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INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

For Brijmohan Agrawal Tourism is like a passion who was instrumental in boosting tourism while serving as Tourism Minister of undivided Madhya Pradesh(comprising existing MP & Chhattisgarh)is leaving no stone unturned now as Chhattisgarh Government's Tourism Minister. Brijmohan Agrawal has done an exemplary work in Chhattisgarh ever since he became Tourism Minister.
Its not that he holds portfolio of only Tourism department, but he is Cabinet Minister for other departments too. They are: Forest, Revenue, Rehabilitation, Law, Culture, Religious Endowments & Trusts, and Sports & Youth Welfare. According to him "The whole state has a potential to attract tourists of each sector viz Eco-Tourism, Pilgrim-Tourism and Adventure-Tourism etc." In his following interview to<whispersinthecorridors.com>Brijmohan Agrawal has unravelled his plans, on how he wants to give a fillip to tourism in Chhattisgarh so that it could get recognition all over the globe.

1/ What Steps have been taken to-attract tourists?

A-To attract tourists from India as well as abroad the state government is planning to speed up infrastructure development activities. Some steps in this direction are -
(i) Promotion of Economical, Cultural and Ecological sustainable tourism in the slate.
(ii) Encourage and promote private sector initiatives in developing tourism-related infrastructure,
(iii) Tourism development will be primarily driven by the private sector with the role of the government being that of a facilitator and catalyst.
(iv)Increase the contribution of tourism 10 the economic development of inter-related
sectors,
The whole state has a potential to attract tourists of each sector viz Eco-Tourism, Pilgrim-Tourism and Adventure-Tourism etc. We have opened tourist information centers at Delhi, Visakahapatnam, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bilaspur, Bhopal, Nagpur & Kolkata (latest addition). Very soon we will start more information centers in the other parts of the country including Mumbai, Chennai,Agra,Banaras & Bangalore.

2/Nowadays focus is on budget hotels, where do you see Chhattisgarh Tourism Corporation's role in that?

A- The idea of budget hotel is applicable only in the states, which are already saturated with all kinds of hotels. As far as Chhattisgarh is concerned being a new state talking about budget hotels is impractical. But this does not means that the tourists visiting our state will not get good accommodation in reasonable price. The series of motels are under construction and one of them named ASNA motel is ready to serve the tourists, The rents of rooms in these motels are so reasonable that you can compare it with any budget hotels and its quality with any costly hotels.

3/Question - What are new projects that your state is starting in tourism sector?

A- At present our total stress is on development of infrastructure. We are constructing motels in nearly 30 places of the state. It is expected that these motels will be completed by December 2007. In addition to this various preliminary measures like beautification works and basic sanitation facilities were being created. Apart from these 104 tourists destinations have already been identified in the state to promote tourism.

4/ What steps are being taken for increasing tourists, inflow to your state, through out the year?

A- To increase the tourist's inflow we have already started massive publicity campaign ail over India, Yon can see our advertisements in all leading publications as well as in visual media. Our participation in various national and international events gives us much exposure among the tourists planning to visit Chhattisgarh. As you know after the formation of state, we have to start from the zero and now we can say proudly those tourists of al! over India knows the name of Chhattisgarh and ready to visit the unexplored tourist spots.

5/ Can you list two major achievements of yours as Tourism Minister?

A- Development of infrastructure in the state is the biggest achievement of us because without it we cannot give proper attention to the tourists coming to our state. Secondly, to promote pilgrim tourism in the state Rajim Kumbh was introduced on the confluence of three rivers - Sondhur, Parry and Mahanadi. Surprisingly, people; even in the neighborhood were not aware of this unique Triveni Sangam akin to Prayag, Now every year lakhs of people from all over India including eminent sages visit Rajim.

Tally of Congress, and BJP to decline in Lok Sabha ?
A quick survey has revealed that in case mid term polls were held, tally of two leading political parties i.e. Congress & Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) will decline in the Lok Sabha. So, its regional political parties who would play a key role in formation of the new Government.

