About Us


 

The Party:


Swaraj India is a Political Party with a mission to usher in probity, transparency, and accountability in electoral politics. Swaraj India was founded on 2nd October 2016.

Today, the founding values of our republic are under threat. Democracy, Diversity and Dialogue is under attack, ironically by the ones who are entrusted to safeguard these values. The very idea of India is under a challenge. Sadly, there is no political force that has the vision and the will to take on this challenge. Swaraj India has taken up the challenge to fill up this vacuum.

 

What is different about the Party?

  • In a world where political parties are today being run by stale ideologies of the past, dangerous and divisive policies or purely on the basis of ad hoc populism, SWARAJ INDIA stands for a vision of 21st century India, contained in a document named Swaraj Darshan.
  • At a time when political parties are afflicted by the malaise of Personality Cult and centralization of power, SWARAJ INDIA has decided that the Party shall be governed by collective leadership through an organizational model of "Presidium" as the highest decision-making body.
  • At a time when all national parties are governed by Delhi durbar, the Constitution of SWARAJ INDIA has with deliberate care created a federal structure for decentralized decision making, where the state units and districts units will have adequate say and authority.
  • SWARAJ INDIA has decided that there will be freedom of expression within the Party at all levels and dissent will be accorded respect and space.
  • SWARAJ INDIA has decided to voluntarily come under the RTI act and has announced a Public Information Officer to that effect. This is unique in the backdrop of continuous resistance from all political parties in India to come under the purview of RTI act.
  • SWARAJ INDIA has decided that its candidate selection process will be one step forward in use of transparent and innovative methods based on participatory mechanisms such as primaries, the decision of members.
  • SWARAJ INDIA has decided that apart from motions that can cause to the fall of a government, the legislators of the Party will not be subject to "whip". This arises out of conviction and belief that parliament and assemblies should allow pure debate, discussion and dissent in the true spirit of democracy and freedom of speech.

Our Objectives:


  • The Party aims to attain Swaraj for and within our country, our society, our globe and ourselves.
  • For us, Swaraj is rule of the self and rule over one’s self, freedom from all forms of Dominance and freedom for self-realization at every level of human life, so that we have:
    • Democratic governance that is transparent, accountable, participatory and de- centralized
    • Sustainable economic development that encourages human enterprise and ensures well-being for all
    • Just society that achieves true harmony across divisions of gender, caste, class, race and religion, etc. based on equality
    • Education, knowledge and culture that fosters human understanding, enriches diverse cultural heritage of humankind and promotes quest for truth
    • Global peace involving harmonious existence among nations and states, humans, other living beings and nature and
    • Human happiness that comes from individual liberty, freedom of thought and autonomy in ideas and deep self-awareness and self-transformation
  • In order to realize this ideal, the Party seeks to intervene in democratic politics and governance by:
    • Taking part in elections by putting up candidates, declaring manifesto and forming a government to give effect to the manifesto
    • Using legitimate constitutional means to launch agitations, struggles and movements; Carrying out constructive work
    • Evolving new ideas, policies and models and
    • Training citizens to imbibe values of Swaraj.
  • In order to ensure that there is no gap between the principles and practices of the Party, it would strive for:
    • Transparency and accountability in its functioning
    • Participatory democracy wherein the voice of every member is respected
    • Democratic decision making that respects the voice of dissent
    • Collective leadership that avoids personality cult of any kind
    • Decentralization of power, so that higher levels of organizations take only those
    • decisions that cannot be taken at grassroots levels
    • Social diversity, giving due representation to marginal and disadvantaged social
    • groups and
    • Truthfulness and upholding highest standards of integrity in public life
  • The Party will not in any manner promote or instigate or participate in violence.
  • The Party shall bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy and would uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

Swaraj Darshan (Our Vision):


Vision Swaraj(English):



 

Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF SWARAJ INDIA

[ As adopted in Founding Convention, 2nd October 2016, Delhi ]
ARTICLE I: NAME OF THE PARTY

The name of the Party will be SWARAJ INDIA (hereinafter referred to as “the Party”).

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES OF THE PARTY
[ A.] The Party aims to attain Swaraj for and within our country, our society, our globe and our selves.
[ B.] For us Swaraj is rule of the self and rule over one’s self, freedom from all forms of dominance and freedom for self-realization at every level of human life, so that we have:
  • (a) Democratic governance that is transparent, accountable, participatory and de-centered;
  • (b) Sustainable economic development that encourages human enterprise and ensures well- being for all;
  • (c) Just society that achieves true harmony across divisions of gender, caste, class, race and religion, etc. based on equality;
  • (d) Education, knowledge and culture that fosters human understanding, enriches diverse cultural heritage of humankind and promotes quest for truth;
  • (e) Global peace involving harmonious existence among nations and states, humans, other living beings and nature; and
  • (f) Human happiness that comes from individual liberty, freedom of thought and autonomy in ideas and deep self-awareness and self-transformation.
[C.] In order to realize this ideal, the Party seeks to intervene in democratic politics and governance by:
  • (a) Taking part in elections by putting up candidates, declaring manifesto and forming government to give effect to the manifesto;
  • (b) Using legitimate constitutional means to launch agitations, struggles and movements;
  • (c) Carrying out constructive work;
  • (d) Evolving new ideas, policies and models; and
  • (e) Training citizens to imbibe values of Swaraj.
[D.] In order to ensure that there is no gap between the principles and practices of the Party, it would strive for:
  • (a) Transparency and accountability in its functioning;
  • (b) Participatory democracy wherein the voice of every member is respected;
  • (c) Democratic decision making that respects the voice of dissent;
  • (d) Collective leadership that avoids personality cult of any kind;
  • (e) Decentralization of power, so that higher levels of organizations take only those decisions that cannot be taken at grassroots levels;
  • (f) Social diversity, giving due representation to marginal and disadvantaged social groups;and
  • (g) Truthfulness and upholding highest standards of integrity in public life
[E.] The Party will not in any manner promote or instigate or participate in violence.
[F.] The Party shall bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy and would uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP OF THE PARTY
[A.] ELIGIBILITY

Membership of the Party, subject to other clauses of this Article, is open to any Indian without discrimination as to age, caste, ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation, who agrees with its objectives and principles and who:

  • (a) is a citizen of India and has attained the age of 18 years;
  • (b) is not a member of any other political party registered with the Election Commission of India;
  • (c) is not a member of or associated with any organization whose views, objectives, policies or actions are inconsistent with the underlying objective and founding principles of the Party;
  • (d) has not been convicted by a competent court of any criminal offense punishable by more than 5 years in prison or of any financial misappropriation; and
  • (e) whose membership is not considered detrimental to the best interests of the party.
[B.] MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
  • (a) An eligible individual will, on submission of an application, membership dues, and declaration as may be prescribed from time to time for such membership, become a member of the Party unless rejected by the Unit/Executive functioning in the area in which he or she applies. Applications should be submitted to the local unit operating in the area where the applicant ordinarily resides, as prescribed.
  • (b) The Unit/Executive receiving the application shall scrutinize the same, and publicize the applicant's name, inviting feedback from members of the public for a period of at least one week. The Unit/Executive may also adopt other means to verify the character and credentials of the applicant. Provided that the application shall be deemed to be accepted if not denied or rejected within a period of two calendar months from the date of application. Provided further that the National Executive may freeze the processing of new membership applications for a period of time, whether for the purpose of conducting elections or for any other reason, and such periods shall be not be counted towards the two month period mentioned in the previous proviso.
  • (c) If a membership application is denied by the local Unit/Executive, it may be appealed to the next higher Executive of the Party. The next higher Executive may, if it deems fit, appoint one or more of its members to decide such cases.
  • (d) A final appeal against the decision of the next higher Executive shall lie with concerned State Executive in cases where the denial and first appeal have both been adjudicated by a Unit/Executive subordinate to it.
[C.] TERM

The term of membership, subject to renewal, termination or resignation, will be 2 years. Provided that for the purpose of this clause, a year will be taken as the period commencing from 1st of April of a calendar year to the 31st of March of the succeeding year. Provided, further that for the first year of membership, a year will be taken as the period commencing from the date of membership up to the following 31st of March. Provided, further that the Party will send a reminder to all members whose membership is due for renewal. Members will have a grace period of three months to renew their membership in cases where such reminder was sent, failing which their membership will lapse. However, in case no reminder has been sent, the grace period will be 6 months.

[D.] CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIPM.

A person will cease to be a member of the Party in the following events:

  • (a) Death
  • (b) Resignation
  • (c) Termination
  • (d) Non-renewal of the Membership during grace period
  • (e) Applying for or accepting the membership of any other political party
[E.] TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

A person’s membership will stand terminated if

  • (a) a reasoned or speaking order to the effect is passed by a competent Disciplinary Committee of the Party. Provided that no such finding may be recorded without providing a reasonable opportunity to respond including an opportunity of personal hearing to the person,
  • (b) he/she is convicted by a competent court of a criminal offense punishable by more than 5 years in prison or of any financial misappropriation. Provided that on appeal if the Party Lokpal decides that the charge and conviction is not of a kind that should debar that person from public life, the termination shall be reversed.
[F.] SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP
  • (a) A person’s membership may be suspended by a competent Disciplinary Committee of the Party on the basis of prima facie findings in disciplinary proceedings as per the provisions of this Constitution.
  • (b) A District or State Executive or the National Executive or the Party Presidium may suspend a person's membership, provided that a complaint specifying the grounds for such action is submitted to the competent Disciplinary Committee immediately thereafter. The Disciplinary Committee may on the basis of prima facie findings, either vacate the provisional suspension order or confirm it. Provided that the suspension order shall be deemed to be automatically vacated if the Disciplinary Committee fails to pass any order on the matter within 1 month of the passing of the original suspension order.
ARTICLE IV: ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
[A.] ORGANS OF THE PARTY
  • (a) The Party will be structured at the National, State, District and Block levels with organs at respective levels being,
  • (i) Block Level: Block Unit
  • (ii) District Level: District Executive
  • (iii) State Level:State Council,State Executive
  • (iv) National Level:National Council,National Executive,National Executive,Party Presidium
  • (b) The National Executive of the Party in consultation with respective State Executives may sub-divide a state into two or more regions for functional or administrative convenience by constituting regional Councils and Executives for each such regions of the state. The provisions of this Constitution applicable to state level Councils and Executives will apply to such regional organs, mutatis mutandis.
  • (c) The Party’s organs may be organized at Taluka, Tehsil, Mandal, Assembly Constituency, or other administrative level below District level suitable for that state instead of at the Block level as deemed fit by the concerned State Executive. Powers and functions of such units will be identical to those specified for Block units in this Constitution and all references to Block Units in this Constitution shall be deemed to include such Taluka, Tehsil, Mandal, Block or other sub-district level defined as equivalent to Block level by that State Executive.
  • (d) State Executives may create separate units of the Party for Towns, Cities, Cantonment Areas, Metropolitan Areas, Panchayats, City Wards, Rural or Non-Metropolitan parts of Districts, and on any other basis as deemed fit by that State Executive. State Executives may similarly create units at intermediate levels as defined by that State Executive between State level and District level, between District level and Block level, and below Block level for functional or administrative convenience in that state. The composition, hierarchy, powers and functions of such urban and intermediate level bodies shall be as specified by the concerned State Executive. However, if any such units are proposed to be constituted in substitution of rather than in addition to District level units of the Party as specified in this Constitution, they will be constituted only on the basis of direct election by Party members in that region. Further, any such substitution shall require ratification by the National Executive.
  • (e) State Executives will exercise their powers to restructure Party Organs below state level under the direction and superintendence of the National Executive.
  • (f) Areas of District Units will ordinarily be the same as those of respective Administrative Revenue Districts in the State. Areas of State Units of the Party will conform to the States and Union Territories mentioned in the Constitution of India. If a state has been subdivided into Regions, boundaries of each Region will be as prescribed by the National Executive.
[ B.] BLOCK LEVEL: Block Unit
  • (a) The Block Unit will be the General Body of all members of that Unit. It will:
  • (i) deliberate and decide on any issue or action program to further the objectives of the Party,
  • (ii) scrutinize applications for membership where it deems necessary,
  • (iii) elect 1 President and 1 General Secretary (of which at least one must be a woman) in Blocks with not less than 50 members by consensus, failing which, it will be done through elections; the President and General Secretary will be available to work for the Party on a regular basis,
  • (iv) form such teams as required and assign them such work as deemed fit, (v) reconstitute any team or committee,
  • (vi) recall President or General Secretary,
  • (vii) perform such tasks as assigned to it by the District unit from time to time for the purposes of the Party,
  • (viii) If there are not less one hundred members in a block unit, an Executive will be elected for that Block whose structure, powers and functions will be, as far as may be on the lines of District Executives.
[C.] DISTRICT LEVEL
  • (a) District Executive:
  • (i) There will be elected a District Executive by all the members of that district, if the number of such members is not less than hundred.
  • (ii) The District Executive will comprise of 10 members, which shall include at least 3 women and 1 student/youth (up to 35 years of age). Provided that if an insufficient number of nominations for election are filed by women or youth, the corresponding seat will be kept vacant. Such vacant seats will be filled through bye-elections to be held at such time and in such manner as prescribed. Provided, further that if an elected District Executive member's or elected State Council Delegate’s seat becomes vacant due to death, resignation, recall or any other reason, the same shall be filled through bye-elections within a period of 6 months in such manner as prescribed.
  • (iii) The members referred to in sub-clause (ii) above will elect one person as the District President.
  • (iv) If the President, General Secretary or Executive member of any Block Unit is elected to the District Executive, he/she will resign from the position of President, General Secretary or Block Executive member as the case may be, immediately.
  • (v) The District Executive may co-opt persons who are eminent individuals, experts from such fields as the National Executive deems fit, or members of disadvantaged or under-represented social groups, such as Women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC/OBC), Persons with Disability (PwD), and religious or linguistic minorities, if there is inadequate representation of such groups. The total number of co-opted members shall not exceed 25% of the elected strength of the District Executive at the time of co-option.
  • (vi) Subject to the limitation of sub-clause (iii) of this clause, co-opted members will have all the rights of elected members of the District Executive.
  • (vii) The District Executive may invite anyone from within or outside the Party to attend its meetings as a ‘Special Invitee’ for one or more meetings. Such Special Invitees may participate in discussions but will not enjoy any voting rights.
  • (viii) Subject to prior approval of the concerned State Executive, a District Executive may constitute a separate unit for any Village/s, Municipal Ward, or other delineated area below block level. Provisions for Block level units will apply to such units mutatis mutandis.
  • (b) Powers and Functions of District Executive

