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Will two bureaucrats be appointed Governor ?

Two senior bureaucrats are reported to have been short-listed for the assignment as Governor by this month end.

Raju to be JS Petroleum

Appointment of D N Narsimha Raju is being cleared soon for the post of Joint Secretary Petroleum in the Government of India. He is 1984 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

Rakesh Singh is JS Banking

Rakesh Singh has taken over as Joint Secretary Banking. He is 1978 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

( We said this on August 10 )

Four 1972 batch officers get extension

Four 1972 batch IAS officers currently Special Secretary in the Government of India have been granted extension till their promotion to the rank of Secretary. They are Mssrs J P Singh, Y S Bhave, Naresh Dayal and P K Mishra.

Raju appointed JD CBI

R V Raju been appointed Joint Director in the CBI. He is 1975 batch IPS officer of Jammu & Kashmir cadre.He is expected to join next week.

( We said this on May 19 )

Gill to join BSF

G.S. Gill is joining the BSF as ADGP. He is 1974 batch IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre.

Jharkhand CM wants Nandkumar as CS

Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda has expressed his desire to appointed T Nandkumar as Chief Secretary.1972 batch IAS officer, Nandkumar, who is presently Secretary Food and Civil Supplies in the Government of India is however not willing to return to the parent cadre.

Chauhan to move from Krishi Bhawan

Another Director in the Ministry of Agriculture Umesh Kumar Singh is moving out from the Krishi Bhawan.1986 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer, Singh, is all set to get promotion to the rank of Joint Secretary next month.  

Proposal of Sanjay Kaul returned

Delhi Metro Chief Sridharan has returned the proposal of giving assignment to 1979 batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer Sanjay Kaul. Deputation tenure of Kaul has expired.  

Pande repatriated

B K Pande 1985 batch IES officer who is on deputation to the Government of India has been repatriated to the parent cadre.

1981 batch IAS to be PS in UP

1982 batch IAS officers are being promoted to the rank of Principal Secretary in Uttar Pradesh in a couple of months.

1978 batch IPS to be ADG in Bihar

1978 batch IPS officers are being promoted to the rank of ADG in Bihar in a couple of months.

Move to increase CAT member Age

A serious move to increase the age of CAT members to 65 years is going on these days. .

IPS post in SC& ST Commission

DIG level post has been created for IPS officers in the National Commission of SC & ST.

Bureaucratic reshuffle in Jharkhand stayed

A bureaucratic reshuffle carried out by the new Jharkhand Government on Wednesday has been stayed. No reason has been assigned.

Orders of Sushma Nath issued

Official orders of the appointment of Ms Sushma Nath as Member-Secretary of the Sixth Pay Commission have been issued.She is 1974 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre.Commission is headed by Justice B N Srikrishna.

IAS changes in Uttar Pradesh

Tulsi Gaur has been appointed Secretary of the Government Aided Funds Projects.Anita Chatterjee has been posted as Special Secretary APC.Kamini Chauhan will be Special Secretary Basic Education.

FORUM

Why delay in the CBDT ?

We vehemently seem to be professing the cause of one service over another -or denigrating it. The fact remains is that all services is the same. There are good officers as well as black sheep in all the services. Now what do we do with a Member in CBDT who does not clear files for weeks and months and the whole personnel policy of the IRS (IT) goes for a six. No matter how much Chidambaram may try to reform the system but he can never crack such inefficient hard nuts. Didn't CVC come out with a circular in January 2006 that delaying decisions without unreasonable cause has a vigilance angle?? It is for you to decide.

Sarathi

I appreciate Mrs Rama Dass's concern for the health services for the government servants---- a real problem but unfortunately most of the government employees do not feel concerned about this important area of concern.

A K Kumar

Its nice to see that somebody thinks about medical facility and post retirement problems apart from transfers and postings. It is more important and would be graceful if we think about whole society. If some of the retired officers are facing problems, perhaps it is because this is the world that they have given to their juniors.

Suhas

Aaj Ki Awaz

EC has sent Notice to Jairam,
Will Jairan to his dual posts say Ram Ram????

Will Jiaram resign or will they have to drag him out kicking and screaming??? Just some time back Jairam was slyly smiling as N.D. Tiwari announced that Jairam could be the next FM…… there  are many  kicks or hics in politics !!! In all probability Jairam will resign from the Cabinet and go back to his jhola ways!!!! Has Manmohan , though he's no way responsible for Jairam's woes, had the last laugh?????

Amrinder says he's ‘son of the soil',
This statement will make blood of Punjab 's Farmers boil!!!

Amrinder call himself savior of Punjab 's waters…… Punjab 's Farmers say savior or water but looter of land!!!! What use is water to a landless Farmer???? As the election draws closer Amrinder's ads are getting more and more ludicrous!!! Farmers have their own take on his ads…… Looter of Land,  One who has bajaoed Punjab 's band, Aishi sadist…..While we've suffered he's lived grand!!!  And now with the appointments Amrinder is making he's got the title ‘ Savior of his own skin'!!!!

