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N N Ojha

ONLY SOURCE TO REACH THE DECISION MAKERS

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INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

By show casing Sikkim as the ultimate Eco Tourism destination & by launching new projects efforts are being made to augment flow of inbound tourists round the year, said G.P.Upadhyaya Commissioner & Secretary Tourism to Sikkim Government.

In an interview to <whispersinthecorridors.com>he unveiled how the Sikkim was doing aggressive marketing to ensure constant traffic of tourists.Upadhyaya said even setting up of casinos is on the anvil. According to G.P.Upadhaya "Government has also permitted running of casinos in 5-star hotels by law to attract investment in 5-star hotels. We have received offers from reputed groups who have evinced keen interest in setting up such properties with casino." Replying to a question he said "Sikkim is giving tremendous emphasis to promotion of adventure and eco-tourism." Here goes his interview:

1/What are new projects that Sikkim tourism is contemplating to take?

A-The new projects planned are- 95 ft tall metal statue of Lord Buddha, World's largest metal bell weighing 100 tonnes, hanging bridge on a cliff, amusement parks, mono rail, Ropeways and various trekking trails through dense and virgin forests. I also envisage flow of tourists through Nathula trade route between India and China in next 2-3 years. Sikkim has taken several initiatives in the recent past to create several new tourism products. Notable among them are 135 ft. high statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Samdruptse, beautification of a large number of water falls of stunning beauty, ropeways at various places, rock gardens and river bank developments, view points and way-side amenities, a large number of trekking trails through dense and virgin forests, several lakes with boating facilities and a several eco-friendly resorts. Projects in the pipeline are a 95ft high metal statue of Lord Buddha, World's largest metal bell weighing around 100 tonnes, Jurassic park, amusement park at the river bank, hanging bridge, underground laser show in abandoned mining tunnel, cultural village and several other ropeways. Sikkim is being helped generously by Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of DoNER (Department of Development of North Eastern Region) along with the state govt. All this is being done while preserving the ecology and environment of Sikkim by banning plastic bags and fitting all commercial vehicles with dust bins.

2/What steps are being taken to have constant traffic of inbound tourists from India & abroad?

A-Creation of new tourist attractions and products helps us to keep interest alive in Sikkim. Further, Sikkim's peaceful atmosphere (perhaps the most peaceful place on earth) and political stability also helps. We are indulging in aggressive marketing of Sikkim both in India and abroad for wide publicity by regularly participating in tourism fairs and festivals and ads and articles in print/electronic media. Sikkim is giving tremendous emphasis to promotion of adventure and eco-tourism. A big leap in this direction is being taken by SAATO (Sikkim Association of Adventure Tour Operators) who are holding their third annual convention at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 13to 15 Aug. All the North Eastern states are supporting this initiative of SAATO and they have all been invited to attend this convention and discuss the possibility of forging meaningful partnerships with adventure tour operators of South East Asia. Sikkim has been able to create the infrastructure of an Institute of Adventure and Eco-Tourism at Chemchey in South Sikkim with the help of Ministry of Tourism and we are now planning to make it operational with the help of SAATO and IAATO.
Further, Sikkim is also planning to host the 5th National Rafting Championship in river Teesta during May 2008 with the help of Indian Rafting Association (IRA). Efforts are also afoot to establish a rafting school in Sikkim with the help of IRA.

Despite its best efforts, heavy concentration of tourists during the months of April-June and Oct-Dec seems inescapable, especially because of school holidays and scorching Indian summer. Nonetheless, Sikkim Tourism is trying to disperse the tourist concentration by offering deep discounts coupled with showcasing attractions of different moods of nature during monsoon months (July-Sep) and winters (Jan-Feb).

3/In what way your tourism policy is different from other states in the North East? Please elaborate.

A-Our policy is creation of tourism infrastructure in the public domain and creation of tourism trade infrastructure in the private domain. In addition, our people are very warm and hospitable and Sikkim's peace and stability also helps. Government has also permitted running of Casinos in 5-star hotels by law to attract investment in 5-star hotels. We have received offers from reputed groups who have evinced keen interest in setting up such properties with Casino. Sikkim Tourism is planning a major cycling expedition during Oct. 2007 covering almost all parts of the state. It is expected that more than 300 domestic and international participants would be taking part in this. This event would be covered by the national media in a big way which will put Sikkim at the center stage of tourism and adventure activities.
To showcase its floriculture potential, Sikkim is organising an international floriculture exhibition at Gangtok from March 14 to16 2008. There would be an amazing variety of orchids and flowers at display during this mega event. Sikkim would be inviting international travel writers of repute to cover this event with the help of Ministry of Tourism and Air India.

