03 April 2014

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Important 25 Facts from AAP Aam Adami Party Manifesto for Lok Sabha Elections 2014

Important 25 Facts  from AAP Aam Adami Party Manifesto for Lok Sabha Elections 2014

Today Aam Adami Party released its manifesto for Lower House elections 2014

Below are the 25 Important Facts from AAP Aam Adami Party Manifesto for Lok Sabha Elections 2014

1-
Jan Lokpal Bill –
The provisions will include

a)  
All public officials (including the Prime Minister, Union Ministers and MPs) of the Union Government shall fall within the purview of the investigation of the Lokpal. Public officials of the Union Government will be required to furnish an annual declaration of assets. Any undeclared assets will be liable for confiscation.

b)  
Any public official found guilty of corruption would be removed from their position and sentenced to prison.
Their property will be confiscated.

c)  
Time bound investigation and trial will be introduced in cases of corruption.

d)  
The Lokpal will have the power to initiate investigations and prosecution against those charged with corruption. The organization will have administrative, fiscal and investigative autonomy. The CBI will be brought under the administrative control of the Lokpal, so that the investigating machinery can be made independent of the government.

e)  
Citizens' charter would be introduced in all Union government offices. This charter will include a set time-limit for different types of services that govt officials provide to citizens. Grievance redressed mechanisms will be introduced and any violation of the Citizen's Charter will be fined.

f)  
Whistleblowers will be provided protection and rewarded for their contribution towards creating a just system.

2-
Swaraj Bill
Aam Aadmi Party would legislate the Swaraj Bill which would devolve power to Gram Sabhas
and Mohalla Sabhas, and thereby curb corruption at the local level. Details on the Swaraj Bill are
in the following sections.

Simplification of Government Procedure
Most government procedures are unnecessarily complex and provide opportunities for
corruption. There will be a serious effort to simplify all governmental procedures.

Use of Information Technology
We will promote the use of information technology to promote transparency and reduce
corruption in government functioning.

Swaraj Bill - following provisions:

i.
Every Gram Sabha and Mohalla Sabha would be given untied funds every year for
developmental activities in their area, which they can use according to their own needs and
priorities. The Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha) would decide how and where the funds would
be utilized — for instance, laying a particular road, repairs at a school, opening a dispensary,
rainwater harvesting and so on.

ii.
Payment for any government work would be made only when the Gram Sabha (or Mohalla
Sabha) is satisfied with the work done.

iii.
 When irregularities and malpractice are found in a local ration shop, the Gram Sabha (or
Mohalla Sabha) would be authorized to cancel the license of the distributor and grant license to
a new distributor.

iv.
Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha) would have the autonomy to formulate any schemes for their
locality from the funds devolved to them.

v.
All certificates (such a birth, death, caste, income certificates, etc) of people in the village or
urban locality would be issued at the Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha) secretariat. People would
not need to pay bribes at the S.D.M's office for such basic services.

vi.
Gram Sabhas (or Mohalla Sabhas) would have the right to decide if a liquor shop can be opened
in their village/mohalla. They would also have the authority to shut down a liquor shop in the
village/mohalla. Any Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha) taking such a decision would have a
minimum quorum of 50% women.

vii.
Gram Sabhas(or Mohalla Sabhas) would monitor and supervise the functioning of the local
government school and primary health centre.

viii.
The list of beneficiaries of government schemes such as widow pensions, old-age pensions and
so on, would be prepared by the Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha).

ix.
Quorum in the Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha) would not be only numerical but based on the
presence of minimum members from marginalized groups. Creation of the institution of a
Social Justice Ombudsman to ensure that the functioning and decisions of the Gram Sabha (or
Mohalla Sabha) is within the legal and constitutional framework and does not discriminate
against any group or community.

x.
In a few years, when the functioning of Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha) becomes well-established, we envisage their participation in the process of legislation. A list of subjects
would be made on which consultation of Gram Sabhas would be mandatory. They would also
be given powers to initiate legislation which would have to be considered by State Assemblies
and the Parliament

3-
Accountable Justice System –

i.
Institute adequate number of Gram Nyayalayas which will consist of simple procedures. While
the 2008 Act introduced this concept, Gram Nyayalayas have not been made an effective means
of dispensation of justice. AAP is committed to ensuring that these will take care of petty cases
that affect common people in a speedy manner.

ii.
Simplify procedures (i.e. procedural laws like CPC, CrPC, Evidence Act, LimitationAct)

iii.
Create Judicial Appointment Commissions (JAC) both at the State and National level to make
the selection processes of judges for the lower and higher courts transparent.

iv.
Make it a mandatory requirement (in line with the underlying Jan Lokpal principle) for
declaration and full disclosure of assets of judges, and, as a corollary, the subjection of any
undeclared assets to seizure;

v.
Set up fast track courts at all levels of judiciary.

vi.
Double the number of courts and judicial strength at sub ordinate level in five years

vii.
Improve the infrastructure present in courts, including computerization, in order to make them
more efficient.

