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)
2011/12/1 14:35:25 All opposition parties on Thursday staged a walkout from the State Legislative Council in protest against the hike in property tax in municipalities and municipal corporations.
Earlier, replying to a query submitted by MLCs Pogaku Yadagiri, SV Satish Kumar Reddy and Chereupally Seetha Ramulu, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister M Maheedhar Reddy admitted that the ceiling limit on increase on property taxes has been lifted in municipalities and municipal corporations. However, he denied that the hike was abnormal in both residential and non-residential areas.
Speaking on the issue, MLC Satish Kumar Reddy said that several municipalities and municipal corporations have increased the property taxes by 100 to 500 per cent. He accused the government of burdening the common man by increasing the taxes. However, the minister clarified that the state government had no role in the property tax hike as the subject was under the jurisdiction of the local bodies.
Not convinced with the minister's reply the members belonging to the TDP, CPI, CPM and TRS staged a walk out from the council in protest. (INN)
2011/8/17 7:48:06 TDP floor leader in GHMC Singi Reddy Srinivas Reddy on Wednesday demanded that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation restrain from increasing the property tax by five percent.
In a representation made to the Chief Minister Mr. N.Kiran Kumar Reddy, the TDP leader said the residents of GHMC were already suffering from G.O.Ms.No.88 relevant to hike of property tax from 1st April and penalty of 200 per cent on property tax. Hike in the property tax would burden the common man further. He said the GHMC residents are facing lot of problems due to continuous bandhs, agitations or dharnas and therefore, it would not be possible for them to pay additional tax.
Mr. Singi Reddy asked as to why the scientific method of property tax was not being implemented in the GHMC. He said the government has to supplement the GHMC till it achieves financial stability by giving an immediate package of Rs. 1,000 crore. (INN)
YS Jagan has announced that he will sit on a deeskha once again. Jagan sat on a lakshya deeksha in Vijayawada for two days and later sat on a one day deeksha at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Jgan will not sit on a one day deeksha at Visakhapatnam on January 22. The deeksha is in protest against the hike in petrol hike.
Dattatreyya, BJP activists held for power tariff hike protest
2012/4/16 8:06:06 Hyderabad, April 16 (INN): The police on Monday arrested BJP senior leader Bandaru Dattatreyya and other activists for trying to picket Vidyut Soudha at Khairatabad in protest against the power tariff hike.
Raising slogans against the government, the BJP activists led by Dattatreyya staged a dharna and demanded withdrawal of tariff hike immediately. Addressing the gathering, Dattatreya said that the State Government’s decision has put additional burden on all sections, especially poor, middle class, farmers and industries.
Dattatreyya said that the government, which totally failed to supply nine hours of regular power to farmers, has no right to increase the power tariff and burden their lives.
The BJP activists also tried to enter the Vidhyut Soudha building which was foiled by the police. Later, they were arrested by the police.
2012/3/31 4:55:53 Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday came down heavily on the State Government for increasing the power tariff hike to the tune of Rs 4,442 crore on the 2.2 crore consumers across the State from April 1.
Talking to media persons at NTR Trust Bhavan, Naidu said that the TDP would launch massive protest against the power tariff hike across the State. The party would conduct awareness camps on power tariff hike among people from April 1 to 4 and dharnas would be organised in front of power sub-stations across the State on April 4.
Stating that domestic consumers in the State would have to bear 18 percent hike, Naidu said that the consumers have to shell out 90 paisa if they consume more than 100 units. He slammed the government for increasing the tariff without providing proper power to consumers. He accused the Congress party of making tall claims during the elections that it would supply seven hours of power to the farmers.
Naidu also expressed serious concern over the power portfolio not being handled by a regular minister. (INN)
2008/6/4 7:19:25 The back in the saddle TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao has given a bandh call in protest against the hike in petro, diesel and cooking gas prices. The union cabinet hiked the prices of Petrol by 5 rupees a litre, Diesel by 3 rupees a litre and cooking gas by 50 rupees a cylinder. KCR asked the people of Telangana to observe a bandh in Telangana over the petro hike on June 6.
2011/8/17 8:02:49 Extending their support to Anna Hazares fight against corruption, the Lok Satta Party activists organised a novel demonstration near Vivekananda Statue at Tank Bund here on Wednesday.
Shackling their arms, the party workers formed themselves into a human chain and shouted slogans against the Union Governments vindictive attitude towards Anna Hazare and team. The Government opted to malign and jail the fighters against corruption, instead of jailing the corrupt.
