Press Releases Archive

Lok Satta to organize summit of Grassroots leaders on Oct. 9

The Lok Satta Party is organizing a summit of its grassroots leaders in Hyderabad on October 9 for an in-depth review of the current political situation, explore t avenues for ushering in alternative politics in association with like-minded parties and forces, and chalk out a grassroots action plan for strengthening the party.

As many as 1200 party in-charges in Assembly constituencies, and office-bearers in mandals, and municipalities will be attending the conference being held on the occasion of the party’s fourth anniversary celebrations from October 3 to 9.

Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma, and leaders Y. D. Rama Rao, Bandaru Ramamohan Rao today briefed the media on the decisions taken by the party’s Working Committee which concluded its two-day session yesterday.

The party will be celebrating the fourth anniversary in all Assembly constituencies from October 3 to 7. A membership campaign will be launched for a week from September 24 all over the State.

The Working Committee called upon its party’s constituency in-charges to opt for formation of full-fledged committees by conducting general body meetings and electing the members. Once the committees are in place, the party proposes to strive for creation of basic amenities in urban areas, and resolution of problems of various sections of people in rural areas.

Mr. Varma said that the leadership summit will discuss how the State can be rescued from the politics of plunder on the one hand and negativism on the other and put back on the path of sustained development.

The ruling party is facilitating indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources and squandering away of precious State resources for benefiting the ruling elite. The sampradaya rajakeeya (‘sara’) parties are putting spokes in the wheel of development by opposing every project.

For instance, TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu, who had served as Chief Minister for nine years, is chasing one issue after another like student fee reimbursement on one day and fertilizer scarcity on another, Babli project on one day and Bayyaram iron ore mining on another merely to remain relevant and gain publicity mileage.

Mr. Varma said that the Lok Satta would strive to work for a rational development policy that does not harm the environment or hurt the interests of the posterity and at the same time contribute to the State’s all-round economic growth and people’s livelihood.

The postponement of Municipal Elections in State is undemocratic and unconstitutional, said the Party vice-president Y.D Rama Rao. Rule by special officers is not an alternative to rule by elected representatives. He demanded the government to revoke its decision and hold elections as soon as possible.

Monday, September 20, 2010 - 21:45

Dr. JP to taking part in Bombay Chambers event

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be taking part in the 175th Foundation Day program of Bombay Chambers in Mumbai on September 21, 2010. Dr. JP will also take part in a panel discussion on corporates.

Mr. K. Sankaranarayanan, Governor of Maharashtra, Mr. Chandan Mitra, MP, Mr. Wajahat Haibulla, Chief Information Commissioner, Mr. R. Gopalkrishnan, Executive Director, Tata Sons Ltd, and Prof S. Parsuraman – Director, TISS, will take part in the program.

Monday, September 20, 2010 - 21:43

Abandon plans for thermal power Project at Sompet: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Government categorically declare the thermal power project proposed at Sompet in Srikakulam district stands cancelled. “The Government’s silence on the fate of the project even after the Environmental Appraisal Committee has withdrawn all its clearances is intriguing.”

The party also demanded that the Government withdraw all the cases against agitators against the thermal plant and go to the assistance of the injured in police firing.

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan put forth the demands when a party’s fact-finding committee on the Sompet project submitted its final report to him at the party headquarters today.

The committee, headed by Mr. Bhisetty Babji (State party Vice President), comprised Prof D. Vishnu Murthy (State party Secretary), Mr. K. Poli Naidu (Srikakulam district President) and Mr. Tammineni Annam Naidu (member, party Legal Cell).

Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma released the committee’s findings to the media.

The committee found Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) guilty of initiating work on the project even as cases concerning the site were pending in local courts, the High Court, and the tribunal. NCC sought environmental clearance for the project in August 2008 itself while the Government handed over the site to it in May-June 2009. It sought environmental clearance concealing the fact that there is a water body in the proposed site. The Environmental Appraisal Committee too gave its clearance without verifying ground realities.

As local people opposed initiation of work at the site by the construction firm on July 14, 2010, the company-hired anti-social elements brutally assaulted them. Even the police opened fire on agitators without using rubber bullets to disperse them.

Dr. JP suggested that the Land Acquisition Act be amended and an autonomous institution constituted to ensure justice to all stakeholders in land acquisition for projects.

Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 16:48

Pages