The District Executive will

  • (i) form as many teams as are required to carry out the objectives of the Party,
  • (ii) elect a General Secretary and a Treasurer for the District,
  • (iii) appoint one or more Party members from the District as Spokespersons authorized to communicate the official Party position on any subject to the public and media; Spokespersons who are not themselves members of the District Executive shall be invited to attend all District Executive meetings as ‘special invitees’,
  • (iv) appoint one or more Party members from the District as electronic media panelists authorized to represent the Party in media debates and discussions,
  • (v) appoint one or more Party members from the District to any District level designation or post and assign them suitable responsibilities as may be deemed suitable for the purposes of the Party,
  • (vi) monitor and supervise the activities of functionaries of the Party in that District,
  • (vii) undertake all such activities as are needed to meet the objectives of the Party in that District,
  • (viii) undertake activities related to public issues affecting that District,
  • (ix) maintain the Register of Members of the Party of that District in such manner as may be prescribed,
  • (x) maintain accounts of District Level Finances,
  • (xi) form a District Grievance Redress Committee for settling internal grievances and disputes of Party members in that District,
  • (xii) form a District Disciplinary Committee headed by a person with legal/administrative background who is not a member of any Executive in the Party,
  • (xiii) constitute and reconstitute any team or committee,
  • (xiv) recall District President by an absolute majority of elected members, and District General Secretary and Treasurer by an absolute majority of all members
[D.] STATE LEVEL (This will apply to Union territories also):
[a] State Council:
[b.] Functions and Powers of the State Council:
[c.] State Executive:

Each State Executive will organize and coordinate the activities of the Party at the State Level.

[d] Powers and Functions of the National Executive:
The National Executive will:
[e] Party Presidium:

[ F.] NRI LEVEL

[G]TERM OF MEMBERSHIP OF COUNCILS AND EXECUTIVES

  • A State Council will be convened in each state or Union Territory where elected District Executives are present in one-third or more Districts, consisting of –
  • (i) Delegates not exceeding one hundredth the number of Party members in that state, or half the strength of the state assembly, whichever is lower, to be apportioned to Districts in proportion to their respective membership strength. Provided, that any fractional number so obtained must be rounded downwards.
  • (ii) Additional District Delegates equal to half the strength of the state assembly to be apportioned equally to all the Districts provided, –
  • (a) any fractional number must be rounded upwards for as many districts as required to take the numbers of delegates to half the assembly strength, in decreasing order of the number of assembly seats in that district, and rounded downwards for all the remaining districts; and
  • (b) each district would be required to have at least 50 members for every delegate of its apportioned strength that it nominates under this sub-clause; the seats falling short will be kept vacant till this condition is met.
  • (iii) The delegates mentioned in sub-clauses (i) and (ii) of this clause will be nominated by the concerned District Executive in all Districts with elected District Executives.
  • (iv) Membership strength of each District and state as on the 1st of July of every year,
  • certified as such by the National Executive will be used under this section to decide district wise delegate strength for the period lasting till 1st of July of the next year.
  • (v) Additionally, the State Executive may nominate up to 2 District Delegates from each
  • District without elected District Executives to the State Council.
  • (vi) The State Council may co-opt a maximum of 25% of its non co-opted strength at the time of co-option from among the following:
  • (a) experts from such fields as the National Executive deems fit,
  • (b) eminent individuals from any field in the country,
  • (c) members of disadvantaged or under-represented social groups, such as Women, SC, ST, SEBC/OBC, Persons with Disability (PwD) and religious or linguistic minorities, if there is inadequate representation of such groups.
  • (i) The State Council will elect the State Executive from among Party members in that State.Provided that if a State Council has not been constituted for a State in which the number of Party members is not less than ten times the number of parliamentary constituencies in that state, and in any case not less than 100, a State Executive of 20 members may be elected directly by all Party members of that state, subject to the prior consent of the National Executive, in such manner and for such period till a State Council is convened, as prescribed.
  • (ii) The State Council will have the power to recall the members of the State Executive.
  • (iii) It will decide the stand and policy of the Party on issues concerning that state in such manner as may be prescribed
  • (i) The State Executive will consist of not less than 15 and not more than 35 members elected by the State Council, of which at least one fourth shall be women, and one tenth shall be students/youth (18 to 35 years of age). Provided that if an insufficient number of nominations for election are filed by women or youth, the corresponding seat will be kept vacant. Provided further that the National Executive may in consultation with respective State Executives additionally fix the number or proportion of seats mentioned in this clause to be reserved in each State Executive for candidates belonging to members of disadvantaged or under-represented social groups, such as SC, ST, SEBC/OBC, Persons with Disability (PwD) and religious or linguistic minorities
  • (ii) In addition to the above, District Presidents, or their respective nominees will be ex- officio members of State Executives with all the rights of elected members of the State Executive. Provided, that ex-officio members may not serve as state level office bearers.
  • (iii) The members referred to in sub-clauses (i) and (ii) above will elect one person as the State President.
  • (iv) If the President, General Secretary or Executive member of any lower level unit of the Party is elected to the State Executive, he/she will resign from the position of President, General Secretary or lower level Executive member as the case may be, immediately. Provided, that this provision is not applicable to District Presidents or their nominees, who are ex-officio members of the State Executive.
  • (v) The State Executive may co-opt persons who are eminent individuals, experts from such fields as the National Executive deems fit, or members of disadvantaged or under-represented social groups, such as Women, SC, ST, SEBC/OBC, Persons with Disability (PwD) and religious or linguistic minorities, if there is inadequate representation of such groups. The total number of co-opted members shall not exceed 25% of the elected strength of the State Executive at the time of co-option.
  • (vi) Subject to the limitation of sub-clause (iii) of this clause, co-opted members will have all the rights of elected members of the State Executive.
  • (vii) The State Executive may invite anyone from within or outside the Party to attend its meetings as a ‘Special Invitee’ for one or more meetings. However, Special Invitees will not enjoy any voting rights.
  • (i) form as many teams as are required to carry out the objectives of the Party,
  • (ii) elect the National General Secretary and National Treasurer,
  • (iii) appoint one or more Party members as Spokespersons authorized to communicate the official Party position on any subject to the public and media, spokespersons who are not themselves members of the National Executive shall be invited to attend all National Executive and National Council meetings as ‘special invitees’,
  • (iv) appoint one or more Party members as electronic media panelists authorized to represent the Party in media debates and discussions,
  • (v) appoint one or more Party members to any National level designation or post and assign them such responsibilities as may be deemed suitable for the purposes of the Party,
  • (vi) monitor and supervise the activities of Party functionaries at various levels in the country,
  • (vii) undertake all such activities as are needed to meet the objectives of the Party in the country,
  • (viii) undertake various activities related to public issues,
  • (ix) maintain and keep accounts of National Level Finances,
  • (x) form the National Grievance Redress Committee for settling internal grievances and disputes of Party members,
  • (xii) reconstitute any team or committee,
  • (xiii) recall National President with an absolute majority of elected and ex-officio members and National General Secretary or Treasurer by an absolute majority of all members,
  • (xiv) make rules and regulations under this Constitution,
  • (xv) constitute and reconstitute an Party Presidium consisting of President, General Secretary, Treasurer and 7 to 17 other Party members. The Party Presidium shall serve at the pleasure of the National Executive for a period not exceeding one year at a time, subject to reappointment.
  • (i) The Party Presidium will discharge all powers and functions of the National Executive, except those specifically retained by the National Executive with itself, in between two National Executive meetings.
  • (ii) All decisions of the Party Presidium shall be reported to the National Executive at the next regular meeting and will be voided unless ratified by the National Executive at this meeting.
  • (iii) The National President, General Secretary and Treasurer are expected to discharge all of their powers and duties in consultation with the Party Presidium in the spirit of collective leadership.
  • (a) The National Executive shall formulate rules to create Party units for Non-Resident Indians, specifying their composition, powers and functions respectively.
  • (b) The National Executive may if it finds fit specify representation levels for Non- Resident Indians within State and National organs of the Party, including the numbers of such representatives and their mode of election.
  • (a) The Party will hold periodic election to all positions of office bearers and organs.The term of office of every Council and Executive member shall be two calendar years, subject to maintaining the currency of their Party membership.
  • (b) No individual may continue as office bearer in the same office for more than two consecutive terms.

Organisation

Karnataka State Executive Committee


Yogendra Yadav

Yogendra Yadav

President

Invitees



Akhilendra Pratap Singh

Devanoor Mahadeva

Falguni Patadia

National Executive Members



Adil Mohammad

Ahmed Faheem Khan

Ajit Jha

Anand Kumar

Anjana Sharma

Anupam

Asna Nausheen

Avik Saha

Awdhesh Katiyar

Bimal Kumar Bose

Capt. Narayan Dass

Chaya Ratan

Christina Samy

Devnath Devan

Falguni Patadia

Girish Nandgaonkar

K P Singh

Kuldeep Saxena

Lalit Babar

M P Singh

Maanik Mahna

Manish Kumar

Manohar Elavarthi

Neeraj Kumar

Nirmalendu Verma

Nirupma Singh

Prabha Shankar Sharda

Pushpa S

Rajeev Dhayani

Rajeev Godara

Ramzan Chaudhary

Savita Balkrushna Shinde

Shalini Malviya

Shruti Sharma

Somnath Tripathi

Subhash Lomte

V S Purushottam

Vinita Chandra

Yogendra Yadav

B Ramakrishnam Raju

Ganga Sahay Meena

Dilip

Karnataka Office Bearers


Designation Name Specific Mobile No. Responsibilities
President Chamarasa Mali Patil
Working President Amjad Pasha
General Secretary Darshan Puttannaiah
Joint Secretaries (State) Abhiruchi Ganesh
Suresh Babu
Jaamdaar
Office Secretary JM Veerasangaiah +91-9342658829
State Co-ordinator Rashmi Munikempanna +91-8762805428
Media Coordinator Vijaykumar Seethappa +91-9535368657
David Bodapati (till elections) +91-9845569496
Social Media Coordinator Pratima Naik +91-9916601969

Karnataka State Executive Committee

Chamarasa Malipatil

Chamarasa Malipatil

President

Amjad Pasha

Amjad Pasha

Working President

Image

Darshan Puttannaiah

General Secretary

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Hebbale Lingaraju

Treasurer

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Abhiruchi Ganesh

Joint Secretary

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Suresh Babu

Joint Secretary

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Jaamdaar

Joint Secretary

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Vasant Kumar

State Convener

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Moula Nayak

State Convener

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Linge Gowda

State Convener

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Pratima Naik

State Convener

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Rajesh Vishwanathan

State Convener

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Chukki Nanjundaswamy

Vice President

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Nagarathnamma Patil

Vice President

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V Nagaraj

Vice President

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K P Bhootayya

Vice President

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Chukki Nanjundaswamy

Vice President

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Nisha Gulur

Vice President

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RS Dodanna

Vice President

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Karunakar B

Vice President

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Rajashekar Akki

Member

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DM Narasimhamurthi

Member

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Dadapeer

Member

Invitees



Prof. Yatiraju

R. Kaleemullah

Anugraha Kumar Sharma

KT Gangadhar

GT Ramaswamy

Guruprasad Keregodu

Rashmi M

JM Veerasangaiah


 

Meet Our Candidates

Darshan Puttannaiah

Darshan Puttannaiah

Melukote / Mandya

Introduction
Linge Gowda

Linge Gowda

Maddur / Mandya

Introduction
KL-Swamy

KL Swamy

Krishnaraja Nagar (211) / Mysore

Introduction
KP Bhoothaiyya

KP Bhoothaiyya

Challakere / Chitradurga

Introduction
P Ramesh Chander

P Ramesh Chander

Mahadevapura / Bangaluru Urban

D Srikantaswamy (Shailendra)

D Srikantaswamy (Shailendra)

Hanur / Chamarajnagar

Dr. Doddamallayya

Dr. Doddamallayya

Chitradurga / Chitradurga

Introduction
Mallikarjun Kenganala

Mallikarjun Kenganala

Basavana Bagevadi / Bijapur

Parameshwar Doogur

Parameshwar Doogur

Sagar / Shimoga

Gangadharappa Hunavalli

Gangadharappa Hunavalli

Sorab / Shimoga

Bhanu Mohan

Bhanu Mohan

Krishnaraja (216) / Mysore

Introduction


Karnataka Office Bearers

Designation Name Specific Mobile No. Responsibilities
President Chamarasa Mali Patil
Working President Amjad Pasha
General Secretary Darshan Puttannaiah
Joint Secretaries (State) Abhiruchi Ganesh
Suresh Babu
Jaamdaar
Office Secretary JM Veerasangaiah +91-9342658829
State Co-ordinator Rashmi Munikempanna +91-8762805428
Media Coordinator Vijaykumar Seethappa +91-9535368657
David Bodapati (till elections) +91-9845569496
Social Media Coordinator Pratima Naik +91-9916601969

Contact Us

National Office


Phone Number

9845177160

E-mail Address

contact@swarajindia.org

Karnataka Office


Phone Number

8762805428, 9342658829

E-mail Address

contact@swarajindia.org

Contact Us:


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Press Releases

...
5th May, 2018

Swaraj India Karnataka

Shimoga, 5 May 2018: Releasing the Swaraj India Manifesto, Yogendra Yadav, National President criticised the governance of both the central and state governments at the meet the press programme at Press Club here on Sunday.

