Press Releases Archive

Take up MMTS Phase II, Suggests Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today wanted the State Government to focus its attention on launching the second phase of the MMTS and introducing the BRTS wherever it is feasible.

Talking to the media, party spokespersons Katari Srinivasa Rao and V. Laxman Balaji said that the Government appeared to be determined to take up the Metro Rail system following the cancellation of its agreement with the Maytas consortium. It might take several months for the project to be grounded and several years for its execution. They suggested that a survey be conducted again on the land proposed for acquisition for the Metro Rail, which had been finalized in the teeth of opposition from civic organizations and some experts.

Meanwhile, the Government should come to the rescue of commuters by prodding the railways to take up the MMTS second phase. More services should be operated on the existing routes. They also suggested that the roads be widened wherever feasible and the BRTS introduced.

The Lok Satta leaders pointed out that Hyderabad has a wide railway network around it and that the city’s traffic woes can be mitigated if the railway network is linked with the bus transportation system. Hyderabad has 160 km of railway lines comprising120 km in the main corridors and 40 km in bypass lines. MMTS Phase 1 covers 48 km of this network. MMTS Phase II should be taken up to cover the entire city and link it up with the main arterial roads and the Outer Ring Road.

The State RTC should avail of the funds under the JNNURM to acquire additional buses and run more services to cover all the nooks and corners of Greater Hyderabad and increase the frequency of services on all existing routes.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 - 16:38

Dr.JP's Letter to Chandrababu Naidu

Date: 07.07.2009

Sri Chandra Babu Naidu,
President,
Telugu Desam Party,
Hyderabad.

I read the news reports that you have agreed to a public debate with Lok Satta Party on the issues your party has been raising about Lok Satta. Lok Satta has always held that reasoned public debate is the essence of democracy. I therefore congratulate you on your readiness to debate and welcome your decision.

I am prepared to debate with you in a reasoned and civilized manner all issues relevant to the public. Your party men and you seem to question the rationale for Lok Satta Party’s emergence. You have also questioned our fund raising and utilization of resources in the recent electoral campaign. You have argued that Lok Satta Party is acting in concert with ruling party in the state. You have raised questions integrity and public morality. I am ready to debate with you all these issues pertaining to you party and Lok Satta.

Therefore the following four main themes seem to be appropriate for a civilized public debate between the two of us.

1. Issues of public morality and integrity.
2. Nature of politics practised by both parties.
3. Mobilization and utilization of political funds by the respective parties.
4. Public policies adopted by both parties.

I suggest that there should be one or more public debates, each of 90 minutes duration with a moderator chosen from the Union of Working Journalists by mutual consent. The debate will be on an agreed format, with both participants having equal time to respond to a question, with a right to rebut. We will both take questions asked by an invited panel of journalists, with time limits fixed for each reply. I will refrain from personal attacks unrelated to public work. The debates will be telecast live.

Only invited journalists and media persons will attend the debates. You may like to constitute a person or team to finalize the format of the debates and other details with a team I will be constituting immediately.

Meanwhile, I have firmly advised all my colleagues in Lok Satta Party not to resort to personal attacks or provocative actions. At all times both sides should maintain the highest standards of dignity and decorum. So far, I have never leveled a personal allegation against you or any other political leader of any party in the country. Lok Satta Party and I wish to maintain the same standards of decorum in future also.

This initiative of a reasoned, honest public debate will be a watershed in our political evolution as a democracy. I am sure other parties will soon emulate us, and it will eventually alter the nature of public discourse and political culture in India.

I urge you to initiate action at the earliest in order for the debates to take place as soon as possible. Meanwhile, please be assured of civility and all courtesies due to you from my part.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Jayaprakash Narayan
President.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 - 18:47

Dr. JP to address IIM students

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be addressing and interacting with students of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, tomorrow (Wednesday, July 8).

He will be addressing on “Social entrepreneurship: Innovating for social change.”

IIM, Ahmedabad, invites people who have made a conscious choice to work in the social sector and enables students to interact with them. The prestigious institute, which refrains from inviting active politicians, has made an exception in the case of Dr. JP because he is “an exceptional person with a large and fairly complex agenda of political reform,”

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 - 18:02

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