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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.

PM clears 1988 batch IAS empanelment
Finally the Prime Minister has cleared the empanelment file of 1988 batch IAS officers to the rank of Joint Secretary on Saturday.

Ashok Kumar posted as DDG ICWA
Ashok Kumar has been posted as DDG in ICWA after his return from Consulate General in Frankfurt. He is 1976 batch IFS officer. Ashok Kumar replaces Pradeep Kapur (IFS 79) who returns to MEA as Joint Secretary.

Bhanu Bhushan to be Chairman of CERC !
It is widely believed that Bhanu Bhushan will be new Chairman of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

Rajiv ratan Shah to continue as member secretary
Rajiv Ratan Shah will now continue as member- secretary of Planning Commission till further orders. He is 1967 batch retired IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

Vijyendra to join Chhattisgarh Government !
Vijyendra, presently Finance Secretary, Government Of Assam, is reportedly going on an inter-state deputation to Chattisgarh for a period of five years. He is 1991 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre .

Differences between Pranab Mukherjee and Chidambaram
Finance Minister P Chiadambaram has declined to accept the proposal of the Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to enhance the pay of Section Officers and Private Secretaries. Two personal letters of Mukherjee are still lying with the Finance Minister. Finance Minister Chidambaram has approved a Non-Functional Pay of Rs.8000 to Section Officers and Private Secretaries who had put in 4 years of service and serving in Central Secretariat Ministries. Same treatment was demanded for the MEA officials. Only the SOs have been granted this Pay but not the PSs, citing this NF Grade Pay was originally approved for Central Secretariat only and not IFS(B) personnel or other cadres. However, by now granting the NFP to SOs in MEA and denying the same to PSs in MEA.

1987 batch IPS frozen
1987 batch IPS has been frozen for the central deputation.

Maj Gen Vijay Sharma joins NSG
Major General Vijay Sharma has joined the National Security Guards (NSG )as IG Training Centre.

Another women IAS for Disinvestment ministry rejected
The proposal of the Disinvestment Ministry for a women IAS as Joint secretary is learnt to have been rejected because there were already too many women in the ministry. Is it a fair logic?

Prasar Bharati Engn wing upset
The Engineering wing of Prasar Bharati is said to be upset because its proposals worth over Rs 90 crore are pending since April. Is the CEO listening about his organization ?.

Yadav joins CBI
Mahipal Singh Yadav has joined the CBI in Delhi. He is 1997 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre.

BSP to get over 50 seats in Lok sabha
In case the Lok sabha polls are held now, the BSP, according to an estimatem, is likely to bag 50 to 70 seats.

Major Gen Banerjee to head Madhya Bharat Area
Major General Gautam Banerjee has taken over the command of Madhya Bharat Area in Jabalpur.

Ashok Das is new PS Finance in MP
Ashok Das has taken over as new Principal Secretary Finance in Madhya Pradesh. He is 1978 batch IAS officer.

Justice Sathasivam to be sworn in today

Justice Palanisamy Sathasivam, judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court is being sworn in today as Supreme Court judge. He will have a tenure of about seven years in the apex court.
( We said this on July 30 )

Aditya Padhi to return Orissa
Resident Commissioner of Orissa in Delhi Aditya Padhi is back to the parent Orissa cadre .On return 1983 batch IAS officer Padhi has been appointed Commissioner Commercial Taxes.

Will Padgaonkar edit Foreign Affairs Magazine ?
Will former Editor of the Times of India, Dilip Padgaonkar, edit a big Magazine on Foreign Affairs ?. Answer to this question lies with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Dilip Padgaonkar.

Jadhav is PS to President
R J Jadhav is joining as Private Secretary to the President of India. He is 1996 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Peter Mukerjea is finally in INX Media

Its now official for Peter Mukherjea who was earlier CEO of the Star India.At last Peter Mukerjea has officially joined INX Media as Chief Strategy Officer(CSO).It may be stated that his wife Indrani Mukerjea, is Executive Director of the company.

Former Bihar DGP no more

Former DGP of Bihar A K Choudhary has passed away in Patna on Monday. He was 1956 batch IPS officer.

Judge of Madras HC passes away

A sitting judge of the Madras High Court, Justice K. Veeraraghavan, has passed away on Monday.

IAS officer fined in Punjab
The Punjab State Information Commission has fined an IAS officer S S Johal for not providing information under the RTI Act. He has been asked to pay Rs 25,000.

IAF officer appointed OSD to the President
Squadron Leader Vikrant Dutta has been appointed OSD to the President of India.He was earlier ADC to the Rajasthan Governor.