Addressing a gathering, party leaders V. Laxman Balaji, V. Vijayender Reddy, S. Manorama, K. Gita Murthy, and Y. Ramadevi pointed out that people are indignant as the Union Government is not serious and sincere about rooting out corruption. They said that the Lok Satta would like the Lokpal Bill to create institutional mechanisms to fight corruption at State and district levels too. They recalled that the Lok Satta organization and the party have been fighting for cleansing the political system and rid it of corruption for a number of years. (INN)
2011/6/30 7:15:42 Even before a week is over, once again the UPA Government has allowed the Petroleum Companies to increase the commission of their dealers. Therefore, it slightly affects the Petrol and Diesel prices. There will be 27NP hike in Petrol price and 15NP hike in Diesel price with effect from Thursday mid night. Although, it is a minor hike in the prices, neither the UPA Government nor the Petroleum companies have bothered to make any announcement about the hike, perhaps fearing to face the ire of people.
Pay for damage to public property to get bail: Court
2011/10/24 8:11:19 (IANS) The Kerala High Court Monday reiterated that those who are arrested for damaging public property would get bail only after depositing money equivalent to the loss that is caused.
The court said if at the time of deciding the case it was proved that the accused was innocent, the money deposited by him at the time of seeking bail would be returned.
Justice K.T. Sankaran said this while disposing off a petition urging a review of the court's earlier judgement on the same lines.
The court said that, of late, there had been a spurt in destruction of public property and hence he had decided to stick to the earlier judgment.
The Congress-led state government earlier told the court that it was not opposed to the earlier judgment because there was an apex court ruling to this effect.
Last month, the state witnessed a state-wide shutdown called by the Left parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party to protest the hike in petrol prices.
The capital witnessed a similar shutdown called by the Left parties three days before the statewide shutdown.
In both the shutdowns, numerous state-owned transport buses were stoned and a few government vehicles were also attacked by the protesters.
Early this month, activists of the student wing of the Left parties went on the rampage and damaged state-owned buses and government vehicles.
Labour and Rehabilitation Minister Shibhu Baby John who requested the state government last month to set up a special court for speedy trial of cases related to destruction of public property welcomed the court order.
"This is certainly a welcome judgment and this is going to provide a fillip to our work to set up a special court to try destruction of public property cases," said John.
Communist Party of India-Marxist Lok Sabha member M.B. Rajesh termed the judgment draconian.
"We wish that the court will seriously review this judgment because it is not fair to collect a deposit to the amount equivalent to the loss incurred," said Rajesh.
2012/4/2 6:55:23 YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy would lead the party’s protest against the power charges hike and will stage a dharna at Mogalthuru sub-station in West Godavari district on Tuesday demanding roll back of the increased tariff.
“The party will hold dharnas at all the mandal and constituency level sub-stations in protest against the hike in power charges and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is touring West Godavari district, will hold dharna at Mogalthuru,” party spokesperson, Vasireddy Padma told reporters here on Monday.
YSRC party cadre would conduct dharnas at all mandal and constituency level sub-stations demanding roll back of increased power charges as it affects all sections of people, farmers, workers, students and households as well, she said.
The Rs 4,000-crore burden on general public is against the Congress manifesto and poll promise made by YSR, she said adding that the power tariff was not hiked even once by YSR during his term as chief minister.
Free power to farmers, also promised in the manifesto, has been ignored by the Congress government which is moving away by every passing day, she said.
TDP on the other hand was a puppet of World Bank and has increased the power charges and earned notoriety for putting down the agitation against power tariff hike with an iron hand and the party has no moral right to speak about power tariff, she said adding that Naidu was known for his doublespeak on various issues, including power.
“His stand varies from the position he holds. While in power he has a different view and it can be reversed when he in opposition and this includes the power tariff issue as well. (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)
2011/8/16 8:10:56 Through its reckless and senseless detention of Anna Hazare and team, the Union Government squandered away a precious opportunity to build a national consensus on creating an effective mechanism to curb corruption, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here on Tuesday.
In a statement, Dr.JP said there could be honest and legitimate differences of opinion and approach to the creation of Lokpal, Lokayukta, and ombudsmen institutions between the Government and civil society. Some of the demands of the civil society on the Lokpal institution may be far-fetched.
In such a situation, the Government is obliged to exercise patience and restraint, explain its viewpoint, and convince the public. Instead, Dr. JP, said the Government has resorted to the heinous practice of levelling corruption allegations against Anna Hazare and others fighting against corruption. The Governments conduct is improper, immoral, immature, and counterproductive. If there is any substance in the allegations it is making now, why has it not acted earlier, asked Dr. JP. Instead of strengthening constitutional processes, the Government by its vindictive attitude is alienating people.
Dr. JP said that the Lokpal Bill has now become Parliaments property and the civil society should recognize that Parliament is an institution elected by people. It is time that all sections including the Government, political parties, civil society, and media mount concerted and authentic efforts to curb corruption.