4/ Do you intend to take up projects in collaboration with the private sector?

A-We are keen to take up projects under Public Private Partnership (PPP) under various models. This includes hotels, ropeways and other tourism infrastructure. The state government is also actively encouraging investment in tourism sector on PPP model (mostly BOOT which stands for Build, Own, Operate and Transfer) for creation of tourism infrastructure.

5/What new things are being done at hill stations? Do you intend to start some kind of festivals?

A-We are very passionate about maintaining our ecology and environment. Honourable Chief Minister Mr.Pawan Chamling has placed tremendous thrust for plantations and green mission and Sikkim's forest cover has gone up from 41% to 43%. Sikkim boasts of dense and virgin forests, gurgling rivers and beautiful falls. We celebrate various festivals coinciding with local festivals of three main communities of Sikkim, viz, Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis.

Final list of 1975 batch IPS empanelment
Final list containing 19 names of 1975 batch IPS officers for the empanelment to the rank of ADG in the Government of India has reportedly reached the ACC.Those who figure in the list are :Mssrs A K Mohanty(AP), Yashwant Malhotra (Bihar),Vipin Kumar and S C Sinha (Haryana), R V Raju (J & K), Jacob Punnoose and R K Medhekar (Kerala), Vijay Raman (MP), P P S Sidhu, Karamvir Singh, Rajiv and V C Goel (UP), R Natraj and KV S Gopalakrishnan (TamilNadu), A B Mathur and Pranay Sahay (Manipur-Tripura), B K Gupta(UT), and R Bagchi (West Bengal).

Gopal Sharma to be DG SSB ?
Grapevine has it that former J & K DGP Gopal Sharma is being appointed DG SSB in the Government of India. He is 1972 batch IPS officer.

No ADG level vacancy in GoI except in CRPF
There is no ADG level vacancy in the Government of India except the one in CRPF.

Will Rakesh Mehta succeed Ramesh Narayanswamy ?
It is widely believed that Rakesh Mehta will succeed Ramesh Narayanswamy in November as Chief Secretary of Delhi .He is 1975 batch IAS officer.

Chak De,PM India

The Marxists deserve a load of thanks for helping the country discover a new face on the unflappably emotionless face that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh always seemed to carry.Sardar Manmohan Singh can get angry & can, when cornered, challenge & hit back. This is great news. Let us wait what is the next nuisance from those who claim to extend support from outside. "Chak de,PM India"is a quiet whisper now,may also rise to crescendo soon.

Ajay Sahgal to be Director in MoST

Ajay Sahgal is poised to become Director in the Indian Ministry of Surface Transport(MoST).Sahgal who belongs to the 1986 batch of Indian Forest Service(IFS) belongs to the Uttar Pradesh cadre.Presently,he is posted as Conservator of Forests(CF)Meerut.

Role of the "left"surprises political pundits

Political pundits are quite amused at the public rhetoric by left parties against the 123 Ahreement.Insiders say that left leaders had been briefed on almost day to day basis while negotiations were taking place in the US.In fact a few left leaders during last three years had privately championed the cause of American Multinationals & institutions.

Who is the high-profile Joint Secretary in GoI ?
There is a Joint Secretary in the Government of India who is running a Ministry. Infact, the Joint Secretary is the virtual boss of the Ministry. Guess? Guesswork will not be difficult .

Baskar to return parent cadre
Member-Secretary of the Silk Board H Baskar is returning to the parent Karnataka cadre pre-maturely. What is the reason for 1983 batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer, Baskar, to take this decision?

Amrinder Singh's blue eyed IAS have property in Dubai
Vigilance department has reportedly come to know that at least two IAS officers close to former Punjab Chief Minister, Amrinder Singh, have made property in Dubai. Further investigations into the matter are on.

Room of a Director in Prasar Bharti sealed
Before leaving for San-fransisco, Prasar Bharti CEO B S Lalli ordered to seal the room of a Director Vinod Kapoor. Why did the CEO do it ?.

Khan moves to PIB
Former Press Officer to the President S M Khan has been shifted to the PIB. He is yet to get new assignment. Meanwhile, 1983 batch IIS officer Archana Dutta has been posted to look after Media relations at President House.

Shiva Kumar is back to Bihar
S Shiva Kumar is back to the parent Bihar cadre .1987 batch IAS officer, Shiva Kumar, had been on Inter-State deputation to Andhra Pradesh. On return he has been made Secretary Food.

