The Hindu posted on its website a 14 page electronic document comprising of scanned images of what appear to be correspondence between the CBI, CBDT and internal notes marked "Top Secret".

Page 9 of this document mentions the names "Barkha Dutt" and "Vir Sanghvi" in connection with lobbying the Congress on behalf of DMK's Kanimozhi for Ministerial berths. The references seem to follow a report from a website called Whispers in Corridors and based on what appear to be notes in an "Internal Report" summarizing telephone intercept conversations.

haindavakeralam.com

Contact-suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com> & <mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com>

Aaj Ki Aawaz

Onion prices have shot up!!!!

Forget onion in your salad when you sup!!

Had Sarkaar had its eye on the 'onion'!!

A lot could have been done to prevent this price rise in my opinion!!

Though some would say Pawar knew prices will rocket!!!

But as we know for him what comes first.... his pocket!!

Now they have increased the floor price for onion exports!!!

A record tonnage of onions went overseas in past month via Indian ports!

Pawar says at least for 3 weeks onions will make Indians cry!

And then to make us cry ans make money some new trick Pawar will try!!

At the Congress conclave 'all the spoons were out'!!

This chamchagiri will ultimately cause Congress's rout!!

Sonia said ' Congress will take corruption head on'!!!

And believe me its just lip service as nothing 'can be done'!!

This is all glib talk as Congressmen take power to be a blank cheque!!

Yes what she can do is put on the 'chori ka nangaa naach' some check!!

That means reduce the chori to some extent!!

And this can be done only if to head 'watchdog' institutions 'honest' are sent!

Having a tainted CVC for example...or a handpicked CBI boss!!

Institution's true objective mein loss!!

PC said 'close your eyes and when Rahul speaks you feel its Rajiv is talking'!

What's this devious guy hawking?????

PC also said BJP will not come to power for another 10 years!!!

So BJP coming to power now Congress really fears!!

Scindia said 'to work under Rahul we are ready'!!!

This Scindia is not a patch on his Daddy!!

But then in Congress Rahul is Yuvraj and Scindia is a subject!!!!

Hasn't he heard that at present becoming PM Rahul ne already kiya hai reject???

Mohna said ' I'm ready to face the PAC in the 2 G scam'!!!

Adding 'This is what will be expected from Caesar Madam!!!

As Caesar Madam he gets to choose the mode of investigation!!

And he forgets this is not a Monarchy but a Democratic Nation!

Fact is there is something to hide from Congress's stand!!!

It is not about just giving DMK a helping hand!!

By rejecting JPC Congress has confirmed it has something to hide!!

And again this rejection is not just because Congress is just taking DMK's side!

Why was no action taken when this scam's lid was blown?????

That is why many say ' in the chori DMK is not alone'!!

Confucius says.... Dekh imaandar Mohna ki kya haalath ho gayi God!!!!

Imaandar Mohna on 2 G chori is doing his best to spare usage of rod!

Flash.... Raja is taking the standard way to avoid CBI's questioning him!!!!

And we know CBI tends to obey Party in power's whim!!

Ordinarily Niira and Raja would be in CBI's custody undergoing grilling!!

And we know to do so why CBI is unwilling????

Congress ka haath Raja aur Niira ke saath!!!

And we know if Party in power orders CBI then CBI will call 'dinn' (day) as raat (night)!!

Bharat Kumar

Many politicians are on the CBI's radar
As the grapevine has it, many political leaders are under the scanner of CBI. They are: Mulayam Singh Yadav, Laloo Prasad Yadav, Ms.Mayawati, Ms.J.Jayalalita and M. Karunanidhi.

Uncertainty prevails over cabinet reshuffle
Uncertainty prevails as far as reshuffle in the central cabinet headed by Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh was concerned.

BUREAUCRACY

Will Tripathi be Vice Chairman of DDA ?
Name of P K Tripathi has started doing the round for the post of Vice Chairman of the DDA. He is 1977 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

22 IPS of 1979 batch cleared for empanelment
22 IPS officers belonging to 1979 batch are believed to have been cleared for empanelment to the rank of ADG in the Government of India.

Ajay Kumar is new JS IT in GoI
Ajay Kumar has been appointed new Joint Secretary in Department of Information & Technology in the Government of India. He is 1985 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.
( We said this on November 27 )

New CBDT chief likely in next three months
As the grapevine has it, the authorities have planned to select new CBDT Chairman in the next three months. As it is, indications are that Sudhir Chandra will serve as new CBDT Chairman till his retirement only.

