The main activities are governance reforms, fight against corruption, electoral reforms, decentralization etc,.
1 Role of Money in Elections - Cases Booked During the last general elections in AP and Telangana
states, lots of cases were registered against the contesting candidates for bribing the voters with
money. In all about 150 Crores of money was seized during election period. F.G.G. feels that all the cases booked under sec.171 I.P.C (corrupt practices in elections) should be brought to their logical conclusion, at least, before the next general elections. Barring a few exceptions, today one has to spend a minimum of 5 to 10 Crores to contest as M.L.A and Rs 25 to Rs 50 Crores for M.P. and thus, elections have become an arena of moneyed people. F.G.G collected information, analyzed and submitted representation to the Election Commission of India for speedy disposal of such cases.
2 The State sits on 491 cases of corruption since 2012. The Vigilance and Enforcement wing had referred 491 cases of corruption from 2012 pertaining to officers from 30 departments. In the TS secretariat, no action has been taken in any of the cases despite they being serious in nature. Sometimes the enquiry reports of Vigilance department are misplaced. In a RTI reply in a particular department, the A.S. to Government Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department said that out of 26 cases referred by V & E, 14 files have not yet been received, six cases are pending and for the remaining, instructions have been issued by the Commissioner to take action. The cases referred by the V & E department include various irregularities like excess payment of pay and allowance of staff, adulteration of edible oil, illegally operating business, etc. The FFG is pursuing the matter with all the departments in the Secretariat for quick disposal of all V & E cases.
3 Vigilance Commission Reports Vigilance Commission reviews all serious cases of corruption relating to employees and reports to the government and the Government takes action on the report of the Vigilance Commission and the report (A.T.R) is to be placed in the Legislative Assembly. But it is not being done. F.G.G filed a PIL in High Court for direction to place the Action Taken Reports on the floor of the Assembly.
4 Demolition of Existing Secretariat Government of Telangana have decided to construct a new secretariat by dismantling the existing secretariat buildings. The secretariat buildings having about 9 lakhs sq. ft of plinth area and was bifurcated between two states. Several of the blocks are more recent constructions (a little over 10-15 years). To construct a new secretariat may cost about 500 Crores. This is nothing but wasting tax payers money. The reason for demolition, as it appears to be that the buildings are not as per 'vaasthu' and that there is fire hazard. F.G.G. feels that 'vaasthu'or any other religious, spiritual or other belief system is purely individual and completely independent of the state. Keeping all this in view F.G.G. filed a P.I.L in the High Court for stay on the proposed demolition. Matter is pending in the Court.
5 Press Meetings held during the year :
1. Criminal cases against Contesting Candidates for GHMC Elections FGG collected the antecedents of contesting candidates to GHMC elections from affidavits filed by the candidates and analyzed. The details were informed to voters through print and visual media with a request to vote for candidates with clean record. This effort helped to some extent for the election of candidates with clean image.
2. Pranahita Chevella Lift Irrigation Project
There are a lot of inconsistencies in Pranahita project between the survey reports and claims by officials. Since about a year we have collected information and released to press and sent it to MLAs and requesting them to discuss the issue in the Assembly. The matter was discussed in the Assembly, where the hon' able Chief Minister made a video presentation. Now people have some idea about the project.
3. Constituency Development Programme (C.D.P) Funds:
Government of Telangana has sanctioned Rs 3 Crores to each MLA/MLC as CDP per year. FGG studied the total programme, its functioning etc. and found that it lacks transparency and accountability. In this regard a representation was submitted to the Chief Secretary to stop Constituency Development Programme or alternatively modify it for greater transparency.
4. Squandering of Public Money on Irrigation Projects
About 14,483 crores were spent on three irrigation projects, namely, Pranahita Chevella, Indira Sagar,
Rajeev Sagar projects. Later on, these three projects were abandoned leading to wastage of public money. Through press, people were informed about the wastage of public money by abandoning or modifying the projects in midway.
5. Creation of New Districts:
F.G.G studied the subjects of creating new districts and is of the opinion that appointment of more
bureaucrats may not be necessary. Accordingly a press meet was conducted and the facts for general
information of people were explained.
6. Need for state Finance Commission (S.F.C)
After the formations of Telangana state, the governor of A.P & T.S constituted the S.F.C but state government failed to appoint members and chair person. In the absence of members and chairperson, the local bodies are not getting required funds. Press meet was conducted and matter was explained. Alternatively, a representation to the chief secretary to government was also submitted. FGG is regularly using RTI Act and collecting information from various government departments and making use of such information submitting representation to government and getting redressal of the problems. Sometimes P.I.L s are filed in Hon' able High Court, Hyderabad.
0 Comments