New Hindi Weekly from Mumbai
New 16 page Hindi Weekly "Nutan Savera" is being launched from Mumbai on the Independence Day. The Weekly is edited by veteran journalist Nand Kishore Nautiyal.

Five Foreign Postings-the race is on
This is an unusual year. Posts of three advisors at World Bank, one at IMF and one at ADB fall vacant almost at same time. Next year, three more fall vacant. And everyone is throwing hats into the ring to get these jobs.

New Secretary NEC

Falguni Rajkumar, has taken over as the secretary of North Eastern Council (NEC).Falguni is 1972 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

IAS officer wins defamationsuit

Rashmi Arun Shami (IAS MP 1994) has won a defamation suit against a Hindi daily news paper. The suit pertained to a matter that was published regarding her role and observance of the Flag Code on the Independence Day, when she was the Collector, district Sehore.

Sumit Nagpal quits India TV

Sumit Nagpal has resigned from the India TV. He is likely to join Live India.

Pratibha Patil is 12th or 13th President of India
Confusion prevails whether Ms. Pratibha Patil is 12th or 13th President of India. While the GoI says that she is 13th, Indian Embassy site in Athens says she is 12th President.

A N Singh is Chairman of MACT Bhopal

Former DGP of Madhya Pradesh A N Singh has been appointed Chairman of the Maulana Azad College of Technology (MACT) Bhopal by the Ministry of HRD. He is retired 1966 batch IPS officer.

Purkayastha is new MD,Ananda Bazar Group

As sudden was resignation by Pramat Bhatnagar from the post of Managing Director(MD)in the Ananda Bazar Patrika(ABP)group,that swift was management's decision to promote Deepankar Purkayasth as the MD.THe ABP Group of which Chief is Aveek Sarkar is seeing a lot of upheaval in the wake of recent developments.Purkayasth was so far Executive Director in the Group

Unreserved tickets too from post offices

It may surprise you,but Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav who has so many "firsts" to his credit is trying to get unreserved railway tickets also sold through post offices.This idea is yet to conretise,whereas reserved train tickets through post offices in select 60 cities are already being sold.Reason for mooting the idea behind sale of unreserved tickets is that masses have to spend a lot of time to spend in queues,before undertaking a train journey.This is what Laluji wants to do away with.

FORUM

Logic for raising retirement age
There has been a lot of discussions on the enhancement of retirement age of Central Government employees. It is high time that the government immediately raises the retirement age of its employees to 62 as the age of teachers has already been increased. Also because the life span of a normal Indian has increased because of good health conditions. It has been found that Central government employees take up work upto the age of 68 years in private sector and utilise the rich experience they have acquired in the government jobs. In that case why not the government itself take advantage of their experience by enhancing heir retirement age to 62 years than to make them retire at 60 and leave them free to utilise their experience for others.

Deepak Singh

DS and Director level posts should be reserved for CSS
With reference to the comments of S K Sharma and Kailash Babu regarding plight of CSS Officers, it is a pity that the argument lost its way into the direct recruit and promotee officers. First of all this is prevalent in every service. But it should not be perpetuated. The focus should be on service and not on incumbents (whether he is DR or promotee). In IAS, promotee officers from State services also get same powers as DRs (only there is age difference, which is but natural). If the segregation will be in this way... some day we will say that IAS officers who have come from IITs are superior to those who come from others. This is not the logic. So the interests of service should be protected. Whoever is absorbed in service is part of service (If he is inferior, why you are letting him to enter in that privileged class?). So there is nothing as such a criteria of basis of exams. If that is so, will any body comments on the nominated IFS Officers such as K R Narayanan in Nehru days or some IAS Officers during earlier days who were directly inducted in IAS without going through the drill of Civil Services Exams of UPSC. Are they inferior to this lot, who have come on the basis of Coaching classes or mugging the subjects?? Now whosoever is thought of being capable to enter the service by the competent authorities (and not by other fellow service colleagues),, is selected in the service either through DR, or promotion and by nomination. After joining the service, he is part of the service with appropriate seniority. So please do not fight on DRs and promotee logic. May be this is frustration of our colleague which is expressed in this way... First think what a CSS Officer does in teh Govt. He examines the proposals, records his views on the basis of available material. To do this you do not require a knowledge of IITian (who may be DRs in CSS),but only analytical ability which may be in a promotee officer who is more familiar with the subject or in a DR who is willing to adapt to the subject. So my friends try to fight for rights of CSS in the war of words between other Group-A Services, who want best of both worlds (they want to rule and govern any field in their respective Departments but will also fight to be absorbed in Secretariat doing file works),. In my opinion, Group-A Officers should join the Secretariat only at JS level and above to make suitable policy interventions. Till Director/DS level nothing special is required from IAS/Group-A Officers and they join here only for Delhi postings. Let the posts upto DS/Director level reserved for CSS only. (If required only 25% posts can be provided to IAS/other services),. CSS will be able to serve in better way in making the policy proposals etc, who will be submitted to JS & above for decision taking. Here the elite of IAS/Group-A can utilise their skills in providing policy directions and new innovations which they have learnt from field experience. Do not spoil the secretariat in learning ground for the Group -A Officers at the price of CSS (which is truly a Secretariat Service devised for this purpose only, unlike others who have some special tasks attached with them).

