The Lok Satta Party on Monday demanded that the Central 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 DVVS Varma said 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, Varma said.
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.
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. (INN)
Panchayats enforcing prohibition need to rewarded: LS
2012/1/16 12:03:15 Welcoming the Excise Minister’s move to constitute a committee to campaign against the liquor menace, the Lok Satta Party on Monday suggested that the State Government reward panchayats enforcing Prohibition with an annual grant of Rs 100,000.
Lok Satta Party President D VV S Varma in a statement suggested that the anti liquor campaign committee should have enough resources and powers to accomplish the Government’s objective.
Varma recalled that the Congress Party, which returned to power in 2004 by promising to usher in Prohibition in phases, has done all that it could to encourage liquor consumption by auctioning liquor shops. Subsequently, it formed an anti liquor campaign committee devoid of powers and funds for rehabilitating some party workers.
The committee did not fulfill its promise of granting a cash incentive of Rs.100,000 to panchayats enforcing Prohibition although the Lok Satta submitted a list of such villages, he said. If history were not to repeat itself, the Government should allocate more than Rs.40 crore for the proposed committee and confer adequate powers on it.
Varma reiterated the party demand that the Government itself run retail liquor shops in the excise year beginning July 2012. The decision to permit or deny location of a liquor shop in a village should be left to its panchayat/or gram sabha. (INN)
Jana denies agreeing to gram panchayats workers' demands
2012/3/15 7:27:10 Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy denied that the government has reached an agreement with the workers of gram panchayats to solve their problems during the agitation in August 2010.
Replying to a question raised by CPI leader C Seetaramulu, he said that the Commissioner of Panchayat Raj and Rural Employment has discussed and reached an agreement to implement certain demands of the employees. He said that the Commissioner reviewed the issue with District Panchayat officers and issued instructions for implementation of demands as per rules. (INN)
Disclose the names of liquor kickback recipients: LS
2011/12/20 17:22:56 The Lok Satta Party on Tuesday demanded that the State Government straightway disclose the names of people's representatives, officials and others who have received kickbacks from liquor syndicates.
It may be recalled that the State's Anti Corruption Bureau had raided the offices of liquor syndicates and seized documents testifying to payment of bribes to influential people for conniving at their illegal activities.
Addressing a media conference, Lok Satta Party Acting Working President V Laxman Balaji and other leaders said that the Government should inquire into the scam without delay and mete out stringent punishment including confiscation of ill-gotten property to the guilty.
The leaders recalled that it is only the Lok Satta Party which had agitated against auction of liquor shops as it anticipated its inexorable consequences. Those who obtained liquor shops at exorbitant rates have been indulging in malpractices like selling liquor at more than maximum retail prices, palming off spurious liquor, encouraging opening of belt shops and running unofficial bars at licensed retail outlets.
They alleged that traditional political parties like the Congress and the Telugu Desam, which believe in luring voters with liquor, running liquor shops in benami names and accepting party funds from liquor mafia did not join the Lok Satta in its agitation.
Both the Congress and the TDP had been guilty of turning liquor into a cash cow for the State exchequer and ruining the health and finances of the poor, they charged. The poor are squandering their earnings under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme on consuming liquor as liquor shops have become omnipresent. They demanded that the Government publish a white paper on the funds it spends on the welfare of the poor and the revenue it derives from liquor sales.
The Lok Satta leaders demanded that the Government run liquor shops by doing away with the auction system. It should put an end to belt shops and illicit liquor, and drastically regulate the number of liquor outlets. Village panchayats should have the freedom to decide whether there should be a liquor outlet in the village or not, they added. (INN)
2012/2/7 14:58:53 Hyderabad, Feb 7 (INN): Telugu Desam Party MLA S Venkata Veeraiah on Tuesday accused the State cabinet ministers of misappropriation of funds meant for National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Talking to reporters at NTR Trust Bhavan, the Satupalli MLA said that the Central Government has been releasing about Rs 1200 crore for the scheme. However, the ministers have been getting a major share of these funds through fraudulent means, he alleged.
Veeraiah said that even the district collectors were being kept in dark about the utilisation of funds and Congress party leaders have got complete control over these funds, he alleged while demanding thorough enquiry into his allegations.
2012/2/12 7:49:52 The Lok Satta Party on Sunday demanded that the government do away with special and discretionary funds being allocated to the Chief Minister and MLAs and utilize them for priority sectors.
