Press Releases Archive

Consensus on amending Anti-corruption law

An all-party meeting convened by the Lok Satta Party today agreed on the need to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act. The participants also agreed on the need to bring elected officials like MLAs under the Act’s purview, constitution of special courts, appointment of special public prosecutors and seizure of properties of the accused pending an inquiry.

It may be recalled that Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan had presented a draft Bill for amending the anti-corruption law to leaders of all legislature parties, the Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Assembly and Chairman of the Legislative Council.

Some of the party leaders who took part in the discussions had reservations about the provision under which the accused have prove their innocence.

The participants said they would offer detailed suggestions after internal consultation in their parties.

The participants included Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao, Mr. Bhistetty Babji and Mrs. Y. Ramadevi (all Lok Satta), Mr. Talari Manohar (Praja Rajyam), Mr. Chada Venakata Reddy and Mr. Siddi Venkateswaralu (both CPI), Mr. G. Ramulu (CPM), Mr. Niranjan Reddy (TRS) and Mr. Ramachandra Rao (BJP).

Significantly, both the Congress and the TDP did not send their representatives.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 17:41

People are our soldiers and Policies our arms: Dr. JP

“Let us fight the battle for the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation with people as our soldiers and policies as our arms and ammunition,” Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan told party activists here today.

Addressing some 300 men and women who had all applied for the party ticket to contest the GHMC elections, Dr. JP said that while traditional parties believed they could buy voters with money and liquor, the Lok Satta reposed its faith in people’s good sense and wisdom. “People will always stand by ‘dharma.’ While power is the be all and end all for traditional parties, power is only a means to serve the public for the Lok Satta.”

Dr. JP called upon the party ticket aspirants to view the elections as a golden opportunity to transform politics not merely in the city but all over the State. The Lok Satta Party President said that the party would contest all the 150 seats in the GHMC.

He wanted the party workers to tell the voters that the party believed in providing quality education, health care, livelihood opportunities and opportunities for growth to all. It was committed to improving people’s living conditions with a clear-cut agenda which included devolution of Rs.2 crore to Rs.5 crore based on population on every ward towards solving local problems. Ward committees will be constituted through elections, and people will have the power to decide on local works and execute them.

“The Lok Satta, if given power, will enable a citizen’s charter with time limits and penalties for delays in services. A 24-hour call center will be opened, all complaints registered and recorded, and time limits will be fixed for delivering basic services. If there is no delivery of service in time, the complainant will get Rs.100 a day as penalty.

“Basic amenities have been neglected for years and even consumption of drinking water is posing a grave danger to people. People’s dignity, health and safety are undermined. Lakes are polluted with sewage, and public lands grabbed at will. The city is in peril and the Lok Satta s determined to safeguard the future. The two main slogans of the Lok Satta are, “Blow the whistle and save the city” and “Vote for Lok Satta and Power to people.”

Dr. JP said the Lok Satta Party was opposed to ex-officio members like legislators taking part in the Mayor’s election. The party would approach the High Court seeking a reversal of the relevant provisions, which are ‘unconstitutional’.

The Lok Satta Party would kick off its election campaign with a public meeting at Jaya Gardens in Somajiguda at 3-00 p.m. on July 25. The party will organize an exhibition and undertake enrolment of executive members at the venue.

Mr. Nandipeta Ravinder, President, Mr. K. Krishna Rao, Organizing Secretary of the Greater Hyderabad party unit, Mrs. Akula Maharani and Mrs. A. Subhashini were among those who took part in the meeting.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 17:40

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