Vijayawada, Mar 5 (UNI) Lok Satta National Convenor Jayaprakash Naraian today said local self-government held the key for people to have greater say in governance.

Addressing a press meet here, Dr Narain said local self-government and panchayat Raj will enable women, SC, ST and weaker sections to have their say in administration thereby enabling changes to the system of governance.

He appealed to youth to take interest and play active role in politics by contesting Panchayat Raj elections which were conducted on non-party lines.

The party will train youth to contest the elections, he added.

The Lok Satta had taken efforts to make public the names of candiates for elections, who had criminal background thereby preventing them coming to the forefront of politics.He also bemoaned money and liquor were vitiating the poltiical atmosphere in the country.

Welcoming the Right to Information Act, he said this was a potent weapon in the hands of the people to keep a tab on the government's functioning. He also lamented that people were losing faith in the judiciary due to inordinate delay in clearing cases.

Dr Narain also stressed on the need to strengthen the healthcare system in the country.

UNI CS GM 2001