J&K Chief Secretary to get extnsion !
J& K Chief Secretary S S Kapur is likely to get three months extension in service beyond January 31.1974 batch IAS officer Kapur is scheduled to retire next month end.

Kalyan Chand to be Ombudsman in Bhopal
Kalyan Chand is being appointed Income-Tax Ombudsman in Bhopal. He is 1975 batch IRS officer.

CBI to summon Barkha Dutt ?
If CBI sources are to be believed noted Journalist Barkha Dutt is being called for questioning in Radia tapes matter.

IRS officers of 1982 & 1983 batches evaluated
The Government of India (GOI) has completed evaluation of Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers of the Income Tax (IT) department belonging to batches of 1982 & 1983 for empanelment as Joint Secretaries at the centre.

Kshatriya to be shifted from MCGM
As the grapevine has it, Swadheen Kshatriya - Commissioner Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) is likely to be shifted. He is 1980 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Officers extending cooperation to NDA!
As the grapevine has it, officers on sensing that it may return to power have started extending cooperation to the NDA.

Capt. Sunil Thapar to be elevated as Director in SCI
Capt. Sunil Thapar is poised to be Director Bulk & Tankers (B & T) Division with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). Presently, he is with Executive Director (ED) in SCI's Bulk Carriers (BC) & Chartering divisions. The slot falls vacant by the end of this month when Capt K.S.Nair SCI's Director Bulk & Tankers (B & T) Division retires.
(We said this on October 19, 2010)

Prasar Bharti CEO suspended
Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati B S Balli has been suspended on charges of irregularities in the country's largest public broadcaster.He is retired 1971 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.

Who will officiate as CEO Prasar Bharti ?
Who will officiate in place of B S Lalli as CEO of the Prasar Bharti ?.Ministry official or Prasar Bharti Official ?.Picture is still not clear.

Dange likely to be shifted to Pollution Control Board
As the grapevine has it, Maharashtra government may post Chief Secretary J.P. Dange to the state Pollution Control Board. He is Maharashtra cadre IAS officer of the 1973 batch. Dange is due to retire in June 2011. It is not certain whether he will be appointed for a three year term or till he retires.

1986 batch IAS to get PS rank in Orissa
1986 batch IAS officers are being promoted to the rank of Principal Secretary in Orissa next month.

Is it a scandal or development in Goa ?
The officials of Goa government are learnt to be conniving with private five-star hoteliers who are allegedly encroaching on Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) land within 50 yards of the high tide line (HTL), in total violation of the Government of India (GoI) notification which says that any property within 50 yards of HTL, not belonging to private persons as on Goa's liberation day, December 19, 1961, should belong to MPT. As many as six hotels have, so far, been allowed on MPT property.

Former MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal has even written separate letters to the chief vigilance commissioner (CVC) P J Thomas and Union Ministry Of Shipping Secretary K Mohandas, on December 5, 2010, intimating them about the same.

According to Agarwal, Despite the fact that MPT has lost land having present market value exceeding thousands of crores of rupees, its efforts to retrieve the land have been continuously thwarted by the state government. So much so that land areas have been given away by the state government without any consent/approval from the board of MPT to various hotels.

However, Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in his letter to the Prime Minister and Union Minister of Shipping had alleged that MPT's massive developmental activities were being carried out without any attention to the fallout on the fragile environment of Goa. "MPT's operations would also affect tourism activities in the state and that people and state government are against the visions and plans of MPT to implement infrastructure projects", Kamat has insisted.

But Agarwal claims that the state was bypassing the Board of MPT and violating the environment laws and CRZ on land areas belonging to Mormugao Port. The state government is also recovering revenue from shack owners who are allowed to set up shacks on the coastline of Goa during the tourist season, Agarwal has claimed.

New ruling of the CAT
According to a new ruling of the CAT Government servants who have been wrongly denied promotion in service can claim its benefit even after retirement.

Railways transfers and postings
A. Narsingha Rao, Group`B` officer of Civil Engg., has been transferred from SER to ECOR on his own request, Pallavi Joshi of SS/IRAS has been transferred from NCR to NR and posted against an existing vacancy, Rajeev Rajvanshi of SAG/IRSE has been transferred from ECOR to be posted as CTE on the Rly. Itself, Rajesh Kumar Verma of SG/IRSS has been transferred from RCF to SECR, Ms. Mattoo of SAG/IRAS has been, on return from deputation, transferred to NR in the cadre, JK Jain of SAG/IRSME has been, on return from deputation, transferred to RCF, Rae Bareli in the cadre, Shashi Kant Singh of SG/IRTS has been transferred from ER to SER in the same capacity and posted in the cadre, SK Mohanty of SAG/IRTS, working as CFTM/ ECOR, has been transferred and posted in the cadre on ECOR, BK Joshi of SAG/IRTS, presently working as CTPM/ECOR has been transferred and posted as CFTM on ECOR itself, TS Khawas of SAG/IRSE, working as CBE/SECR, has been transferred and posted in the cadre on SECR itself, SB Ninawe of SAG/IRSE has been transferred from SECR to be posted as CBE on SECR itself