S K Tripathi

There is no substitute of CSS

I think what SK said was not that the Direct Recruits are superior to promotees but that there is a need to separately recognise the direct recruits officers of CSS as they are recruited through Civil Services Examination and therefore I agree with Sharma as the quality and talent of Civil service exam recruited candidates is far more superior to any examination in India. Therefore, no one should feel diffident in admitting the fact that Direct recruits are the soul of CSS and they certainly have the privilege to demand a separate recognition for themselves as they are a class apart not only from the promotee brethren but also from IAS. There is an incontrovertible evidence to show the direct recruit officers have held policy making positions successfully and creditably. Each component of a service has its own set of ambitions and even the promotee CSS officers also deserve to aptly credited for what they possess but it in no way makes them superior to any service or component of CSS.

CSS officers are akin to Central cadre of IAS. Their career progression, training and development need to be paid urgent and special attention if the quality of governance in Central Administration has to improve dramatically.
There is no substitute for an efficient CSS as that alone can significantly enhance the satisfaction of our citizens while dealing with the Central Government. Second Administrative Reforms Commission should look into the issue of career progression of all the Civil Services including CSS and ensure that all the CSS officers should be able to reach the position of Joint secretary in 19 years of Group A service.

CSS officers have great expectations from Dr.Manmohan Singh and Mrs.Sonia Gandhi as the Late Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi duly recognising the important role of CSS officers had proposed that for each officer appointed on central deputation from Group A services, a CSS officer should also be sent on deputation to other cadres so that the career progression of CSS officers are not blocked by Group A deputationists. But I think this proposal could not see the light of the day. Will this Govt. provide the legitimate dues of CSS officers, remains to be seen!

Dr Chander Dutta

About CSS

The problem in the Secretariat now is that all officers from the level of assistants to directors, do the same kind of work. Put up file or case before the Joint Secretary for decision. If it is now initiated by the Assistant, then the SO does, if not by the SO, the US does and if not by the US the DS does and so on. The quality of DR SOs and other IAS or Group A service officers who are inducted in CSS is so poor that after some time even a LDC in CSS would pose a challenge to Group A officers. To remain superior one has to be superior in all respect. Lack of OLQ is the problem.

Ravi

Aaj Ki Aawaz

Manmohan's thumbs up for the 123 Deal is for the Commies a 'taingaa',
With Commies Manmohan has taken pangaa!!!

And high time he showed these bullies their place!!!
There's a time a put your dukes up and a time to show grace!!!

After hitting the roof Manmohan settled back in the chair!!!
And in a tacit way went back on his dare!!

After kicking the notional dog that cannot bite he's now in petting mode!!
Maybe very soon he'll call Commies for a meal to his abode!!!

He now says that with the Commies he'll iron out things!!!
But now perception is he's removed their stings!!!

How will he make them stop whining???
He'll just remind them of the NDA days when for power Commies were always pining!!

But insiders say Karat was surprised by Manmohan's outburst!!!
They say he thought that Manmohan had lost it at first!!

The person on whose orders Manmohan took on the Commies seems mighty pleased with him,
And as we know Manmohan obeys her every whim!!!

This could also mean that it's the beginning of the end of the UPA Commie alliance!!
And the bugle has been sounded by Manmohan's defiance!!

Commies who are already leaning towards the UNPA would lean even more!!!
They may not show it but Commies are indeed very sore!!!

All of a sudden Manmohan is showing guts…he sent SC's recommendation on two Judges back!!!
What Vitamins has he been taking that he's changed his mode from defence to attack??

