Press Releases Archive

Lok Satta warns against denial of Assistance to PG students

The move to deny scholarships and fee reimbursement to post-graduate students will spawn unrest, warned the Lok Satta Party here today.

Addressing a media conference, Lok Satta Party leaders wanted the Government to convene an all-party meeting and consult all stakeholders before taking a decision.

Party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao and Secretary P. Bhaskara Rao said that the Government should provide quality primary education to every child irrespective of its caste or religion and enable all the deserving and desirous to pursue higher education. Education should be viewed as a means for wealth creation, they emphasized.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao, who took part in the party’s campaign for elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly, hoped the party would make its presence felt in some of the 36 constituencies in which it fielded candidates. The mainstream parties in Tamil Nadu sought to lure voters with sops at the cost of the Government and distribution of ill-gotten money. In contrast, the Lok Satta Party told the voters that it aimed at making them self-reliant and not beggars.

Party leaders V. Laxman Balaji and Mrs. Gajanani took part in the media conference.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - 16:14

Lok Satta welcomes Govt. decision

The Lok Satta Party today welcomed the Union Government decision to constitute a committee comprising representatives of the Government and civil society to draft the Lok Pal Bill.

In a media statement, party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma had no alternative to bowing to public opinion in the wake of social activist Anna Hazare’s fast seeking constitution of a powerful and independent Lok Pal.

Inspired by the success of the current movement against corruption, people should now focus on bringing about electoral reforms and cleansing the political system. There could be no real change in their lives without a change in the nature of politics, Mr. Varma added.

Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 16:26

Let us get a strong Lokpal, But don’t delegitimatize politics and elections : Dr. JP

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today appealed to people not to demonize politics and politicians in the wake of the groundswell of support to social activist Anna Hazare’s indefinite fast seeking constitution of an independent and powerful Lok Pal.

In a media statement, Dr. JP expressed confidence that the Union Government would bow to public opinion and bring forward strong legislation to curb corruption. Anna Hazare succeeded in galvanizing a large section of people who have remained indifferent to the day-to-day functioning of democracy, corruption, banality and decadence in public life. He hoped that the Government would involve all stakeholders in the drafting of the law. In fact, such a sensible and consensual approach marked the enactment of the Right to Information law.

People, however, should realize that that there are no quick fixes or a panacea for combating corruption. Strong legislation is no doubt necessary but not sufficient. Many people who pinned their hopes on the RTI Act transforming governance were disappointed, not because it was a bad law but because of their unrealistic expectations. Do not expect a piece of legislation or a novel institution to undo all the damage done to democracy over decades.

Dr. JP also warned people against vilifying politics, politicians and political institutions. The crux of democracy lies in people’s mandate expressed through free and fair elections. Deriding politics amounts to deriding Mahama Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi. Many politicians including those in traditional parties are known for their integrity and commitment to the country. Dubbing people in politics as bad by definition and those outside as good is both fallacious and anti-democratic.

Dr. JP said that it is time young people shed their cynicism and indifference, accepted the burden of leadership and took part in politics. The media, said Dr. JP, has played a fantastic role in promoting public awareness about corruption. It should continue to play a constructive role by becoming a platform between people and elected representatives and help create institutions with checks and balances to fight corruption and promote good governance.

Friday, April 8, 2011 - 17:55

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