4-
Humane and Accounting Policing
Bring Police Reforms-

police reforms should aim at greater accountability of the police to the people, professionalization and autonomy from political misuse, separation of the powers within the police and better training and humane working conditions for police force.

i.
Implementation of the Supreme Court judgement on Police Reforms giving the police greater
functional autonomy from the misuse by the political executive.

ii.
Accountability of the police to the local Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha).

iii.
Separate powers of maintenance of law and order and investigation to two separate wings of the
Police. Power of custody to be removed from the police. All custody will be judicial, and any
interrogation will be done in judicial custody.

iv.
Refusal to register an FIR by any police personnel to be made a criminal offence.

v.
Bring about transparency in police functioning by ensuring that all public interaction areas of a
police station are videographed. Interrogation by investigation officers of the accused also to be
videographed.

vi.
Improve working conditions of police personnel by ensuring that working hours of police
personnel not be more than 8 hours per day and by putting in place fair, transparent and accessible grievance redressal mechanisms and whistleblower protection mechanisms for police personnel.
The use of police personnel as orderlies for domestic work or as security guards by senior police
officers will also be abolished.

vii.
Oppose use of large amount ofpolice forces for VIP security

viii.
Recruitment of police personnel to be done in a standard and transparent manner to avoid
possibility of corruption and favouritism. Institutionalise process of rewards for good work done
by police personnel.

5-
Free Fair Elections Improving Representation –
i.
Election Commissioners should be appointed by a multi-member constitutional committee
rather than the government. The Election Commission to be granted its various powers it has
been demanding for its independence including power to frame rules and to check affidavits
given by candidates.

ii.
Role of Black Money should be curbed by strong disclosure norms for political parties, rigorous
scrutiny of returns, ceiling on individual contributions and realistic ceiling on overall
expenditure. Explore possibilities of State funding of elections.

iii.
Political parties to be provided equitable access to information and media space. Distortions of
the media such as paid news, unlimited media advertisement and misuse of public money for
advertising the ruling party to be regulated.

iv.
Internal functioning of political parties to be regulated to ensure that they follow basic
democratic procedures, follow transparency norms under RTI and get their accounts scrutinised
by CAG approved auditors.

v.
The existing First-Past-the-Post system should be supplemented with Proportional
Representation, to improve the representativeness of the electoral system.

vi.
Provisions of 'Right to Reject' and 'Right to Recall' to be introduced.

vii.
Bringing down the lower age limit of contesting elections from 25 to 21, to improve the
participation of youth in the political processes of the country.

6-
Health and Education –
i.
Introduce a comprehensive legislation 'Right To Healthcare' enabling access to high quality
healthcare for all the citizens of the country irrespective of whether they are rich or poor. This
would be along the lines of the Right to EducationAct.

ii.
Improve accountability of public health systems towards its users by decentralization of funds,
functions and functionaries to the appropriate level of local government.

iii.
Guarantee that all essential drugs are available on a regular basis to public health facilities and
made available free to cost to the people. AAP will incentivize states to adopt a transparent
procurement system for bulk procurement of generic drugs.

iv.
Improve the accountability of Private health providers by making it mandatory for private
hospitals to display and observe a charter of patients' rights and to display rates and charges of
various services. Ensure that private healthcare subsidised by the government honour their
commitment to the aam aadmi.

v.
AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) and local health
traditions to have a significant role in public healthcare; greater public investment into research
into these systems of medicine.
Investing in human resources by ensuring that all vacancies are filled at the Primary Health Centres;
developing a well-trained cadre of frontline grassroots workers.