In a media statement, Lok Satta working president DVVS Varma said that the priorities in the forthcoming budget should shift from extending temporary sops to making people self-reliant. It should allocate funds for ensuring quality education, healthcare and skills to all, baling out agriculture from crisis, and rejuvenating industry. Local governments should be empowered with devolution of funds and powers.
During the budget session of the Legislative Assembly beginning from February 13, Varma said that the party would focus its attention on the liquor policy, relief to the crisis-ridden farmer, elections to local bodies and resolution of issues raised by various sections. He appealed to all parties to help facilitate a thorough discussion on the issues.
Varma said that all parties should join hands in getting the present liquor policy, which has spawned a politics-dictating liquor mafia, changed.
He appealed to all parties to pass the budget only after a thorough discussion. (INN)
2011/9/23 8:34:14 The City Police on Friday arrested a Kirana shop owner for running a satta gambling den.
According to Shalibanda police, the accused - Azmatulalh Khan, 52, was arrested for allegedly running a satta gambling den at his residence at Ghazibanda. Police have also seized cash of Rs 7,110 and 'satta' slips from his possession.
A case has been registered and further investigations are on to ascertain the involvement of a gang in such activities. (INN)
Over Rs 1,000 Cr given to farmers during Prajapatham: Aruna
2012/5/1 6:57:39 Hyderabad, May 1 (INN): Information and Public Relations Minister DK Aruna on Tuesday informed that the Prajapatham Programme was conducted in 15598 Gram Panchayats and wards during the last 14 days.
In a press release, Aruna said that in all 494,787 works were opened in these 14 and till now it was found that wage payments were made on time in 11076 gram panchayats. Under Pavalavaddi Scheme Rs 286 Crores were distributed in rural areas and Rs 5105 Crores in Urban areas. Under the Input subsidy distribution programme 28,89,497 farmers were distributed Rs 974 Crores. Under distribution of Pavalavaddi to farmers scheme 6,95,960 farmers were distributed Rs 61.52 Crores, she said.
Under drinking water supply schemes in total 18303 problems were identified and 6168 problems were redressed, she said.
It was found that in 14,334 villages or wards power was supplied for seven hours a day to the farmers, she said. Low voltage problems were identified in 5232 gram panchayats/wards and in 4940 villages problems were rectified. Problems were identified in 10222 Transformers and out of which 9161 transformers were replaced in these fourteen days, she informed. During these 14 days 40283 loose electrical spans/lines were identified and 14313 lines were rectified, she said.
All the 6781 PHCs visited in 14 days were found to be working satisfactorily, she informed. In these fourteen days 57,04,129 Arogya Sri cards were distributed and in 15343 gram panchayats/wards awareness was created regarding health issues. In 15374 gram pachayats/wards people are aware that 108 and 104 services are available, she informed.
In the 14 days 108 services are operated in 15172 gram panchayats/wards and 104 services are conducting camps as per schedule in 11035 gram panchayats/wards. She also informed that in 254 gram panchayats migration was noticed and it was found that in 13503 gram panchayats/wards sufficient works are in the shelf to provide work and to avoid migration.
2011/10/27 8:17:18 The Lok Satta Party is planning to launch a united, non-partisan movement against arbitrary increase in property tax in municipalities.
In-charges of Lok Satta municipal committees, who met at the party headquarters here on Thursday with party Working President DVVS Varma in the chair, felt that the tax increase ranging from 500 to 1000 percent without any improvement in citizen services contravenes the Government’s own Assessment of Taxes Rules, 1990.
Participants pointed out that special officers, now ruling civic bodies in the absence of elected representatives, raised the tax capriciously. They cited an instance in which the tax on an apartment was raised from Rs.3000 to Rs.80000.
In a joint statement, Lok Satta leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and K Omkar said that a Lok Satta Party team would visit municipal towns and cities in the first week of November to mobilize the public for an agitation. It would associate local chambers of commerce, ratepayers’ associations, resident welfare associations and other civic society representatives with the planned movement.
The party demands that the civic bodies improve their services in tune with the citizen’s charter and fix the property tax on a rational basis.
The Lok Satta Party would call for a ‘no-tax campaign’ if the authorities went ahead with the hike in the property tax without improving services concerning drinking water, sanitation, education, healthcare and roads. If the services are not commensurate with the tax paid, people can legitimately refuse to pay the tax, said Katari Srinivasa Rao. (INN)
Prajapatham held in 2,722 gram panchayats: Minister
2012/4/18 8:10:20 Hyderabad, April 18 (INN): Information and Public Relations Minister D K Aruna on Wednesday informed that the Prajapatham Programme was conducted in 2722 Gram Panchayats and wards during the last three days.
