Press Releases Archive

Dr. JP shows a way for availing of Central funds for education

Andhra Pradesh, which has the worst record in literacy and school education among all the four Southern States and Maharashtra and Gujarat, is losing about Rs. 800 – 1000 crore of Central funds for education because of its failure to release its share.

Drawing Chief Minister K. Rosaiah’s attention to the “shocking example of bad management of resources,” Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said in a letter, “there cannot be a greater abdication of responsibility, and a graver injustice to the poor.”

Apparently, Dr. JP said, “the Government has no will or capacity to utilize money available to improve education and eliminate poverty by helping people to stand on their own feet.”

Dr. JP highlighted the paradox of Andhra Pradesh spending the largest amount among all States in India towards fee reimbursement and scholarships in higher education but not finding the money to meet State’s 40% share of Centrally-sponsored schemes for school education.

Andhra Pradesh allocated Rs.2300 crore in the 2010-11 budget towards fee reimbursement and scholarships in higher education. There is still unmet demand to the tune of Rs.1190 crore. If the total demand is to be met, it will need about Rs.3500 crore in 2010-11. With the imminent increase in tuition fee for engineering education, the burden may go up to Rs.4000 crore.

At the same time, the State is not able to release its share of expenditure in critical Centrally-sponsored schemes like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rajiv Gandhi Madhyamika Siksh Abhiyan (RMSA). For instance, in 2009-10 against Rs.1100 crore projected program under SSA meant for primary schools (from Class 1 to Class 8), the State could utilize only Rs.425 crore. Similarly, this year the budget allocation under RMSA meant for high schools and junior colleges is about Rs.700 crore. But by current indications, the State will not be able to utilize more than Rs.150 – 200 core.

Dr. JP did not stop with taking exception to the Government’s skewed priorities. He suggested that the fee reimbursement scheme be redesigned to meet the full, genuine demand from all eligible, poor families but eliminate the rich availing of the facility. The Government should facilitate education loans to all poor students and come forward with a scheme to subsidize interest payable by students. Then the burden on the State will be only of the order of Rs 300 crore – 500 crore and yet all the deserving students can be covered.

“The money so saved can be utilized as State’s share of SSA and RMSA. The State will thus get an additional Rs.1000 crore from the Government of India for education for the poor. Both SSA and RMSA can then be implemented in full measure.”

Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 16:58

Dr. JP to take part in ‘Rejuvenate India’ Campaign in US

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) and Lok Satta Tamil Nadu President Vijay Anand will be visiting the U. S. from May 5 to June 2 to take part in events being organized People for LokSatta (PFL), a nonprofit organization, as part of its "Rejuvenate India" worldwide campaign.

As part of the "Rejuvenate India" campaign, Dr. JP and Mr. Vijay Anand will discuss the current state of Indian Republic and the challenges in front of it. Topics of discussion will include:

  • Why is democracy fundamental to India's Growth
  • How can we alter the culture of politics in India
  • Need for localization of governance
  • Education and healthcare reforms in India
  • The role of NRIs in strengthening Indian democracy

Dr. JP is scheduled to speak at Chicago Booth India Leadership Summit, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts and Northeastern University. He will be visiting almost all important cities in the U.S. and interacting with NRIs.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 15:57

Lok Satta advocates direct elections to Curb money power

That candidates contesting to the Legislative Council from local bodies’ constituencies are prepared to spend up to Rs.15 crore merely reflects the depths of depravity to which politics in Andhra Pradesh have plunged, commented the Lok Satta Party here today.

Talking to the media, party leaders Mr. V. Laxman Balaji, Mr. G. Raja Reddy, Mr. V. Vijayendar Reddy said it was amazing that for the mere prospect of sitting in the Legislative Council candidates are prepared to spend enormous amounts. The Upper House cannot decide the fate of the Government, pass any money Bills or even delay any legislation beyond 90 days.

The Lok Satta leaders said that despite its credible and independent functioning in many aspects, the Election Commission of India had miserably failed in curbing money power in elections.

A systemic remedy to the problem lies in direct election of heads of Government at the State and local levels and a switch over to proportional representation for election of all MLAs and MPs. Money power has become ubiquitous under the first-past-the-post system because the marginal vote influences the election outcome.

A legislator’s primary job is to attend to legislative work. Unfortunately most of our legislators are least interested in it. Their sole aim in getting elected is to enjoy the privilege of influencing the executive by virtue of their position.

Once people elect the head of a Government directly, legislators cannot destabilize him or her with their vote in the House, and as a result will lose all their clout. With proportional representation marginal vote will not be vital, and therefore vote buying will end.

On the State Government’s move to increase the management quota in professional colleges from the present 30 to 40 percent, the Lok Satta leaders said they could understand Government’s anxiety to limit the outgo on fee reimbursement and grant of scholarships. As of now, the State has allocated only Rs.2300 crore against the needed Rs.3490crore.

A solution to the problem does not lie in increasing the management quota. Higher education is already highly commercialized as a result of which a child’s education and career are dependent on his or her parents’ wealth. Education should be a tool to provide equitable opportunities for growth to all children.

The Lok Satta leaders said that the Government could reduce its burden if it facilitates liberal education loans to all economically and socially weaker sections and subsidizes the interest burden based on the student’s attendance and academic performance.

Because of poor targeting, even children of high income groups are availing themselves of fee reimbursement and scholarships.

The Lok Satta’s innovative proposal will cost the Government less than Rs.500 crore against the Government’s present commitment of Rs.2300 crore and the needed Rs.3490 crore, and will ensure justice to all poor students.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 16:20

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