Date:03/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/03/stories/2008030366340300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Yanamala for spread of legal awareness

Staff Reporter

Lashes out at the policies of Centre and State

Forcible acquisition of land for Special Economic Zone termed a serious issue
Party will discuss the suggestions made by legal cell, says the leader

Kakinada: TDP Politburo member and Tuni MLA Yanamala Ramakrishnudu on Sunday said forcible acquisition of lands of farmers for development of Special Economic Zones, growing economic disparities and corruption are the issues of serious concern both for the Central and the State Governments.

But, none of them appear to be conscious of their Constitutional duty to ensure social equality and inclusive growth. Instead, the governments have themselves turned out to be breakers of the law.

It is in this context that legal professionals have a crucial role to play in spreading legal awareness and helping the Telugu Desam Party in waging legal battles against the government to check its misdeeds, he said.

Addressing the TDP legal cell meeting of East and West Godavari and Krishna districts here, Mr. Ramakrishnudu observed that the economic growth had declined to the pre-1990 level due to the fiscally imprudent policies and lack of proper monitoring of the manner in which welfare schemes are implemented.

Budgetary allocations

Budgetary allocations for education, health care and other crucial sectors came down substantially putting a question mark on the feasibility of achieving lofty goals. There are several other issues where the spirit of the Constitution is given the short shrift by the governments. It is therefore imperative for the lawyers to lend their valuable advice to the TDP which is fighting the anti-people policies, to help it in devising an action plan that would guarantee equitable growth. The party politburo would discuss the suggestions made by the legal cell and use them as a weapon against the Congress in the ensuing elections to Parliament and Assembly, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said.

TDP legal cell State president K Ravindra Kumar, retired judges of the High Court Motilal B Naik and KB Siddappa, former Ministers Kotthapalli Subbarayudu, Metla Satyanarayana Rao and Chikkala Ramachandra Rao, TDP State general secretary Gorantla Butchaiah Choudhary, district president Jyotula Nehru and former MP V. Geeta were present.