Now fixed tenure of AIIMS Director
The government has fixed a five-year tenure for All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director .

Another reshuffle in Orissa likely
Another bureaucratic reshuffle is expected to take place in Orissa in a week or two. Over one dozen IAS officers were reshuffled last week.

J.L.Malpani is Addl Secretary in MP

J.L.Malpani former Collector Ratlam who was earlier posted as Additional Commissioner Jabalpur has now been posted as Additional Secretary in the Mantralaya by Madhya Pradesh Government.

Minor changes in MP IPS

There was a minor change in MP cadre IPS officers.Those transferred are:B.B.Sharma DIG PHQ to DIG Hoshangabad,A.K.Singh DIG Hoshangabad to DIG PHQ, S.K.Saxena SP Railway Jabalpur to SP Hoshangabad,Ved Prakash Sharma SP Hoshangabad to SP Railway Jabalpur,D.P.Singh SP Damoh to Commandant 6th Battalion of SAF Jabalpur & R.S.Saket Commandant 6th Battalion SAF Jabalpur to SP DAmoh.

China National Tourism office opened in Delhi

Indian Tourism and Culture Minister Mrs Ambika Soni and Chairman, China National Tourism Administration, Mr. Shao Quwei jointly inaugurated the China National Tourist Office in Delhi yesterday.

FORUM

Every service is best in its own domain

It is nowadays heartening to read the debate on CSS in the Forum of Whispers. Today one gentleman got so frustrated that he writes "stop this nonsense. CSS are Group-B Service. They can not compare with Group-A Services". Thanks Sir. You have hit the nail at right place. I also say that you are Group-A Service. Then why you are wasting your time in Secretariat? The only central service which has been assigned specifically the world "Secretariat" is CSS and none of the other service (Group-A or IAS). It is meaningless to point out now what is Secretariat. So the real deserving persons to be posted upto DS/Director level is the "nonsense" CSS and not the elite Lords of Group-A services. You may ask why I always say up to DS/Director level only. Because frankly speaking the forefathers who conceptualised CSS dreamt up to DS level only for CSS. For JS & above we accept the lordship of so-called elite services (but with request that everybody, if talented, must get opportunities). Why not we all fight for merit?? Let a Civil Services Board be there headed by a Retired Supreme Court Judge and having distinguished persons of public life (not exclusively IAS)as members for selecting the Officers for Centrally Staffing Scheme for JS/AS and Secretary to the Govt. of India posts. All Officers having served for at least 5 years in Director Scale anywhere (either in Central of State service) will be eligible for JS level posts. They must be selected on the basis of interviews or whatever prescribed basis and get empanelled for JS level posts. In this way there will be no grudge of IAS, IRS or CSS grabbing posts. Here I am pointing out 5 years as Director level so CSS officers with appropriate seniority will also be able to compete with others. If you are so competent this should be reflected through this process and not through the backroom canvassing of service privilege. Other hand each service will be working in their domain, IAS for State administrations, IRS in revenue department, and others in their places. For Ministerial/Secretariat jobs at Government of India there must be some transparent selection process, whatever it may be. CSS Officers never wanted favours but just wanted level playing field/opportunities. They will be glad if not a single CSS is selected for JS level (but the selection process must be fair and transparent). Are you ready to take challenges?? I think in every service there must be selections for promotion and not the seniority as a criteria. In this way you can weed out the dry rots and the efficient can be incentivised. But unfortunately the vested interests always scuttle the selection criteria and always count batches. Why is that almost everybody from a batch of IAS is promoted for JS/Super time scale as soon as they become eligible by way of approved service. Is not a single person unsuitable for promotion?? Dear friends ! in this era of globalisation only the best can survive. And to select the best there must be some process. Once selected you have to perform or peril. This tests must be on regular interval. If not promoted for some time you must be shunted out from the service. Is anybody willing to take this challenge?? Why not we focus our debate on this aspect instead of writing IAS vs. CSS or DR vs. promotees. What a tragedy!! An excellent platform for exchange of ideas is becoming a place of outlet for frustrations of some or other. Every service is best in its own domain. The problem arises when you compete with each other for similar things. There must be some common criteria for this. Hope my views will be taken in right perspective and churn the conscience of our elite bureaucrats.

S K Tripathi

Retirement age should be raised

Swamy news of August 2007 has reported a news of Indian Express (Chennai) that the DOPT has already sent a proposal to the Cabinet Secretariat for increasing the retirement age of Central Government employee to 62 years. This is a good proposal and is essentially required in view of the good health conditions of the citizens. This proposal must be accepted in the general interest of the Government and the employees of the Central Government.
The Government has invested made big expenditure in the public health and now the time has come to reap its fruits by allowing their employees to work up to 62 years as the health has now improved and has also increased the span of an average Indian. I appreciate the government step to increase the retirement age to 62 years and hope that it would be announced by October 2007. It is requested to keep us informed of the latest developments in this regards.

