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LOK
SATTA
together with Federation for Empowerment of Local Governments (FELG)
has embarked on an unprecedented drive to collect “One Crore” (ten
million) signatures from citizens of Andhra Pradesh in support of
local government empowerment. The campaign was officially launched
on the 9th of August and will conclude on the 2nd of October.
The campaign
took off simultaneously in more than 200 towns, mandal head quarters
and cities across the state. Senior leaders of LOK SATTA and FELG
are campaigning through out the state and are mobilizing public
support in large numbers. A special effort is being made to reach
out to the youth through various colleges and educational institutions.
A massive public
education and communication campaign is underway to mobilize support
for this crucial campaign. The following communication material
has been prepared and distributed in all the 23 districts of the
state:
- 800,000
pamphlets
- 260,000 signature
sheets
- 107,000 posters
§ Slides for display in movie theatres
- CDs and video
cassettes for broadcasting on local cable channels
- 4 Radio messages
being broadcast on All India Radio
- 7 Video messages
for telecast on local TV Channels
So far, the
campaign has received excellent support from the media and the importance
of local government empowerment from citizens’ point of view is
being highlighted on a continuing basis.
The fight for
genuine local government empowerment is progressing on other fronts
also. LOK SATTA and FELG have filed a writ petition in AP High Court
seeking specific directives to the state government on a) measures
for effective devolution of powers, b) to implement the constitutional
provisions in respect of creating District Planning Committees and
Metropolitan Planning Committees, and c) mandatory devolution of
finances to local governments as per the State Finance Commission
recommendations. We have impleaded ourselves in the writ petition
filed by several local government leaders. The petition is being
heard by a constitutional bench headed by the Chief Justice of AP
High Court. The Attorney General Sri Soli Sorabjee is appearing
at the request of the court in his individual capacity and the Additional
Solicitor General Sri L Nageswara Rao is representing the Union
of India while the state government is represented through its Advocate
General. The hearings are currently underway.
Our reports
indicate that the campaign is progressing well and in the first
10 days more than a million signatures have been collected. We will
be intensifying the campaign in the coming few weeks and hope to
reach our target of ten million signatures by the 2nd of October.
We will keep you updated periodically and seek your support in this
endeavor.
Top
Add your signature today !
Whether you
are in a village, town or city, your support could mean everything
to your local governments. FELG and Lok Satta members are currently
touring your district to include your signature in the campaign
sheet. Make your opinion count and your voice heard. Add your signature
to the FELG campaign sheet and join the movement for the realization
of the constitutional role of local governments. Do not forget to
remind your friends, relatives and neighbours to put down their
signatures also! Contact your nearest FELG
or Lok Satta member today for instructions
on how to include your signature. They will be glad to include your
opinion and suggestion.
The signature
form has been made in Telugu and English for your convenience. The
telugu form has already put online. Those who intend to carry out
the campaing in their areas may download
the form and collect the signature and submit it at the apex
unit of Lok Satta. The Urdu form will also be available for download
soon.
Public
Response :
Dear
sir,
We
received your note regarding the ensuing campaign for electoral
and governance reforms in Andhra Pradesh. First of all, let me congratulate
you on your embarking on this massive and well deserved campaign.
On behalf of the Centre for Women's Development Studies, New Delhi
and my colleagues, we extend our wholehearted suppot to this campaign
and wish you grand success even though we are unable to physically
participate in the same. Hope you will keep us informed about the
achievements later.
Regards,
Narayan Banerjee
Director
Dear JP,
Congratulations.
Some time soon we need to have a 'working session' to understand
How You Do It; and also how others can follow your lead.
Warm regards,
Tara
Dear
Jayaprakash,
This
is to acknowledge your e-mail on "National Campaign for Electoral
and Governance Reforms" sent on the 29th July. Please do let me
know when and where I can be of any help to your most laudable and
impressive campaign. Our best wishes will always be with you.
With best wishes,
P M Bhargava
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