Saturday, April 5, 2014

Support Voters awareness Padyatra in Andhra Pradesh starting from April 26, 2014



Dear Friends,

Greetings.

Janata Vikas Manch (JVM) has received a very good feed back on our Padyatra-Yatra plan starting from April 26, 2014 to take the Andhra Pradesh People’s Manifesto prepared by us to the people.

Donate Us

Please donate us to meet the expenses of the Padyatra-Yatra. We will carry a massive media campaign, posters, banners, publicity material, press conferences, vehicle/s, print Ads, boarding and lodging expenses of the Yatra Team.

Please call us at 09702888261 or send a line at janatavikasmanch@gmail.com about your willingness to donate for the Yatra expenses. We will soon send you our bank account details for the fund transfer or you can deposit the amount at the bank in our account.

Just to inform you all, we will upload the name of the contributors, of course with their consent, at our blog: www.janatavikasmanch.blogspot.com.

We request you to respond soon to our request as it will help us in arranging the logistics for the Padyatra.

Other details of the Yatra and People’s Manifesto is pasted below.

Name of the Padyatra / Yatra

The name of the padyatra / yatra will be Mee Votu – Mee Satta (Your Vote – Your Govt). During this Padyatra, we will convey the Voters to elect a people centric MPs and MLAs and not to fall prey to money, caste or any other narrow considerations.

Broad Coalition of Civil Society Organisations / Individual Activists: As mentioned in the earlier post, the Janata Vikas Manch (JVM), a people’s forum working on the Policy Research and alternative policy, has been getting several requests from various quarters to launch a mass movement to educate voters on real issues confronting the New AP and at the same time convey them to elect people-centric representatives who will work for the interest of the state. 

As it is known to all that JVM is working on the policy research and alternative media for the past five years with the active participation of educated class. After a long consultation with the various civil society organisations and individual activists on this subject, JVM has  decided to form a coalition of civil society organisations (Front) where various organisations / individual activists can join hands to work collectively. 
A number of names have been suggested for this Coalition (Front). After received 10 suggested names, we have finalised to keep the name of the Front either Praja Shakthi Or Praja Samarudhi. We will chose either of these two by the time we start our Padyatra.

Join Padyatra / Yatra Team

A team of 15 members will tour for 10 days to all the 13 districts of New Andhra Pradesh:
Srikakulam, Vizianagarm, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Kurnool, Kadapa, Annathapur and Chittore. The interested persons can also join us in the respective districts. We request two things here:

1. Please let us know if any one wants to become part of  the 15 Member Team for  10 days. The team members will need to walk a minimum of 10 KM to 15 KM every day.  They can send a line of confirmation of their participation at
janatavikasmanch@gmail.com.

2. We request the civil society organisations in all the above mentioned 13 districts to convey us if they can support the Team in all the 13 districts in organising the meetings and also if they can arrange other logistics.

Please send us your suggestions, comments and feed back on this padyatra at
janatavikasmanch@gmail.com.

Looking forward,

Thanks & Regards,

Sai Prasan
Janata Vikas Manch (JVM)

Released on April 6, 2014.

...............................................................
Janata Vikas Manch
Andhra Pradesh
Draft People’s Manifesto for the New Andhra Pradesh

Introduction

The Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government  in collision with the main opposition RSS led BJP has divided the Andhra Pradesh at a time when India including AP was also hit by the global meltdown. The people of Andhra Pradesh were already suffering from steep price hike, rampant corruption and increasing unemployment.

Congress and BJP jointly divided Andhra Pradesh to get the political mileage. UPA government took the decision to split the state to form a separate Telangana also to deflate the people’s attention from the main issues. However, Congress and BJP alone can not be blamed for the division of the state. Even other two main opposition regional parties TDP and YSR Congress have also expressed their willingness in written to divide the state to the Central government. The outgoing chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s stand on the division of the state was also suspicious. Even the tiny political outfit like Loksatta was also non-committal on the unity of the state.

One of the main reasons for the division of Andhra Pradesh was the lack of a unified and forceful voice as the people was historically divided on the caste lines. The divided Andhra society failed to register its protest at the national level specially at New Delhi.

Now, the truncated Andhra Pradesh is going for the 2014 Lok Sabha and New Andhra Assembly poll on May 7, 2014 while the election is scheduled for April 30, 2014. This time we should ensure that the people of New Andhra Pradesh must elect a people-centric representatives both for the Lok Sabha and State Assembly. We should ensure that the electorate cast their vote on the basis of the merit of the contesting candidates instead of Caste and Money. The electorate should cast their vote not on the basis of the party but on the basis of the good qualities and progressive approach of the candidates. The winning candidates should be that they should  side with people in the time of crisis instead of preferring to be a fence sitter.

