Lok Satta News

మద్యం సిండికేట్లలో సా.రా. పార్టీ నేతల హవా

2012-02-08T19:04:00.000+05:30

Lok Satta demands action against liquor scam accused

2012-02-08T18:57:00.000+05:30

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana, facing charges of accepting a bribe from a liquor syndicate, resign immediately accepting moral responsibility and face the ACB inquiry. It also wanted the Government to suspend all officials figuring in the ACB report as bribe takers. Similarly, media managements should act against their employees found guilty in the liquor scandal. Legislators facing charges should cooperate with the inquiry without distracting it.

The Lok Satta Party spelt out its stand on the liquor scam unearthed by the Anti Corruption Bureau at a media conference. Mr. D. V. V. S. Varma, Lok Satta Party Working President, and party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, P. Ravi Maruth, K. Gita Murthy, and M. Mahalakshmi addressed the media.

The ACB raids have revealed, said the Lok Satta leaders, that all 'sampradaya rajakiya' (sara) (traditional political) parties including the Congress and the Telugu Desam have been guilty of turning Andhra Pradesh into a 'Madyandhrapradesh' by being partners in liquor trade and in forming liquor syndicates despite their protestations against the liquor menace. Although the players in the liquor trade belong to different parties, they are hand in glove with each other. The traditional political parties have been fielding liquor traders as their candidates in elections.

The Lok Satta leaders demanded that Left parties, which call for curbs on liquor consumption, should explain how they could accept donations from liquor syndicates which have been fleecing people by opening illegal outlets and selling liquor above the maximum retail price. Political parties which have colluded with liquor syndicates should openly apologize to the public.

The Lok Satta leaders said the Government has spawned and nurtured corruption by auctioning liquor outlets to highest bidders. The licensees in turn promoted belt shops and sold liquor over and above the maximum retail price. They demanded that the Government take over retail liquor trade, limit the number of shops and sales timings, make the ACB autonomous and bring it under the Lokayukta purview,

In reply to a question, Mr. Varma asserted that the party would expel anyone found guilty of accepting donations from the liquor lobby.

సిటిజన్స్ ఛార్టర్ల చట్టంపై 8న న్యూఢిల్లీలో పార్లమెంటరీ కమిటీ ముందుకు జేపీ, లోక్ సత్తా నేతలు

2012-02-07T17:11:00.000+05:30

Parliamentary panel to hear Lok Satta on citizens' charters

2012-02-07T17:08:00.001+05:30

The Lok Satta Party will be offering its views and suggestions on the Right of Citizens for Time-bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011 now before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law & Justice in New Delhi on February 8.

The Lok Satta team, being led by party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan and General Secretary Surendra Srivatsava, includes party leaders Mr. Ashwin Mahesh from Karnataka, and Mr. Sandeep Varma and Mr. Milan Gupta from Delhi.

It may be recalled that the Lok Satta drafted a citizen's charter as early as in 2000 and worked for municipalities in Andhra Pradesh adopting it in 2001.

స్థానిక ప్రభుత్వాలన్నిటికీ నేరుగా నిధుల్ని కేటాయించేలా రాజ్యాంగ సవరణ తేవాలి: లోక్ సత్తా

2012-02-06T17:52:00.002+05:30

Lok Satta demands routing of funds to panchayats

2012-02-06T17:50:00.000+05:30

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Union Government route not merely Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) but all funds directly to panchayats.

Union Minister for Panchayat Raj Kishore Chandra Dev had suggested to the Planning Commission that allocations under the BRGF should be made directly to village panchayats since allocation to districts resulted in their diversion to developed areas and defeated the very purpose of the scheme.

Commenting on the Union Minister's statement, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma said in a media statement that funds meant for local governments should be given to them directly without any intermediaries.

He pointed out that although the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments stipulated that State Governments devolve powers, responsibilities and funds on local governments, States like Andhra Pradesh have failed to implement them utilizing their discretionary powers. The States should be denied such discretionary powers by enacting the Constitutional amendment pending since 2010, Mr. Varma said.

Mr. Varma recalled that the Lok Satta had launched a movement as early as in 2003 by submitting a memorandum signed by more than one crore people for genuine devolution of powers on local bodies through decentralization. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission of which Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Lok Satta Party President, was a member recommended such devolution.