Transfer of several Rly officials cancelled
Transfers of Gopal Singh of JS/IRSEE from ER to CR, CL Meena of SAG/IRSE from NWR to ER, RK Sharma of JS/IRSEE from NER to BK Gupta of SAG/IRSE from WCR to SER, Jitendra Tripathi of JS/IRSEE from NER to CR and Nand Kishore of SAG/IRSE from CR to ECOR have been cancelled.

Major IPS reshuffle in J&K
There is a major IPS reshuffle in J & K.Altogether 87 police officers of the rank of IGPs, DIGs, SSPs, SPs and Additional SPs have been reshuffled.

Singhvi to go on central deputation (UPDATED)
Ashok Singhvi, PS - Administrative Reforms, is all set to go on central deputation. He is 1983 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.


Kumar to go on central deputation (UPDATED)
Umesh Kumar, Administrator, Agriculture Marketing Board, is all set to go on central deputation. He is 1983 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

SBI promotes 6 GMs as CGMs (UPDATED)
The State Bank of India (SBI) has promoted six officers as Chief General Managers.

A.K. Gupta is CGM, CAG SBI (UPDATED)
State Bank of India has promoted Achal Kumar Gupta GM Mutual Funds to CGM CAG, Corporate Centre, Mumbai.

D.K. Chatterjee is CGM, MFs (UPDATED)
Deepak Kumar Chatterjee General Manager has been posted as Chief General Manager Mutual Funds, SBI.

Sriram is CGM Global Markets, SBI (UPDATED)
The State Bank of India has posted P. Sriram as CGM Global Markets.

J.D. Narayan is SBI, CGM, Patna (UPDATED)
The State Bank of India has posted Jeevan Das Narayan as CGM Patna.

Belle posted as MD, SBI Gen Insurance (UPDATED)
The State Bank of India has posted R.R. Belle as Managing Director of SBI General Insurance.

Anuradha Gupta posted CGM Finance Reporting (UPDATED)
The State Bank of India has posted Anuradha Gupta as Chief General Manager Finance Reporting, Corporate Centre, Mumbai.

Arun Goyal is new Minister in Tokyo (UPDATED)
Arun Goyal has been appointed as Minister in the Embassy of India, Tokyo.He is 1985 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.
(We said this on September 22 )

RTI

"DATE WITH RTI" COMPLETES TWO YEARS

Joint penalty on PIO & Deemed PIO

Information regarding the rent fixation and related issues were refused to the appellant. Mr. S. K. Nigam, PIO, stated that the assistance of Mr. A. K. Pasi, was sought under Section 5(4) of the RTI Act for providing the information. Mr. Pasi, the deemed PIO, provided the information "As the matter is subjudice in the court of law the information cannot be supplied at this point of time." The CIC noted that this was a denial of information without giving any reasons as per Section 8(1) of the RTI Act. While accepting that the denial of information was made by the deemed PIO, the CIC held that when a completely frivolous denial of information is made, the PIO must also share the blame. For a delay in providing the information of over 100 days, the CIC imposed the maximum penalty of Rs. 25,000/- jointly on the PIO & Deemed PIO.

Comments

The CIC has held that the RTI law holds the PIOs responsible for all decision on matters of law and officers whose assistance is sought under Section 5(4) basically share the administrative responsibility of providing the information. Most PIO's tend to act like
Post-offices, collecting information from the deemed PIO and transmitting them to the appellant. This order would be a wake-up call.

Mr. Alok Mehrotra v. Delhi Labour Welfare Board, GNCTD in Decision No. CIC/DS/A/2009/000011/SG/9083Penalty

- Weekly article by Dr. (Mrs.) Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in), RTI Consultant to IIM, Indore and Co-author of the book: RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE by Taxmann. (The views are Personal)

CORPORATE
Woman to be Director in Oil Company
For the first time in the history Ms Nishi Vasudeva will join as Director (Marketing) in the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, a navratna PSU.She will be the first woman in the Oil sector to join as Director.

Alok Jain joins Aspire Human
Ex Wipro Vice President Alok Jain has joined Aspire Human as EVP and COO.