UPA govt to survive, but countdown starts
The row over Indo- US nuke deal that has caused turbulence in Delhi political circles will ultimately end in a giving a lease of life to the UPA Government being headed by Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh. However, countdown for the fall of UPA regime has begun. By Christmas alarms are expected to toll again for the UPA Government. DMK Chief K Karunanidhi and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav are reported to have played a role in pacifying the left.

Backroom diplomacy at its peak

Backroom diplomacy in Delhi is at its peak.The US Amabassador to India is playing a very active role in this.On the other hand Finance Minister P.Chidambaram & Home Minister Shivraj Patil along with Ahmad Patel political secretary to Congress chief Mrs.Sonia Gandhi are in constant touch with leaders of the Left Front.

Last chance to reward loyalties

Recent appointments & changes in Governors reflects as if it was a move to reward loyalists.Murlidhar Chandra Kant Bandare who has become Governor of Orissa hails from Vidarbha region & is at present Rajya Sabha MP.He had openly opposed N.K.P.Salve & Vasant Sathe when the duo had actively pressed for stattehood to Vidarbha.Likewise S K Singh Governor Arunachal Pradesh who has been sent to Rajasthan is ex Secretary of Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) & his son is actively involved in professional pursuits with Rahul Gandhi.Similarly,ex Chief Minister of Uttarakhand N.D.Tiwari who has been appointed Governor of Andhra Pradesh had openly revolted against the then Prime Minister P.V.Narasimha Rao in middle of 1990.He along with HRD Minister Arjun Singh had floated Congress(Tiwari)which was merged into Congress later on.

Shumsher K Sheriff is Secretary to VP
ShumsherK Sheriff who was hitherto Home Secretary in Delhi Government has joined as Secretary to Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari.He has replaced Anil Kumar.

( We said this on August 14)

P Harish is OSD to Vice President
P Harish has joined as Officer on Special Duty to Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari.He is an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1990 batch. Earlier, he was Director in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Nagma Mallick replaces Harish

Ms Nagma Mallick has joined as Director (XP) in MEA in place of P Harish (IFS 90) who is going as OSD in VP's Secretariat. She is 1991 batch IFS officer.

Sumit Bose is OSD Finance Commission
Sumit Bose on Monday has taken over as OSD 13th Finance Commission. He is 1976 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre.
( We said this on July 23)

A K Srivastava to get extension !
As the grapevine has it, AK Shrivastava Joint Secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) is likely to get one year extension. He is 1981 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

Extension for LC Goyal on the anvil !

As the grapevine has it, LC Goyal, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA), is likely to get one year extension. He is 1979 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

Atul Chaturvedi to join as DDG Commonwealth Games
Atul Chaturvedi is set to join as Deputy Director General(DDG)for forthcoming Commonwealth Games. Chaturvedi is an IAS of 1986 batch belongs to the Assam -Meghalaya cadre.

High level team for Belarus
A high level team of the Ministry of Coal is leaving for Belarus on a five ay tour today evening. Among others it comprises Ministry's Joint Secretary K S Kropha & Partha S.Bhattacharya Chairman Coal India Ltd.(CIL).The team will visit Balshina located tyre manufacturing facility as well besides examining other things like heavy manufacturing unit. VK Singh, CMD of Northern Coalfields Ltd(NCL), will also be in the delegation. A possibility to set up a shop of tyre manufacturing unit in India will also be explored. If that happens then the company from Belarus will find an easy way to export its tyre from India to China & other nations.

Gautam Adhikari joins TOI
As the grapevine has it, Gautam Adhikari has joined as Editor(Edit page) with "The Times of India(TOI).Earlier he was Editor in Chief with "Daily News & Analysis"(DNA)--an English daily being published from Mumbai for over two years now.

Frequent changes made in Mohta's posting
MEA's working is sometimes incomprehensible. After posting Madhup Mohta to London in May, he was deployed as Director in CE Division. When he did not join, MEA issued his orders for joining in A&RM Division. Finally this order has been changed too and he is going to London.Mohta is 1985 batch IFS officer.

Mala Ramakrishnan is new CCIT Mumbai
Mala Ramakrishnan ,1972 batch IRS officer has succeeded N B Singh as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax 1 Mumbai.
( We said this on May 16 and July 10)

IAS reshuffle in Karnataka
There is IAS reshuffle in Karnataka. New postings are:-Mssrs M. Madan Gopal Project Director, Karnataka Health System Development Project. Vandita Sharma Project Director, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Bangalore.Rajeev Chawla Regional Commissioner, Gulbarga.Anil Kumar Jha Secretary to Government (Expenditure), Finance Department, Bangalore.K.S. Prabhakara Secretary (Medical Education), Health and Family Welfare Department K. Amaranarayana Additional Secretary, Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, Bangalore.M. Lakshminarayana Commissioner for Transport. IAS probationer M T Reju Assistant Commissioner of Tarikere Sub-division, Chikmagalur district.

Planning Commission sets up committee
The Planning Commission has set up a 12 member high- level committee on financial sector reforms under the chairmanship of Raghuram G. Rajan.

IPS changes in J & K
There are IPS changes in J & K. New postings are :-Mssrs P L Gupta IG human rights commission, Raja Aijaz IG Special Security Group, Mohammad Amin Shah IG Traffic, Lalat Indu Mohanty DIG Jammu Range, Farooq Ahmed DIG PHQ, Farook Khan DIG Doda Range, P R Manhas DIG Rajouri and Poonch Range, Yogender Kaul DIG SSG, Sunil Sharma DIG Traffic, Ravinder Kotwal DIG PHQ,M A Anjum DIG Crime, Niaz Mehmood DIG Railways Udhampur, A S Lone DIG Central Kashmir Range, G S Salathia DIG Security, Mohammad Suleman DIG CID Jammu, Kamal Saini DIG Home Guards,Munir Ahmad Khan DIG Armed Police, Abdul Qayoom Manhas DIG CID.

IAS changes in J & K
Jeet Lal Gupta will now be Special Secretary to the Chief Minister. Pradeep Gupta has been made Director Commerce and Industries.Mir Naseem, Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority has been posted as Vice Chairman Lake and Water Ways Development Authority. M A Liagaroo will be Vice Chairman SDA. Dilshada Khan has been posted as Director Land Records, Kashmir .

FORUM

IAS and CSS

I have been patiently reading this so-called informed debate about the IAS-CSS parity. my response is - a big Ugh !! Has anybody even bothered to compare objectively what goes into the roots of both services ? To begin with, what prevents anyone from re-appearing and taking a shot at IAS ??
The CSS is the core of our inherited, very Rule-oriented, Secretariat-centric system, agree. That also provides them a splendid isolation from the ground realities; it is like saying that ships stay safest when in harbor, but that's not where they are intended to be, right??
How many CSS officers have been consciously & wholesomely trained by the Govt., by compulsory postings in the rural hinterland of our Country, to have the feel of local administration?? As a result, in dealing with matters of local sensitivities they often exhibit lack of experience and instead go by their "gut instinct" or scout around for assistance from some field officer they know. In today's age, the entire role of SDM/DC/ SP is coming into a re-orientation mode to make them citizen-centric, and we talk of increased importance ( read Power/ Postings) for CSS, vis -a vis IAS. Pathetic!

While an IAS/IPS may still have the feel of the land right from his initial years, then after his collectorship he is "grounded" in the Secretariat, to get the "Power" out of his head (!!) among other things, and to level him for greater roles, the CSS has no such exposure. (We may please not count one-week jamborees in this, we know what goes on in them). Transfer in CSS parlance means going from Shastri Bhavan to Krishi Bhavan!! And perhaps, a tenure in the Met office would qualify to be called a hard area ??
To talk of real parity, I would strongly appeal that a very intensive field posting be included as compulsory capsule for those selected for US to DS level promotion. I have had the privilege of working with some brilliant CSS officers, but found that the lack of field exposure showed in their analysis of otherwise "correct" notings. And they took it with good grace for what my views counted, unlike the acrimony in the debate I see through your estemed website.

Jalaj.