Mr. Varma demanded that funds be allocated to local bodies on a proportionate basis. Local bodies should be empowered to ensure proper utilization of funds meant for education and healthcare and reining in liquor consumption. Effective rural development will prevent migration of people to urban areas and influx into extremist ranks.

Lok Satta Times Feb 1st - 15th, 2012

2012-02-06T16:03:00.001+05:30

Lok Satta Times February 1st-15th 2012 can be downloaded from the following link.

http://www.loksatta.org/cms/documents/lstimes/lstimes-2012-02-01-15.pdf

Corruption: Spectrum of solutions

2012-02-06T11:20:00.000+05:30

The underlying principle of the Supreme Court's landmark verdict to annul 2G licences should extend to all scarce natural resources.

The Supreme Court decision in two writ petitions filed by Loksatta and several eminent citizens, and Dr Subramanian Swamy, cancelling 122 licenses of 2G spectrum, gives a tremendous boost to the fight against collusive corruption.

In October 2010, Loksatta launched a campaign to cancel licences. A letter was sent to the Prime Minister urging cancellation on the following grounds:

The corporates which colluded with bribe-takers and caused a colossal loss to the Exchequer shouldn't benefit from corruption. A contract tainted by corruption, ineligibility of licensees and arbitrariness, and has caused injury to public property is void, because the consideration or purpose of agreements is unlawful as per Sections 23 and 24 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.

The Parliament and Government have sovereign powers to undo the wrong. When legitimate private assets could be nationalised as a matter of public policy, it would be perfectly legitimate and necessary to revoke licenses secured in a corrupt and arbitrary manner, causing loss to the Exchequer.

THE GRAVY TRAIN

In her article ‘Spectrums of Taint' (Business Line, November 16, 2010), the author quoted Loksatta extensively, arguing in support of cancellation of licences. In December 2010, we urged several prominent citizens to join in filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court to cancel the licenses. Mr J .M. Lyngdoh, Mr T. S. Krishnamurthy, Mr N. Gopalaswami — all former CECs, Mr P. Shankar, former CVC, Mr Julio Rebeiro, former IPS officer, and Admiral R. H. Tahiliani, Mentor, Transparency International India joined the effort, and Prashant Bhushan, senior advocate, took up the case on our behalf.

The verdict of February 2 has profound implications for the future, encompassing a whole range of issues involving allotment of land, mining leases and dispensation of other state patronage at national and state levels. There are those who argue that cancellation of licences might send a wrong message to foreign investors and MNCs. This isn't true.

Even if there are short-term complexities, in the long term, fair competition, transparency, and rule of law will promote investment and growth. Many investors do business in India with great difficulty, and try their best to distance themselves from ubiquitous corruption by creating several buffers — consultants, Indian partners and professionals who deal with corrupt bureaucrats and politicians. If this verdict leads to a healthy, fair, competitive business environment and transparent decision-making, everybody gains.

COMPETITIVE BIDDING

Which is a better policy — auction or first-come-first served? Ideally, auction of scarce natural resources should be the norm. If tariffs are likely to go up on account of exuberant market sentiment and overbidding and over-pricing, then the bidding could be for revenue sharing or some other appropriate model, not for licence fee. Non-competitive processes are highly prone to collusive corruption, as the 2G case has amply demonstrated. The arbitrariness, change of rules at will, entry of players who have nothing to do with the telecom sector, sale of spectrum for windfall profits days after allotment without any value addition, and other facts and circumstances that have come to light in the 2G spectrum case clearly demonstrate the corrupt behaviour of decision-makers and corporates.

In respect of allotment of precious lands, and mining leases, competitive bidding must be the norm. For this, the mining law needs to be amended. Supreme Court verdict should be made applicable to allocation of all scarce natural resources; Gali Janardhana Reddy and the like, and many land sharks in the guise of industry should be subjected to the standards set by Supreme Court in this landmark case.