The minster said that in all 86,816 works were opened in these three days and till now it was found that wage payments were made ontime in 1958 gram panchayats.
Under Pavalavaddi Scheme Rs 79,897 lakhs were distributed in rural areas and Rs 11,070 lakhs in urban areas, she informed. Under the Input subsidy distribution programme 4,48,068 farmers were distributed Rs.15.66 Crores. Under distribution of Pavalavaddi to farmers scheme 1,76,353 farmers were distributed Rs.10.92 Crores.
Under drinking water supply schemes in total 2931 problems were identified and 1168 problems were redressed, she said.
It was found that in 2584 villages or wards power was supplied for seven hours a day to the farmers, she said. Low voltage problems were identified in 1008 gram panchayats/wards and in 990 villages problems were rectified. Problems were identified in 1839 Transformers and out of which 1827 problems were rectified in these three days. During these three days 7124 loose electrical spans/lines were identified and 5591 lines were rectified, she said.
Out of the 1594 PHCs visited in these three days 1590 PHCs were found to be working satisfactorily. In these three days 9,76,340 Arogya Sri cards were distributed and in 2664 gram panchayats/wards awareness was created regarding health issues. In 2616 gram pachayats/wards people are aware that 108 and 104 services are available, the minister informed.
Aruna also informed that in 84 gram panchayats migration was noticed and it was found that in 2398 gram panchayats/wards sufficient works are in the shelf to provide work and to avoid migration.
2012/2/23 3:10:35 Hyderabad, Feb 23 (INN): Gouda Sangha president and Telugu Desam party MLA K E Krishnamurthy on Thursday expressed serious concern over the State Government not allotting funds in the Budget 2012-13 for the welfare of Gouda community in the state.
Talking to media persons at Assembly media point, Krishnamurthy said that though two cabinet ministers and eight MLAs represent the community in the House, the government has failed to allot a single paisa in the State budget this year for toddy tappers community and labour welfare.
Krishnamurthy appealed to Gouda MLAs and Ministers to make efforts for allotment of funds in the State budget now. If the government fails to allot the funds, he said the community would not vote for the Congress party in the next elections and completely distance away from it.
2011/10/29 5:13:13 The Lok Satta Party will launch a campaign in 100 mandals from November 1 to mobilize farmers on demands like a reasonable price for khariff paddy, provision of basic amenities at purchase centers and an assistance package for drought-hit areas.
A party sub-committee dealing with rural activities decided on the action program at a meeting held at the party headquarters here today. The mandals chosen for the action program are around municipalities where the party is engaged in strengthening its organization.
According to Lok Satta party Vice President and sub-committee Convener Y D Rama Rao, the government seems to be bent on taking farmers for a ride once again by announcing plans to buy khariff paddy without taking care of storage space and providing amenities at purchase centers. He pointed out that the minimum support price for paddy is not at all remunerative considering the steep increase in the cost of production and a fall in production because of adverse weather. Farmers should get a bonus of at least Rs.200 a bag either from the Union or the State Government.
A long-term solution to ensuring a fair and remunerative price to farmers lies in permitting rice exports on time, he added.
Rama Rao demanded that the Government declare the mandals hit by drought and announce an assistance package without further delay. He said the party would form Mahila Satta, Yuva Satta and Sarva Jana Satta units in rural areas by December. (INN)
Minister expresses satisfaction over Praja Patham works
2012/4/17 8:43:50 Hyderabad, April 17 (INN): Information Minister DK Aruna on Tuesday informed that the Prajapatham programme was conducted in 1329 Gram Panchayats and 1249 wards during the last two days.
Aruna said that in all 38,126 works were opened in the last two days and till now it was found that wage payments were made on time in 881 gram panchayats. Under Pavalavaddi Scheme Rs.2541.17 lakh were distributed in rural areas and Rs 2622.22 lakhs in urban areas. Under the Input subsidy distribution programme 2,17,215 farmers were distributed Rs 7562.09 lakh. Under distribution of Pavalavaddi to farmers scheme 2,31,419 farmers were distributed Rs.506.77 lakh, she said.
Under drinking water supply schemes, in total 1,356 problems were identified and 593 problems were redressed, Aruna said. It was found that in 1163 villages or wards power was supplied for seven hours a day to the farmers. Low voltage problems were identified in 445 gram panchayats/wards and in 419 villages problems were rectified. She said problems were identified in 403 Transformers and out of which 382 problems were rectified in two days. As many as 2653 loose electrical spans/lines were identified and 1624 lines were rectified in the last two days, she informed.
