same ideals to unite in the Lok Satta family.

Our internal democracy is a functioning, thriving culture and is just the platform on which all of us in civil society can join hands in the political arena. Our blemish-free past combined with our growing brand recognition in several states will enable all of us to hit the road running in the next round of elections and beyond.

Come, join us. We welcome you with open arms, recognising ourselves in each of you. We welcome not merely your support, but equally your passion and leadership to augment ours. There is too much to do; and too few of us willing to do it on a sustained basis. Let's fight together and do justice to our noble cause: Clean, Transparent, Equitable and Participative democratic government, and the promise of building a great new India together.

With warm regards,

Dr Jayaprakash Narayan
Lok Satta

Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 10:37

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