The division of Andhra Pradesh is the beginning of new challenges. The people of the state are bound to face new emerging problems on the front of finance, water, employment and similar other issues.

In the above backdrop, Janata Vikas Manch (JVM) has prepared a Draft People’s Manifesto – a Development Plank - for the New Andhra Pradesh.

The People’s Manifesto has included mainly two parts: First, the demand emanating from the division of the state. What the Voters should demand from the contesting candidates and political parties. What package the elected MPs  should demand from the Central government. And, the approach with regard to the common capital – Hyderabad.

Second part of the manifesto has included which are the sectors ranging from Health, Education, Industry, Agriculture, Financial Inclusion, Environment, Youth, Land, Regional Imbalance to Social Justice and needs a detailed road map after a long deliberations for the holistic development of the state both in terms of geography – backward North Andhra and Rayalseema and society – development of SC and ST. In fact, the new state should be a Milita (Holistic) Andhra Pradesh.

Point No.: 1

Make  Hyderabad a Permanent Joint Capital both for New Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

The next government should amend the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Bill, 2014 and make Hyderabad a joint capital for both the New Andhra Pradesh and newly formed Telangana state.

As the Bill passed in Parliament, the Hyderabad will be the joint capital both for the State of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for 10 years. And after that Andhra Pradesh will have its own state capital and Hyderabad will be the Telangana capital.

In fact, there is no reason for donating Hyderabad to Telangana state after 10 years because it was the people of Telangana who demanded a separate state, so it is the residuary state and not the Andhra Pradesh.

Hence, the Hyderabad should be made a Union Territory (UT) and a joint capital both for the Andha Pradesh and Telangana after ten years. Hyderabad can be made Joint Capital for both the states even after Ten years like presently Chandigarh is for Punjab and Haryana.

Apart from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh should have a second Capital in Seemandhra region and the Central government should give financial support to Andhra Pradesh to construct a second capital in next Ten years. So, Andhra Pradesh will have two capitals – One, Hyderabad and second state capital in AP region. This will be on the lines of Maharashtra where state Assembly runs from Mumbai as well as Nagpur.

To make the point clear,

1. The Hyderabad should be made Joint Capital, not just for Ten Years, but for ever as a Permanent arrangement for both the states – State of Andhra Pradesh and newly formed state - Telangana . This city should be made Union Territory (UT) like Chandigarh which is the state capital both for Punjab and Haryana.

2. After Ten Years, Andhra Pradesh will have two state capitals - One Hyderabad and second in one of the cities of the Andhra region on the lines of Maharashtra where Assembly functions from Mumbai and Nagpur. The Union government will give 20 times finance of the current annual revenue of Hyderabad to State of Andhra Pradesh for the construction of the second capital in Andhra region. This arrangement can be made by making amendment in AP Re-organisation Bill.

Point No.: 2

Ten per cent of New AP annual budget should be allocated for Youth development

All the contesting candidates for Parliament and Andhra Pradesh Assembly should be asked to spell out their stand for the development of Youth in the new state. The political party forming the next government should commit before the voters that it will formulate a pragmatic youth policy which can meet the challenges of division of Andhra Pradesh and grab the opportunities of the globalised economy. The new government should draw a roadmap for the education, health, sports, employment and livelihood opportunities for the youth of the state.

The division of Andhra Pradesh has thrown several challenges before the youth of the new state. The youth should be trained to know to fight for their rights on one hand and at the same time state building (constructive work) on the other hand.

The students of backward regions – North Andhra and Rayalseema region and the deprived section – SC and ST - are not able to get proper education in the professional colleges as they are not able to afford the high cost of these colleges. The government should re-locate the engineering, management and professional colleges to the backward regions which can enable the students to take education.

The next government should allocate 10% of its annual budget for the development of youth. And, a sizeable portion of this budget should be spent on the backward region and deprived section.

Sports

The political leadership should ensure that both the government and the private entities jointly organize a national level marathon – Andhra Pradesh Marathan on the lines of Mumbai Marathan, New Bombay Marathan. Others sports including Hockey, Football should also be encouraged. It will rejuvenate the youth of the state and will inculcate fighting spirit and bring the state at the national map.