CSS should not be favoured over CSSS

Why CSS is being treated as blue-eyed ones as against CSSS when it comes to promotions. CSS should not be favoured over CSSS. Why should their year of promotion be 90 and that of CSS 93. It is a matter of shame, I must say.

K C Joshi

Issue is altogether different

By demanding postings for IAS officers in specialist departments like Railways etc, Amar Nath has squarely failed to understand the issue. Is Amarnath prepared to offer posts of District Magistrates, Divisional Commissioners or all secretary posts in State Governments to Group A services? Obviously not. IAS is used to having their cake and eating it too.
What was talked about were Senior management positions in GOI under Central staffing Scheme at JS level and above, which are actually meant for all Group A services but kept out of bounds for Group A services due to vested interest of IAS. If IAS officers really feel that these functions are exclusively for IAS, then why corner only JS level and above, why not reserve all posts in GOI for IAS only from Under Secreatary level itself? Director/DS level is the cutting edge in GOI shouldering maximum work, but how many IAS officers are willing to come at that level? Obviously ,not because almost all perks in GOI are cornered by JS and all work is for DS/Directors. Amarnathji, what you call IAS bashing is actually the truth and please counter it on merits, if you can!

Devendra Kumar

IAS has taken away all the posts of IFS

It is strange that you have said the only post of IAS in MEA is being taken away by IDAS.IAS has taken away all the posts of IFS officers at the level of JT Secretary in all the Ministries in which earlier IFS officers used to be posted like Commerce, Defence, Economic Affairs etc. Now a large number of IFS officers have been deprived of exposure to other Economic Ministries due to the IAS cornering all the posts. .It is high time our decision makers and political masters start giving every Service its due and are not blindly led by the self serving IAS.

S K Verma

All the FA posts are for Accounts Services

Why only MEA? All FA posts in all ministries/departments should be ideally manned by the members of organised Accounts Services who have been specially trained for finance and accounts in Govt. set up. Putting an IAS in FA's post amounts to poaching

Dr Gautam

CSS officers getting raw deal

CSS Officers are getting used to the raw deal at the hands of other central services. They are unwanted at higher positions even in the central secretariat, the place for which they were employed initially as the name suggest. The outsiders from all services are getting the prized posts and we get the load of donkey. It is rightly said " Gadhe Jalabee bhar bhar khate kaun rok sakta hey, Arbee Ghodey ghas na pate aisee Prabhu Satta Hey" meaning Arabian horses do not get even green grass wheras Donkees are fed the bast of the Foods due to All Mighty's Grace( Big Brothers of the Organised Services)

Braj

My head hangs in shame

By putting Kiran Bedi in the same category as that of Mahatma and Ambedkar MSN showed their stupidity and the new marketing raj in India where image is built and made by media for cheap publicity ! My head hangs in shame !

Gaurisankar Ghosh

Kiran Bedi on deputation to DD

Kiran Bedi as an architect? I thought she was a police officer on deputation to doordarshan for their serials. She is always on TV either taking deep breaths for vipasana ,or leaving Mizoram by the night bus to Delhi with TV camera crews in tow......architect did u say?

D Chaudhry

If JS is powerful who is responsible ?

If a JS becomes more powerful then the Secretary then who is at fault? If senior officers don't want to take a stand are afraid to take decisions or are easy going and want to relax and have a nice time once they have reached the top then effective and competent juniors will become powerful. The Secretary has such a long career span behind him, those long years of grinding sycophancy and groveling before seniors to get an outstanding CR so that he can climb the promotion ladder, all that humiliation he faced of not taking a stand & throwing all rules to the wind in his servitude to the bosses, now he has finally reached the pinnacle and you expect the Secretary to take a stand. Well who wants confrontation its easier to let juniors take decisions and responsibility. now it is the J.S turn to embark on that well laid road to stardom - i.e promotions and Secretary job - so he is to still trudge that agonising path of servitude, sycophancy, taking credit of work of juniors, throwing his weight around & shamelessly projecting himself !
In one word "Brilliant"

P Kumar

JS empanelment should be made by UPSC

I agree with Tripathi and complement him for his views. The issue is not really one service vs the other service. The real issue is provision of a civil service development framework which provides equality of opportunity to all the civil servants. Why one son called IAS is more charming throughout the career irrespective of his or performance? Let UPSC interview or take a written test for empanelment of JS, in which all Civil Servants with 20 years of Civil Service appear and lets see the results. If IAS are so confident of their superiority, let them compete with their performance. Merely because in one exam, a person secured 3-4% more marks, should not lead to life long superiority or a situation where he becomes the boss of officers who also got selected in the same year of Civil Service Exam.