SEZs……..Double crop trick will be performed by Hoodini ( Houdini) in Haryana,
Fact is Sonia ka diktat Hooda ne nahi maana!!!

First and foremost why did REL chose Haryana for its SEZ???? Why was agricultural land chosen for SEZ???? Basically Hooda ‘sold' Haryana to REL ……. expensive land is being acquired and gifted to REL and cheap land will be bought by REL!!! There are thousands of acres of unproductive land available on the sea shore…. why were landlocked Farmland States chosen????  Why are Hooda and Amrinder bent upon reducing the Farmland in their respective States??? And why has Pawar kept quite as thousands of acres have been taken out of the ambit of Agriculture????  And will the ‘double crop' yardstick be used to beat farmers into silence???

With ‘bad luck' plaguing him and his Party Balasahib is trying to change his luck,
That is why BJP SS partnership ho gayi hai unstuck!!!

In gambling they call this ‘tashan'!!!! And Balasahib is trying this tashan to try to change his and his Party's luck!!! BJP should be happy because now in Maharashtra BJP will not have the stigma of SS on itself!!! And for all you know this is a divorce till power brings them together again!!!

Why this deafening silence….has BJP taken a silence ka fast??
Why on Pawar's mishandling and on SEZ issue not raising protest ka mast!!!

Okay when Mahajan was there Pawar had a ‘silencer' in BJP…… but now who is silencing  BJP????  Pawar has given enough reason for the Opposition to go hammer and tongs after him…. But in this mater BJP is comatose!!! On the SEZ matter BJP's silence is really puzzling!!! The way things are proceeding India will very soon loose its ‘self grown' food security and will have to rely heavily on imports…… just what the Developed Countries want!!!! SEZs on Farmland……. Suicidal and Erroneous Zones!!!! Jaago BJP waalon samjho Pawar ki story.... on not taking up this issue kall BJP would be sorry!!!

Bharat Kumar
aaj_ki_aawaz@rediffmail.com

WHISPERS .... CORPORATE WORLD

Dhar to be CMD of Hindustan Photo Films

D K Dhar who is presently in the NHPC will take over as new Chairman cum Managing Director of the Hindustan Photo Films Co Ltd..

Paul to be CMD BCCL

A K Paul Member (Technical) ECL is all set to take over as new CMD of the BCCL by Diwali.

Patra is new Director of IREL Ltd

Dr Ravinarayan Patra has been appointed new Director (Technical) of the Indian IREL Ltd..

New post to be created

Additional Secretary level new post of Chief Executive in the National Fisheries Development Board is being created by the Government of India.

Super Saver Utsav Plus scheme to stay on for six months

National carrier Indian has extended the benefit of its Super Saver Utsav Plus scheme for six more months. The extremely popular scheme will now be available on sale from 1st Oct. 2006 to 31 st March 2007 . 

Two attractive combinations are available under this scheme viz. Option-I for 4-coupons and Option-II for 8 coupons. Under Option-I, 4 Economy Class coupons will cost Rs.27,500 and 4 Executive class coupons will be available for Rs.39,500. Additional 2 coupons will be available for travel on any domestic sector, for Rs.7500 and 10,500, in Economy and Executive class respectively. Tickets bought under this Option will be valid for four months from the date of purchase. However, the additional tickets will be valid for 6 months.

Under Option-II, 8 coupons for Economy Class travel will cost Rs.57,000 and Executive class travel will cost Rs.80,000. Passengers can buy additional four coupons for travel on any domestic sector for Rs.11,000 in Economy class and 15,000 in Executive class. Tickets will be valid for 6 months from the date of purchase. However, the validity of the additional 4 coupons will be 8 months.

All the above charges are inclusive of PSF and fuel surcharge as on 30 th Sept.2006.

TOP BRASS- SPEAK

The National Building Construction Corporation(NBCC) is now venturing out to build power projects in collaboration with foreign companies.and state electricity boards,says its Chairman cum Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury.In an interview with us he discusses different steps that he took to bring the NBCC out of the red and make it a solid competitor in the building construction sector within five years.

Here is his interview

Questionnaire from 'Whispers'

1. What are your expansion plans?
NBCC is a premier construction company in the country and is one of the largest public sector construction companies. It has grown up from the level of Rs.300 crore to Rs.1300 crore plus company during the last five years and registered a growth rate of approx. 60%. It has set the target of not less than Rs.5,000 crore for the year 2011. This is not going to be easy because of the mushrooming of many construction companies in the market in the private sector and also global companies making foray in India.
Besides expansion in real estate / infrastructure projects, NBCC has been looking up at new avenues and one of such avenue is to diversify into setting up of power projects, keeping in mind that it has already been executing the entire gamut of civil works of various power projects which is approx. 25% of the total cost of setting up of power plant. NBCC is, therefore, is taking lead of setting up of power project in association of State Electricity Boards and to contribute its mite into the country's goal of achieving self-sufficiency in power by generating additional 150,000 MW of power in the next five years.