7-
Education for All –
i.
State provision of equitable access to high quality of education for all children (beginning with
Early Childhood Care) irrespective of their ability to pay. Strengthening of public education
system through adequate budgetary allocation and recruitment and capacity building of teachers and administrators.

ii.
Special provisions for girls, first-generation learners, students from poor families and socially
disadvantaged communities so as to ensure total enrolment, check drop-outs, high quality
learning and non-discrimination within schools and access to higher education facilities.

iii.
Involvement of the local community in the creation of a context-rooted curriculum and
management of schools, with accountability of school/teachers to a local body like Gram Sabha
or Mohalla Sabha

iv.
Context Relevant curriculum that is grounded both in the ethos of democracy, secularism, equity
and justice as well as India's diverse cultures and ways of life.

v.
Focus of education system on learning outcomes and not on inputs. Reform DIET, SCERT to
focus on learning outcomes. Revamp teacher education system.

vi.
Adequate numbers of qualified teachers to appointed on a regular basis through a transparent
selection process, to be compensated adequately, continuously trained and made accountable.
vii.  Establishing large numbers of ITIs for vocational training; provide opportunities and incentives to those trained in ITIs to establish their own enterprises.

viii.
Vocational and academic education to be integrated in the school curriculum. Support and
development of vocational degrees in higher education. Greater funds to be committed by the
government for public-funded higher education especially on improving the quality of State
universities. Effective regulation of private institutions, on fees and quality of education.

ix.
Establish numerous world-class, public-funded institutions of Higher Education - like IIT,
AIIMS, IISER, etc — to ensure that all talented students of the country, irrespective of their
background get access to high quality education.

x.
Link higher education to opportunities for entrepreneurship by setting up incubation centres in
institutions of higher education.

xi.
Roll back the Four Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP), which has been undemocratically
introduced in Delhi University.


8-
Simplify Rules, Create Accountable Institutions, Curb Black Economy –
i.
Simplify rules and regulations, ensure effective administration of law, enforce the rule of law and deliver justice swiftly, encourage honest compliance and punish heavily the defaulters.

ii.
Ensure the return of 'Black Money' stashed in foreign banks to India; time-bound and stringent
action against those found guilty of stashing black money.

iii.
Curtail the wide-spread use of black money in real estate and property dealings.

iv.
Move towards a simple, progressive and stable tax structure. Aim to increase tax to GDP ratio by
enforcing better compliance.

v.
No more routine tax amnesty programs and stringent measures to recover taxes from evaders.
vi.
Use technology and e-governance to extensively administer all government services

9-
Improving Farmers' Livelihood –
i.
Implement recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission Report.

ii.
Fair and remunerative MSP for diverse crops which would be 50% more than the real input cost.
Extend MSP to 25 crops, including pulses, millets, and oilseeds, through direct procurement or
timely market intervention.

iii.
Prevent farmers' suicides by ensuring farmers' — including small and tenant farmers — access to
credit and insurance.

iv.
Ensure access to adequate healthcare facilities in rural areas, which are often immediate causes
of farmers' suicides

v.
Ensure that farmers get a higher share of entire supply chain, by greater investment in agro-
processing industries and marketing infrastructure (like cold storage, warehouses, etc) so that the agricultural produce is not wasted for want of technology and investment; evolve appropriate methods for investment in rural infrastructure.

vi.
Support for ecologically sustainable agriculture; special marketing incentives for organic
produce; promote indigenous varieties of crops and livestock.

vii.
Support local watershed management schemes to reduce the burden on large-scale irrigation
projects.

viii.
Regulate Genetically Modified crops to ensure that safety to food, human health and
environment is ensured before the introduction of irreversible technologies.

9-
Environment and Natural Resources Policy –
i.
The ownership of all major natural resources like major minerals, water and forests will vest in
the State. However ownership of minor minerals and minor forest produce and rainwater will
vest with the local communities.

ii.
The local communities (Gram Sabhas) shall play a vital role in the management of major natural
resources. The exploitation of minerals, water and forests within a Gram Sabha area will not be
done without the consent of the Gram Sabhas.

iii.
Commercial exploitation of natural resources would be done based on a royalty and revenue
sharing agreement with local communities, to ensure that those who pay the cost of development, are also beneficiaries of this process. Preference to be given to Gram Sabha cooperatives for commercial exploitation of minerals.

iv.
If mining or commercial exploitation of maj or natural resources requires persons to be displaced, the consent of the gram sabha will have to be taken and the oustees will be provided alternative sources of livelihood.

v.
Reform Ministry of Environment and Forests and its agencies so that they can empower and
facilitate Gram Sabhas to be effective custodians and managers of their local natural resources.

vi.
Phased shift towards renewable sources of energy; promote decentralized renewable energy
solutions, such as solar power, biogas plants, watermills, and wind pumps, to reduce
infrastructure and maintenance costs and encourage local ownership.

vii.
Priority on developing local and decentralised water resources based on extensive rainwater
harvesting, watershed development, soil-water conservation programs, small projects and
alternative cropping practices.

