Press Releases Archive

Chidamabaram’s comments irresponsible: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today termed Union Home Minister P. Chidamabaram’s comments on the Telangana issue as irresponsible as they would merely prolong political uncertainty in Andhra Pradesh instead of removing it.

Mr. Chidamabaram had said that an all-party meeting on the demand for a Telanagana State could be convened only when all parties were prepared to come to Delhi and speak out their minds.

In a media statement, party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma and Secretary Bandaru Ramamohan Rao said that Mr. Chidamabaram seemed to be shirking his responsibility because he was fully aware that the Congress and the TDP were split on regional lines. If an early solution was not found to the problem, law and order in the State would deteriorate further, administration become chaotic, economy derail and people get mired in deeper hardships.

The Lok Satta Party leaders suggested that the Union Government should take the initiative to meet with State political leaders either separately or collectively, ascertain majority opinion and hammer out a solution, or assess the situation on its own, and announce its decision after consulting all parties.

They also suggested that the State Legislature discuss the issue so that members could arrive at a solution including bifurcation of the State keeping in mind the interests of people of all the regions. In the absence of such a way out, people would continue to suffer with some pursuing the path of agitation and some others indulging in blame game or resorting to escapism.

The Lok Satta Party leaders wanted the Union Government to announce a road map for resolving the issue, and all political parties in the State to enter into a meaningful debate in the Legislature and work out a solution that is by and large acceptable to all. Everyone should acknowledge that the time for keeping the issue on the back burner is over, they added.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 - 17:39

Entire South Coastal Andhra Gifted Away

Defense Ministry hard pressed for land

Scam bigger than that of 2 G spectrum

JP demands debate in Assembly

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said today that the Government found it difficult to access even an acre of land because of the allocation of 348 km of coastline on a permanent basis to one group under MoUs in the name of construction of Krishnapatnam, Machilipatnam, and Vanpic ports.

This is the latest instance of the Government allocating precious natural resources belonging to people on a large scale to promote a monopoly and it is no less a scam than that of the allocation of the 2 G spectrum, said Dr. JP. Since the subject of ports comes under the Concurrent List, at least the Union Government should cancel the MoUs by bringing in a legislation, Dr. JP said.

Dr. JP was addressing media after the Legislative Assembly had adjourned for the day.

Dr. JP said that while the Government of India allocated a mere 79 km of coastline to all the five major ports on the East Coast of the country under its jurisdiction, the Andhra Pradesh Government allocated 348 km of coastline to three ports (Krishnapatnam, Machilipatnam, and Vanpic) to a single group without taking the Union Government into confidence. And nobody knows whether the ports will come up or not. Krishnapatnam port has been gifted for good 153 km of coastline north and south of it, Vanpic 92 km and Machilipatnam 103 km.

Dr. JP said that the Defense Ministry paid Rs.1000 crore to the Union Government as compensation for parting with some coastline for expansion of the Vizag Naval base. Planning to develop a port and a shipyard with that money, the Union Government asked the Andhra Pradesh Government to allocate a suitable site in south coastal Andhra. Since the State has already allocated the south Andhra coastline to the three ports on a permanent basis, State Government has told the Center that it is not in a position to allocate a site for the proposed port and shipyard in south coastal Andhra. If needed, the Center can opt for a site at Nakkapalle near Visakhapatnam.

The fact that the Government of India could not access a single acre of land in Andhra Pradesh should enlighten people on the magnitude of the politics of plunder under way in the State, said Dr. JP.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 - 17:11

Dr. JP condoles with the death of Teachers’ wing leader

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today expressed his shock and grief over the sudden death of Mr. M. Sattibabu, General Secretary of Upadhyaya Satta, a Lok Satta Party affiliated teachers’ organization. Mr. Sattibabu passed away in his sleep on the night of February 28.

Conveying his condolences to Mr. Sattibabu’s family, Dr. JP recalled in a media statement that he had toiled constructively to strengthen Upadhyaya Satta in a short period after its launch in April 2010.

Mr. S. Balakishen Rao, President, Upadhyaya Satta, and Mr. G. Raja Reddy, Convener, teachers’ wing activities, said that Mr. Sattibabu’s death at a time the organization is striking roots in the State is painful.

The Upadhyaya Satta, unlike teachers’ organizations affiliated to other political parties, aims at strengthening education in the public sector and not in fighting for sectional demands. It believes that the country’s progress and students’ future are intertwined with the respect teachers command in society.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 - 16:42

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