Deepak Singh

CSS should also be in a position to make rules

The problem which I see in our system which is leading to discrimination in various services is that the service rules including promotion policy, cadre review etc. for subordinate services is done by people who do not belong to these services. How do you expect some one from the IAS or for that matter any service to do good for CSS. CSS should not only be custodian of rules but also be in a position to make rules for the entire Secretariat and its services.

Ravi

Which service is superior-no need to prove

I belong to Group Service and I have great regards for IAS and other Service Officers. Mostly they are broad-minded and very intelligent. But sometimes they forget this aspect and try to see other services as inferior. Inferior service is inferior and superior service is superior. There is no need to prove or assert it. It is already proved. But when a senior personnel calls someone inferior, then he does not exhibit his superiority of service but inferiority of personality. I don't mean that a junior service has got some concession to cause irritation to superior service. After all,we have to work in the same environment and we should not possess service rivalry or act against each other. It is true that there is no system to measure how much loss to Government work is caused due to this internal feeling, but it is sure it is very damaging to the public good. I believe that negative feeling to one another may reflect in the work we do though not precisely quantifiable. Let's think over this. I will again mention that superior service personnel is superior whether he mentions it or not. Let our work be free from this type of feelings. I don't intend to sermonise any one. If such a message is conveyed, I am sorry.

Vijay Kumar

What is the rationale of CSS claim ?

Who do CSS wanted to be treated at par with other Group A services?? I do not understand!!! Why don't they appear in the civils examination again to get Group A service if they are not happy with being Group B service??? What's the rationale of CSS claim!!!!

Yachuri

First withdraw the right of the Minister

Reference Dr Chander Dutta's suggestion of involving UPSC for selection of JS, it is long due. However, the right step would be to start from the top. First the right of minister to select a Secretary from empanelled candidates must be withdrawn. Then, once you have Secretaries, who are not necessarily from IAS, you will have to do the selection of Addl. Secretary's from all services. The appointment of JS by UPSC can then be done. Only criteria for each of these should be eligibility after 30/25/20 years of Gr. A service, written exam and interview. You will have to do away with forwarding through proper channel and scrutiny of CRs. Vigilance clearance can be retained with review.

P Kumar

CSS officers are 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 secretarite, 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

There is no discrimination

It is nobody's case that women should not occupy the seat of a judge but if there are no judges in the said High courts then it is so because not many women want to practice law. They rather prefer safety and security of matrimonial home and husband's purse strings and hence there is no discrimination per se

Kumar

Aaj Ki Aawaz

So now a Committee is being formed to make the Commies understand the Nuclear Deal!!
And every explanatory session will be followed by a sumptuous five course meal!!!

Meal is a must..... and Commies don't believe in dal roti khao!!!
And Prabhoo ke gunn they do not gaao (sing)!!!

To get free meals Commies are just doing naatak ….. they know the Deal inside out!!!
Because after the explanatory sessions still 'foul' they'll shout!!

Their anti USA mindset is the basis of their stand!!!
And they don't care if in the bargain they'll bajao India's band!!!

In the 123 Deal the 4th and 5th steps should not be taken as 'operationalizing' the Deal!!!
Negotiating with IAEA and Suppliers Group does not mean ke Deal ho gaya seal!!!

And Deal will not be operationalized when US Congress puts its seal!!!
Deal will be operationalized when both Heads of State but their Seal on the Deal!!!

NDA is saying that snap poll is inevitable!!!
Nuke Deal they say has made this Sarkaar unstable!!!

Diggy Raja too says for election Congress is ready!!!
And as he said this people noticed that his legs were very unsteady!!

In actuality no one wants midterm elections!!
Congress, Commies and NDA would be loosing out as per projections!!!

Seems only Naidu and Amma would like midterm elections!!!
Because in dono ke electoral prospects there will be positive corrections!!!

Commie and UPA backroom boys are furiously working to solve this deadlock!!!
And there are fissures in the Commie flock!!!

There are the Karat and Bardhan lot that are bent ki India harakiri karre commit!!!
The pragmatic Commies to make the hardliners understand are doing their bit!

If 123 Deal falls India will loose in a big way!!!
Very soon because of power shortages in summers people will shift to the hills to stay!!!

