HYDERABAD: A group of social activists and intellectuals in the city have called for a new polity and political culture with the municipal and Legislative Council elections round the corner.

The group, comprising former Vice-Chancellor of the Hyderabad Central University Bh. Krishnamurti, former Vice-Chancellor of Kakatiya University Y. Vaikuntham, art critique Chandana Chakrabarti, Praja Aalochana Vedika founder-president Vuppala Gopala Rao and UNESCO-NGO Standing Committee former president Rao V.B.J. Chelikani alleged that the run-up to the MLC and municipal elections had shown that these were not devoid of political influence.

The Legislative Council, in particular appears to have been set up to accommodate politicians who

could not secure catch the Assembly bus or occupy ministerial berths. People with knowledge, maturity, dedication and nil political obligations should be elected to the Council. Women should also be given preference.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, the group said, would be much more effective in administration, coordination and planning if each ward had a residents' committee. An amendment to the HMC Act to make such committees statutory with decentralisation of functions, functionaries and funds would be welcome, they said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail