Citizen-centric governance on Lok Satta Party's manifesto

, Mar 11: Lok Satta Party has promised citizen centric governance in its manifesto for the 2014 municipal elections in Andhra Pradesh, and an annual per capita grant of Rs 1,000 at the ward level.

In its election manifesto released by the party national President Jayaprakash Narayan here today, the party said that although people pay taxes and elect representatives to govern them, their living conditions in towns and cities continue to be deplorable.

The party said that the sole reason for this state of affairs lies in centralisation of power at the national and state capitals. Not even 25 per cent of funds allocated for various schemes and programmes percolate down to the citizens, the party said, adding that the remedy lies in taking the administration to people's doorsteps.

The party manifesto envisages formation of ward committees and an annual per capita grant of Rs 1,000. As a result, a ward committee representing a population of 4000 people would get a grant of Rs 2 crore in five years.

A ward committee would formulate a development plan, supervise maintenance of drinking water supply, sanitation, roads, lights, libraries, parks, playgrounds, schools, healthcare institutions and creches. Ward committees would also supervise implementation of all government schemes at the ward level. The party has also promised community policing to prevent thefts and robberies and atrocities against women at the ward level.

It plans to unveil citizens' charters under which It plans to unveil citizens' charters under which civic bodies would have to deliver time-bound services like approval of building plans, provision of water supply connections and issuance of certificates with provision for a penalty of Rs 200 per day as compensation to the aggrieved for delays.

It will also ensure that citizens have the right to information in municipal matters. To prevent corruption, it would usher in transparency in all purchases and ensure that payments to contractors are made only after a thorough evaluation of works. People would be enabled to watch municipal proceedings from a public gallery in municipal council halls. The party would also strive to amend laws to provide for recall of elected councillors and corporators.

PTI