First Prabha Rau used to be on Deshmukh's case and now Margret Alva is on his case!!!
From Alva a lot of criticism Deshmukh karr raha hai face!!!

Is it possible that Deshmukh's days as CM are now numbered???
Alva's charge is that during his tenure on certain vital matters Deshmukh has just slumbered!!

Maybe in AP too Diggy Raja will be saying the same!!
Adding that on Congress YSR has brought shame!!

So there are chances that in AP and Maharashtra CMs will change!!!
In Congress this is nothing strange!!!

CMs are there on High Command's pleasure!!!
And are removed when High Command shows displeasure!!

Big B laments that laws should not change with change in Sarkaar!!
This is Big B's latest face saving darkaar (plea)!!!

Does he mean that next Sarkaar should cover up the previous Sarkaar's muck????
Big B is trying every trick in the book so that in the bogus land deals he gets unstuck!!

In fact Law has not changed with change in Sarkaar!!!
And thankfully Law is not in awe of his status - that of a Super Star!!

The Farmer certificate he got is alleged to be a fake!!
And we all know that what was at stake!!!

All that happened was that his friends twisted the Law to help him out!!
And the Law just untwisted itself the minute his friends from power were kicked out!!!

And then why did he offer to donate Barabhanki and Pune land???
Big B why are you bent on bajaoing your image ka band????

Big B says that definition of farmer is joh land karta hai till,
And Big B ji definition of bluffmaster is one who fibs galore and never has his fibs ka fill!!!

Sanju Baba has settled down in jail!!!
Good because the general legal perception is that his bail application will fail!!

Though Sanju's Counsel tried his best to get the Court to immediately hear the plea!!!
SC opined in the same light all the pleas SC karta hai see!!!

Law does not concern itself with Bollywood losses or fans, colleagues and Media cries!!
SC ensures that justice is done and truth is not overpowered by lies!!

Russi Mody met Rattan Tata in Kolkata…. what did they powwow????
Or did Russi give Rattan his twelve egg omelette know-how???

Though nowadays Russi has reduced his omelette to a four egg one!!!
And he says his Doctors have advised him to reduce to just one!!!

We come into this World with a quota for everything,
Also for joys and sorrows our quota with us into the World we bring!!!

For some sorrows are unending and for some joys are so!!!
Some on life are on a high and some on life are on a low!!!

But that does not mean we should not try to preserve joy or get over sorrow!!!
That's why they say there's always a tomorrow!!!

Especially if you are in sorrow,
Maybe your sorrow quota is over and your quota of joy starts tommorrow!!!

Bharat Kumar
Aaj_ki_aawaz@yahoo.com

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CORPORATE

Rajendra Singh to be BSNL Director (C & M)
Rajendra Singh is poised to become Director (Commercial & Marketing), in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL). At present he is Chief General Manager Telecom (CGMT), Punjab Circle. The post has been lying vacant for the last two months ever since P.Grover became member in the Telecom Commission.

P C Parikh to be IEM for RIN

Former Secretary in the Government of India P C Parikh is being appointed as an Independent External Monitor (IEM), for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam, Visakhapatnam. He is retired 1969 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

IDBI man is MPPSC Member
Senior official of the IDBI in Bhopal Dr Prakash Bartunia has been appointed Member of the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission.

Hindustan Copper interviews stalled
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End to end (total)Logistics solutions

CONCOR of which Managing Director is Rakesh Mehrotra has recently made major forays in logistics industry by providing end to end logistics solutions to major users like IOC and RINL.According to Mehrotra "the package of services provided include lifting of cargo from the premises of premium customers , moving it to nearest railhead, stuffing the cargo in containers, transporting it by rail to destination, and performing similar operations for cargo delivery till premises at destination end." This has enabled CONCOR to notch up impressive performances in its domestic segment during the current year with the growth during the first quarter aggregating to over 23%,said Mehrotra adding the CONCOR is now evolving and negotiating similar packages with many other corporates who can use this opportunity to reduce their overall logistics costs

Indyarocks enters online and mobile video streaming space

Mobile and online social networking portal <Indyarocks.com> has launched its widescreen online video feature powered by its mobile technology.Dr. Vishnu, Head of strategy said "The widescreen video feature supported by our high end infrastructure provides a perfect experience for online video viewing."

CAMO merges with Proteans Software

CAMO ASA, a global statistical software and IT consulting firm headquartered in Oslo, Norway had last week merged with Proteans Software Solutions, a leading Outsourced Product Development (OPD) company based out of Bangalore, India.