Dr. JP regretted that the public debate on the Lokpal Bill has ignored corruption at the State and local Government levels. The Lok Satta Party has consistently been advocating the creation of strong and independent Lokayuktas and ombudsmen at State and district levels along with Lokpal at the national level. The Government should strengthen investigating agencies like the CBI and the ACB and insulate them from political interference by bringing them under the protective umbrella of the Lokpal and Lokayukta.
The need of the hour is mature negotiations and arriving at a consensus, said Dr. JP and added there is no place for inflexible views in public debate. He appealed to all sections of society to protest peacefully against the detention of Anna Hazare and others without disrupting peoples normal life.
Dr. JP said that the Lok Satta Party is drawing up an action plan to canalize peoples indignation and energy and realize their dream for strong anti-corruption mechanisms.
Mr. DVVS Varma, Working President of Lok Satta Party said that the Party would organize Mass Dharnas throughout the State on August 17 and Demonstrations in association with others on August 18 to protest against the arrest of Anna Hazare and his team. (INN)
Government has increased the prices of Diesel, Domestic gas and Kerosene from Friday midnight. Diesel price hikes by Rs.3/Ltr, Domestic Gas Rs.50 per Cylinder and Kerosene Rs.2/Ltr. Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy stated that, the latest hike in the petro products wont affect the poor and common man as it can be easily digestible for them. He said it is inevitable for him to approve this hike as there was no other option to save the Petroleum companies from submerging under heavy losses. On the other hand, he also gave relief to Petroleum companies by reducing 5% Customs duty on Diesel and Petrol and Excise duty from Rs.4.60 to Rs.2.00 on Diesel.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukharji has stated that, the latest hike wont much affect the inflation which is now at 9 points. But, the experts opine that, it is going to reach cross 10 points very soon with this hike, which makes poor and common man lives miserable.
Opposition parties have condemned the hike and gearing-up to stage dharnas in protest against the hike.
2011/6/29 4:06:01 The Lok Satta Party on Wednesday requested Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to ensure that the State-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) does not raise fares in the wake of the Union Government hike in diesel price.
A Lok Satta Party delegation comprising Katari Srinivasa Rao, V Laxman Balaji, P Bhaskara Rao and P Rohit Kumar called on Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy at the Camp Office and submitted a memorandum.
Pointing out that more than a crore of people use RTC services daily, the Lok Satta leaders told the Chief Minister that any hike in fares would impose a heavy burden on poor and middle class commuters.
The Government can go to the rescue of the loss-making RTC in a number of ways, they represented to the Chief Minister. The Government, for instance, can reduce the 22 percent VAT it imposes on diesel, like some of its counterparts in the country.
It can pass on the increase in revenue from VAT on diesel to the RTC. It can reduce the motor vehicle tax on RTC buses and clear the long-pending dues to the RTC. It can implement the recommendations made by IIM, Ahmedabad, and improve RTCs revenue.
The Government should promote public transport and not private transport in the interests of environment and fuel security, the LSP said in its memorandum.
The Lok Satta leaders wanted the Government to promote production of biofuels to ensure energy security at a time fossil fuel reserves the world over are dwindling.
Brazil, for instance, has emerged as a leader in production of ethanol from sugarcane. Ethanol blended with petroleum serves as a motor fuel. Ethanol production benefits farmers by ensuring a higher price for sugarcane and the country by saving foreign exchange on import of petroleum products.
Talking to media, Mr Katari Srinivasa Rao expressed the hope that the Chief Minister would heed the practical suggestions made by the delegation.(INN)
2007/10/11 8:23:32 The state government has come up with new norms for registration of properties. According to the new guidelines, no property would be registered unless accompanied by a digital photograph. The buyer of the property has to get himself photographed in front of the property and get a digital photograph along with the date and time on the photograph. The photo has to be in 12x16 size. A road map giving the details of the property should also be enclosed along with the registration documents.
This new rule has come as a severe blow to people in rural areas. Many small villages do hot have a proper studio, let alone a studio equipped with a digital camera.
2011/8/4 8:21:35 The Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta has confirmed that political parties which have not bothered to strengthen the institution are indulging in empty rhetoric on combating corruption, said the Lok Satta Party on Thursday.
In a media statement, Lok Satta Party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and Ravi Maruth said the Lokayuktas observations in response to a letter from Textile Minister Shankar Rao apply to successive governments in the state.
The Lokayukta pointedly asked why the institution had not been strengthened since its constitution in 1983 despite repeated representations. It did not enjoy the powers of the Lokayukta in Karnataka, the Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta said.
