Press Releases Archive

A novel avalanche to hit PMO On 2-G spectrum scam

Demanding immediate cancellation of the 2-G spectrum allocations, recovery of the Himalayan loss the exchequer has suffered and institution of a strong anti corruption commission, students and youth will be flooding the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with post cards, e-mails, faxes and one-rupee money orders beginning November 26.

Announcing the action plan at a media conference here today, Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan called upon the youth and students to transcend party affiliations and raise their voice against corruption, which undermined their hopes for a better future.

Dr. JP said India has earned the dubious distinction of recording the biggest scam in world history in one Government wing in one year. Going by the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report, the loss sustained by the exchequer could be as large as Rs. 1,76,000 crore. Had the Government earned such colossal revenue, it would have been sufficient to build 5 million classrooms or 20 million homes or add 8 million hospital beds.

Dr. JP regretted that all mainstream political parties focused on peripheral issues like appointment of a Joint Parliamentary Committee instead of pondering how the loss caused by collusive corruption could be recouped. They were guilty of obfuscating the issue by pitting tainted Telecommunications Minister Mr. A. Raja against scam-ridden Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yedyurappa, and indulging in mutual mud-slinging.

Dr. JP pointed out that the Indian exchequer had been robbed in broad daylight with politicians and bureaucrats resorting to dubious, opaque and illegal means to reward a select band of rapacious operators. By canceling the tainted licenses and disgorging the beneficiaries of their windfall gains, the Government should send a strong message that those who cheat the Government would not merely lose their social standing but also go bankrupt.

Dr. JP announced that Lok Satta, along with a number of highly credible individuals would be filing a petition in the Supreme Court on November 29 seeking cancellation of 2-G spectrum licenses. He released a poster titled National Camapgtin against Corruption as also a pamphlet on the 2-G spectrum scam.

Party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao announced the campagin would be continued until December 9, World Anti Corruption Day. Dr. JP himself would send a money order to the Prime Minister listing the three demands on the scam on November 26. A public walk and a meeting would be organized at Visakhapatnam as a culmination.

Replying to questions, Dr. JP said that the Bihar verdict, as the earlier ones in Gujarat, Delhi, MP and Chattisgarh, demonstrates that people would vote back a party to power if it provides relatively better governance. He appealed to the State Government and the agitating employees to enter into a dialogue and sort out their problems. He condemned attacks on ‘Sakshi’ offices as unwarranted in a democracy.

Mr. D. V. V. S. Varma, Working President and Yuva Satta and Vidyarthi Satta leaders D. Ramu, P. Sivaji, Naveen Kumar Sarma and Mangala took part in the media meet.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - 14:44

State on verge of anarchy, Charges Dr. JP

Andhra Pradesh is fast hurtling into anarchy because of the acts of commission and omission by a pusillanimous Government and interested pressure groups, charged Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.

Addressing a media meet on the agitations and counter-agitations on the sub-inspector recruitment written examination, Dr. JP said the Government could have pre-empted law and order problems had it persuaded the Union Government to delete the controversial Clause 14 F from the Presidential Order. The agitated people should have explored ways and means of getting their grievances redressed through legitimate and legal channels instead of enforcing shutdowns and threatening self-immolation.

Dr. JP recalled that the Lok Satta Party was the first to suggest deletion of the clause 14 F of the Presidential Order relating to recruitment of police in Hyderabad city. The State legislature unanimously adopted a resolution seeking deletion as early as in March 2010.

Without following up the Assembly resolution, the Government decided to recruit police personnel. As trouble erupted over treating Hyderabad as a ‘free zone’, the Government initially decided to put on hold the examination in Hyderabad but go ahead with it in other parts of the State. As the Telangana agitators would not relent, the Government has now deferred the examination all over the State and triggered a counter agitation in the rest of Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. JP said that the alien, undemocratic British rulers were much more balanced, mature, reliable, and consistent than the present Andhra Pradesh rulers. State Government actions have become irrational and unpredictable.

Dr. JP said that sections of people and political parties were equally to blame for the present chaotic conditions. They seem to forget that rights and responsibilities are two sides of the same coin. One could legitimately agitate for a cause but one should not inconvenience others in the process. Rasta rokos, hartals, and bandhs would hurt millions of people who lead a hand-to-mouth existence and deprive critical patients of prompt medical assistance.

He told sub-inspector aspirants in the Andhra region they need not fear any disqualification because of deferment of the examination by a few months. They will all be eligible for selection irrespective of some delay, as long as they were eligible at the time of application. Lok Satta party urges Government of India and Andhra Pradesh government to shed the passive, somnolent approach, and take energic steps to repeal Section 14 F of the Presidential Order, and conduct examinations for the police recruitment within two months. Meanwhile, Lok Satta Party appeals to unemployed youth of all regions not to resort to rasta rokos and bandhs, and not to hurt themselves. "They have to act with restraint and dignity, and they must not become victims of hatred and parochialism", appealed Dr JP.

Sunday, November 21, 2010 - 09:23

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