Out of the 730 PHCs visited in these two days 724 PHCs were found to be working satisfactorily, the minister informed. In these two days 5,64,660 Arogya Sri cards were distributed and in 1224 gram panchayats/wards awareness was created regarding health issues. In 1224 gram pachayats/wards people are aware that 108 and 104 services are available.
In 3198 gram panchayats/wards it was found that 108 and 104 services were conducting camps as per schedule. She also informed that in 49 gram panchayats migration was noticed and it was found that in 1109 gram panchayats/wards sufficient works are in the shelf to provide work and to avoid migration.
2011/6/9 9:17:36 The Lok Satta Party on Thursday demanded that the state government act against dealers and officials responsible for diversion of cotton seed to the black market.
Lok Satta Party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and P Bhaskaraa Rao, in a statement said that Government failure to ensure orderly cotton seed supply forced farmers to resort to road blockades and indulge in violence.
The scramble for a certain variety of cotton seed led to the conduct of auctions and lottery for seed distribution. The neglect of agricultural extension machinery by successive Governments has resulted in such a pathetic situation, they added.
The Lok Satta leaders urged the Government to ensure that there is no mismatch between demand for and supply of cotton seed and educate farmers on the efficacy of different seed varieties.
Now that the monsoon has advanced into the State, the Government should make available adequate quantities of fertilizer, they suggested.
The Government should shed its complacency towards agriculture which provides livelihood to an overwhelming majority of the population and make farming profitable through appropriate policies.
Lok Satta defends decision to align with Left parties
2012/5/3 6:47:15 Hyderabad, May 3 (INN): The Lok Satta Party on Thursday defended its decision to have alliance with the Left parties.
According to Lok Satta Party Working President DVVS Varma, the decision to join hands with Left parties was taken as there was no point in replacing one traditional party with another since all of them were steeped in corruption and lost their capacity to address people’s problems. He hoped that the Lok Satta decision would serve as a ray of hope to all people who are now in deep despair over the present state of politics. It is time that all people who aspire for eradication of corruption and resolution of burning problems joined hands, he added.
Varma pointed out that Left parties were divided on the Telangana issue while the Lok Satta has its own stand. It is also true there are differences of opinion between the Lok Satta and Left parties on many other issues. Yet, the Lok Satta believes it can work together with Left parties on public issues over which they shared a common view, he said.
Instead of confining itself to adjustments during elections for seats and votes, the Lok Satta will continue to work with like-minded parties on ushering in corruption-free politics and resolving people’s problems, Varma added.
Varma said that the Lok Satta Party has decided to support CPI(M) candidates in Tirupati and Anantapur as the CPI(M) has decided to back the Lok Satta Party in Ongole by dropping plans to contest from it in the by-elections to the State Assembly on June 12.
The decision was taken by the Lok Satta Party's State Working Committee here today, said Mr. Varma.
As a result of the electoral adjustments, the CPI (M) will support the Lok Satta Party in Ongole, Pattipadu, Rayadurgam and Yemmiganur Assembly constituencies.
The Lok Satta Party in turn will support CPM candidates in Tirupati, Anantapur, Payakaraopet, Udayagiri and Polavaram Assembly constituencies and Nellore Lok Satta constituency.
The Lok Satta Party would consider contesting from Ramachandrapuram and Parakala in the wake of its decision not to field candidates in Tirupati and Anantapur.
Varma appealed to the CPI to back Lok Satta candidates in the by-elections, adding that the Lok Satta would support it if it fielded candidates.
2011/6/20 9:39:10 The state government would file an affidavit in the High Court at the earliest following the stay granted on the Panchayat Raj Elections at the behest of AP Panchayat Raj Union.
Minister for Panchayat Raj K Jana Reddy told media persons at the Secretariat on Monday that the transfers which also came to a halt following the stay of PR polls, would be revived as per the Court directive.
Mr Jana Reddy also disclosed that he had received proposals for converting 52 Panchayats into Municipalities.
Replying to a question, the Minister said that it takes time to examine the proposals to arrive at a decision as all things have to be considered a report in respect of villages and thandas. “Besides this, objections on their conversion into municipalities etc will have to be heard,” the Minister pointed out.
He said that the notices must be issued in respect of all these issues.