Hillsides will be dotted with tents as it will be unbearable to live in the plains!!!!
And also by this mode there will be power saving and so huge financial gains!!!

Power tariffs will gallop!!!
Be it Industry or Household dono Budgets ko Power Bills karre ge whallop!!!

Hydroelectric Power is an ecological , execution and procedural nightmare!!!
Thermal Power …..at depleting coal stocks we stare!!!

Please note that when it comes to taking India forward Commies always object!!!
Anything that puts India in competition with China Commies have to reject!!

They'll Unionize the Software Industry as China wants a huge share in this cake!!!
Run the Software Industry aground as ludicrous demands their Unions will make!!

Why doesn't Congress commit it'll put up dud candidates in next WB General election??
Commies will then be able to stave off the projected downward seats correction!!!

WB's Bhudha has a long wish list and UPA can make his wishes come sach (true)!!!
WB gets it SEZs and Ports and India gets its 123 Deal … thank you very much!!!

After saying that India should get ready for shocking news Brinda Karat has changed track!!!
Seems from the pragmatic lot in her Party she got flack!!!

Now she says 123 Deal and the ensuing fracas are not good for the Country!!!
Does the Lady need to give us a running commentary???

In US Lawmakers are angry why Bush did not get India to commit a 'no test guarantee'!
A sell out by Bush this 123 Deal US Lawmakers see!!!

This should serve as a pointer that Deal is not a sell out by Manmohan Singh!!!
Because there is a chance that into the bin this Deal US Lawmakers could fling!!!

Inflation is set to rise again!!!
Now it's the onions and veggies that are causing Aam Admi pain!!

And a usual Pawar's been caught napping at the wheel!!!
Had he been aware with this impending rise in prices karr saktha tha deal!!!

But he's too busy with cricket!!!
Rise in prices could uproot Aam Admi's middle wicket!!!

But now Coalition compulsions have become even more acute!!!
So even if Congress feels Pawar has erred it'll have to behave like a mute!!!

Congress must not forget that it's blamed for rising food prices and not Pawar!!!!
In actuality it's Pawar who is beating up Aam Aadmi with high food prices ki maar!!!

Sanju Baba has got interim bail!!!
But once he gets Kode's detailed judgment he'll be back in jail!!!

After coming out Sanju Baba will be visiting Temples to pray!!!
That Kode delays getting the judgment typed so that out of jail he can stay!!

He could try voodoo to get Kode ill…amnesia would be the apt affliction!!
With lost memory how will Kode be able to give Judgment ke liye dictation???

Once Sanju gets the Judgment and goes to jail he'll then apply for regular bail!!!
And will have to wait for the judgment in jail!!!!

Bharat Kumar
Aaj_ki_aawaz@yahoo.com

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CORPORATE

Mishra is number one in Birla hierarchy
Santru Mishra is now said to be number one in the Aditya Birla Group. Earlier Debu Bhattacharya used to be number one in the hierarchy.

Now, Spot Fares in J Class
After the runaway success of Spot Fares in Economy Class, Indian has introduced Executive Class Spot Fares, amazingly low fares for last minute travel. Spot fares are offered for sale six hours prior to the departure of a flight and continue to be on offer till up to one hour before the departure time, if seats are still available. Seats are offered on first come first served basis.
Passengers can buy tickets against Executive Spot Fares through any mode - Dial-A-Ticket through the airline's 24 X 7 toll free number 1800 180 1407, through the website www.indianairlines.in, through travel agents or at the city and airport booking counters.

Venugopal is CMD GRIDCO in Orissa

C J Venugopal has been appointed CMD of GRIDCO and OPTCL in Orissa.

HUL promotes Rahul Welde as VP

The Hindustan Unilever Ltd(HUL) has promoted Rahul Welde from General Manager to Vice President's rank.He will look after m4edia services in Asia AMET (Africa, Middle East and Turkey).

Publicis Ambience ropes in Hozefa Alibhai

Hozefa Alibhai is National head of films Division with Publicis Ambience.Earlier he was producer of films with McCann-Erickson, Mumbai.

IIT Kharagpur's Nina Saxena award for Dr. S.P.S Khanuja

This year's "Nina Saxena Excellence in Technology Award"- first of its kind India was presented yesterday to Dr S P S Khanuja, Director, Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants(CIMAP).The award was instituted last year by IIT Kharagpur for technical innovation commemorates the spirit of its illustrious alumna Dr. Nina Saxena.Basically, the award is an attempt to encourage and promote technical innovation with a social development focus.Dr.S.P.S.Khanuja's
innovation comprises pioneering work in anti-malaria treatment through plant genotype development. The Award had received 24 nominations from across countries.