Swaraj India Read More

...
2nd Mayy, 2018

Swaraj India Karnataka

Bengaluru, 2 May 2018: Centurion Freedom Fighter and anti-corruption crusader HS Doreswamy released the Manifesto of Swaraj India and proclaimed it as `People's Manifesto' at his house in Jayanagar on Thursday in a low-key but vibrant launch attended by over 50 people.

Swaraj India Read More

...
20th April, 2018

Swaraj India candidate files nomination with peoples money from innovative `ondhu votu, ondhe notu' campaign

P Ramesh Chander, the Swaraj India MLA candidate from Mahadevapura, one of the top-three highest-revenue generating constituencies in the State, filed his nomination at the KR Puram taluk office by paying the required deposit of Rs.5000 with the donations he received from the people during his innovative `Ondhu Votu, ondhe notu' campaign.

Swaraj India Read More

...
4th April, 2018

"Press Release"

The brazen attempt to create a Hindu-Muslim divide in Karnataka and in India is the worst crime and treason against Mother India, declared Yogendra Yadav at a well-attended Press Conference in Mandya, the district headquarters here today.

Swaraj India Read More

...
23rd March, 2018

ಪ್ರಶ ಾಂತ್ ಭೂಷಣ್ ಅವರಾಂದ ರ ಜಕೀಯ ಭರಷ್ ಾಚ ರದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಭ ಷಣ

ಇೆಂದು ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರ಴ು ವ್ಹಾಪಕವ್ಹಗಿ ಸರಡುತ್ರಿದುು, ಷವ್ಹವೆಂತಯಹವಮಿಯಹಗಿದೆ. ಇದು ದೆೇವದ ಅಭಿವೃಧಿಗೆ ಮಹರಕವ್ಹಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತ್ರಗೆ ಮೂಲ ಕಹರಣ ರಹಜಕೇಯದಲ್ಲಿನ ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರ. ರಹಜಕೇಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಿಮಿನಲ್ ಗಳು ಮತುಿ ವ್ಹಾಪಹರ ಮತುಿ ಴ಾ಴ಹಹರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಕಿಮ ಎಷಗಿರು಴಴ರು ರಹಜಕೇಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯಕಟ್ಟಾನ ಸ್ಹಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕೂರುತ್ರಿದಹುರೆ. ಇದು ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತ್ರ ಮತಿಶುಾ ಸದಗೆಡಲು ಕಹರಣವ್ಹಗುತ್ರಿದೆ.

Swaraj India Read More

...
22nd February, 2018

Flash - Brief Press Release (for Afternoon dailies/agencies)

Bengaluru, 3rd April 2018: National President of Swaraj India and popular leader Prof Yogendra Yadav deplored about the ideological and political vacuum in the country and promised that the new political party Swaraj India will fill the gap.

Swaraj India Read More

...
20th February, 2018

Swaraj India condoles KS Puttannaiah's sudden demise.

Bengaluru, 20 Feb 2018: Swaraj India expresses their deep condolences about the passing, on Sunday night, of their beloved and respected farmers' leader K.S. Puttannaiah.

Swaraj India Read More

Media Coverage

Press Releases

...
29th December, 2017

Swaraj India's Statement on Tripal Talaq

Swaraj India's commitment to gender justice has led it to support reform of all personal laws to prune these of any anti-women provision. Triple Talaq is clearly an example of such practices that have no place in today's India. This practice is inhuman, unconstitutional and not sanctified by Islam. Therefore Swaraj India demanded its abolition and welcomed decision of the Supreme Court to declare it illegal. This decision was widely welcomed by all sections of Indians, including Muslim women and men.

Swaraj India Read More

Press Note

Press Release, Swaraj India

3rd April, 2018


Flash - Brief Press Release (for Afternoon dailies/agencies)

 

Bengaluru, 3rd April 2018: National President of Swaraj India and popular leader Prof Yogendra Yadav deplored about the ideological and political vacuum in the country and promised that the new political party Swaraj India will fill the gap.

Addressing a gathering of over 200 active members of Swaraj India Karnataka here on Tuesday, the psephologist added that: “The pillars of Democracy, Diversity and Development must go hand in hand but there is not a single political force in the country today that can take up this challenge.’’Earlier, intellectual and writer Devanoor Mahadeva, Swaraj India Karnataka Coordinator said that the country is facing a strange situation due to global warming. He said this is not a political issue for polls but the absurd development which instead of bringing prosperity to the people is creating unequality, new diseases and many challenges to the scientists.

Later, the first list of five candidates who will be contesting the Karnataka State Assembly elections is declared and Mr Yadav declared decorated them with the yellow party flag.

1. Darshan Puttannaiah, Melukote Constituency
2. SH Linge Gowda, Maddur Constituency,
3. Vaijanath Patil, Yadgir Constituency,
4. Ramesh Chander, Mahadevapura,
5. KP Bhoothaiah, Challakere Constituency, Chitradurga District.
6. Srikantaswamy (Shylendra), Hanur Constituency, Chamarajanagara District.
State Swaraj India Karnataka president Chamarasa Mali Patil announced the candidates.
Chukki Najundaswamy, State Coordinator, anchored the programme. All the candidates and were present and the State committee was also announced by Yogendra Yadav.

Press Note

Press Note, Swaraj India

4 April 2018


Press Release

 

Mandya, 4 April 2018: The brazen attempt to create a Hindu-Muslim divide in Karnataka and in India is the worst crime and treason against Mother India, declared Yogendra Yadav at a well-attended Press Conference in Mandya, the district headquarters here today.

The people of Karnataka are offered a choice which is no choice, not a meaningful choice. Congress has not lived up to the expectations of the people and the dominant opposition party BJP, which in Karnataka is identified with two of the worst diseases of the country, corruption and communalism. The brazen attempt to divide, to create violence and hatred is anti-national. And against them we have a third option, they not only sell the resources, they sell their MLAs also. They show a very low type of opportunism. And JDS is a party which makes no secrecy about it,’’ he added.

This land of Karnataka has produced some of the finest activists and thinkers in the country and so Swaraj India has taken the step to enter politics and to provide an alternative. We are here to stay, there is choice for Alternative Politics,’’ he continued.

In reply to a query about the Lingayat issue, he said: ``Lingayats being declared as a minority is an old issue which every party dabbled at including Yedyurappa. We need to have a National Policy on who should be declared and who should not be declared as a minority. A party’s political performance six months before the elections is not the right thing. We are against the manner in which it is done as it is a cynical electoral calculation.’’

Swaraj India wants to bring back the Politics of Vision and Ideas, which are part of the great tradition in Karnataka. The farmers’ struggles have left them with no options. Till now politics is driving farmers, now my friends here Darshan Puttannaiah (Melukote Constituency) and Linge Gowda (Maddur Constituency) are named as party candidates. Time has come for farmers to take control and drive the politics. The farming community all over the country has two main demands. One is fair remunerative price, which is comprehensive cost plus 50 per cent, that is what is MSP. Second, is a one-time waiver of all loans without any conditions. Unless, these are implemented through a parliament act, the farmers lot will not improve. So Swaraj India will be with the farmers,’’ he assured saying we will fight for our rights.

Later Mr Yogendra Yadav left for Pandavapura to campaign for Darshan Puttannaiah. Tomorrow he will launch a book in Mandya before proceeding to Challakere in Chitradurga District.

Ends For details call David B at 9845569496; Rashmi 8762805428

प्रेस नोट, स्वराज इंडिया

20 फरवरी 2018


"सरकार चला रहे हैं या सर्कस, केजरीवाल जी?"

 

• आम पार्टी और मुख्यसचीव का विवाद बेहद शर्मनाक

नवगठित राजनीतिक पार्टी स्वराज इंडिया ने आम आदमी पार्टी और दिल्ली के मुख्य सचीव के बीच चल रहे विवाद को बेहद शर्मनाक बताया है। मुख्यमंत्री केजरीवाल पर सरकार की जगह सर्कस चलाने का आरोप लगाते हुए पार्टी के दिल्ली प्रदेश अध्यक्ष अनुपम ने कहा कि पहली बार नहीं है जब ऐसी कोई घटना सामने आयी हो। पहले भी आम आदमी पार्टी के सदस्यों और उनके सुप्रिमो अरविंद केजरीवाल ने प्रशासनिक अधिकारियों को अपमानित किया है और झूठे आरोप लगाए हैं। चाहे शकुंतला गैमलिन का मामला रहा हो या आशीष जोशी का वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों के साथ बदतमीज़ी और अपमानित पहले भी किया जाता रहा है। दरअसल, अरविंद केजरीवाल ऐसे हाई वोल्टेज़ ड्रामा हमेशा चालू रखना चाहते हैं ताकि सार्वजनिक हितों से जुड़े असल मुद्दों पर सवालों से बचा जाता रहे।

अमानतुल्लाह ख़ान जैसे विधायकों या केजरीवाल जी के पिछले ट्रैक रिकॉर्ड को देखें तो इनकी राजनीति में अपमानजनक और अभद्र व्यवहार का योगदान साफ़ दिखता है। अत: मुख्य सचिव के आरोपों ओर आश्चर्य नहीं होता।

मुख्यमंत्री अरविंद केजरीवाल खुद इस बैठक में उपस्थित थे, जहां उनके विधायकों ने मुख्य सचिव के साथ दुर्व्यवहार किया। अगर ये आरोप ग़लत हैं तो मुखतमंत्री जनता के समक्ष आकर सार्वजनिक तौर पर सफाई क्यों नहीं दे रहे हैं?

इसके अलावा, दोषियों को कोई भी वीआईपी ट्रीटमेंट दिए बिना सज़ा दी जाए। एलजी को तुरंत मुख्यमंत्री से बात करें और साथ बैठकर मामले को सुलझाए। अनुपम ने मांग किया कि दिल्ली में अनावश्यक विवादों को पैदा करने व ऐसे शर्मनाक कृत्यों के बजाय आम जनता के मुद्दों पर केजरीवाल सरकार ध्यान केंद्रित करे तो अच्छा होगा।

Press Note

Press Note, Swaraj India

20 Febuary 2018


Swaraj India condoles KS Puttannaiah's sudden demise

 

Bengaluru, 20 Feb 2018: Swaraj India expresses their deep condolences about the passing, on Sunday night, of their beloved and respected farmers' leader K.S. Puttannaiah.

KS Puttannaiah was a charismatic farmers' leader who was with the movement for over 35 years. He was the sitting MLA of Swaraj India from Karnataka. He was elected from Sarvodaya Karnataka Party, which merged with Swaraj India on 25 March last year at Freedom Park in Bengaluru.

The Party conveys its heartfelt condolences to all the family members and friends of the departed leader. The body had been kept at High School Ground, Kyathanahalli, Pandavapura taluk, Mandya District about 115 km from Bangalore. The funeral, with State honours, is scheduled for 11am, Thursday, 22 nd February.

The lone voice representing farmers in the Karnataka Assembly will be sorely missed with the passing away of a giant who has been hailed by all political leaders, irrespective of party affiliations, as a ‘committed leader who dedicated his life to farmers issues'

An active leader of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, KS Puttannaiah, along with Dalit writer and activist Devanoora Mahadeva and other leaders aligned themselves with Swaraj Abhiyan in 2015. They played an instrumental role in the Jai Kisan Andolan, a nation-wide movement for farmers' rights, which has now grown into a mass movement with over 190 diverse groups coming together as the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC). Shri Puttanniah has been at the forefront of mobilising and leading farmers in Karnataka. His fervent demand was for “Freedom from debt and realisation of remunerative prices as a right of all farmers,'' while also highlighting the fact that every 30 minutes a farmer commits suicide in India.

As a young leader he saw the revival of Pandavapura and Mysore sugar factories and fought for labour issues. Whether it is inter-State water-sharing disputes, including the Cauvery tussle between the three states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, or the issues of farm labour or even bonded labour, he was an authority as he had a deep understanding of the principles of social justice and was looked up to for guidance by the younger generation. Swaraj India’s leader Yogendra Yadav called him “a rare bridge between farmers' struggles of the previous and the current generation.''

In touch with the people's pulse on the ground and the heart of the farmer, he was an extremely important part of the agitation which is being launched to fight for the minimum support price, MSP, for farm produce.

KS Puttannaiah along with Devanoora Mahadeva and other leaders became the face of Swaraj India, Karnataka after the Party was launched in 2017. The young Swaraj India Party was preparing for the announcement of its Manifesto and candidates list for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections with KS Puttannaiah's name heading that list.

As Amjad Pasha, Swaraj India Karnataka leader said: “Even as he steps out of his vehicle in his village or any other town, people gather around him and wave green shawls, a symbol of farmers’ unity. They offer him lime juice or buttermilk and invite him for a ‘mudde saaru oota’ at their homes. This is the love and affection that comes from the hearts of thousands for whom he has tirelessly fought.''

The great leader will forever live in our midst. Swaraj India promises to take up the heavy burden left behind as it re-launches the fight for farmer’s rights nationally.

May his soul rest in peace! Shanthi.

For details call David, 9845569496

प्रेस नोट, स्वराज इंडिया

23 April 2018


Swaraj India candidate files nomination with peoples money from innovative `ondhu votu, ondhe notu' campaign

 

Bengaluru 23 April 2018: P Ramesh Chander, the Swaraj India MLA candidate from Mahadevapura, one of the top-three highest-revenue generating constituencies in the State, filed his nomination at the KR Puram taluk office by paying the required deposit of Rs.5000 with the donations he received from the people during his innovative `Ondhu Votu, ondhe notu' campaign.

Usually, we check only the papers, today we had to count the money too,'' quipped the Mahadevapura Constituency returning officer, Shylaja Priyadashini, who was pleased to see a candidate without any fanfare. ``I had to ask for the security because nowadays, political candidates come with a lot of people and sometimes it becomes defficult to control them,'' she added.

After filing the nomination, the techie, vowed to continue the mission to usher in probity, transparency and accountability in electoral politics in Karnataka. ``People have no choice till now. The choice they had is to chose between the devil and the deep sea, between communalism and corruption. Swaraj India is here to provide a clean and honest alternative. And we promise to be with you through out. Not just once in five years. We strongly believe that every problem can be solved when people participate and fight unitedly,'' he exhorted to the small but impressive cadre on Monday.

