Press Releases Archive

Lok Satta to mobilize farmers

The Lok Satta Party is launching a campaign in 100 mandals from November 1 to mobilize farmers on demands like a reasonable price for khariff paddy, provision of basic amenities at purchase centers and an assistance package for drought-hit areas.

A party sub-committee dealing with rural activities decided on the action program at a meeting held at the party headquarters here today. The mandals chosen for the action program are around municipalities where the party is engaged in strengthening its organization.

Giving this information in a media statement, Lok Satta Party Vice President and sub-committee Convener Y. D. Rama Rao said that the Government seems to be bent on taking farmers for a ride once again by announcing plans to buy kharif paddy without taking care of storage space and providing amenities at purchase centers. He pointed out that the minimum support price for paddy is not at all remunerative considering the steep increase in the cost of production and a fall in production because of adverse weather. Farmers should get a bonus of at least Rs.200 a bag either from the Union or the State Government.

A long-term solution to ensuring a fair and remunerative price to farmers lies in permitting rice exports on time, he added.

Mr. Rama Rao demanded that the Government declare the mandals hit by drought and announce an assistance package without further delay.

He said the party would form Mahila Satta, Yuva Satta and Sarva Jana Satta units in rural areas by December.

Mrs. S. Manorama, Eeda Chennayya, K. Gita Murthy and K. Anjaneyulu took part in the sub-committee meeting.

Saturday, October 29, 2011 - 21:12

Common medical entrance test welcome: Lok Satta

Lok Satta Party State Working President D. V. V. S. Varma today welcomed the Medical Council of India decision to conduct a National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) for under-graduate medical education. “A common examination will not merely improve standards of education but also enable more Andhra Pradesh students to get medical seats in the country.”

Mr. Varma recalled in a media statement that the Supreme Court had suggested 27 years ago that 15 percent of seats in medical colleges all over the country be set apart for a national pool and they be filled based on an all-India common test. Andhra and Jammu Kashmir, however, chose not to set apart 15 percent of their seats for the national pool.

Mr. Varma pointed out that the standards of Andhra Pradesh students appearing for all competitive examinations like the JEE for IIT admission have always been higher. Andhra Pradesh students gain more seats than their share in the population. The intense demand for seats in professional colleges and the sprouting of institutions to coach students account for their sterling performance.

Yet, Andhra Pradesh students have not been able to get admission in medical colleges outside the State as the State would not allot seats to outside students based on the common entrance test.

Mr. Varma said that the State Government should ensure that the entrance exam is held in Telugu also so that students who complete Intermediate in the Telugu medium do not suffer. He also suggested that technical terms used in question papers conform to those used in Telugu Academy textbooks. A committee of experts from the Telugu Academy and the Intermediate Board should be constituted to hold talks with the authority which is to conduct the common examination.

Mr. Varma said that a standardized admission would help improve the quality of higher education. Insular and parochial approach should give way to a national approach gradually.

Friday, October 28, 2011 - 17:39

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