The recent developments have exposed the political bankruptcy of traditional parties, said the Lok Satta leaders. In this connection, they referred to politicians in power approaching courts for action against the corrupt since they are helpless, and legislators triggering constitutional crisis since they cannot resolve issues through discussions in legislature.
The Lok Satta reiterated its demand that the Government strengthen the Lokayukta by bringing the Anti Corruption Bureau and Vigilance Commission under its purview, constitute special courts with independent prosecutors to try the corrupt, and hand over swift punishment including property attachment.
They recalled that although Lok Satta Party president and Kukatpally MLA Jayaprakash Narayan had submitted a draft Bill to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act as early as in 2009, the mainstream political parties remained virtually silent.
If they are serious of eradicating corruption, they should fight for constitution of strong anti corruption mechanisms at the national, State and district levels as part of the Lokpal Bill. (INN)
Lok Satta refutes TDP charge on fight against corruption
2012/4/28 7:07:14 Hyderabad, April 28 (INN): The Lok Satta Party on Saturday strongly refuted the Telugu Desam Party contention that its President Dr Jayaprakash Narayan is not fighting against corruption with an eye on electoral alliance with certain parties.
"The TDP seems to regard the State as its fiefdom and people as machines meant to vote for it only," said the Lok Satta Party.
In a media statement, Lok Satta Party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao referred to TDP leader A Revanth Reddy's charge and said it is ridiculous.
Srinivasa Rao recalled that it was Dr JP who first drafted a Bill to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act as early as in 2009 and circulated it among all political parties. The Bill provided for constitution of a strong and independent Lokayukta, strengthening of the Anti Corruption Bureau, appointment of independent prosecutors and stringent punishment including confiscation of the property of the guilty. Far from taking the lead to get the Bill passed as requested by Dr. JP, the TDP has remained silent.
Srinivasa Rao pointed out that Dr. JP had forcefully argued in the Assembly against the Government gifting away thousands of acres of the coastline to certain industrialists and sought cancellation of such allotments.
The TDP, which is indulging in rhetoric on corruption, voted against the Lokpal Bill which also envisaged constitution of Lokayuktas in States and backstabbed Anna Hazare. It even stalled a comprehensive discussion on corruption in the Assembly.
Srinivsa Rao reiterated that there are no basic policy differences among the Congress, TDP and YSR Congress Party.
The Lok Satta Party is ready to work with even the TDP if it is committed to policies like eradication of corruption, decentralization of power, agricultural reforms, restriction of liquor consumption, proportional representation, provision of quality healthcare and education to all and job opportunities to youth.
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.
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.
TRS, YSR Cong stage dharna against power tariff hike
2012/4/3 3:54:23 The Telangana Rashtra Samithi on Tuesday demanded that the State Government roll-back the hike in the power tariff immediately.
Talking to reporters at Vidhyut Soudha at Khairtabad, where about 500 TRS activists staged a dharna against the power hike, TRS floor leader Etala Rajender said that the increase in power tariff has hit the common man who is already burdened with inflation and increasing prices of essential commodities. He said that TDP did not return to power after it affected a hike in power tariff and Congress too would face a similar fate if it fails to roll back the hike.
Earlier, the TRS activists led by Etala, MLA Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and former MLA N Narasimha Reddy staged a massive protest at Vidhyut Soudha. Police foiled the attempt by some TRS workers who tried to barge into the Vidhyut Soudha premises. Later, all the leaders and workers were taken into custody by the police.
A few minutes after the TRS workers were arrested, about 500 workers of YSR Congress party led by Bajireddy Govardhan workers arrived at the Vidhyut Soudha and staged dharna. They too were taken into custody by the police.
The dual dharna led to a serious traffic jam on the Khairtabad road. Traffic was stranded up to Lakdikapul, Punjagutta and Somajiguda roads from the Khairtabad junction and it took several hours for the police to clear the traffic jam. (INN)
The Lok Satta Party is planning to launch a united, non-partisan movement against arbitrary increase in property tax in municipalities.
Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday came down heavily on the State Government for increasing the power tariff hike to the tune of Rs 4,442 crore on the 2.2 crore consumers across the State from April 1.
Even before a week is over, once again the UPA Government has allowed the Petroleum Companies to increase the commission of their dealers. Therefore, it slightly affects the Petrol and Diesel prices. There will be 27NP hike in Petrol price and 15NP hike in Diesel price with effect from Thursday mid night. Although, it is a minor hike in the prices, neither the UPA Government nor the Petroleum companies have bothered to make any announcement about the hike, perhaps fearing to face the ire of people.
YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy would lead the party’s protest against the power charges hike and will stage a dharna at Mogalthuru sub-station in West Godavari district on Tuesday demanding roll back of the increased tariff.
