Press Releases Archive

Dr. JP welcomes allotment of iron ore mines to VSP, Demands land acquisition for Ramayapatnam port

Although belated, the Andhra Pradesh Government decision to allocate 5342 hectares of iron ore mines in Bayyaram and other places to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) is welcome, said Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.

In a media statement, Dr. JP wanted the State Government to acquire land in and around Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district for the major port-cum-shipyard proposed by the Union Government.

Dr. JP recalled that when he met the VSP management in the wake of an industrial accident, it sought allocation of iron ore mines for captive mining with a view to improving production and profitability and creating more jobs. Although long overdue, the Government decision to allocate iron ore mines to VSP is most welcome.

Dr. JP said that the State Government should acquire land in and around Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district for the port-cum-shipyard proposed by the Union Government in the context of the Indian Navy taking over Hindustan Shipyard at Visakhapatnam. It has not materialized so far because the State Government had earmarked rights over 400 km of coastline to private port companies. The Lok Satta Party had exposed the irregularities in agreements with private port companies in the Assembly on March 8, 2011.

Dr. JP said that the port-cum-shipyard would attract investments of up to Rs.20000 crore in course of time and contribute to the economic development of south coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. JP today demanded that the State Government scrap the irregular agreements with private port companies and allocate land for the proposed major port-cum-shipyard.

Dr. JP also welcomed the Union Law Ministry proposal to constitute a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). A panel of three eminent jurists - Justices M. N. Venkatachalaiah, J. S. Varma and V. R. Krishna Iyer – constituted by the Lok Satta had endorsed the proposal. There is also a broad political consensus on the proposal. A commission comprising representatives of the Government, Opposition, judges and jurists should be entrusted with the job of appointment of judges. Dr. JP said that the judiciary cannot appoint itself and called for building public opinion ensure to ensure that the JAC is not sacrificed at the altar of partisan politics.

Thursday, April 18, 2013 - 17:10

Dr. JP’s tribute to Ramadevi

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today described the death of Mrs. V. S. Ramadevi as a great loss to public life.

Conveying his condolences, Dr. JP said in a media statement that Mrs. Ramadevi was known for her administrative competence and social consciousness. She was straightforward and objective as Union Law Secretary, Chief Election Commissioner of India and Governor of Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. Committed to improving the common person’s life, she took part in many social activities.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 - 20:11

Lok Satta exposes states’ double standards on governance reforms

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today expressed dismay over State Governments opposing police reforms recommended by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission on the spurious argument that they encroach upon their powers and hurt their pride.

In a media statement, Dr. JP referred to reservations expressed by States at a meeting convened by Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in New Delhi on April 15 to discuss ARC recommendations and said it was surprising that the States which fight for their rights in a federal set-up would like to deny the citizens the right to impartial, fair and effective rule of law.

Dr. JP pointed out that States have come into their own in the last two decades thanks to a series of developments. They include the historic Supreme Court judgment in the Bommai case making Center’s imposition of President’s rule in a State justiciable, rational and non-partisan devolution of resources on States since the Tenth Finance Commission, the dawn of the era of coalition governments at the Center, the demise of the license permit raj and the eclipse of Central public sector undertakings as the driver of economic growth.

The Lok Satta Party, Dr. JP pointed out, has always welcomed the States becoming stronger as it is opposed to a centralized, monolithic India. At the same time, the Lok Satta is opposed to States behaving like feudal oligarchies.

Police and judicial reforms, institution of strong anti corruption mechanisms, empowerment of local governments and guaranteeing services to citizens as a matter of right are all at the heart of governance reforms. The States should not torpedo governance reforms by raising spurious arguments.

Dr. JP instanced how the States in the recent past thwarted attempts for constitution of Lokayuktas along with Lokpal at the national level, failed to constitute local courts despite Central funding and violated in letter and spirit of Constitutional amendments providing for empowerment of local governments.

It is galling that the States which fight for their rights with the Center choose to deny similar rights to local governments under them. Local governments constitute the third tier of federalism, and opposing their empowerment is opposing true federalism. Similarly, citizen empowerment, or independent anti-corruption institutions, accountable and effective policing and judicial reforms are all pro-people measures. None of these reforms empower the centre. They only make states more accountable to people. Opposition to these measures in the name of federalism is the height of absurdity. Obstructionism and monopoly of power do not constitute federalism. The States seem to forget that they are ultimately answerable and accountable to people. Federalism should not be construed as a fight against people, and public good not sacrificed at the altar of States’ pride, said Dr. JP.

Dr JP appealed to state governments, political parties, media and civil society to ensure that the agenda of accountable and transparent governance, effective rule of law, empowerment of citizens and fight against corruption is pursued by all stake-holders with speed, vigour and sense of purpose. “The future of our economy and society depends on our actions today. Any delay in acting on these changes will hurt our democracy and our nation”, Dr JP said.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - 15:50

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