Ramesh chander is one of the 11 candidates announced by Swaraj India, who undertook `One vote, one note' campaign, a people-connect policy of the Swaraj India party, where the candidate and his team approach people for donations along with the vote, asking for just one note. It can be a one ruppe note or any other higher denomination. ``The idea is we will be as an individual and as a Party, indebted to the people and be responsible once elected. We are also against money power playing a role and we advocate not to sell the vote,'' said Yogendra Yadav, in a congratulatory message to Ramesh Chander. He also inauguarated the Mahadevapura Swaraj India office earlier this month.

In Doddanekundi, I was touched by the gesture of a push-cart vegetable vendour, after talking to her and explaining about how clean politics is important to provide an alternative choice for voters, we asked for her vote and one note as donation.The lady picked up a handful of notes from her Collection Box and generously donated without even seeing how much she gave,'' said Ramesh, who added that such instances made his resolve stronger.

With over 4,7 lakh voters, Mahadevapura is a crucial constituency as it generates municipal taxes and revenue from IT industry and is the heart and soul of the ‘Silicon Valley of India’. It has many world’s top R&D establishments, IT Parks but the improvement in terms of infrastructure and facilities like roads and water is negligible,'' says KP Singh, Swaraj India's national committee member, who lives in the same area and was part of the team that visited Bellandur, Doddanekundi, Marathahalli and Garudacharpalya recently.

People's small contributions would set a new culture and enable the public spirit of citizens to identify with clean politics. Not just people in the IT sector, common people, small-time business people, migrants and slum-dwellers are all looking for a change,'' added Ramesh, who visited many of the localities in the ward and raised Rs.1001 on the first day. Ramesh Chander, himself a techie and the CEO of Rixyncs, authored a book titled `Three Pillars of Customer Relationship'. He also had a meeting with Bangalore Apartment Federation and Whiltefield Raising, two people's organisations among other resident groups including those who are trying to save the Bellandur lake.

He graduated from NIT Suratkal and did his MBA from Adam Smith University USA. He believes in transparency and all the expenses will be up on the Ketto.org site, where he is also seeking donations.

For details call David 98455 69496 or Ramesh Chander 93428 37640

Response was huge all over India as UNI carried a story in their special category and released all over India. The News went out in NE, northern states like Punjab and Chandigarh.

A lot of websites picked up in the south. Some imp links I could lay my hands on:

https://www.newskarnataka.com/bangalore/swaraj-india-mla-candidate-forces-returning-officer-to-count-deposit-money
https://www.firstpost.com/politics/darshan-puttannaiah-interview-40-yr-old-techie-follows-in-his-fathers-footsteps-hits-karnataka-campaign-trail-4443827.html
Story:https://www.oneindia.com/india/k-taka-polls-she-supports-clean-politics-so-poor-vendor-do-2683693.html
http://nasheman.in/swaraj-india-candidate-files-nomination-with-peoples-money-from-innovative-ondhu-votu-ondhe-notu-campaign-press-release/
http://www.uniindia.com/~/election-he-pays-deposit-money-collected-under-one-vote-a-re-note/Election/news/1208783.html

Press Note

Press Release, Swaraj India

23 April 2018


Swaraj India candidate files nomination with peoples money from innovative `ondhu votu, ondhe notu' campaign

 

Bengaluru 23 April 2018: P Ramesh Chander, the Swaraj India MLA candidate from Mahadevapura, one of the top-three highest-revenue generating constituencies in the State, filed his nomination at the KR Puram taluk office by paying the required deposit of Rs.5000 with the donations he received from the people during his innovative `Ondhu Votu, ondhe notu' campaign.

Usually, we check only the papers, today we had to count the money too,'' quipped the Mahadevapura Constituency returning officer, Shylaja Priyadashini, who was pleased to see a candidate without any fanfare. ``I had to ask for the security because nowadays, political candidates come with a lot of people and sometimes it becomes defficult to control them,'' she added.

After filing the nomination, the techie, vowed to continue the mission to usher in probity, transparency and accountability in electoral politics in Karnataka. ``People have no choice till now. The choice they had is to chose between the devil and the deep sea, between communalism and corruption. Swaraj India is here to provide a clean and honest alternative. And we promise to be with you through out. Not just once in five years. We strongly believe that every problem can be solved when people participate and fight unitedly,'' he exhorted to the small but impressive cadre on Monday.

Ramesh chander is one of the 11 candidates announced by Swaraj India, who undertook `One vote, one note' campaign, a people-connect policy of the Swaraj India party, where the candidate and his team approach people for donations along with the vote, asking for just one note. It can be a one ruppe note or any other higher denomination. ``The idea is we will be as an individual and as a Party, indebted to the people and be responsible once elected. We are also against money power playing a role and we advocate not to sell the vote,'' said Yogendra Yadav, in a congratulatory message to Ramesh Chander. He also inauguarated the Mahadevapura Swaraj India office earlier this month.

In Doddanekundi, I was touched by the gesture of a push-cart vegetable vendour, after talking to her and explaining about how clean politics is important to provide an alternative choice for voters, we asked for her vote and one note as donation.The lady picked up a handful of notes from her Collection Box and generously donated without even seeing how much she gave,'' said Ramesh, who added that such instances made his resolve stronger.

With over 4,7 lakh voters, Mahadevapura is a crucial constituency as it generates municipal taxes and revenue from IT industry and is the heart and soul of the ‘Silicon Valley of India’. It has many world’s top R&D establishments, IT Parks but the improvement in terms of infrastructure and facilities like roads and water is negligible,'' says KP Singh, Swaraj India's national committee member, who lives in the same area and was part of the team that visited Bellandur, Doddanekundi, Marathahalli and Garudacharpalya recently.

People's small contributions would set a new culture and enable the public spirit of citizens to identify with clean politics. Not just people in the IT sector, common people, small-time business people, migrants and slum-dwellers are all looking for a change,'' added Ramesh, who visited many of the localities in the ward and raised Rs.1001 on the first day. Ramesh Chander, himself a techie and the CEO of Rixyncs, authored a book titled `Three Pillars of Customer Relationship'. He also had a meeting with Bangalore Apartment Federation and Whiltefield Raising, two people's organisations among other resident groups including those who are trying to save the Bellandur lake.

He graduated from NIT Suratkal and did his MBA from Adam Smith University USA. He believes in transparency and all the expenses will be up on the Ketto.org site, where he is also seeking donations.

For details call David 98455 69496 or Ramesh Chander 93428 37640

Response was huge all over India as UNI carried a story in their special category and released all over India. The News went out in NE, northern states like Punjab and Chandigarh.

A lot of websites picked up in the south. Some imp links I could lay my hands on:

https://www.newskarnataka.com/bangalore/swaraj-india-mla-candidate-forces-returning-officer-to-count-deposit-money
https://www.firstpost.com/politics/darshan-puttannaiah-interview-40-yr-old-techie-follows-in-his-fathers-footsteps-hits-karnataka-campaign-trail-4443827.html
Story:https://www.oneindia.com/india/k-taka-polls-she-supports-clean-politics-so-poor-vendor-do-2683693.html
http://nasheman.in/swaraj-india-candidate-files-nomination-with-peoples-money-from-innovative-ondhu-votu-ondhe-notu-campaign-press-release/
http://www.uniindia.com/~/election-he-pays-deposit-money-collected-under-one-vote-a-re-note/Election/news/1208783.html

Press Note

Press Note, Swaraj India

23 March 2018


ಪ್ರಶ ಾಂತ್ ಭೂಷಣ್ ಅವರಾಂದ ರ ಜಕೀಯ ಭರಷ್ ಾಚ ರದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಭ ಷಣ


ಇೆಂದು ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರ಴ು ವ್ಹಾಪಕವ್ಹಗಿ ಸರಡುತ್ರಿದುು, ಷವ್ಹವೆಂತಯಹವಮಿಯಹಗಿದೆ. ಇದು ದೆೇವದ ಅಭಿವೃಧಿಗೆ ಮಹರಕವ್ಹಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತ್ರಗೆ ಮೂಲ ಕಹರಣ ರಹಜಕೇಯದಲ್ಲಿನ ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರ. ರಹಜಕೇಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಿಮಿನಲ್ ಗಳು ಮತುಿ ವ್ಹಾಪಹರ ಮತುಿ ಴ಾ಴ಹಹರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಕಿಮ ಎಷಗಿರು಴಴ರು ರಹಜಕೇಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯಕಟ್ಟಾನ ಸ್ಹಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕೂರುತ್ರಿದಹುರೆ. ಇದು ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತ್ರ ಮತಿಶುಾ ಸದಗೆಡಲು ಕಹರಣವ್ಹಗುತ್ರಿದೆ. ರಹಜಕೇಯ, ವ್ಹಾಪಹರ ಮತುಿ ಕಿಮಿನಲ್ ಚಟು಴ಟ್ಟಕೆಗಳ ನಡುವ್ೆ ಯಹ಴ುದೆೇ ಅೆಂತರವಿಲಿದೆಂತಹಗಿದೆ. ಇೆಂತಸ ಷೆಂದಭ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ, ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರದ ವಿರುದಧ ಯೇಜಿತ ಕಹಯವಯೇಜನೆ ಇೆಂದಿನ ತುತುವ ಅಗತಾವ್ಹಗಿದೆ. ಹಹಷುಹೊಕಹಾಗಿರು಴ ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರದ ವಿರುದಧ ನಿರೆಂತರವ್ಹಗಿ ಹೊೇರಹಡುತ್ರಿರು಴ ಷುಪಿೇೆಂ ಕೊೇಟ್ಟವನ ಖ್ಹಾತ ನಹಾಯವ್ಹದಿ ಮತುಿ ಷವರಹಜ್ ಅಭಿಯಹನದ ರಹಷ್ಟ್ರೇಯ ಅಧ್ಾಕ್ಷರಹದ ಪಿಶಹೆಂತ್ ಭ್ೂಶಣ್ ಅ಴ರು “ರಹಜಕೇಯ ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರ ಮತುಿ ಪಿಜಹಪಿಭ್ುತವಕಾರು಴ ಅಪಹಯಗಳು” ಎೆಂಬ ವಿಚಹರದ ಬಗೆೆ ಮಹತನಹಡಲ್ಲದಹುರೆ. ಈ ಷಭೆಯ ಅಧ್ಾಕ್ಷತೆಯನುು ಪರಿಷರ ಷೆಂರಕ್ಷಣೆಗೆ ಹಹಗು ಅಕಿಮ ಗಣಿಗಹರಿಕೆ ಮತುಿ ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರದ ವಿರುದಧ ಹೊೇರಹಡುತ್ರಿರು಴ ಜನ ಷೆಂಗಹಿಮ ಪರಿಶತ್ರಿನ ಎಸ್. ಆರ್. ಹಿರೆೇಮಠ್ ಅ಴ರು ಴ಹಿಷಲ್ಲದಹುರೆ. ಈ ಸ್ಹ಴ವಜನಿಕ ಷಭೆಯು ಮಹರ್ಚವ 25ರ, ಭಹನುವ್ಹರದೆಂದು ಬೆೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ದರಷುಲೆಂ ಕಟಾಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳಿಗೆೆ 11ರಿೆಂದ 12.30ರ಴ರೆಗೆ ನಡೆಯಲ್ಲದೆ. ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ವಿ಴ರಗಳಿಗೆ ಷೆಂಪಕವಸ್ಥ : 8971748797/9916601969. ಈ ಸ್ಹ಴ವಜನಿಕ ಷಭೆಯನುು ಷವರಹಜ್ ಅಭಿಯಹನ ಮತುಿ ಜನ ಷೆಂಗಹಿಮ ಪರಿಶತ್ರ ಜೆಂಟ್ಟಯಹಗಿ ಆಯೇಜಿಷುತ್ರಿದುು, ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಷೆಂಖ್ೆಾಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಹ಴ವಜನಿಕರು ಭಹಗ಴ಹಿಸ್ಥ ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರದ ವಿರುದಧ ಧ್ವನಿಯಹಗಬೆೇಕಹಗಿ ವಿನೆಂತ್ರ.

ಗೆ,

ಷೆಂಪಹದಕರು/ಮುಖ್ಾ ಴ರದಿಗಹರರು

ಪತ್ರಿಕಹ ಅಹಹವನ

(ಬೆೆಂಗಳೂರು, 24-03-2018)

ಮಹರ್ಚವ 25, 2018ರ ಭಹನುವ್ಹರದೆಂದು ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರದ ವಿರುದಧ ನಿರೆಂತರವ್ಹಗಿ ಹೊೇರಹಡುತ್ರಿರು಴ ಷುಪಿೇೆಂ ಕೊೇಟ್ಟವನ ಖ್ಹಾತ ನಹಾಯವ್ಹದಿ ಮತುಿ ಷವರಹಜ್ ಅಭಿಯಹನದ ರಹಷ್ಟ್ರೇಯ ಅಧ್ಾಕ್ಷರಹದ ಪಿಶಹೆಂತ್ ಭ್ೂಶಣ್ ಅ಴ರು “ರಹಜಕೇಯ ಭ್ಿಷ್ಹಾಚಹರ ಮತುಿ ಪಿಜಹಪಿಭ್ುತವಕಾರು಴ ಅಪಹಯಗಳು” ಎೆಂಬ ವಿಚಹರದ ಬಗೆೆ ಮಹತನಹಡಲ್ಲದಹುರೆ. ಈ ಷಭೆಯ ಅಧ್ಾಕ್ಷತೆಯನುು ಜನ ಷೆಂಗಹಿಮ ಪರಿಶತ್ರಿನ ಎಸ್. ಆರ್. ಹಿರೆೇಮಠ್ ಅ಴ರು ಴ಹಿಷಲ್ಲದಹುರೆ. ಈ ಷಭೆಯ ನೆಂತರ ಪಿಶಹೆಂತ್ ಭ್ೂಶಣ್ ಮತುಿ ಎಸ್. ಆರ್. ಹಿರೆೇಮಠ್ ಅ಴ರು ಜೆಂಟ್ಟಯಹಗಿ ಪತ್ರಿಕಹ ಗೊೇಷ್ಟ್ಿಯನುು ನಡೆಷಲ್ಲದಹುರೆ. ಈ ಎರಡೂ ಕಹಯವಕಿಮಗಳಿಗೆ ತಮಮ ಴ರದಿಗಹರರನುು ಕಳುಹಿಸ್ಥ ಴ರದಿಮಹಡಬೆೇಕೆೆಂದು ಕೆೇಳಿಕೊಳುುತೆಿೇವ್ೆ.