Barun Das is VP NBA
Zee News CEO Barun Das has been appointed as the Vice President of the News Broadcasters Association.

Anand resigns from Aircel
Geeteshwar Anand, VP Projects, in Aircel corporate office, has resigned.

Anand may join Airtel Global
Geeteshwar Anand is expected to join Airtel Global based out of Gurgaon.

Bisht resigns from Huawei
Satwant Bisht, Services Director in Huawei, has resigned.

Bisht to join Airtel
Satwant Bisht is going to join Airtel, based out of Gurgaon, as VP projects for 3G.

Nandwani ceases to be Director, UT Ltd
Sameer Nandwani, Director UT Ltd has ceased to be the Director of the Company by resignation with effect from December 6, 2010.

Sharma designated, ED (Finance & Accounts), National Steel and Agro Industries
Ashok Sharma appointed as Additional Director, National Steel and Agro Industries Ltd has been designated as Executive Director (Finance and Accounts).

Jayakumar is ED Dhanalaxmi Bank
Dhanlaxmi Bank Limited has appointed P.G. Jayakumar (President & Chief Credit Officer) as Executive Director and member of the company's Board of directors.

Arya's nomination withdrawan from Bihar Sponge Iron
Bihar State Industrial Development Corporation has withdrawn nomination of Ms. Anshuli Arya, IAS from the Board of Bihar Sponge Iron Ltd and have nominated. S. Shiva Kumar, IAS in her place as their nominee on the Board of the Company.

Asher is Additional Director, Ashok Leyland.
Sanjay K Asher has been appointed as an Additional Director of Ashok Leyland Ltd .

Jacob Elected ISPC President
Dr James Jacob, Director, Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), has been elected President of Indian Society for Plantation Crops (ISPC) at its 10th general body meeting held at RRII.

Chandrashekar selected for Ranbaxy award
Dr S. Chandrashekar, a Director-grade scientist at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) has been selected for the Ranbaxy Research Award for the year 2009.

Khanna appointed GM, Hyderabad Intl. Convention Centre
Jaideep Khanna has been appointed as General Manager (Sales, Marketing & Distribution) at Hyderabad International Convention Centre.

FORUM
(The views expressed in this column are of the contributors. We do not owe any responsibility, whatsoever, of the views of our surfers as they are their personal opinion. However, we would also request our contributors not to be personal, directly or indirectly, in presenting their views. Instead of countering the views which ‘X’ has already expressed, our contributors are advised to present their own views. Also be brief, say about 200 words at the most since any views longer than that if eliminated at our end would carry the risk of the contrbutor’s item losing its original essence)


WHO ARE MORE CORRUPT-POLITCIANS,BUREAUCRATS OR JOURNALISTS ?

Corruption emanates from mind

Corruption, in fact, emanates from mind. It has nothing to do with a profession. It is unfair to tag corruption with politicians, bureaucrats or any other profession. Anybody in any profession can be corrupt. It has to be accepted that such people are very smart and shrewd and extra talented people. They can and they must use their talents in positive way. They have a thousand and one ways of tackling an issue. Much depends on thinking and ethics. You may consider a practice as corrupt practice, other person may take it as a useful one. We consider stealing and looting wrong things but the people who really steal and loot don't consider them wrong. Had they ever considered them wrong, they won't have done stealing and looting. Honesty has to be used with tact. Honesty and being naive are two different things. Use it as sugarcoated tablet. Don't be a crusader. Keep yourself safe while cleansing the system. Take seniors in confidence while cleansing the system. Don't venture out alone. It is almost impossible to change the entire system. Don't ever try to change the system. Better, try to make people understand and appreciate your viewpoint. Nobody likes getting rebuked at and humiliation, suggestions can do wonders. Instead of raising fingers towards others, let us all cleanse our own psyche first. We all are, one way or other, linked with corruption. If we can cleanse our thinking, our approach towards life, we can do our share of improving the society and nation at large.

PKS

Corruption no test-tube baby !

