Press Releases Archive

Lok Satta opposes property tax hike

The Lok Satta Party today took serious exception to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation proposal to raise property tax by 30 percent.

In a media statement, party leader Katari Srinivasa Rao pointed out that there is no point in the corporation raising the property tax further when it has not been able to render service for the tax it is already collecting. The breakdown of all kinds of services like roads, drainage, drinking water, and sanitation witnessed in the last few days following a heavy spell of rain testifies to the quality of corporation services to taxpayers.

The Lok Satta leader said the corporation could save huge amounts if it arrested misappropriations in maintenance and development expenditure, and earn huge revenue if it brought all commercial and residential properties under the tax net.

Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao demanded that the corporation devolve its powers, responsibilities and resources on democratically elected ward committees and ensure that the citizen’s charter is implemented.

Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 22:24

Ascertain public opinion on Mining Bill, Lok Satta demands

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Union Government ascertain public opinion before introducing the Mines and Minerals Bill in Parliament in the context of widespread and growing agitations against exploitation of mineral wealth in areas inhabited by Scheduled Tribes and others.

Addressing the media, party Working President Mr. D. V. V. S. Varma said persons being displaced or deprived of livelihood by mining activity should be adequately compensated, given a share in mining companies’ profits and provided alternative sources of livelihood. The Government should simultaneously ensure that no harm befell the environment because of mining.

Mr. Varma demanded that mines should not be leased indiscriminately leased and illegal mining condoned. The Government should focus its attention on promoting national interests and preserving environment in the proposed legislation.

Mr. Varma regretted that the Supreme court did not find anything wrong in the Tamil Nadu Government’s decision to distribute color television sets to 33 lakh poor families. Government money should be utilized to better people’s lives and not to influence their voting behavior. One need not be surprised if parties promise free gold necklaces to women on the eve of elections. Luring voters with color TV sets or money or liquor violates the election code.

Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao, Secretary, took part in the media conference.

Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 16:19

Divert fertilizer to dry land areas, Demands Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Government divert available fertilizer stocks in the State to dry land farming areas, crack its whip on business people who have jacked up prices and officials who colluded with them.

Talking to the media, party leaders Bandaru Ramamohana Rao and V. Laxman Balaji said the Government had failed in anticipating the demand for fertilizer in the context of copious rains and arranging for its timely supply. For instance against a requirement of 12,682 tons of urea in Medak district in August, only 200 tons had been supplied.

The leaders pointed out that taking advantage of the situation the traders had started charging Rs.100 more per bag of urea, besides marketing adulterated stuff and insisting on lifting of complex fertilizers.

It was tragic that farmers had to field their school-going children to stand in lines and subject themselves to police lathi charges for buying a bag of urea.

The Lok Satta suggested a systemic solution to the chronic fertilizer scarcity problem. The Government should strengthen the mechanism to conduct soil tests and recommend appropriate fertilizers besides micro nutrients for application. Establishment of agri-clinics at the rate of one for every 3000 acres for supply of inputs and provision of technical guidance and routing of fertilizer subsidy to farmers instead of manufacturers will go a long way in addressing the problem.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 - 17:05

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