10-
Land Acquisition Policy –
The past few decades have seen large scale land acquisition in the country. Land acquisition process is one where the dependent communities often undergo extreme stress and are unable to cope with a loss of livelihood. Unless displaced communities are equipped with proper assets and skills, this may lead to massive social unrest throughout the country. A new Land Acquisition Act was passed by the parliament in 2013. While this is a good beginning, AAP would like to work towards fairer rehabilitation by
Ensuring that all acquisition done post September 2011 (date when the bill was tabled in the
parliament) comes under the ambit of the new act.
Ensure a narrow and well defined ambit of the term 'public purpose' for which land can be
acquired.
Ensuring acquisition happens only with the consent of the Gram Sabha
Making it mandatory to provide employment to one person per family that is losing land or
livelihood (It is not a mandatory condition under the current act, only a recommendation), so
that those who pay the price of development, can become beneficiaries in the process.

11-
No Contractualization of Jobs –
i.
We will not allow contractual employment for posts that require work to be done throughout the
year. Examples include doctors, teachers, nurses, drivers, sanitation workers etc. Their jobs will
be regularized which will allow workers to enjoy all benefits that permanent employees do.   

ii.
In jobs that require temporary engagement for a few days or months (for example in the
construction industry), it is not possible to eliminate contract labour. We will, however, take steps to ensure better working conditions in these sectors.

iii.
Strict implementation of minimum wages; strong action will be taken regarding any violations of the law.

iv.
Non-discrimination with contract workers in terms of access to canteens, uniforms, company
transport.

12-
Social Security for the Unorganised Sector –
92% of the workforce in India comprises of workers in the unorganized sector. This includes domestic workers, construction labour, security guards, rag-pickers, workers in small shops and restaurants, street-vendors, etc. who contribute significantly to the society and the economy, but often function under extremely exploitative conditions. In order to improve the condition of workers in the unorganized sector the Aam Aadmi Party will:
i.  Ensure the creation of guidelines regarding their wages, working hours, or required facilities in place of work.
ii.  Regularize their working conditions and spaces, to prevent ongoing harassment by the police.
iii.  Ensure minimum social security benefits such as access to healthcare, old-age pensions, accident
cover. Explore possibilities for evolving contributory schemes.

13-
Protecting the Common Man from Rising Prices –
Today the biggest problems for the aam aadmi are the rising cost of living and unemployment. Statistics show that incomes have residents has risen, but in reality, due to the rise in costs of all basic necessities such as electricity, water, vegetables, food grains, petrol, diesel, education and health, the true economic situation of most families is worse than before. Whether it is onions and tomatoes or water and electricity or children's school fees, everything has become very expensive today. For the common man, inflation is reflected in the costs of daily necessities. Aam Aadmi Party will take up the following measures:
i.
Corruption and crony capitalism are two significant factors behind the rising prices of basic good and necessities of the aam aadmi. AAP is committed to fighting corruption in all domains, and this would be an important factor in combating rising prices.

ii.
In retail and wholesale business, stringent measures will be taken to prevent hoarding and
profiteering. Black market cannot survive without political patronage. Aam Aadmi Party will use
the full strength of the law and government. The black marketeers will be arrested, their godowns raided and the hoarded goods will be released so that foodgrains, vegetables and fruits will be available for lower prices.

iii.
The expenditure on education is a substantial part of each family's expense. We will bring a law
regulating the unbridled fees charged by the private schools and preventing them from collecting 'donations'. We will improve the standard of government schools so that the aam aadmi can send their children to government schools with assurance about quality. These steps will reduce the cost of education.

iv.
We will increase the number of government hospitals and substantially improve the quality of
services, so that the aam aadmi can fully utilize these services. This will reduce the expenditure
on doctors and medical treatment.
Ration shops and the public distribution system protect the aam aadmi from rising costs. But the ration shop system is steeped in corruption. The Aam Aadmi Party government will end corruption in the public distribution system with the involvement of mohalla sabhas.  Instead of direct cash transfer, we will ensure direct transfer of ration materials to the families and will include dal and oil in the public distribution system.

