Times of India: Pudichery: Sunday, April 10, 2016.
The appointment of Lt Governor for the Union territory of Puducherry, holding polls to the civic bodies that were not held after the term of elected representatives expired in 2011 and maintaining law and order were the main demands in the people's manifesto released by a civic society organization, People's Pulse before the 2016 assembly polls.
The organization, which brought out people's manifesto ahead of last assembly and parliamentary polls, has released similar document urging the major political parties to take cue and incorporate people's popular demands in their respective manifestos.
The manifesto pointed out that unlike Governors, who hold ornamental gubernatorial posts in the States, Lt Governors in Union territories are the administrators of the territories. It said Lt Governors directly administer the territory making appointments, transfers and promotions and sanctioning major projects.
"LGs are very much part of executive arm of the government and head of administration. This UT remains without LG for the past many years and is virtually headless. LG of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who is too busy with day to day administration of that UT is holding additional charge of this UT. This has virtually brought the administration of the UT to a grinding halt. The public in general suffer without access to an administrator during some pressing and emergent situations. Illegal activities of the bureaucrats impelled by the influence of the local politicians have a heyday," said the manifesto.
The manifesto insisted for holding the polls to the local bodies at the earliest. "Panchayat Raj concept is the most essential and basic grass-root level democracy in the country wherein the people directly actively and effectively participate in its local governance through its local bodies. It is most unfortunate that this dream of Mahatma Gandhi later on enshrined in as a constitutional right is denied to the people of this UT," the document said.
Pointing out that the law and order situation is at its lowest ebb the manifesto charged that the hands of police are tied by severe political intervention at all levels. "Police remain passive spectators to crime and criminals which has vastly encouraged criminals to indulge in their nefarious activities with impunity for law. The general law abiding citizens live in perpetual fear of the safety of their lives and properties. They are compelled to abide by the illegal directives of unlawful elements. The situation gets aggravated by the alleged nexus between the police and criminals. It is generally known that this UT is a haven for criminals from adjoining states to carry out their activities without fear of police, law or justice," said the manifesto while insisting to maintain law and order effectively.
The civic organization charged that alleged collusion between the jail authorities and criminals in prison ensured free access to illegal facilities like mobile phones. "They (criminals lodged in prison) arrange crimes like murder and kidnapping for ransom through their gangsters outside. The daring cinematic crime where rival groups scaled the wall of Yanam prison to orchestrate a bomb attack against their foes is a case to prove this point," said the manifesto.
The other demands include regulation of traffic movement in and around urban regions and auto fares, implementation of RTI Act provisions without dilution, collection of pending taxes and dues, eradicating corruption and strengthening vigil and ensuring recruitment through employment exchange, 50% seats for Centac candidates in private medical colleges.
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