Press Releases Archive

Lok Satta criticizes move to legalize belt shops

State Lok Satta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao today sharply criticized the Excise Department proposal for legalization of illegal liquor outlets known as belt shops in the State on the ground their clsoure will lead to illicit distillation of liquor.

In a media statement, Mr. Srinivasa Rao recalled the Chief Minister had publicly announced his intention to close down belt shops in response to a long-standing demand from women. The Lok Satta Party had in the past launched a movement against belt shops as they played havoc with the health and finances of millions of people all over the State. The Government spent only a fraction of the revenue it earned on liquor on the so-called schemes meant for the welfare of the common person. Even as it ruined poor people's health by facilitating easy consumption of liquor, it claimed to take care of their health through schemes like Aarogyasri.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao demanded that the Chief Minister keep his pledge by ensuring that all belt shops are shut down as early as possible. He should not allow his ministerial colleagues to get away by claiming there are no belt shops in the State.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the Government would be abdicating its right to govern if it admits that it cannot control illicit distillation in the wake of belt shop clsoure.

The Lok Satta had already suggested that the Government empower and enable village panchayats and self-help groups to control illicit distillation. It can even stipulate that failure to control illicit distillation will result in the elected panchayat being dissolved.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao reiterated the Lok Satta Party demand that the Government itself run liquor outlets instead of allocating them to private individuals. Belt shops cannot be eliminated as long as private operators are in place as proliferation of belt shops will boost their sales, revenue and profits. The Government should effect the change in the new excise year, which is round the corner.

The Lok Satta Party, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said, would like the Government to restrict liquor consumption by limiting the number of official outlets and their working hours, shut down all illegal outlets and put down with an iron hand illicit distillation and gudumba manufactaure.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - 18:04

A vote against BJP is not necessarily A vote for Congress: Dr. JP

The Congress victory in Karnataka should not be construed as a vote for it at the national level, Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said today. In a media statement, he pointed out that the Congress has come to power on the plank of an anti BJP vote because of local conditions.

Dr. JP said that the Congress has gained from people's revulsion against corruption, bad governance and utter failure in key sectors and split in BJP party ranks. The Congress at the national level now and in Karnataka when it ruled the State in the past is no different from the BJP. Yet, the people voted for the Congress because they have found no alternative.

Dr. JP said that by defeating the BJP and voting for the Congress, the people in Karnataka have fallen from the frying pan into the fire. A race has already begun in Karnataka for the Chief Minister's post. He hoped that the Congress which has won by default will utilize the opportunity to provide good governance by choosing a person of integrity and competence as Chief Minister.

Dr. JP said it is a matter of concern that both the Congress and the BJP at the national level are mired in a crisis. The exit of a strong leader from the BJP in Karnataka and the death of a strong leader and the rise of the Telangana demand in Andhra Pradesh have plunged the two parties into a crisis.

Dr.JP pointed out that in a large number of constituencies candidates spent Rs.15-20 crore each, reflecting the sad state of electoral politics.

Dr. JP appealed to the Congress and the BJP to put an end to their bankrupt vote bank politics and undemocratic tendencies and focus on constructive measures to bale the country out of the economic, political and administrative quagmire.

Andhra Pradesh Lok Satta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao said that the Lok Satta which contested in 24 seats in Karnataka has registered encouraging results. It has polled about 10,000 votes in a couple of constituencies and fared better than the JD (S) in some Bengaluru constituencies.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that voters in urban conglomerations in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are looking for an alternative to the traditional parties. Karnataka results underline that the Lok Satta has the potential to emerge as the alternative if it strengthens itself in tune with people's aspirations.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 - 18:25

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