Point 3
Change of Mind Set is a MUST

In the recent United Andhra Pradesh movement, it has come to the fore that the most important reason for the lack of strong voice in Andhra Pradesh is the Mind Set. The historically priviledged class has less concern for the deprived section – SC and ST and backward areas – North Andhra Pradesh and  Rayalseema. The society is fragmented on caste lines which is a major hurdle in bringing unity among various sections of the youth. So, there is a need to motivate youth to shun 3,000 years old caste system and work for the holistic development of the society.
Point No.: 4
Wage Board / Commission for the organised and unorganised private sector
The introduction of Sixth Pay Commission by the government has brought lot of wage disparity between the Government and Private Sector workforce. The Sixth pay Commission is also one of the main reason for the inflationary pressures on the Indian economy. The workforce in the organised and unorganised private sector are the worst sufferers. The government should set up a Wage Board / Commission to give its recommendations within one year for its implementation which will help in bring a parity between the government and non-government sector.
Point  No.: 5
Ensure corruption cases to continue even after division, New AP should be corruption-free

The new AP should be corruption free. Here, the Clause 45 in the AP Re-organisation Bill, 2014 is important. According to the Clause 45:

“45. (1) The reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India referred to in clause (2) of article 151 relating to the accounts of the existing State of Andhra Pradesh in
respect of any period pri or to the appointed day shall be submitted to the Governor of each of the successor States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana who shall cause them to be laid
before the Legislature of that State.

(2) The President may by order––
(a) declare any expenditure incurred out of the Consolidated Fund of
Andhra Pradesh on any service in respect of any period prior to the appointed day during the financial year or in respect of any earlier financial year in excess of the amount granted for that service and for that year as disclosed in the reports referred to in sub-section (1) to have been duly authorised; and
(b) provide for any action to be taken on any matter arising out of the said
reports.”

In the above context, It means that the investigating agencies should take the prior permission of the President before taking action in earlier cases also related to corruption or any irregularities like there were several cases going on against the officials and political leaders ? If it is so,
than both the Centre and government of State of Andhra Pradesh should allow the investigating agencies to continue the cases of corruption or financial irregularities which were going on against the officials and political leaders in the United Andhra Pradesh. The state government should convince both the Union government and President that the need of consent or permission of the former (President) to prosecute the corrupt people / cases and should not dalay the investigation process in the corruption cases and the guilty should be booked soon.

The government of State of Andhra Pradesh should strengthen the office of Lokayukta and a time bound trial should take place to prosecute the guilty. The government will ensure a corruption free state which is very important for the development.

Point No.: 6
Union govt should give Special Category Status to New AP for 20 years instead of only 5 year and all six point of Special Package should be implemented

The Prime Minister has extended Special Category Status to New Andhra Pradesh for five years. The government should ensure that both the special status and special package is implemented in toto.
The five years period of special status will not help as any project itself takes five years to set up. Hence, the next government of the State of Andhra Pradesh should ask the Union government to grant Special Category Status to New Andhra Pradesh for 20 years instead of five years only.

According to Srikrishna Committee report, Rayalseema and North Andhra Pradesh are more backward than Telangana region. The next state government should map all the 13 districts of New Andhra Pradesh.

These districts should further be divided in smaller units which help in the good administration. A monitoring committee or a separate ministry on the backward regions should be formed to develop the backward districts of AP. It will help in the holistic development of the new state.

Another thing is that the new central grants must be in proportion of population and relative backwardness and lack of infrastructure development between the two newly formed states. Apart from this, the existing outstanding Debt of AP needs to be divided in proportion to the development spending done by AP government in State of AP and Telangana region before the division. This would ensure that debt distribution is equitable.
Point No: 7  

Share of New Andhra Pradesh in the Natural Resources specially in KG Basin

The New Andhra Pradesh has abundance of Natural Gas which the Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industry has been exploiting in KG Basin . The Andhra Pradesh has been facing lot of problems due to this.
The central government should make the allocation of gas in the KG basin on the proportionate basis which will solve the gas shoratage problem in Andhra Pradesh also.
The next government should make Kakinada a power and fertiliser hub by using KG Basin Gas. Setting up of Gas Grid is costlier than Power Grid. An integrated special investment region can be set up near Kakinada where Gas based Power Plants and Fertilizer Plants are set up. This will enable triggering capital investment backed economic growth of newly formed state and also become a huge employment generator for people of the newly formed state.
Point No.: 8

Withdraw cases filed against United AP supporters, set up a Commission to punish the guilty

A large number of cases have been filed against the United Andhra Pradesh supporters specially in Vizianagaram district. The politically controlled district administration has muzzled the democratic rights of the agitating people demoing United Andhra Pradesh. The people of Vizianagaram district were the worst victim. Around 640 people were booked for false cases and put behind the bars in this one district alone. The worst kind of human rights violation were witnessed in this North Andhra district.