ಪ್ರಶ ಾಂತ್ ಭೂಷಣ್ ಅವರ ಭ ಷಣ ಕ ಯಯಕ್ರಮ

ಷಮಯ : ಬೆಳಿಗೆೆ 11 ರಿೆಂದ 12.30ರ ಴ರೆಗೆ ಷಿಳ : ದರಷಲೆಂ ಕಟಾಡ, ಕವೇನ್ಸ್ ರಸ್ೆಿ, (ಕಹೆಂಗೆಿಸ್ ಕಚೆೇರಿ ಸತ್ರಿರ)

ಪ್ರಶ ಾಂತ್ ಭೂಷಣ್ ಮತ್ತು ಎಸ್. ಆರ್. ಹಿರಗೀಮಠ್ ಅವರ ಜಾಂಟಿ ಪ್ತ್ರರಕ ಗ್ಗೂೀಷ್ಠಿ

ಷಮಯ : ಮಧ್ಹಾಸು 1 ರಿೆಂದ 1.45ರ ಴ರೆಗೆ

ಷಿಳ : ದರಷಲೆಂ ಕಟಾಡ, ಕವೇನ್ಸ್ ರಸ್ೆಿ, (ಕಹೆಂಗೆಿಸ್ ಕಚೆೇರಿ ಸತ್ರಿರ)

ವಾಂದನಗಗಳಗ ಾಂದಿಗ್ಗ

ದಿೀಪ್ಕ್ ಸಿ. ಎನ್.

9449559451

Press Note

Press Release - Swaraj India Karnataka

2 May 2018


Swaraj India Karnataka




Bengaluru, 2 May 2018: Centurion Freedom Fighter and anti-corruption crusader HS Doreswamy released the Manifesto of Swaraj India and proclaimed it as `People's Manifesto' at his house in Jayanagar on Thursday in a low-key but vibrant launch attended by over 50 people.

Lampooning the power of money, he said: ``Politicians are going to any extent to get power and money. Money is ruling the roost in politics. For money people are being killed. Gauri is murdered. For money, all the courntry's natural resources are looted,'' he said naming the Reddy brothers. ``This manifesto is not something which the party promises to implement after coming to power. It provides an alaternative way of thinking, as people and as citizens what we can do to make India a better place for our children,'' he added. ``Even after 70 years of independence poor remain poor and rich are becoming richer, this should stop,'' he exhorted.

After the release, eminent writer Devanoora Mahadeva said: ``To enable humankind to make their lives more tolerable, Swaraj India manifesto makes an attempt to search for possibilities that encompass an organic holistic perspective. This is open to dialogue. It is a Manifesto for the people. As citizens, as youth, as common people, we need to take responsibility to preserve our environment. Manifesto talks of protecting natural resources like water, river... Encouraging bamboo, promoting jaggery by all of us.''

``Swaraj India will work in accordance with the concepts in the manifesto. It will regard every vote that is polled by Swaraj India as an endorsement of this manifesto. The candidates who win from Swaraj India will work towards creating policy, legislation and programs in favour of these ideas in the State Assembly. Above all it is for the people to claim it as their own and fulfill it. Anyone is free to use it, there is no copyright,'' he concluded.

Dr HV Vasu of Karnataka Janashakti narrated a couple of salient features of the Swaraj India Manifesto. He said: Like Doreswamy pointed out, it is not what the party intends to do after coming to power. Usually people look for what they would get from a manifesto. But the Swaraj India approach is completely different. People who read the manifesto should take the responsibility to fulfill the issues. As a farmer, what I should do. As a student, what is my responsibility. As a citizen, how do I bring change. This is a guide for the people. One should be brave and courageous to go to the people asking vote by telling them to fulfill their responsibility... to make this a better palce to live. It is completely a different kind of politics,'' he pointed out.

Purushottam, South India cooordinator of Swaraj India, Chamarasa Mali Patil, State President, and Chukki Nanjundaswamy, vice-president also spoke. State Executive member Abhiruchi Ganesh anchored and proposed a vote of thanks.

For details, photos or media interviews with Mr Yogendra Yadav call David 9845569496/ 9632072822

Press Note

प्रेस नोट, यूथ फ़ॉर स्वराज(Y4S)

12 जनवरी 2018


विवेकानंद यूथ समिट 2018' सफलतापूर्वक हुआ सम्पन्न


विवेकानंद से प्रेरणा लेते हुए बेहतर भविष्य के लिए ख़ुद मोर्चा संभालेंगे युवा
आज के समय में विवेकानंद की प्रासंगिकता और भी ज़्यादा: अनुपम
स्वामी विवेकानंद को सिर्फ़ श्रद्धांजलि नहीं, कार्यान्जली भी दीजिये: योगेंद्र यादव


दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के सत्यकामा सभागार में आज यूथ फॉर स्वराज Y4S द्वारा 'विवेकानंद यूथ समिट 2018' का सफ़लता पूर्वक आयोजन हुआ। राष्ट्रीय युवा दिवस और विवेकानंद जयंती के अवसर पर हुए कार्यक्रम में दिल्ली के युवाओं की ज़ोरदार भागीदारी देखी गयी।

स्वराज इंडिया के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष योग्रन्द्र यादव ने युवाओं को संबोधित करते हुए कहा कि स्वामी विवेकानंद को सिर्फ़ श्रद्धांजलि नहीं, कार्यान्जली भी देने की आवश्यकता है। विवेकानंद को नारों, छवियों और तस्वीरों में बांधने की बजाए उनके विचारों को आत्मसात करने के संदेश के साथ योगेंद्र यादव ने युवाओं को सांस्कृतिक आत्मविश्वास पैदा करने की प्रेरणा दी। उन्होंने कहा कि स्वामी विवेकानंद 1860 के दशक में पैदा हुए तीन महान भारतीयों में हैं जिन्होंने हमें ऊनी संस्कृति और सभ्यता पर
सहज तौर पर गर्व करना सिखाया। विवेकानंद के अलावा टैगोर और गांधी ने भी भारतीयों में सांस्कृतिक आत्मविश्वास का सृजन किया। युवाओं से अपने दो साल देने की अपील करते हुए उन्होंने कहा कि आज के भारत में अलग तरह की चुनौतियां हैं जिनपर देश के युवा ही सार्थक ढंग से काम कर सकते हैं। योगेंद्र यादव ने कहा कि गन्दी राजनीति के ख़िलाफ़ मजबूती से खड़े होकर युवा ही देश को जाति धर्म में बंटने और लड़ने से बचाएगा।

युवाओं को संबोधित करते हुए स्वराज इंडिया के दिल्ली प्रदेश अध्यक्ष अनुपम ने स्वामी विवेकानंद को नए भारत का विचारक और प्रचारक बताया। देश का एक बड़ा राजनीतिक वर्ग चाहता है कि स्वामी विवेकानंद की छवि एक 'भगवाधारी हिन्दू संत' तक सीमित रहे। क्यूंकि धर्म, संस्कृति, समाज से लेकर राष्ट्रवाद जैसे कई मुद्दों पर ये वर्ग आज विवेकानंद के विचारों के उलट काम कर रहे हैं। इसलिए ये चाहते हैं कि देश विवेकानंद के विचार नहीं, सिर्फ़ छवि को याद रखे। अनुपम ने कहा कि स्वामी विवेकानंद को फूल-मालाओं और छवि पूजन तक सीमित न करके आज के युवा उनके विचारों को भी आत्मसात करें। आज के इस माहौल मे जहाँ भाषा, जाति या धर्म के नाम पर नफ़रत, द्वेष और हिंसा फैलाई जा रही है, विवेकानंद की प्रासंगिकता कहीं ज़्यादा बढ़ गई है।

छात्रों और शिक्षकों के अलावा दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के फैकल्टी ऑफ साइंस में हुए इस कार्यक्रम में प्रोफ हरीश खन्ना और तिमारपुर विधायक पंकज पुष्कर ने भी हिस्सा लिया।

Press Note

Press Note

5 May 2018


Press Release - Karnataka

 

Shimoga, 5 May 2018: Releasing the Swaraj India Manifesto, Yogendra Yadav, National President criticised the governance of both the central and state governments at the meet the press programme at Press Club here on Sunday.

He said that ``In this Karnataka elections, there is a talk of freedom from Congress while Congress says we need Freedom from BJP. For us freedom means freedom from suicide, drought and unemployment. We want freedom from corruption and communalism, freedom to get and enjoy free and high quality education and healthcare.’’

Replying to a query, if Swaraj India would support Congress or BJP in the event of a hung assembly, Yadav said: ``Our first loyalty and our first alliance will be with people’s movements. We have an alliance with Maha Maîtri in Karnataka. We have fielded 11 candidates and it’s a small experiment to bring in alternative politics, probity, transparency in polls and launch value-based politics. Congress has extended unconditional support to our candidate in Melukote out of respect to the departed farmers’ leader KS Puttannaiah. And his son Darshan Puttannaiah happens to be our candidate. But we have not extended support to Congress in any constituency in Karnataka.’’

``We shall not be a party to the formation of a communal government in Karnataka. Today BJP is the most communal and corrupt in Karnataka and it is dangerous for Karnataka. Congress too has failed to come up to the expectations of the people. And it would not be unfair to say that the third option is available to the highest bidder,’ ’he added referring to JD(S).

The psephologist turned politician said that Swaraj India is born to bring in a viable option which the people are looking for to fill this vacuum. ``One of our top priorities is to bring to light the farmers’ issues. In the whole of Karnataka, farmers are not getting MSP even in one mandi. Our party’s priorities are in the Manifesto written by the great Kannada writer Devanoora Mahadeva with his team after taking into consideration all the voices and expectations of diverse peoples groups. It talks about resources, rivers waters, lakes, development, corruption and our priorities that you and me want to do ourselves. I request everyone read it. It is in our Swaraj India website,’’ he said.

Manjunath, Press Club president presided while Karnataka State Working president Amjad Pasha translated and Hebbala Lingaraj, Sripal, District president were present.

For details call David at 98455 69496

Caption 1: Yogendra Yadav, National President of Swaraj India addressing. State working president Amjad Pasha (right) and Shivamogga Press Trust president Manjunath (left) are also seen.

Caption 2: Yogendra Yadav, National president of Swaraj India at a meet the press programme in Shivamogga on Sunday. Photo by David Bodapati

प्रेस नोट, यूथ फॉर स्वराज(Y4S)

10 जनवरी 2018


12 जनवरी को दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय में होगा 'विवेकानंद यूथ समिट 2018'

 

विवेकानंद के विचारों पर और देश के युवाओं की दशा दिशा पर संवाद करके बनाई जाएगी भविष्य की रूपरेखा

स्वराज इंडिया के छात्र-युवा संगठन Y4S (यूथ फॉर स्वराज) द्वारा 12 जनवरी को 11 बजे 'विवेकानंद यूथ समिट 2018' का आयोजन किया जा रहा है। विवेकानंद जयंती और राष्ट्रीय युवा दिवस पर दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के नॉर्थ कैम्पस (सत्यकामा सभागार, फैकल्टी ऑफ सोशल साइंस) में होने वाले इस कार्यक्रम में युवाओं की ज़ोरदार भागीदारी की संभावना है।

इस अवसर पर कई छात्रों, युवाओं, शिक्षकों के साथ साथ स्वराज इंडिया के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष योगेंद्र यादव भी दिल्ली के युवाओं को संबोधित करेंगे।

देश का एक बड़ा राजनीतिक वर्ग चाहता है कि विवेकानंद की छवि को एक 'भगवाधारी हिन्दू संत' तक सीमित कर दिया जाए। क्यूंकि धर्म, संस्कृति, समाज से लेकर राष्ट्रवाद जैसे कई मुद्दों पर ये वर्ग आज विवेकानंद के विचारों के उलट काम कर रहा है। आज के इस माहौल में जहाँ कि भाषा, जाति या धर्म के नाम पर नफ़रत, द्वेष और हिंसा फैलाई जा रही है, स्वामी विवेकानंद की प्रासंगिकता कहीं ज़्यादा बढ़ गई है।

'विवेकानंद यूथ समिट 2018' का उद्देश्य है कि देश की बढ़ती युवा आबादी की दशा दिशा पर चर्चा करके सार्थक भविष्य की एक रूपरेखा बनाई जाए। साथ ही स्वामी विवेकानंद को फूल- मालाओं और छवि पूजन तक सीमित न करके आज के युवा उनके विचारों को भी आत्मसात करें।

Press Note

Press Note, Swaraj India

29 December 2017


Swaraj India's Statement on Tripal Talaq


Swaraj India's commitment to gender justice has led it to support reform of all personal laws to prune these of any anti-women provision. Triple Talaq is clearly an example of such practices that have no place in today's India. This practice is inhuman, unconstitutional and not sanctified by Islam. Therefore Swaraj India demanded its abolition and welcomed decision of the Supreme Court to declare it illegal. This decision was widely welcomed by all sections of Indians, including Muslim women and men.

Since there are reports of some Muslim husbands still persisting with this reprehensible practice, there is a case for a law to ban this practice and provide support to its victims. To that extent Swaraj India supports, in principle, The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017. The bill passed by the Lok Sabha goes a step further and makes this practice a criminal offence. It is noteworthy that this provision was not demanded by the movement that carried out a crusade against Triple Talaq. Many activists and jurists, with unquestionable record of fighting for equality for Muslim women, have drawn attention to some undesirable consequences of this provision. They have also raised concerns about shifting quasi-judicial powers to police and administration. We hope the government will listen respectfully to these concerns and objections before the bill is finally passed. We also hope that the concern for the plight of women will be extended to similar anti-women practices across all communities.