TAX MEASURES

What other steps should we take to curb collusive corruption and to protect public revenues? Three specific steps are needed now. First, a law should be enacted by Parliament making all contracts involving corruption, or a loss to the Exchequer, void and unenforceable. This will remove all incentives for corporates to bribe any public official to get a favour. A company that loses the bribe amount as well as the business or benefit or favour received through corruption is unlikely to resort to bribery. Only then can we demand corporate integrity and create a level playing field.

Second, a windfall profit tax should be imposed on all those who secured a license or mining lease or other natural resource, and made huge profit without value addition. This will ensure that excess profits made out of a vital public resource are retained with the Exchequer, and aren't appropriated by private interests. Mere private monopoly of public assets shouldn't be a source of unusual profits, even if there is no corruption in the transfer of asset. Such a windfall profit tax was imposed in the UK in 1997, in respect of North Sea Oil, and the monopolies in electricity, telecom, airports, gas, water, and railway sectors.

Third, a law similar to the False Claims Act in the US should be enacted in India. This law allows imposition of a civil penalty five times the loss sustained by the Exchequer in any public procurement or transfer of natural resource.

If a product is overpriced relative to the best customer of the company, or the asset is underpriced while transferring from State to a Corporate, or there is compromise in quality or environmental damage, or the Exchequer has lost money through fraud, bribery or wrongdoing, then any citizen can file a claim, and a court after hearing is empowered to impose five times the loss as penalty. The citizen gets a share of the penalty as incentive. Under the False Claims Act in the US, more than $24 billion has been recovered from corporates during the past 23 years, in 10,650 cases.

We need to move beyond the politics of the 2G case and corruption scandals. Systematic, far-sighted, practical steps are needed to curb collusive corruption. The Supreme Court verdict is an important first step to cleanse our system.

(The author, Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan, is the founder of Lok Satta movement, and former member of Second Administrative Reforms Commission.)

Courtesy: Business Line

తప్పు చేస్తే శిక్ష పడాల్సిందే

2012-02-05T10:47:00.000+05:30

Courtesy: Eenadu

Lok Satta's Petition on 2G

2012-02-04T18:15:00.001+05:30

Lok Satta's Petition on 2G

http://www.loksatta.org/cms/documents/LSPPetitionOn2G.pdf

Supreme Court Judgement on 2G

http://www.loksatta.org/cms/documents/JudgementOn2G.pdf

5న నరసరావుపేటలో జేపీ పర్యటన

2012-02-04T17:49:00.002+05:30

Dr. JP visiting Narasaraopet on 5th Feb

2012-02-04T17:46:00.001+05:30

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be visiting Narasaraopet in Guntur district on Sunday, February 5.

Arriving at Narasaraopet from Peda Kakani at 4-00 p.m., Dr. JP will visit the relay hunger-strike camp being run by the Federation of Independent Farmers' Associations (FIFA) to draw the Government's attention to farmers' problems. Dr. JP will make the participants give up the fast.

At 5-30 p.m., he will interact with farmers at Ikkurti village in Narasaraopet mandal.

Dr. JP will be returning to Hyderabad after taking part in the anniversary celebrations of Victory Degree College at Narasaraopet.

Farmers to defy ban on paddy Sale outside State

2012-02-03T17:28:00.000+05:30

In an ultimatum to the Andhra Pradesh Government, the Federation of Independent Farmers' Association (FIFA) has warned that if restrictions on rice and paddy movement outside Andhra Pradesh are not lifted before February 17, farmers and tenants will defy the ban orders from February 18.

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, President of FIFA and the Lok Satta Party, announced the decision to defy the ban after submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister on February 2. Farmers and tenants will march from Yemmiganur to Mantralayam in Kurnool district, cross the border into Karnataka and effect sale of rice/paddy.

A 75-kg bag of fine variety of paddy today fetches the farmer only Rs.750 to Rs.800 in Andhra Pradesh as against Rs.900 to Rs.950 in Karnataka. The same variety of paddy earned the farmer Rs.1100 two years ago.

In its representation, FIFA told the Chief Minister that farmers and tenants are losing heavily because of the restrictions on movement of paddy and rice on the one hand, and the spiraling costs of production on the other.

Addressing media, Dr. JP said that the State Government ban on movement especially of fine rice and paddy contravenes Government of India directives.