The Britishers have completely overhauled their administrative machinery but it is a matter of great shame that even after 60 years of freedom, we are yet to put in place a machinery which is founded on the principles of equality, justice and libery, the very ideals of our Constitution for which leaders laid down their lives.
This is an era of specialisation. Each post of JS should be classified in terms of its job contents and suitable officers having the requisite qualifications and experience should be called for interview by an independent and unbiased Board not having any present or former civil servant. The claims of superiority of IAS will be exposed in no time.
Dear respected Seniors, will u dare to reform the system to make it objective and transparent?

Dr Chander Dutta

TAIL-PIECE

DILLI TO PAGAL HAI
> >ABC OF -------
> >A is for Adjust, Punjabis will always ask you to adjust whenever they
> >want to push you around.
> >
> >B is for Backside, and it has nothing to do with your bum, it is an
> >instruction to go to the rear of a building, or block, or shop or
> >whatever.
> >
> >C is for cloney and its first name is not George nor is it a process
> >for replicating sheep - it is an area where people live eg. Dfence
> >cloney.
> >
> >E is for expanditure - and believe me Punjabis are not scared of
> >spending money - the latest cars, marble floors, their ambitions are
> >always expanding.
> >
> >F is
>for fackade, and even though it sounds like a bad word it is
> >actually just the front of a building (with backside being the back,
> >of course).
> >
> >G is for Gaddi and the way a Punjabi can pilot a car puts any F1
> >driver to shame, if the Grand Prix does come to Delhi there's no way
> >Hamilton, Alonso or Kimi can overtake Balvinder, Jasvinder and
> >Sukhvinder.
> >
> >H is for Ho Jayega, the moment you hear that, you have to be very
> >careful because you can be reasonably sure it's not going to happen.
> >
> >I is for Intezaar. to know more about it see P.
> >
> >J is for Jindagi and if there's one person who knows how to live
> >life to the full it's a Punjabi.
> >
> >K is for Khanna, Khurana, etc - the Punjabi equivalent of the
> >Johnses ie, keeping up with the Khuranas.
> >
> >L is for
>Lovely but she never is.
> >
> >M is for Mrooti - the car that moved an entire Punjabi generation.
> >
> >N is for No problem ji - to find out how that works see H.
> >
> >O is for Oye which can be surprise (oyye!), a hailing (oyy), anger
> >(OYY) or pain (oy oy oy).
> >
> >P is for Panch minit and no matter how near (1 km) or far a Punjabi
> >is from you (100 km) they usually say they'll reach you in panch
> >minit.
> >
> >Q is for Queue for which there's really no word in Punjabi.
> >
> >R is for Riks and a Punjabi is always prepared to take one, even if
> >the odds are against them.
> >
> >S is for Sweetie, Bunty, Pappu and Sonu who seem to own half the
> >cars in Delhi.
> >
> >T is for the official bird of Punjab - Tandoori chicken.
> >
> >U is for when U lose your sex appeal and become
>'Uncle' ji.
> >
> >V is for VIP phone numbers @ Rs 15 lakh and counting.
> >
> >W is War - on the roads.
> >
> >X is x-rated words they flow freely in casual conversations on the
> >street.
> >
> >Y is 'You nonsense', anger replacing vocabulary in a shouting match.
> >And
> >
> >Z is for Zig zag for which you should see G, M and P.
Contributed by -Col. Satish Dewan

Aaj Ki Aawaz

By opposing the Nuclear Deal Commies have shown their true rangh (colour)!!
They've shown actually with whom they are sangh (partner)!!!