Kisan Green Paper

Candidate List

Candidate List:


Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018
Candidate Name Assembly Constituency District Profile
Darshan Puttannaiah Melukote Mandya
Linge Gowda S. H. Maddur Mandya
K. L. Swamy (Garudagambha Swamy) Krishnarajanagara Mysore
K. P. Bhutaiah Challakere Chitradurga
P. Ramesh Chander Mahadevapura Bangaluru Urban
D. Srikantaswamy (Shailendra) Hanur Chamarajnagar
Dr. Doddamallaiah Chitradurga Chitradurga
Kenganal Mallikarjun Bhimappa Basavana Bagevadi Bijapur
Duguru Parameshwara Sagar Shimoga
H. B. Gangadharappa Hunavalli Sorab Shimoga
Bhanu Mohan Krishnaraja Mysore

CANDIDATE SELECTION INTEGRITY COMMITTEE

FAQs on the Integrity Committee for the Swaraj India Party:


What is the integrity committee?

The integrity committee has been set up as an independent committee to review and rule on complaints regarding the candidates selected by the Swaraj India Party. The committee is headed by an independent person, who is in no way connected to the party or its affairs and is not a member of the party. The ruling of the Integrity Committee is binding on Swaraj India.

Who are the members of the committee?

Ms. Anjali Bhardwaj- Chairperson (independent of the party)

Prof. Bharat Seth (independent of the party)

Mr. Ravi Chopra

Mr. Faheem Khan

Capt. Narayan Das

P.S.Sharda

What is the mandate of the committee?

The mandate of the committee is to receive and rule on complaints regarding the candidates selected by the Swaraj India Party. The committee shall look into complaints regarding issues of integrity related to the 4C's only - Character, Corruption, Communalism & Criminality.

How can a complaint be filed to the committee?

Complaints have to be filed in writing. The complaint must be on issues of integrity related to the 4C's - Character, Corruption, Communalism & Criminality. Each complaint must be accompanied with relevant documents/material in support of the allegations contained in the complaint. The complaint may be sent by:

Email: swarajindia.ic@gmail.com

Registered/Speed Post/By Hand (in a sealed cover and “Integrity Committee” written on top of the envelope):

Mr. P.S. Sharda

285, Lawyers Chamber

Block 2, Delhi High Court

Sher Shah Road

New Delhi-110003

All complaints sent via post or delivered by hand must be in a sealed cover and addressed to the Integrity Committee.

What should the complaint include?

Each complaint must be accompanied with relevant documents/material in support of the allegations contained in the complaint. It is recommended that the complainant provide his/her name and contact address and phone number to enable the committee to provide an opportunity of being heard to the complainant in the process of looking into a complaint. However, complaints may also be made anonymously.

What action can the committee take?

The committee can, in its ruling, direct the party to take any such action as deemed fit by the committee. The decision of the committee shall be binding. 

In how much time will the committee respond?

The Committee shall endeavour to arrive at the final decision with respect to each complaint ASAP, within ten days of the same being received by the Committee.


 

Kisan Bill I

Bill No. XX of 2017

THE FARMERS’ RIGHT TO ASSURED REMUNERATIVE PRICES FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE BILL, 2017

KRISHI UPAJ LAABHKARI MOOLYA GUARANTEE BILL

A Bill

to confer a right on all farmers, to obtain an assured remunerative price upon sale of agricultural produce and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

WHEREAS safeguarding the right to livelihood is essential for the realization of right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India;

AND WHEREAS, article 38(2) of the Constitution provides that the State shall, in particular, strive to minimize the inequalities in income, and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations;

AND WHEREAS, article 39(a) of the Constitution provides that the State shall direct its policies towards securing that the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood;

AND WHEREAS farmers do not get adequate return of their investment and toil despite good production, and therefore the condition is steadily deteriorating and tens of thousands of farmers are committing suicide every year;

AND WHEREAS, the price realized by farmers for their produce is not providing sufficient returns above the cost of production to provide income to sustain basic needs of the households;

AND WHEREAS, ensuring adequate returns in agriculture is essential to safeguarding the food security and food sovereignty of the nation;

AND WHEREAS, to improve the condition of farmers and ensure food sovereignty of the nation, it is essential to provide them a right to assured remunerative price for all agricultural produce;

AND WHEREAS, the government is obligated to prevent farmer suicides;

NOW, THEREFORE, Be it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-eighth year of the Republic of India, as follows:-

Bill No. XXX of 2017

THE FARMERS’ RIGHT TO ASSURED REMUNERATIVE PRICE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE, 2017

A

BILL

To confer a right on all farmers, to obtain an assured remunerative price upon sale of agricultural produce, and for matters connected therewith, or incidental thereto.

            BE it enacted by the Indian Parliament in the sixty-eighth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

1.

Chapter I:

PRELIMINARY – DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

(1) This Act may be called the Farmers’ Right to Assured Remunerative Price for Agricultural Produce, 2017

(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, shall specify in this behalf.

(3) It extends to the whole of India.

Short title, extent, and commencement

2.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

  1. “agriculture” includes horticulture, farming and growing of medicinal plants, crops and intercrops, fruits, vegetables, milk production, gathering of minor forest produce, flowers, grass, fodder grass and trees or any kind of cultivation of soil, conducting nursery, breeding and keeping of livestock including fish mussel, bees, silkworm, poultry, duck, cattle or pig and the use of land for agriculture allied activities or any other agricultural purposes;
  2. “agricultural expert” includes a person by virtue of academic qualification and proven academic record;
  3. “Assured Remunerative Price” is the price that has at least 50% profit margin over and above the comprehensive cost of production of a given agricultural commodity; at the state level, this could include Bonus announced by the state government additionally, over and above the Assured Remunerative Price announced by the Central Government
  4. “Commission” means the Central Agricultural Costs and Prices constituted under Section 4;
  5. “Deficit Payment” means the difference in amount, of price obtained by a farmer and the Assured Remunerative Price, that shall be paid to the farmer, as per Section 13 of this Act, as direct benefit transfer;
  6. “farmer” means a person actively engaged in the economic and/or livelihood activity of growing crops, or producing other primary agricultural commodities with or without land ownership, and will include all agricultural operational holders, cultivators, agricultural labourers, sharecroppers, tenants, poultry and livestock rearers, fishers, beekeepers, pastoralists, non-corporate planters and planting labourers as well as forest-gatherers. Self-help groups doing cultivation on collectively owned or leased-in land are included.
  7. “Government” means the Central Government;
  8. “markets” mean regulated markets, as well as contract farming arrangements that different entities have for procuring agricultural commodities from farmers, milk collection centres, procurement centres opened by different public sector agencies and other market yards run by government agencies including Panchayats;
  9. “member” means a member of the Commission and includes the Chairperson;
  10. “prescribed” means prescribed by rules under this Act;
  11. “State Commission” means the Commissions set up at the state level as per Section (9) of this Act;
  12. “trader” means any individual, or any other regulated entity including sole proprietorship, joint partnership, public sector or corporate entity, that purchases agricultural commodities from farmers directly;

Definitions

\3.

Chapter II:

ASSURED REMUNERATIVE PRICE FOR ALL AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

  1. Every farmer shall be entitled to an Assured Remunerative Price for all agricultural commodities;

(2) The Government, through the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), shall institute robust, accurate systems for estimation of Cost of Production for all agricultural commodities produced by Farmers as defined under Schedule of this Act,

Provided that

  1. the Cost estimation shall be comprehensive with all paid-out costs, imputed costs including land rental, family labour at skilled wage rates and managerial costs included,
  2. that deficiencies in estimation shall be periodically reviewed and corrections implemented;
  3. that for those commodities where the system of cost estimation does not exist, the Government shall institute such systems that require data collection on a timely basis;

(3) The Assured Remunerative Price shall be fixed based on the recommendations of the CACP,

Provided that the Assured Remunerative Price shall provide at least 50% profit margin above the comprehensive Cost of Production as stipulated in 3(2);

(4) As soon as may be, after the receipt of recommendation of the Commission, Central Government shall declare the Assured Remunerative Prices of all agricultural commodities;

(a) Further specified that the Assured Remunerative Prices shall be declared by the Government on or before March 31st of every year for the ensuing Kharif production season and on or before August 31st of every year for the ensuing Rabi production season;

(5) Nothing shall preclude the State Governments from declaring a bonus in addition to the Assured Remunerative Price declared by the Central Government.

Right of Farmers to Assured Remunerative Price

Comprehensive estimation of Cost of Production

Determination of Assured Remunerative Price

Declaration of Assured Remunerative Price by Central Government

Power of States to declare bonuses

4.

Chapter III:

COMMISSION ON AGRICULTURAL COSTS AND PRICES (CACP)

(1) The Government shall bring under the purview of this Act, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Gazette, the existing Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), for the purpose of exercising the powers and performing the functions under this Act, with consequent changes in the existing constitution, mandate and terms of reference.

(2) The Commission shall be expanded to consist of eleven members, namely:–

  1. An agricultural economics expert : Chairperson (full time)
  2. An official not less than Joint Secretary level from the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare : Member
  3.  five representatives of farmers, including leaders of farmers unions and persons with a proven record of having worked on farmers’ issues : Non Official Members
  4. three agricultural experts : Non Official Members
  5. an official of the Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare:: Member-Secretary (full time)

(3) The Chairperson and Members shall be nominated by the Government.

(4) Such nominations shall take into consideration equitable regional representation from across the country, sectoral representation and gender, especially for sub-section (2) (iii) and (iv) above, and on a rotational basis for representation of different states every time the Commission is re-constituted or vacancies filled.

(5) Government shall ensure that no Member including Chairperson represents any conflict of interest pertaining to the discharge of their functions.

(6) The Government to appoint as many staff members as may be necessary, to assist the Commission in such manner as may be prescribed.

(7) In the discharge of their duties, the Secretary and other staff referred to in subsection (6) shall be subject to the administrative control of the Chairperson.

Re-organising the Constitution  of CACP and setting

5.

(1) The term of the Commission shall be 5 years:

Provided that, the Government may extend such period, if deemed necessary;

(2) A member may, by writing under his/her hand and addressed to the Government, resign his/her office at any time.

(3) A vacancy arising by reason of resignation of any member of the Commission under subsection (2) or otherwise shall be filled up in accordance with the provisions contained in section (4) of this Act:

Provided that the person so appointed shall hold office only for the remaining period of term of the person, in whose place s/he is appointed.

(4) Government may remove any member, if s/he,--

  1. is declared as undischarged insolvent/debtor:
  2. becomes incapable of continuing as such, due to physical or mental disability:
  3. becomes of unsound mind and stands so declared by a court of competent jurisdiction;
  4. has been convicted for an offence, which in the opinion of the Government involves moral turpitude or financial irregularities:
  5. has, in the opinion of the Government, abused his/her official position so as to render his/her continuance in office prejudicial to public interest:

Provided that the person may be given an opportunity of being heard, before proceeding as such.

(5) The Commission shall regulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business.

(6) The salary and allowances, and the other conditions of service of the Chairperson and members shall be, as may be prescribed.

Term of the Commission and conditions of service of the members

6.

  1. The Commission shall have all such powers as are necessary for achieving the objects of this Act, and in particular.-
  1. To recommend Assured Remunerative Prices for all agricultural commodities based on a fixed formula of a minimum profit margin of at least 50% over and above the comprehensive cost of production;
  2. To recommend all other such measures that will assure a remunerative and stable price environment for farmers, including improvements in the marketing infrastructure and procedures;
  3. To monitor the prices being realised by farmers for various agricultural commodities all over the country and send prompt advisories to all concerned agencies/departments for effective action to be taken;
  4. Power to be consulted on all export-import policies of Government of India, including on free trade agreements to be signed, so that the Commission may provide its recommendations, to advise the concerned Ministry on decision to be taken on the referred matter, with minimal adverse ramifications for the Assured Remunerative Prices announced.

Powers and functions of the Commission

7.

  1. The Commission shall publish all relevant information including the cost estimations, basis of Assured Remunerative Prices recommended, market price trends, minutes of its meetings/sittings and any other material on its website;
  2. The Commission shall prepare a report of its functioning of that year under this Act and the same shall be submitted to the Government in such form on or before such date as may be prescribed;
  3. The Annual Report submitted to the Government under sub-section (2) above shall be laid before the Parliament as soon as may be, after the same is received by the Government.

Transparent functioning, and Annual Report to be laid before the Parliament

8.

  1. The Commission shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare annual statements of accounts, in such form as may be prescribed;
  2. The accounts of the Commission shall be audited annually and the audited report shall be placed before the Parliament, along with the Annual Report by the government.

Accounts and Audit

9.

Chapter IV:

STATE COMMISSIONS ON AGRICULTURAL PRICES

  1. State governments shall set up a State Commission on Agricultural Prices and any existing Commissions with similar mandates will be brought under the purview of this Act, with the terms and conditions as laid down here under;
  2. A State Commission on Agricultural Prices shall be constituted in all states to consist of seven members, namely:–
  1. An agricultural economics expert : Chairperson (full time)
  2. An official from the Department of Agriculture/ Horticulture/Animal Husbandry: Official Member
  3. 3 representatives of farmers, including leaders of farmers unions and persons with a proven record of having worked on farmers’ issues : Non Official Members
  4. 1 agricultural expert : Non Official Member
  5. 1 official of the Department of Marketing (by whatever name such a department exists in a given state): Member-Secretary (full time)

(3) The Chairperson and Members shall be nominated by the State Government.

(4) Such nominations shall take into consideration equitable regional representation from across the country, sectoral representation and gender, especially for sub-section (2) (iii) and (iv) above, and on a rotational basis for representation of different regions within a state every time the Commission is re-constituted or vacancies filled.

(5) State Government shall ensure that no Member including Chairperson represents any conflict of interest pertaining to the discharge of their functions.

(6) The State Government to appoint as many staff members as may be necessary, to assist the State Commission in such manner as may be prescribed.