2. What are the areas NBCC has been able to clinch foreign deals
NBCC entered the overseas market way back in early 1977 in Libya. With its development oriented activities it could secure number of prestigious projects in Libya and during 1980's entered Iraq in a big way. So far NBCC has successfully completed various projects in different countries namely Libya, Iraq, Nepal, Republic of Maldives, Mauritius, Yemen Arab Republic, Turkey, Botswana etc.
· International Airports
· Airport Terminal Buildings
· Hospitals & Health Centres
· Housing Complexes
· University, Schools & Public Social Security Buildings
· Road & Highway Projects
· Sewerage & Water Treatment Plants
· Flyovers
· Hotels
· Railways Project
NBCC has executed these works in foreign countries on contract basis as well as on project management basis. It has received immense appreciation from its esteemed clients where inspite of difficulties and hindrances, it has completed projects with efficiency and contributed effectively in transformation plan of these countries. It is now recognized as a "Leading" and the "Most" Efficient Construction Company" and is commanding a respectable position in this part of the globe.

3. What is the secret of NBCC's success under your leadership?
When I took over reigns of the NBCC Ltd. in the year 2001, the Corporation was collapsing because of its poor performance in all fronts - execution of works, financial management, general management & administration etc. Heavy interest burden on the borrowings, off-the-hook policies and strategies were constantly telling on its financial health. Each and every employee of NBCC had been counting doom for themselves with no salary for months together. The reputation of the company as a construction agency reached an all time low with clients, both existing and potential, turning their face with dissatisfaction and disgust.
My first task after joining the Corporation was to diagnose the ailments of the company, implementation of proactive approach and introduction of short-term & long-term measures for revival of NBCC which I did in quick time. Total transformation was brought about not only in financial terms but in organizational issues like corporate culture, belongingness to organisation, job satisfaction, productivity, industrial harmony to make NBCC a model PSU employer.
Based on the strengths and to get rid of its weaknesses on which the Corporation has fallen prey to, NBCC worked on the following core aspects

i) Re-organising / re-structuring the operation system of the Corporation -
Considering that the Sites & Units which actually execute projects and earn profit for the Corporation. Zones and Head Office provide only administrative, policy and management support, reversed the old working system of Top-Down line concept of Head Office-Zones-Units-Sites To Sites-Units-Zones-Head Office. This reversal brought in encouraging results for the Organisation in the first instance. The engineers and staff members posted at sites and units, for the first time probably, began enjoying their importance that was clearly spelt out. They were given free hand in handling the projects under them with only the commitment of targeted turnover and profit as per the MoU signed by them with their respective zones and so to say, the Head Office

ii) Securing the Govt. of India funded works where the funds are allocated and released in advance and ensuring delivery of these projects within time, cost and maintaining high level of quality and economy
It was a significant and successful initiative by the Corporation to manage securing the huge (around Rs.800 crore to begin with) Govt. of India funded projects in all the North-Eastern States including Sikkim & MPLADS funded Gujarat Earthquake Rehabilitation projects - a strategic move that has largely helped NBCC to come out of the severe resource crisis it had been suffering from since mid- 90s to early 2001.
iii) Selective tender works with certain ceiling value
Because of the high cost of manpower and also because comparative productivity not being the strength, NBCC re-read its strategy and restricted itself in this area. It became selective and started looking at large-value contracts with an assured profits in the initial CTC level. While executing these projects, it effected a strict control on the overheads and bottom lines. This step bore fruits and the Corporation started showing results.
iv) Customer Focus as the Corporation's USP
A clear message was sent across to NBCC Team Members that the Corporation sustainability adopts 'CUSTOMER SATISFACTION' as its USP that only would define success.
v) Bringing about changes with a Human Face
All possible counseling exercise for the employees was done to make them realise that they have to move to locations from where their salaries are earned and an open & transparent transfer policy of "first in first out" was implemented. Employees responded and moved to remote locations where NBCC had works.
The Corporation, on its part, ensured that such moves also carried along a 'Human Face' and adopted abundant Welfare Measures for the employees providing them with ex-gratia, uniform, attractive Corporate Medical Insurance facilities, 'Bachelors' accommodation, mess facilities, enhanced pay, special LTC package etc. apart from other perquisites from time to time "With the paradigm growth of the Organisation, fruits have to be distributed amongst the employees of the Organisation who, in a public sector concept, are the actual owners of the Company".