Dr. JP said that FIFA is spearheading the farmer's satyagraha to protest against the policies ruining farmers' lives. "We will not be deterred by threats of arrests or detentions, since defiance of illegal restrictions is our moral responsibility," declared Dr. JP.

FIFA leaders Y. Nagendranath, Sankara Reddy, Dasaradharamai Reddy, and Hanumanta Reddy, and Lok Satta Working President D. V. V. S. Varma took part in the media meet.

ధాన్యం, బియ్యం అంతరరాష్ట్ర రవాణా, అమ్మకాలకు అనుమతించండి

2012-02-02T19:55:00.003+05:30

2జీ లైసెన్సుల రద్దు కార్పొరేట్ లాలూచీ కట్టడిలో తొలి అడుగు: లోక్ సత్తా

2012-02-02T19:55:00.000+05:30

2G Cancellation - a First step to curb corporate collusion - Lok Satta welcomes Supreme Court Verdict

2012-02-02T19:37:00.000+05:30

Lok Satta Party welcomed wholeheartedly the Supreme Court decision today canceling the 122 licenses of 2G spectrum granted without transparency or competition.

Welcoming the decision of the Court holding that the 2G licenses were issued in a “totally arbitrary and unconstitutional” manner, Dr Jayaprakash Narayan, president of Lok Satta said “This is a vital step in the fight against corporate corruption and collusion. The fight must now be extended to mining leases and land allotments granted without competition and transparency.” The party expressed the confidence that the Court’s decision of denying the fruits of corruption to the corporates will deter them from indulging in massive collusive corruption at the cost of the country.

Lok Satta filed the petition for cancellation of licenses, and involved eminent Indians like JM lyngdoh, TS Krishnamurthy, N.Gopalaswamy, P.Shankar, Admiral Tahiliani; and Julio Rebiero. The logic of Lok Satta is that unless the bribe giver in cases of collusion is denied the benefits of corruption, there will be no deterrence against future fraud and collusion. Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioners.

Dr JP said, “This is only a key milestone; but many more instruments should be in place to curb corruption.” Lok Satta is working on the service delivery law with Parliamentary Committee. The delayed Lokpal Bill should be enacted into law soon. Lok Satta proposed a National Judicial commission for appointment and removal of judges of Higher Courts, and an all-India Judicial Service for remitting subordinate judges. Both these are in an advanced stage, and both government and opposition in Parliament are in favour of the judicial reforms.

“The battle is long and the road is bumpy. India will be corruption-free in a decade’s time. We need unity, focus, clarity and relentless pursuit of specific goals.” Dr JP said.

స.హ కమిషనర్ల నియామకంలో ప్రభుత్వం, ప్రతిపక్షం కుమ్మక్కయ్యాయి: లోక్ సత్తా

2012-02-01T19:27:00.000+05:30

Lok Satta alleges collusion in appointment Of Information Commissioners

2012-02-01T19:24:00.000+05:30

The Lok Satta Party today charged that both the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition colluded with each other in packing the State Information Commission mostly with people known for their political affiliation or family ties with leaders or former bureaucrats.

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma said that the way in which full-time commissioners have been chosen after undue delay will undermine implementation of the historic Right to Information Act.

He pointed out that the committee which chose the commissioners ignored people who have been striving to promote public awareness about the Act and its decision lacked transparency and accountability.

He recalled the role played by Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan in the ushering in of the revolutionary Act in 2005 and said the present appointments ran counter to the spirit of the Act. Lok satta proposed that the Selection Committee for Information Commissioners should comprise of the Chief Minister, Chief Justice of High Court and the Leader of Opposition. The government changed the composition and brought in a minister in place of Chief Justice. The law needs to be amended to include Chief Justice in the Selection Committee.

Do away with prior sanction

Mr. Varma described the Supreme Court judgment on granting permission for prosecution of top officials and public representatives as a slap in the face of successive Governments and parties speaking with a forked tongue on the Lokpal Bill.

He recalled that the Lok Satta Party has all along demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation and Anti Corruption Bureaus be armed with powers to go ahead with prosecution without seeking prior sanction. The CBI and ACBs need not seek prior Government sanction if the relevant Section 6 A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code were amended.