(7) In the discharge of their duties, the Secretary and other staff referred to in subsection (6) shall be subject to the administrative control of the Chairperson under 9 (2) (i) above.

Constitution of State Commissions on Agricultural Prices

10.

(1) The term of the State Commission shall be 5 years:

Provided that, the State Government may extend such period, if deemed necessary;

(2) A member may, by writing under his/her hand and addressed to the Government, resign his/her office at any time.

(3) A vacancy arising by reason of resignation of any member of the State Commission under subsection (2) or otherwise shall be filled up in accordance with the provisions contained in section 8 of this Act:

Provided that the person so appointed shall hold office only for the remaining period of term of the person, in whose place s/he is appointed.

(4) State Government may remove any member, if s/he,--

  1. is declared as un-discharged insolvent/debtor:
  2. becomes incapable of continuing as such, due to physical or mental disability:
  3. becomes of unsound mind and stands so declared by a court of competent jurisdiction;
  4. has been convicted for an offence, which in the opinion of the State Government involves moral turpitude or financial irregularities:
  5. has, in the opinion of the State Government, abused his/her official position so as to render his/her continuance in office prejudicial to public interest:

Provided that the person may be given an opportunity of being heard, before proceeding as such.

(5) The State Commission shall regulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business.

(6) The salary and allowances, and the other conditions of service of the State Commission Chairperson and members shall be, as may be prescribed.

Term of the State Commission and conditions of service of the members

11.

  1. The State Commission shall have all such powers as are necessary for achieving the objects of this Act, and in particular.-
  1. To recommend to the state government additional prices that can be fixed as the state level Assured Remunerative Price, that will be applicable only within that state, over and above the ARP declared by the central government. Such a recommendation can take into account higher cost of production in the state, or other policy considerations of incentivising particular crops and commodities for balanced sustainable agricultural growth;
  2. To monitor the price situation in various markets on a regular basis to send advisories for interventions and oversee the interventions being taken up by the state government for their efficacy;
  3. To order deficit payments to all farmers in a region/district/commodity when average prices fall below the Assured Remunerative Price without individual farmers having to resort to Grievance Redressal as specified in section 15 (3);
  4. To inquire into failures to discharge duties, on particular public servants and authorities and recommend penalties to be imposed as per section 15 (4) of this Act;
  5. To send recommendations to CACP on related matters.

Powers and functions of the State Commission on Agricultural Prices

12.

Chapter V:

IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSURED REMUNERATIVE PRICE

  1. In all agricultural markets of different forms including APMC markets, the auction or offer price for every crop will begin with the Assured Remunerative Price as the floor price and no auction shall be allowed below the said price;

  1. No buyer, including a buyer in any contract farming arrangement, shall purchase any crop below the Assured Remunerative Price, and any buyer resorting to purchase below Assured Remunerative Price will be liable to prosecution;

  1. There shall be de-barring of traders from abstaining from purchases in avoidance of this Act, especially during the quarter succeeding the seasonal harvest of a given commodity. 

(3) The Government shall open adequate number of procurement centres for all commodities in as localised a manner as possible, for procuring sufficient quantities through food schemes and commodity corporations at or above Assured Remunerative Price to ensure a market for the farmers’ produce;

(4) The Government shall implement timely and effective market intervention scheme in all commodities when market prices are going down, and shall provide sufficient financial outlays to ensure purchases at Assured Remunerative Price;

(5) The Government shall implement effective mechanism for identifying the actual cultivators including tenant farmers and sharecroppers and ensuring that they get the benefit of Assured Remunerative Price, procurement and market intervention;

(7) The Government shall be responsible for implementing effective schemes to prevent farmers from selling produce at low cost due to financial compulsion, including massive increase in access to storage facilities to enable all farmers to store their produce and sell at a time of remunerative prices, and schemes like warehouse receipts which enable the farmers to access finance of at least 75% of the value of the stored crop valued at Assured Remunerative Price or market value whichever is higher;

(8) The Government shall invest in organising farmers into Farmer Producer Organisations, with sufficient infrastructure and financial capital to run their marketing enterprises including processed, value-added produce;

(9) The Government shall take all measures to reduce the cost of production by reducing the input costs through subsidies and schemes, and by promoting low-cost sustainable methods of agriculture

Bar on auction or offer of price below Assured Remunerative Price

Obligation on the government to open Procurement Centres

Timely and effective market intervention

Actual benefit to go to real cultivators

Other measures to prevent distress sales

Investments on FPOs

Measures to reduce and regulate input costs

13.

Chapter VI:

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL BY WAY OF DEFICIT PAYMENT AND COMPENSATION

  1. Any farmer who does not obtain the Assured Remunerative Price for her/his sale of agricultural commodities is entitled to a Deficit Payment as defined, which is the difference between the price obtained by the farmer and the Assured Remunerative Price.

  1. A 3-member Grievance Redressal Committee shall be set up at the district-level, under the administrative oversight of the Agricultural Marketing Department, to receive and resolve individual complaints from farmers who do not obtain Assured Remunerative Price for their sale.
    1. This Committee shall consist of a district level representative each of the agriculture and marketing departments, in addition to a Farmers’ Representative.
    2. Such a Committee shall follow a simple verification procedure to be followed in case of individual farmers, to determine the quantum of amount to be paid, and issue its directions for Deficit Payment for that farmer, within a month of receiving an application.

  1. In the case of average market price which is below the Assured Remunerative Price for a particular commodity, the State CACP can recommend Deficit Payment to all eligible farmers who sold the particular commodity.

  1. If a farmer does not receive the assistance and compensation as per the above, the farmer may approach the State Commission for grievance redressal.

Entitlement to Deficit Payment

District level Grievance Redressal Committee and Orders for Deficit payment through DBT

Compensation for delays

14.

Chapter VII:

OBLIGATIONS ON THE CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS

  1. The Government shall set aside and spend adequate funds for a comprehensive assessment of costs for all commodities, including by instituting systems for collection of data for such agricultural commodities for which such data systems do not exist at this point of time;
  2. The Government shall set aside adequate financial outlays for the effective functioning of the CACP including for commissioned primary research and other such work of the Commission;
  3. The Government shall set aside adequate financial outlays for setting up an “Assured Market Prices Fund” with an initial outlay of Rs. 100,000 crores for effective market intervention, which is in addition to the financial outlays given to various agencies for procurement of food grains under the ongoing food schemes.
  1. Such a Fund to be utilised for Direct Benefit Transfer of Deficit Payments as ordered by District Level Committees, to be executed within one month of the Committee’s written orders on the same
  1. State Governments to set up their own Funds with adequate outlays, to meet the obligations of fixing any ARP over and above the CACP’s recommendation and government’s announcement of Assured Remunerative Prices.

Obligations of the Central Government

15.

Chapter VIII:

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

  1. Any trader who is found to be contravening the Section 12 (1) and (2) clauses of this Act, by purchasing below the ARP shall be subject to a penalty of one lakh rupees;
    1. A second-time offence by a trader shall attract a higher penalty of two lakh rupees;
    2. A third time offence shall attract penalty of three lakh rupees as well as barring from any future trading, for all non-governmental traders;
  2. The public servants and authorities found guilty by the State Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices, for lack of effective monitoring, for failure to promptly initiate prosecution action against traders purchasing below Assured Remunerative Prices, and for lack of effective market intervention and also for failure to provide Deficit Payment and Compensation as specified in 11 (1) (d) of this Act, without reasonable cause or wilfully neglecting their duty, shall be liable to penalty of at least Rs. 50,000/-.

Offences and Penalties under this Act

16.

Chapter IX:

MISCELLANEOUS

The provisions of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any law, other than this Act, or any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act.

Overriding effect of Act.

17.

Every member of the Commission nominated under sub-section (2) of section 4, sub-section (2) of section 9 and the Secretary and other staff appointed under sub-sections (6) of Section 4 and 9, shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 (Central Act 45 of 1860).

Members of the Commission shall be public servants.

18.

(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, by order, as occasion requires, do anything not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, which appears to them to be necessary for the purpose of removing the difficulty:

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid before the Parliament.

Power to remove difficulties

19.

(1) The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, make rules for the purpose of carrying in to effect the provisions of this Act.

(2) Every rule made under this section, shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before the Parliament while it is in session for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, the Parliament makes any modification in the rule or decides that the rules should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

Power to make rules.


 

Kisan Bill II

KISAN KARZA MUKTI BILL/VIDHEYAK, 2017

THE FARMERS’ FREEDOM FROM DEBT BILL, 2017

A

BILL

To provide immediate loan waiver to indebted farmers and to provide continuous relief to those farmers who are in distress due to indebtedness by constituting a commission with power to pass awards and to recommend appropriate measures for the redressal of the grievances of indebted farmers and matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.

__________

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

WHEREAS, the nation is indebted to farmers for the food security and sovereignty functions that they contribute to;

AND WHEREAS, farm commodity prices have been kept low as a policy measure, with several regulations on marketing, which in turn adversely affected farmers’ returns and built up indebtedness;

AND WHEREAS, there has been a failure to keep input prices in check, to provide comprehensive institutional credit facilities, to execute effective risk insurance and disaster relief measures, and to build infrastructure which have in turn resulted in losses for farmers leading to debt;  

AND WHEREAS, certain districts and crops in the country are afflicted by severe distress due to the agrarian crisis, and it ruined many farmers financially and led to suicides;

AND WHEREAS, several suits and other proceedings have been filed in courts, tribunals and other authorities for the recovery of debts accrued from farmers;

AND WHEREAS safeguarding the right to livelihood is essential for the realization of right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India;

AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to provide relief to the farmers who are in distress due to indebtedness, by providing immediate relief as well as by constituting a Commission with power to pass awards after adjudication and recommend appropriate measures for the redressal of the grievances of such farmers through conciliation and negotiation and for matters connected there with or incidental thereto;

Bill No. of 2017

THE FARMERS’ FREEDOM FROM DEBT BILL, 2017

A

BILL

To provide immediate complete loan waiver to indebted farmers and to provide continuous relief to those farmers who are in distress due to indebtedness by constituting a commission with power to pass awards and to recommend appropriate measures for the redressal of the grievances of such farmers and matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.

            BE it enacted by the Indian Parliament in the sixty-eighth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY: DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

1.

(1) This Act may be called the Farmers’ Freedom from Debt Act, 2017.

(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, shall specify in this/her behalf.

(3) It extends to the whole of India.

Short title, extent, and commencement

2.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

  1. “agriculture” includes horticulture, farming and growing of medicinal plants, crops and intercrops, fruits, vegetables, milk production, gathering of minor forest produce, fishing, flowers, grass, fodder grass and trees or any kind of cultivation of soil, conducting nursery, breeding and keeping of livestock including fish and mussels, bees, silkworm, poultry, duck, cattle or pig and the use of land for agriculture allied activities or any other agricultural purposes;
  2. “agricultural expert” includes a person by virtue of academic qualification and proven academic record;
  3. “Commission” means the National Farmers' Debt Relief Commission constituted under section 4;
  4. “private creditor” means any person engaged in money lending, whether under a licence or not and includes his/her heirs, legal representatives, assignees, co-operative society and any other person as may be notified by the Government;
  5. “debt” means any liability, whether secured or unsecured, due from a farmer on or before the commencement of this Act or, in respect of any particular distress affected area in the state, on or before such date as the Government may, by notification in the Gazette specify, whether payable under a contract, or under a decree or order of any Court or tribunal or otherwise and includes,
  • any sum payable to,-
  • an institutional creditor;
  • a private creditor;

But does not include any loan amount taken by the farmer for commercial purposes or luxury other than agricultural allied commercial purposes, to augment his/her income;

  1. “district” means a revenue district;
  2. “distress affected area” means revenue district or districts or part thereof in the State, declared by the Government as per Section 7, for the purpose of this Act, on the recommendations of the Commission which could include natural calamities, price crash, failure of crop due to other reasons incl. supply of spurious inputs etc.;
  3. “distress affected crop” means any crop or crops of the State declared by the Government as per section 7 on the recommendation of the Commission, for the purpose of this Act which could include natural calamities, price crash, failure of crop due to other reasons incl. supply of spurious inputs;
  4. “distress affected farmer” means a farmer declared as such by the Commission and includes agricultural labourer for the purpose of this Act;
  5. “fair rate of interest” means the rate of interest determined by the Commission under sub-section (1) of section 6 of this Act;
  6. “farmer” means a person actively engaged in the economic and/or livelihood activity of growing crops, or producing other primary agricultural commodities with or without land ownership, and will include all agricultural operational holders, cultivators, sharecroppers, tenants, agricultural labourers, poultry and livestock rearers, fisherpeople, beekeepers, pastoralists, non-corporate planters and planting labourers as well as forest-gatherers. Self-help groups doing cultivation on collectively owned, or leased-in land are included.
  7. “financial institution” means any financial institution constituted by or under any Central Act, State Act for the time being in force and owned and controlled by the Government;
  8. “Government” means the Central Government;
  9. “institutional creditor” means the State Bank of India or any Subsidiary Bank within the meaning of clause (k) of section 2 of the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Bank) Act, 1959 or any Scheduled Bank including regional rural banks and cooperative societies;
  10. “interest” means any amount payable in excess of the principal amount borrowed or pecuniary obligation incurred, by whatsoever name, such amount may be called, whether the same is expressly mentioned or not in the document or contract, if any;
  11. “member” means a member of the Commission and includes the Chairperson;
  12. “penal interest” means any amount payable in excess of interest on a debt;
  13. “prescribed” means prescribed by rules under this Act;
  14. “principal amount” means the amount originally advanced together with the amount, if any, as has been subsequently advanced, notwithstanding any stipulation to treat any interest as capital and notwithstanding that the debt has been renewed, whether by the same farmer or by his/her heirs, assignees, or legal representatives or by any other person acting on his/her behalf or on his/her interest, and whether in favour of the same creditor or his/her heirs, assignees or legal representatives or of any other person acting on his/her behalf or in his/her interest;
  15. “Secretary” means the Secretary to the Commission appointed under sub-section (6) of section 4.