14-
Gender Justice –
We envision a world in which women will be acknowledged and treated as equal citizens in their own right; where they will not be governed by male-dominated values which determine their societal and familial roles. The entire policy framework needs to keep the 'aam aurat' at the centre. We can only call ourselves a democratic, modern and progressive nation when we truly advance and deliver on women's rights, freedom, security equality and empowerment. Towards this,
i.
Implement comprehensive and long-term public education programmes to end the culture of
gender-based discrimination and violence. These will include: SMS, radio and TV public
service campaigns, accessible lesson plans for schools, modules for training teachers and to
train professionals such as doctors and lawyers. To this end we will reach men, women, boys
and girls in both urban and rural areas.

ii.
AAP will adopt a zero tolerance approach towards sex selective abortion and work towards its
complete elimination by strengthening legislation against its practice and implementation of
strict punishments if violated; budgeting at Central, State and local level for initiating an
extensive sensitization campaign.

iii.
Ensure secure, dignified, remunerative employment for women. Action plans will be created to
secure equal pay for equal work in all sectors; provide anganwadis to MNREGA workers;
rights, dignity and minimum wage to all women workers in the organised and unorganised
sectors.

iv.
Ensure that each government agency produces a detailed action-plan to implement laws to end
violence against women. Work with state governments to provide comprehensive services to
women who are victims of violent crimes, helping them to fund and set up one-stop, 24-hour
crisis centres and safe shelters in each police district, and to give swift financial compensation.

v.
Work with state governments to establish responsive and fair fast track courts for crimes of
violence against women.

vi.
Support 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislature, and ensure that
women will be represented in all councils, committees and task forces related to policy and
practice across the board. We will support the adoption of a Code of Conduct to end misogynist
comments and behaviour in the Lok Sabha.

vii.
Strengthen the autonomous functioning of the National and State Commissions for Women,
with experienced professionals being selected through a transparent process.

viii.
Establish and enforce a comprehensive response protocol for crimes against women, and
publicise it. We will work with state governments to change service rules and ensure police and
prosecutorial recruitment, promotion and penalties include attitudes and performances based
on gender. Establish rape crisis response teams, with rural and urban pilot projects.

15-
Ending Caste-based Inequalities –
i.
In today's unequal society, reservation is essential for the advancement of the deprived and
marginalized section of the society. Therefore, we support the existing constitutional provisions
of reservations in higher education and government jobs. We are committed to ensuring the
effective implementation of existing provisions of reservations.

ii.
The benefits of reservations should accrue to those who need it the most, from these marginalised groups. Therefore, those who have already availed the benefits of reservation should be placed at the end of the queue. In this manner the benefits of reservations would go to those who are the most needy.

iii.
In the long-run, equality of opportunity requires improving and expanding government schools
and higher education institutions. AAP is committed to ensuring access to high quality school
and higher education, for all children, irrespective of whether they are rich or poor.

iv.
Increasing livelihood opportunities by giving support and incentives for setting up businesses
and enterprises; this would include access to loans, marketing support, etc.

v.
Widespread public education to change the mindset of caste-based inequality and
untouchability; to remove this venomous tendency of untouchability from people's minds;
campaign to create a civil environment which fosters amity and harmony between different

16-
Life Of Dignity to the Valmiki Community

17-
Secularism and Communal Harmony

18-
Security and Non-discrimination for Muslims

19-
Adivasis: Taking Charge of their own Development

20-
Empowering Persons with Disability

21-
Nomadic and De-notified Communities

22-
Animal Welfare

23-
SPORTS, CULTURE AND MEDIA –

24-
Media Policy –
Explore methods of enforcing public accountability and regulation on the media industry which
are not coercive and which do not threaten the Constitutional guarantees provided under Article
19 on freedom of expression. This regulation needs to go hand-in-hand with freedom from
interference from the state and political authority.

ii.
Curb on 'paid news', which is a violation of basic principle of media ethics, fairness and
professionalism. In legal terms it amounts to an open violation of media, electoral and taxation
laws. Any regulation therefore must include severe punishment for paid news and motivated or
deliberately inflammatory reporting.

iii.
Cross media ownership regulations to ensure a competitive environment by prohibiting big
media monopolies; state monopoly of news broadcasting on radio to end. Transparency and
disclosure of ownership of media houses, their loans, as well as the political affiliations of owners and journalists.

iv.
Explore options to encourage public service media institutions and convert the state-owned
media (or state-supported autonomous institutions like Doordarshan, All India Radio, Lok Sabha Television and Rajya Sabha Television) into true public service institutions with decentralized, professional and autonomous management structures.

v.
Freeing of airwaves for community use and strengthen the 2002 Community Radio policy.
Incentivize licensing of community radios in underdeveloped and remote areas of the country.
Lift prohibition on broadcasting of news and current affairs programs on Community Radio and
private radio stations.

25-
Defence Policy
Foreign Policy
Internal Security


Reality views by sm –

Thursday, April 03, 2014

Tags – AAP Manifesto Facts 2014 Lok Sabha Elections

4 comments:

Renu April 04, 2014  

After delhi fiasco, I cant believe in anything they say..