If prior clearance is deemed necessary, the proposed Lokpal and Lokayuktas can be given such powers. But under no circumstances the powers should remain with Governments, the Lok Satta told the Standing Committee considering the Lokpal and the Lokayuktas Bill, Mr. Varma said.

The Lok Satta leader reiterated the party stand that elected public representatives and top bureaucrats be brought under the purview of the Prevention of Corruption Act, those guilty of corruption be tried in special courts with prosecutors being independent, and properties of the corrupt be confiscated.

Mr. Varma added, "The purpose of Government is to make it easy for people to do good; and difficult to do evil. We should apply that standard to judge laws."

కులం, మద్యం రాజకీయాల నుంచి రాష్ట్రాన్ని రక్షించుకుందాం: లోక్ సత్తా

2012-01-30T18:37:00.000+05:30

Let us save State from politics of Liquor and caste: Lok Satta

2012-01-30T18:34:00.000+05:30

The Lok Satta Party today appealed to people, especially youth, to gird up their loins for saving the State from the politics of liquor and caste.

The party observed Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary at its headquarters with leaders garlanding his portrait.

Addressing a gathering, State Lok Satta Party Secretary P. Bhaskara Rao said that while Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed his life for preserving Hindu-Muslim unity, political parties which claim to be his descendants and others proclaiming adherence to his values are today engaged in fomenting communal and caste rivalries and using liquor as a means to retain or come into power. Desecration and destruction of statues of leaders like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar are part of this game, which results in perpetuation of poverty.

Party leaders L. V. Ramaraju, D. Lakshmi, G. Bhavani and Jeevanalatha were among the participants.

యానాం ఘటనలపై కేంద్రం విచారణ జరపాలి - లోక్ సత్తా డిమాండ్

2012-01-28T19:10:00.002+05:30

కులాల మధ్య చిచ్చుకు కుట్రలు: లోక్ సత్తా హెచ్చరిక

2012-01-28T19:09:00.002+05:30

Center should probe Yanam incidents: Lok Satta

2012-01-28T18:45:00.000+05:30

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today asked the State Government to prevail upon the Union Government to institute a thorough inquiry into the Yanam incidents. Although Yanam forms part of Puducherry Union Territory, Andhra Pradesh has a stake in it as yanam’s economy is intertwined with the Godavari districts of AP.

In a media statement, Dr. JP said that a central agency should probe whether any vested interests instigated trouble at Yanam for personal gain. Vested interests to whichever side they belonged should be punished

Dr. JP said the Yanam incidents resulting in loss of two precious lives and injuries to many were extremely sad. Such incidents would vitiate industrial climate, disrupt economic growth and sap people’s faith in the country’s future.

For last 15 years, managements and labor all over the country have forsaken the path of confrontation and been working together in mutual interest. As a result, profitability and productivity of enterprises and workers’ incomes have gone up.

The recent events at Maruti’s car factory at Manesar in Gurgaon and at Regency Ceramics in Yanam are, therefore, extremely unfortunate. Unless we learn the right lessons quickly and take vigorous preventive steps now, these isolated incidents could undermine national morale and affect economic growth and employment adversely.

Lok Satta warns of attempts to divide castes

2012-01-28T18:37:00.000+05:30

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today wanted the Government to come down heavily on those who are attempting to foment communal trouble by defiling or damaging or destroying Amebedkar statues.

In a media statement, Dr. JP said that stirring up enmity between two castes is no less heinous than spreading disaffection between Hindus and Muslims.

He asked the Government to restore the desecrated statues and consider installing a statue of Ambedkar in the State Legislature.

Dr. JP recalled that the Lok Satta Party had chosen Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as its twin icons. Gandhi stood for ethical politics and Ambedkar for rule of law, institutionalism and equal opportunities for all. Regarding a modern nation builder like Ambedkar as a Dalit leader is not merely a folly but an insult to the nation, Dr. JP added.

Dr. JP wanted the State Government to evolve a long-term policy on erection of statues of other than national leaders’ and sensitize people about it. Erection of thousands of statues all over the State without any due process will lead to chaos and anarchy.

అవినీతి, అవిద్యపై దృఢసంకల్పంతో పోరాడదాం

2012-01-26T17:07:00.000+05:30