The political activists have undergone the worst kind of human rights violations in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. The innocents were picked up at mid-night - tortured and framed. The districts administration was used as a private army by the political masters of the district who happen to control the state government also. And, the opposition leaders of the district were the mute spectators to the police atrocities against the innocent protestors as both the ruling and opposition leaders were the business partners in the district. Similar was the case in other districts also. The people fighting for the United Andhra Pradesh were left like an Orphan by all the political parties.

The political parties should promise:

A. All the cases booked against the protestors of United Andhra Pradesh under various sections in Vizianagaram and other places of Andhra will be withdrawn by the next government soon after it comes to power.

B. The next government will form a Judicial Enquiry Commission to identify the guilty responsible for the police atrocities against the innocent people. And, they will be prosecuted as per the law.
Point 9

Electoral Reforms
Betrayed and dumped by all, Andhra Voters confused - Whom To Vote in 2014 Poll ?

The voters of New Andhra Pradesh are betrayed by all the political parties. Congress Party and BJP have collided to divide Andhra Pradesh. The Chandrababu Naidu led TDP was the first to send a letter to Union government asking it to divide Andhra Pradesh.

Similarly, YSR CP followed and sent a letter to the government to form Telangana. And, the people consider Jai Samaikhyandhra is the B Team of Congress Party. The Jana Sena is considered as a seasonal party. Even the Tiny outfits like Loksatta was also non-committal on the unity of the state.

A large number of people have conveyed us that the formation of new political parties, as currently Kiran Kumar Reddy and Pawan Kumar planning, is not the permanent solution for selecting and electing MPs and MLAs in the state. Instead, the process of selection of candidates by the political parties should change. The current top down approach like the High Command of the political parties deciding the names of the contesting candidates should change and bottom to top approach should be followed in selecting the candidates.

The system of Primaries, which is being followed in the developed societies, should be adopted by all the political parties in selecting the party candidates for contesting poll. As a part of the Primaries, the members of the parties elect the aspiring candidate for the party to contest in poll through secret ballot.

There is a need to popularise Primaries in Andhra Pradesh as well as in India as a part of electoral reforms and to bring vibrancy in the electoral system of the country. Both the political parties workers and voters should force the political parties to adopt Primary system.

This system of Primaries needs a wider debate as well as awareness in Andhra Pradesh which helps in electing MPs and MLAs who will be loyal to the people and not to High Command after getting elected to the State Assembly or Parliament. Let us take this message to the political parties as well as people and force the political parties to adopt Primaries. A wider public debate on the subject is necessary.

Point No.: 10
Financial Inclusion

All the indicators of financial inclusion in Andhra Pradesh is not very encouraging. The people should be conveyed the importance of financial literacy for managing their financial needs. The state needs a proper banking network for a proper implementation of government schemes like NREGS. The political parties should ensure following things:
Ø  The state government in consultation with Union finance ministry should recommend RBI to open new bank branches specially in the backward regions and deprived section of the state.
Ø  The political parties should educate people about the importance of financial literacy. They should be conveyed the importance of insurance sector and new investment destinations like Mutual Funds.
Ø  The people should also be conveyed which are the banks that offer loans at a reasonable interest rate.

Point No.: 11

The various sectors concerning economy and society of Andhra Pradesh need a detailed roadmap for a holistic development. This road map can be chalked out after a detailed discussion with all the stake holders after the state Assembly and Lok Sabha poll. All the winning candidates should adopt this development plank. The following sectors need a blue-print: Health, Education, SC and ST development, Mining, Energy, Industry, Agriculture,  Development of Backward Region, Media, Mining, Infrastructure specially Railways, Physically Challenged and others.   

Advisory

New Andhra Pradesh people should strive for a Samajika Telangana

The above is 11 points in the Draft People’s Manifesto. This point is not an addition to the Eleven points.  Rather, it is an Advisory. There is a general opinion across Andhra that both the sides of the United Andhra Pradesh should prosper after division.

In line with this, the people of New Andhra Pradesh should ensure the formation of a Samajika Telangana where the 75% of the deprived section of Telangana region gets its due as they were at the forefront of the Telangana movement and hundreds lost life in this process.

One of the main reasons for the political unrest in Telangana region has been the feudal social structure. The 11% upper castes are the major land owners across the region. The globalization has further marginalized SCs, STs and BCs in all spheres of social life.

Hence, the land reforms should be carried throughout Telangana state for a holistic development of the society in Telangana region. The excess land should be distributed among SCs, STs and BCs.

The deprived section should be given due importance in the political structure and they should be trained for a better placement in the private sector in the post-globalised economy.

The first chief minister of the new Telangana state should be either SC or ST.
Note: The People’s Manifesto released on the occasion of Martyrs Day.




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