Aug 2011 – Anti Corruption Campaign in Banswada

As there are widespread public protests and movements led by social activists against corruption all over India, Loksatta leaders of Banswada are contributing to this movement by taking the movement to rural areas of Nizambad district. Loksatta activists have toured 3 Mandals in Nizambad District viz: Varni, Kotagiri and Dirkur.

Along with Geetha Murthy garu, Loksatta Zilla committee constituing A.K.Latha, Dodla Shekar and Shekar have been touring various villages in Nizambad district to spread the awareness about the need for Jan Lok pal bill. Raja Kumari and Rambabu of Jana Vignana Vedika has also joined hands with Loksatta team.

The other members who were involved in this include Grama Surpanch of Varni & Farmer’s Leader – Sri A.V.Subbarao, Shiva Prasad of Upadi Hami and Mahesh Babu.

Citizens of the villages have welcomed this campaign and expressed full support to Anna Hazare.

Loksatta leaders demanded for inclusion of Cheif Ministers under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.

Local Telangana activists insisted that Lok Satta clarify it’s stand on the Telangana issue. Lok Satta leader Geetha Murthy garu has categorically mentioned that the party is always in favor of smaller states but differs on the methods employed in the movement.

Clarification: The banner used was prepared by local cadre of Lok Satta and erroneously mentioned the ‘Sakala Janula Samme’. While the anti-corruption protest was meant to bring together everyone (Sakala Janulu), the banner gives the wrong message. This clarification was also given to TRS cadre who questioned the same during the campaign. Geetha Murthy regrets the oversight, accepts it as a mistake, and yet again clarifies it is not representative of the party’s beliefs.

Recent Activities of Lok Satta in Banswada

• Second training program for youth conducted by JP and Varma garu
• One day hunger strike in support for Ramdev Baba’s fight against corruption.
• Support for Youth for Better India Activities in Banswada
• Establishing the ‘Swatantra Raitu Aikya Vedika’ (Federation of Independent Farmers’ Organizations) locally to address farmers issues.
• Planning to use PRA (participating rural appraisal) process to get any information related to the village – schools, crops, funds.
• Formation of a permanent committee beyond the party affiliations to lead the fight against corruption.
• Citizen’s rights awareness campaigns.
• Providing job oriented training to youth and arranging job fairs.

Jun 2011 – Loksatta activities in Banswada

1) Second youth training with Dr. JP and DVVS Varma:

Another training program has been conducted in Banswada for which people from different areas have attended. All the trainees could meet Dr. JP and Varma garu. The training was for 2 days, 5th and 6th of Jun. Dr JP explained the importance of vote and the relation between life and the vote.

2) Support for Ramdev Baba’s fight against corruption:
Hunger strike has been done in support of Ram dev baba’s hunger strike on 4th of June.

3) Supported Youth for Better India (YBI) activities in Banswada:
Youth of better India (YBI) team has conducted training program in coordination with local Loksatta leaders on 19th Jun for the youth of Tirmalapur, Magdumpur and Mogulanapally Thanda villages.

May 2011 – Loksatta initiatives in Banswada

1) Formation of Avinithi Vathireka Andolana Samithi :

A permanent committee has been formed to sustain the fight against corruption. The committee is named as ‘AVAS’ (Avinithi Vyatireka Andolana Samithi). The members of this committee constitute volunteers from all political parties.  The main objective of AVAS is to continue the fight against corruption till it is totally eradicated in all forms instead of responding on need basis. LSP Banswada has played a key role in initiating and coordinating AVAS.

2) AVAS is supporting Swamy Ramdev Baba’s fast which will take place  from 4th Jun 2011 to support ‘Jan Lok Pal’ bill.

3) Farmers Association meetings in various villages of Banswada:

In tune with Lok Satta’s statewide program for agricultural reform, farmers associations have been formed in five villages of Banswada to collectively voice the concerns of farmers. Again, people affiliated to different political parties are coming together to join farmers associations. The names of different villages for which associations have been formed are Domalegdi, Srinagar, Thagilepalli, Bairapur and Chinna Rampur.

4) In view of upcoming local body elections,  an all party meeting was held with elections officers with the initiative of Lok Satta party.

May 2011 – ‘AVAS’ training program to bring political awareness.

‘AVAS’ ( Avinithi Vyathireka Andolana Samithi ) , a committee to fight against corruption has conducted a training program which was attended by nearly 25 members. Awareness about various democratic institutions has been provided in this training program. Awareness was also provided about the role of ‘sarpanch’ (village head representative), about right to information act, need for ‘poura seva kendra’ (citizen help center), and need for ‘grama sabha’ (village meetings).

(dates on photos incorrect due to faulty camera settings)

Apr & May 2011 Activities – Addressing Farmers issues

Loksatta has been establishing ‘Swatantra Raitu Aikya Vedika’ in villages of Banswada constituency to address the farmers issues. Key objectives of this program include:

- Driving the loksatta’s agenda of making  agriculture a profitable activity.

- Farmers should have  freedom to set prices and sell product anywhere.

- There must be provision of market yards, processing units, dryers, cold storage, pledge loans. Local youth and women must be employed  in processing units. Farmers should have ownership of market yards and have the right to determine prices.

- There should be a team and call center for providing scientific knowledge

Awareness campaigns have beed organized in 6 villages (  Varni mandal, Tagilepally & Srinagar, Kotagiri mandal,  Domaledgi, Birkur mandal, Bairapur Banswada Mandal rampur ). This has received the support of everyone  – across caste and religion, big and small, across party affiliations.

Loksatta provides training and job opportunities

One of the key objectives of Loksatta is to eradicate the unemployment among educated youth. As part of this, Loksatta spreads its  services of providing training and job opportunities to youth of Banswada.