Definitions

CHAPTER II

IMMEDIATE DEBT RELIEF

3.

(1) Every farmer, including all categories as defined in Section 2, shall be entitled to immediate unconditional waiver of the entire amount of outstanding institutional loans as of 20th November, 2017;

(2) Farmers who have repaid the bank loans from the earlier financial year to the cut-off period of sub-section (1) above shall have their accounts credited with the amount of scale of finance for the crop grown;

(3) The waiver of loans shall be implemented in a single instalment and the Government shall take all measures to ensure  the issuance of fresh loans to all eligible farmers in the ensuing season without any impact due to the implementation of loan waiver;

(4) The Government shall provide sufficient funds to the State governments to implement waiver of loans from cooperative banks;

(5) All farmer loans from non-institutional sources shall be converted through debt-swapping into institutional loans. The government shall specify a process for the same;

(6) The Government shall implement a waiver of such bank loans arising out of debt-swapping.

Right of farmer to receive relief from debt.

CHAPTER III

FARMERS’ DEBT RELIEF COMMISSION

4.

(1) The Government shall, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act and after implementing Section 3, by notification in the Gazette, constitute a Commission by the name, "the National Farmers' Debt Relief Commission", for the purpose of exercising the powers and performing the functions under this Act.

(2) The Commission shall consist of nine members, namely:–

  1. a retired Supreme Court Judge : Chairperson
  2. a  retired High Court Judge : Member
  3.  two agricultural experts incl. social scientists : Members
  4. four representatives of farmers, including leaders of farmers unions and persons with a proven record of having worked on farmers’ issues : Members
  5. a person working in connection with economic/co-operative sector : Member

(3) The Chairperson and Members shall be nominated by the Government.

(4) Such nominations shall take into consideration equitable regional representation from across the country, sectoral representation and gender, especially for sub-section (2) (iii)-(v) above.

(5) Government shall ensure that no Member including Chairperson represents any conflict of interest pertaining to the discharge of their functions.

(6) The Government may, appoint a Secretary and other staff as may be necessary, to assist the Commission in such manner as may be prescribed.

(7) In the discharge of their duties, the Secretary and other staff referred in subsection (6) shall be subject to the administrative control of the Chairperson.    

Constitution of the Commission.

5.

(1) The term of the Commission shall be 5 years:

Provided that, the Government may extend such period, if deemed necessary and provided that the existing Commission may continue to function for upto one additional year till new Commission is appointed.

(2) A member may, by writing under his/her hand and address to the Government, resign his/her office at any time.

(3) A vacancy arising by reason of resignation of any member of the Commission under subsection (2) or otherwise shall be filled up in accordance with the provisions contained in section 4 of this Act:

Provided that the person so appointed shall hold office only for the remaining period of term of the person, in whose place s/he is appointed.

(4) Government may remove any member, if s/he,--

  1. is declared as undischarged insolvent/debtor:
  2. becomes incapable of continuing as such, due to physical or mental disability:
  3. becomes of unsound mind and stands so declared by a court of competent jurisdiction;
  4. has been convicted for an offence, which in the opinion of the Government involves moral turpitude or financial irregularities:
  5. has, in the opinion of the Government, abused his/her official position so as to render his/her continuance in office prejudicial to public interest:

Provided that the person may be given an opportunity of being heard, before proceeding as such.

(5) The Commission shall regulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business.

(6) The salary and allowances, and the other conditions of service of the Chairperson and members shall be, as may be prescribed.

Term of the Commission and conditions of service of the members.

6.

(1) The Commission shall have all such powers as are necessary for achieving the objects of this Act, and in particular.-

  1. to oversee the implementation of the Immediate Debt Relief as per Section 3, including asking from the Government for general and specific information on the same;
  2. to receive submissions of grievances from farmers about implementation of Immediate Debt Relief as per Section 3 of this Act and to resolve them by processing and passing Orders in each case through simple procedures to be specified by the Commission;
  3. to recommend to the Government either suo motu or on application, after such enquiry as it may deem fit including by drawing in required expertise from competent outsiders, and subject to such general guidelines as may be prescribed by Government, to declare a district or districts or part thereof or a crop or crops as distress affected area, or distress affected crop, as the case may be, and on application to declare a farmer as distress affected farmer subject to such enquiry and norms;
  4. to fix, in the case of creditors other than institutional creditors, a fair rate of interest and an approved level of debt, to be payable as the Commission may consider just and reasonable, by a farmer declared as distress affected or related to an area or crop declared as distress affected area or distress affected crop as per section 7 as the case may be;
  5. to recommend to the Government regarding the extent and the manner in which any future debt relief to be granted to the farmers;
  6. to recommend to the Government to take over the entire or partial debt and exonerate the farmers, from the effects of the debt;
  7. to recommend to the Government regarding mechanisms for debt-swapping of non-institutional loans of distressed farmers;
  8. to recommend to the Government to do such acts as may be necessary to ensure that future credit requirements of the farmers are met through such agencies, as may be prescribed;
  9. to make periodical reports to the Government generally on any matter pertaining to farmer indebtedness; and
  10. to perform such other functions and exercise such other powers, as may be prescribed.

(2) Issue orders in case of farmers described in clause (d) of sub-section (1) to the creditors, other than institutional creditors,

(a) to keep in abeyance the repayment of all debts considering the nature of crops and crop loss, for a period not less than one year but not more than 3 years:

Provided that such orders shall be subject to the awards and directions under sub-section (1).

(b) to initiate and facilitate on behalf of farmers with regard to loans from creditors, debt-swapping with institutional creditors, with interest liability borne by the government;

(3) An award passed by the Commission under clause (d) of sub section (1) shall be binding on the respondent.

(4) The awards of Commission under clause (d) of sub-section (1) shall be executed under the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act 5 of 1908) as if it is decree of a Civil Court, and accordingly, Title Deeds or any other documents pertaining to the loan with the creditor have to be returned to the farmer, as the case may be within the specified time. The awards of the Commission shall be executed within a specific time period of 30 days or otherwise, as specified in each award. A farmer may obtain an Execution Decree from a Civil Court if the respondent party does not comply to the time limit.

(5) The Commission shall, for the purpose of exercising the powers conferred by or under this Act, have all the powers of a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act 5 of 1908), in respect of the following matters, namely: -

  1. summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him/her on oath;
  2. ordering the non-issuance of any notices or taking up of any coercive action on the farmer, or public shaming of the debtor in any manner, including in crops and areas declared as distressed;
  3. requiring the discovery and production of any documents;
  4. receiving evidence on affidavit;
  5. issuing commission for the examination of witnesses or for local investigation;
  6. inspecting any property or thing concerning which any decision has to be taken;
  7. requisitioning of any public record or copy thereof from any court, authority or office; and
  8. any other matter which may be prescribed.

Powers and functions of the Commission.

7.

As soon as may be, after the receipt of a recommendation under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 6 the Government shall declare, as the case may be, an area or a crop as a distress affected area or a distress affected crop.

To declare as distress affected area or distress affected crop.

8.

A farmer claiming any debt relief under this Act shall file an application before the Commission in a manner and in the form as may be prescribed.

Application for debt relief.

9.

(1) The Commission shall hold its sittings at such places and at such times as may be determined by it :

Provided that the Commission shall hold its sittings in the respective district/districts declared as distress affected areas to consider matters relating to the distress affected areas.

(2) The quorum for the sitting of the Commission shall be five.

(3) The Commission may in appropriate cases it deems fit, hold sittings in districts by constituting a Bench consisting of two or more members:

Provided that at least one member representing the farmer in the Commission shall be included in the Bench so constituted:

Provided further that in case of the Bench constituted by the Commission, the quorum for the meeting of the Bench shall be the total number of members of that Bench or two whichever is less.

Sittings of the Commission

10.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law or contract or decree or order of any Court or Tribunal, a member authorised by the Commission may pass order to

  1. reschedule short-term loans into medium term loans and medium term loans into long term loans, in respect of the debts availed of by a farmers described in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 6 from commercial banks or other scheduled banks, or
  2. provide necessary facilities for one time settlement of agriculture loans falling under the category of non-performing assets, as per the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India, provided the farmer is ready for such settlement, or
  3. waive interest as per the norms fixed by the Reserve Bank of India, with the concurrence of the Reserve Bank of India and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Special provisions in respect of settlement of certain loans taken by farmers.

11.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law or contract or decree or order of any Court or Tribunal, the Commission may reschedule the recovery of loans availed by a farmer described in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 6 on or before the date of declaration as a distress affected area, distress affected crop under section 7 or a distress affected farmer from any financial institution notified by the Government for this purpose.

(2) Where the rescheduling of the loan is made under sub-section (1), the farmer shall be bound to repay such loan to the financial institution concerned within the period allowed by Commission, with the interest liability borne by the government:

Provided that the Commission may, on application by the farmer, exempt him/her, by order, from the repayment of the same for the period so rescheduled, for the reasons to be recorded:

Provided further that the farmer shall be bound to repay the same on such later dates, so fixed by the Commission.

Rescheduling of loans taken by a farmer from financial institutions.

12.

No suit for recovery of debt shall be instituted, or application for execution of a decree in respect of a debt shall be made against a farmer described in sub-section (1) of section 6 and no appeal, revision petition or application for review against any decree or order in any such suit or application shall be presented or made against such a farmer in any Civil Court, or Tribunal or other authority, and such suits, applications, appeals and petitions instituted or made against such a farmer before the date of declaration of a district or part thereof as a distress affected area and pending on such date shall stand stayed, for such period as the Commission may recommend in that behalf.

Bar of suits, applications and other proceedings.

13.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law or contract or in any decree or order of any Court or Tribunal, a farmer described in sub-section (1) of section 6 may discharge his/her debts in suitable instalments on the principal amount outstanding at the time of each payment, with the interest to be borne by the government, in the manner as may be directed by the Commission and on payment of the same in the manner directed by the Commission, the whole debt shall be deemed to be discharged. 

Payment of principal amount of debts in instalments.

14.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law or contract or in any decree or order of any Court or Tribunal, if a farmer has repaid the principal amount taken as loan by him/her and an amount equal to it to a creditor other than institutional creditor, the debt shall be deemed to be fully discharged by the said farmer.

The debt shall be deemed as fully repaid.

15.

(1) The Commission shall publish all relevant information including the Awards passed, minutes of its meetings/sittings if any and other such material on its website;

(2) The Commission shall prepare a report of its function of that year under this Act and the same shall be submitted to Government in such form on or before such date as may be prescribed.

(3) The Annual Report submitted to the Government by the Commission under sub-section (2) shall be laid before the Parliament, as soon as may be, after the same is received by the Government.

Transparent functioning, and Annual report to be laid before the Parliament.

16.

(1) The Commission shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts, in such form as may be prescribed.

(2) The accounts of the Commission shall be audited annually and the audited report shall be placed before the Legislative Parliament.

Accounts and Audit.

17.

          18.

                    19.

20.

21.

22.

CHAPTER IV

OBLIGATIONS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

The Government shall set aside and spend adequate financial outlays as required under this Act for Section 3 Immediate Debt Relief as well as on an annual basis to implement the awards passed and orders issued by the Commission.

The Government shall notify certain categories of property related to certain loans to be exempt from attachment or auctioning and also notify prohibition of penal interest charging on crop loans.

The Government shall create a Model Act for state governments to enact, to create state level “Farmer Debt Relief Commissions”, to handle all additional debt relief matters.

The Government shall reform the priority lending norms ensuring that the bank credit under priority lending reaches small and marginal farmers and real cultivators including women farmers, tenant farmers, sharecroppers and adivasi farmers;

The Government shall implement adequate and effective disaster relief and crop insurance schemes to ensure that in years of calamity including drought, floods, cyclones, unseasonal rainfall, hailstorms and pest outbreaks, the farmers do not accumulate debt;

The Government shall establish and promote on a large scale low-cost ecological agriculture as a measure to reduce indebtedness; 

CHAPTER V

MISCELLANEOUS

Obligations of Central Government

Exemption from attachment of property

Creation of Model Act for state governments

Reform of Priority Lending Norms

Effective disaster relief and crop insurance

Promotion of low cost ecological agriculture

23.

The provisions of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any law, other than this Act, or any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act.

Overriding effect of Act.

24.

No civil court shall have jurisdiction to settle, decide or deal with any question or to determine any matter which is by or under the Act or the rule made thereunder are required to be settled, decided or dealt with or to be determined by the Commission or the Government:

Provided that nothing in this section shall be applicable to the execution proceedings under sub-section (5) of section 6.

Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Court.

25.

Every member of the Commission nominated under sub-section (2) of section 4 and the Secretary and other staff appointed under sub-section (6) shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 (Central Act 45 of 1860).

Members of Commission shall be public servants.

26.

No suit or legal proceeding shall lie against any member of the Commission or Secretary or other officers for anything which is done or purported to be done in good faith under this Act.

Protection of action taken in good faith.

27.

(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, by order, as occasion requires, do anything not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, which appears to them to be necessary for the purpose of removing the difficulty:

Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of two years from the date of commencement of this Act.

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid before the Parliament.

Power to remove difficulties

28.

(1) The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, make rules for the purpose of carrying in to effect the provisions of this Act.

(2) Every rule made under this section, shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before the Parliament while it is in session for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, the Parliament makes any modification in the rule or decides that the rules should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

Power to make rules.

 

MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION

  1. Sub-clause (6) of Clause 3 empowers the Central Government to implement a waiver of such bank loans arising out of debt-swapping.
  2. Clause 4 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to constitute the National Farmers' Debt Relief Commission.
  3. Sub-clause (1) of clause 5 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to extend the term of the Commission, if necessary.
  4. Sub-clause (4) of clause 5 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to remove members.
  5. Clause 7 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to declare distress affected areas or distress affected crops.
  6. Sub-clause (1) of clause 26 of the bill empowers the Central Government to make orders for the purpose of removing difficulties.
  7. Sub-clause (1) of clause 27 is on matters in respect of which rules may be made or notification may be issued, which are essentially matters of detail or procedure. The delegation of legislative power is, therefore, of a normal character.

 
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