4. How is your esteemed PSU geared up to counter the escalation in prices of steel?
Normally the contracts secured by NBCC provide the escalation clause whereby NBCC receives the price rise during execution of the project. Further, at the time of tendering some provision is built in the costing towards escalation of steel and other materials during execution of work. Also NBCC goes in for bulk purchase well in advance which averts the financial implication due to subsequent price rise to great extent.
In addition, NBCC is taking following steps to safeguard itself from hike in steel and cement prices:
(a) Yearly rate contracts are signed directly with manufacturers of steel & cement viz. SAIL etc. to supply steel / cement at fixed prices throughout the year.
(b) In the areas, not covered by Annual Rate Contract, the requirement of steel & Cement in nearby projects is clubbed and bulk purchase is ordered, enabling NBCC to get discounted rates offered by vendors / manufacturers on bulk purchase.
It may be observed that last year there has been unprecedented rise in prices of steel & cement specially the prices of steel. Such unprecedented rise cannot be foreseen / forecasted and thus no provision can be done nor the escalation formulas in the contracts can absorb such unprecedented rise. As a result of the unprecedented rise the profitability of the project and thus NBCC during last year eroded considerably.
Due to impact of the unprecedented rise, CPWD has introduced a new clause in the contract which caters to payment of escalation on account of steel & cement on the basis of star price concept. Now, almost all contracts have this star price escalation formula, which will cover the escalation to a great extent on account of rise in prices of steel & cement.

5. Do you think that you face any competition from India/Abroad?
There is stiff competition in securing the projects both in India and abroad. However, with the NBCC's experience over the years, NBCC is able to secure a good number of projects because of its winning edge over the others by way of professional service and economical offer. As a result, NBCC has secured many prestigious projects both in India and abroad. The housing project of Turkey was secured after participating in global and stiff competition from well established European, American and local firms.
Operations in the free market and competition go hand in hand. NBCC is fully geared for competition. Statistics collected in the last five years have indicated that NBCC has been able to save the national exchequer to the extent of Rs.350 crore + on account of works executed by NBCC in which it had been appointed on the basis of lowest competitive bids against the private operators. In the construction sector NBCC has an edge with the private sector players and presence of NBCC itself discourages any cartelisation among private players. NBCC has been able to utilise any kind of artificial inflation, thus creating value addition to the clients which are mostly large PSUs / Government Departments.
As far as infrastructure works against private players is concerned, NBCC does not have much chance because the method of award of contract in the private sector is not transparent and NBCC which is bound by the Govt. rules and under the purview of CVC / CAG guidelines is unable to negotiate on the line of private sector companies.
Regarding projects in overseas countries, NBCC is facing huge competition from the Chinese companies as the Chinese companies are able to generate low cost due to cheap labour and considerable amount of financial leverage support etc. being extended by the Chinese Govt. in terms of special loans etc.

6. Please list Landmark achievements
NBCC, under the aegis of Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India, today is one of the Premier Engineering Services and largest Public Sector Organization in the country. It is also ISO 9001 company for Project Management and Consultancy Services and its constant improved working parameters have been reiterated and substantiated by the recognition and accolades it has received from its various clients including Prime Minister's Merit Certificate for its performance.
In Real Estate which is one of the major thrust areas for the Corporation, besides developing commercial complexes, NBCC has recently launched Housing Project "NBCC VIBGYOR TOWERS" at New Township of Rajarhat, Kolkata. This is the first venture of its kind by any Central PSU.
With the implementation of various Chimneys / Cooling Towers & other Infrastructure Development Projects, NBCC has acquired excellence and expertise in the field resulting number of such projects now being awarded on nomination basis. NBCC is now foraying into taking up total construction of power projects in collaboration with foreign companies where NBCC's role will be of entire construction and supply of equipment etc.
Keeping in view its vast experience and strength in Engineering, Consultancy & Execution of works, NBCC entered the large market of Project Management Consultancy (PMC) jobs. PMC projects include preparation of estimates, CPR / DPR, approvals from various authorities, execution of works, handing over the projects etc. Today, NBCC has been working as an extended arm of the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Urban Employment & Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Textile and various State Governments & other Organisations.
Earlier NBCC executed some projects in the North Eastern States as a contractor for various State Govts. During the year 2001-02 NBCC had been called upon by the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and other Central Govt. Departments to work as its extended arm as an "implementing agency" in facilitating development of North Eastern States including Sikkim. NBCC has now been working all over the North Eastern States as an extended arm of the Govt. of India and as an implementing agency for its various developmental projects and has already completed more than Rs.300 crore worth of projects in various North Eastern States. The role of NBCC is that of a consultant for doing design, preparation of detailed project reports, getting the reports sanctioned from the Ministries in the Govt. of India, get allocation of funds to the States against these projects and get the Projects "Implemented".