Press Releases Archive

2G Cancellation - a First step to curb corporate collusion - Lok Satta welcomes Supreme Court Verdict

Lok Satta Party welcomed wholeheartedly the Supreme Court decision today canceling the 122 licenses of 2G spectrum granted without transparency or competition.

Welcoming the decision of the Court holding that the 2G licenses were issued in a “totally arbitrary and unconstitutional” manner, Dr Jayaprakash Narayan, president of Lok Satta said “This is a vital step in the fight against corporate corruption and collusion. The fight must now be extended to mining leases and land allotments granted without competition and transparency.” The party expressed the confidence that the Court’s decision of denying the fruits of corruption to the corporates will deter them from indulging in massive collusive corruption at the cost of the country.

Lok Satta filed the petition for cancellation of licenses, and involved eminent Indians like JM lyngdoh, TS Krishnamurthy, N.Gopalaswamy, P.Shankar, Admiral Tahiliani; and Julio Rebiero. The logic of Lok Satta is that unless the bribe giver in cases of collusion is denied the benefits of corruption, there will be no deterrence against future fraud and collusion. Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioners.

Dr JP said, “This is only a key milestone; but many more instruments should be in place to curb corruption.” Lok Satta is working on the service delivery law with Parliamentary Committee. The delayed Lokpal Bill should be enacted into law soon. Lok Satta proposed a National Judicial commission for appointment and removal of judges of Higher Courts, and an all-India Judicial Service for remitting subordinate judges. Both these are in an advanced stage, and both government and opposition in Parliament are in favour of the judicial reforms.

“The battle is long and the road is bumpy. India will be corruption-free in a decade’s time. We need unity, focus, clarity and relentless pursuit of specific goals.” Dr JP said.

Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 19:37

Lok Satta alleges collusion in appointment Of Information Commissioners

The Lok Satta Party today charged that both the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition colluded with each other in packing the State Information Commission mostly with people known for their political affiliation or family ties with leaders or former bureaucrats.

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma said that the way in which full-time commissioners have been chosen after undue delay will undermine implementation of the historic Right to Information Act.

He pointed out that the committee which chose the commissioners ignored people who have been striving to promote public awareness about the Act and its decision lacked transparency and accountability.

He recalled the role played by Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan in the ushering in of the revolutionary Act in 2005 and said the present appointments ran counter to the spirit of the Act. Lok satta proposed that the Selection Committee for Information Commissioners should comprise of the Chief Minister, Chief Justice of High Court and the Leader of Opposition. The government changed the composition and brought in a minister in place of Chief Justice. The law needs to be amended to include Chief Justice in the Selection Committee.

Do away with prior sanction

Mr. Varma described the Supreme Court judgment on granting permission for prosecution of top officials and public representatives as a slap in the face of successive Governments and parties speaking with a forked tongue on the Lokpal Bill.

He recalled that the Lok Satta Party has all along demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation and Anti Corruption Bureaus be armed with powers to go ahead with prosecution without seeking prior sanction. The CBI and ACBs need not seek prior Government sanction if the relevant Section 6 A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code were amended.

If prior clearance is deemed necessary, the proposed Lokpal and Lokayuktas can be given such powers. But under no circumstances the powers should remain with Governments, the Lok Satta told the Standing Committee considering the Lokpal and the Lokayuktas Bill, Mr. Varma said.

The Lok Satta leader reiterated the party stand that elected public representatives and top bureaucrats be brought under the purview of the Prevention of Corruption Act, those guilty of corruption be tried in special courts with prosecutors being independent, and properties of the corrupt be confiscated.

Mr. Varma added, "The purpose of Government is to make it easy for people to do good; and difficult to do evil. We should apply that standard to judge laws."

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 19:24

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