CPI took its orders from Kremlin till the CPSU collapsed!!!
And CPM was formed by disgruntled CPI activists as China's hand they grasped!!

Recall during the China war when they were pro Cheen (China)!!
With Mao's Red Book they were seen!!

The Commies are just anti America and so the opposition to 123 Deal!!!
Because Deal's with America that's why so horrid karr rahe hai Commies feel!!!

Pros and Cons …. give and take…… its India that comes out as the beneficiary!!
So on the 123 Deal there is not reason for the Commies to be teary!!

But then it's not the 123 Deal put America that's causing them hives!!!
They've been anti US through out their lives!!!

And Chinese are delighted by the problems in India on this Deal!!!
Top of the World karr rahe hai Chinese feel!!

If this Deal flops it'll be the 'great Chinese take-way'!!!
And for this a heavy price India will pay!!!

Nuclear Power is the answer to India's power woes!!!!
And if this Deal falls India's Power Security dream goes!!!

Nuclear weapons are for India a deterrent so developing Nuclear weapons is not our aim!!!
We have no aspersions that our neighbours we should tame!!!

Its our galloping power requirments that's the Deal's engine... primary!!!
All other things are secondary!!!

By the way Commies should know after honeymoons kitt pitt kicks in!!!
And in a marriage kitt pitt is no sin!!!

But who is the husband and who is the wife in this shaadhi!!
Or is it a live in relationship which technically is a shaadhi that's aadhi (half)???

But maybe the word 'operationalise' could postpone any hard decisions being made!!!
And till the near about the next General elections decision could be stayed!!!

Commies are known to play with words ….. could be operationalise is one????
And just before the next General Elections by the Commies the plug pulling will be done!!

Why should BJP undertake Manmohan's life taking Havan???
Fact is that for BJP Manmohan is not UPA's Ravan!!

In fact on Manmohan's majboori they sing!!!
Majboori ka doosra naam Manmohan Singh!!

But to clear the air they should undertake a Havan for his long life!!!
And to this Havan invite Manmohan and his Wife!!!

Pawar as Cabinet Minister was an insider to 123 Deal,
But now he says before commenting he'll find out how on the Deal his colleagues feel!!

Pawar can do anything to stay in power!!!
No wonder they call him Sharat Power!!!

He'll get power by hook or crook!!!
And for getitng power there are no fouls in his book!!!

Now Big B says that in the Barabanki land acquisition by a fan he was rooked!!!
And demands that this fan for the rooking him be booked!!!

Why all of a sudden has he come up with this story????
Is it to cover up the Barabanki land ki chori????

And people take him to be an Icon!!!
Remove the 'I' and you get the noun and verb for him and what he does.......Con!!!

After letting off Q now CBI is getting ready to let S or Sanju off the hook!!!
Have not filed response in SC saying that in Kode's Order they've not got a look!!

But will SC let CBI get Sanju off the hook???
Some say SC may say that at Sanju's TADA acquittal it would like a re-look!!!

Like Manmohan Singh CBI too is majboor.... CBI is majboori ka doosra naam!!!
And in this its image is the daam (price)!!!

Bharat Kumar
Aaj_ki_aawaz@yahoo.com

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CORPORATE

Subir Raha is Chief of Hinduja Group in India

Former Chairman of the ONGC Subir Raha is now Vice-Chairman of the Hinduja Group in India for all their business activities. He has also been appointed Chairman of the Hinduja National Power Corporation. One thing is certain appointment of Raha is going to be benefited the Hinduja Group.

V Chandramouli is CEO AutoIndia
AutoIndia.com, of which founder is TG Beenu, has roped in V Chandramouli as President and Chief Executive Officer(CEO).Earlier, Chandramouli was Head of consumer channels content & Education vertical at Sify.com.

UP Govt cancels Anil Ambani's SEZ
Industrial tycoon Anil Ambani has suffered a major setback as Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government has rejected his proposal for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in UP. It was reportedly rejected because as per revised guidelines by the Central Government, requisite chunk of land was not available in one go. Moreover, eviction of farmers against their wishes for SEZs in India has been totally banned by Delhi.