Mr Jana Reddy also informed that joint operation of cheques in respect of funds withdrawals was made to protect the funds and stop any misuse.(INN)
Parl panel to hear Lok Satta on citizens' charters
2012/2/7 14:52:13 Hyderabad, Feb 7 (INN): 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, 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 Ashwin Mahesh from Karnataka, and Sandeep Varma and 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.
2011/10/21 4:28:07 The Lok Satta Party has welcomed the RTC decision to make up for losses suffered by bus pass holders by extending the validity of their passes for the duration of the strike by RTC workers.
Issuance of bus passes making up for days lost to those who have already renewed their passes and those who have taken new identity cards on expiry of old ones and extension of the working hours of counters issuing passes are welcome, said Lok Satta Party’s GHMC unit convener M Satyanarayana here on Friday.
The Lok Satta Party leader wanted the RTC to extend the benefit to student and physically challenged bus pass holders and open more counters for issuing of passes. (INN)
2011/8/28 8:46:40 Lok Satta Party Working President DVVS Varma has expressed his happiness over Members of Parliament cutting across party lines supporting the Lok Satta’s plea for constitution of Lokayuktas in States along with the Lokpal, and a National Judicial Commission to deal with higher judiciary, excluding it from the Lokpal purview.
Varma pointed out that the Lok Satta has been fighting for the creation of an effective, strong, and independent Lokpal. It conducted two round table conferences in New Delhi and Hyderabad on the Lokpal Bill, brought about a consensus on most provisions, and communicated them to all political leaders in the form of amendments to the Union Government’s Bill.
Congratulating all those who fought along with the Lok Satta for the creation of strong anti-corruption mechanisms, Varma hoped the Parliamentary Standing Committee and Parliament would give shape to a Lokpal, Lokayukta Bill that reflects public opinion. (INN)
2011/7/21 10:04:24 Lok Satta Party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and P Rohit Kumar on Thursday appealed to non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the US to lend their mite in Lok Satta’s mission to usher in new politics.
Interacting with members of People for Lok Satta in a number of cities from San Francisco on the West Coast to Washington DC on the East Coast for two weeks in July, they recalled that NRIs had played a key role in taking the U. S. forward in a number of fields.
It was high time they spared some time and effort to improve living conditions in their motherland. They are welcome to take up leadership and further the Lok Satta cause, they added.
The Lok Satta leaders took part in the TANA (Telugu Association of North America) conference at Santa Clara earlier.
Mr Srinivasa Rao and Mr Rohit Kumar explained that the Lok Satta’s 15-year-old fight against corruption was about to bear fruit with the Government of India getting ready to adopt a Lokpal Bill. The Lok Satta Party is trying to persuade political parties on the importance of instituting similar mechanisms at the State and district levels.
People for Lok Satta President Prasanna Meda recalled that PFL received tremendous response to its 240-mile ‘Dandi March II’ against corruption in March 2011. It is mobilizing NRI support to the Indian farmers’ demand for liberating agriculture from the license-permit raj.(INN)
Ongole, Karimngar, Chittoor Municipalities now Corporations
2011/6/24 3:30:28 Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday approved the up-gradation of Ongole Municipality from Selection Grade to Municipal Corporation by merging the adjacent Panchayats and Revenue villages into Ongole Municipality.
The Chief Minister also approved up-gradation of Chittoor Municipality as Municipal Corporation. He approved the up-gradation of Khammam Municipality into Municipal Corporation.
Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy also approved inclusion of Gram Panchayats and Peri Urban areas into Karimnagar Municipal Corporation and also for inclusion of surrounding Gram Panchayats in Peri Urban areas into Siddipet Municipal limits.(INN)
The Lok Satta Party on Monday demanded that the Central Government route not merely Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) but all funds directly to panchayats.
Welcoming the Excise Minister’s move to constitute a committee to campaign against the liquor menace, the Lok Satta Party on Monday suggested that the State Government reward panchayats enforcing Prohibition with an annual grant of Rs 100,000.
Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy denied that the government has reached an agreement with the workers of gram panchayats to solve their problems during the agitation in August 2010.
The Lok Satta Party on Tuesday demanded that the State Government straightway disclose the names of people's representatives, officials and others who have received kickbacks from liquor syndicates.
The Lok Satta Party is planning to launch a united, non-partisan movement against arbitrary increase in property tax in municipalities.
The Lok Satta Party will launch a campaign in 100 mandals from November 1 to mobilize farmers on demands like a reasonable price for khariff paddy, provision of basic amenities at purchase centers and an assistance package for drought-hit areas.