Corruption is no test tube baby but is born of the womb of a woman. Unfortunate that the womb of the Indian woman that gave the country freedom Fighters, national leaders of impeccable integrity & character and martyrs like Laxmibai, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Chandrashekhar Azad and other heroes, has started giving birth to corrupt politicians, bureaucrats & journalists! There is so much of corruption in India that even when a mother does not give birth to a corrupt child, he/she is turned into a corrupt person. One can be called a GM product of corruption--genetically modified crop of the corrupt. They belong to the category of those who are genetically engineered to be born corrupt. Examples can be collected from the breeding farms of the corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and journalists. The offspring of these species acquire all the characteristics of a well groomed, nicely nurtured, thoroughbred epitome of corruption. They are such a superior breed, having been eugenically improved, that they add glory to the excellence of corruption. They can arraign anybody, who tries even slightly to expose their corrupt deeds, in such deadly terms that even the best of journalists fumble for words to elicit any response from them for their acts of corruption. Then there is that category called "journalists". These people pride in trumpeting their "independence". They presume that they are objective, independent, fair and a-political in their writings and electronic reporting. How far it is true will be put to test when they are subjected to a small test of "grafting". True, they were neither born corrupt, nor were genetically modified to be corrupt, but only grafted a tissue of corruption. Those of us who have an elementary knowledge of horticulture would know that grafting technique helps change the ultimate produce from the tree. The tree produces the fruit of the grafted tissue, even as the tree looks its original self! The condition of the journalists is somewhat similar to that of the "independent" members of Assemblies & Parliament. They are independent only so long the system benignly allows them to remain independent. The Americans are good at depicting the situation correctly without any value judgement. In the American political glossary such MLAs/MPs are called "unpersuaded". No wonder, journalists too are not corrupt so long as they are unpersuaded. When corruption decides to persuade the journalist, he/she will find it difficult to spurn it, for corruption never strikes directly. As human beings, even journalists have the same needs of roti-kapada-makan as anyone else! So in a single moment of casualness or dropping your guard, you are likely to be gobbled up unawares by corruption , who has been keeping a 24x7 vigil on you. In fact, even youthful exuberance of a public spirited politician or a bureaucrat is also seduced similarly. In the circumstances, the three categories of the prominently corrupt chosen specially for comment by the Editor-in Chief, Dr Suresh Mehrotra, seem to be vying for the top slot in the competitive rating .All are air travellers of the Executive class!

M L Gupta

Forum

Rahul should take charge !

As a senior Congress leader I agree with my colleague Digvijay Singh that the old guard should take a back seat in congress, if the party is looking at 70 percent voters who will be below 35 in 2014 elections. I have voiced my opinion in party forums. But as Singh suggested people like me, him or my revered friend Ahmed Patel or others have to show courage to step down and allow new leadership. During the formation of next CWC or other bodies we should see only young blood. Scams are a result of lack of respect of leadership by the older generation of leaders. Senior leaders erred in advising the high command about the right remedial action to be taken against the corrupt. If the advisers of Congress High command were more vigilant, the party would not been marred by so many scams. Politics is name of ruthless decisions at right time. And time has come for Rahul to take charge and form his own team and take his own decisions good or bad and let Indian people judge him and him alone and not be seen as being advised by a coterie.

Senior Congress leader and CWC member

Congress Terror

This is in response to Rahul Gandhi's views about Radical Hindus being a bigger threat than the Islamic radicals. He should know that if India is a Secular Country today it is because of Hindus, because secular concept does not exist in Islam. A suspicion that a few Hindus might have been involved in some blasts will not make such a threat bigger than the Islamic terror which is a worldwide phenomenon. Congress Party should stop terrorizing the majority community for securing votes of minority community. Some Hindus may be involved in a retaliatory action, but it is not certainly terrorism. Rahul Gandhi might have grown up bodily but his mind is still that of a Schoolboy. If he becomes the Prime Minister of this Country, it will be great tragedy. Even after biting dust in Gujarat and Bihar he does not realize that appeasing the minority community does not necessarily bring votes.

Rajeeva

Why this clamour for PS level positions ?

Some Pvt Secy's to Ministers are actually more powerful than what the GOI ever thought these PSs will be. Many of them have spend more than a decade with the Minister .

Sudha

Painful cord touched

I entirely agree & respect the sentiments expressed by Ms. Ritu Sharma that all the incentives being paid to government servants for working in J&K is actually working as a disincentive & is against the interests of people of Kashmir. During the dark days of terrorism in Punjab no such incentives had been given to government officials working in Punjab despite the Khalistan demand by separatists supported by Pakistan. The more free money & incentives are doled out by the Centre the more it will strengthen & become fuel to fire vested interests. Pakistanis will justify & say look the Indian Government itself agrees that the conditions are not normal in J&K & is doling out incentives to work there whereas truth is we have an elected government in the State & there is peace but sorry to say little governance. Half the year the valley remains cut off due to heavy snowfall. There is no means of earning livelihood except indoor activities like embroidery work & shawl weaving. The younger people have no idea what peace is because since their birth they know nothing except curfew & bomb explosions. With very few employment opportunities the idle youth get lured by misguided elements & parents teary eyed & reluctant are silently helpless, not knowing when they will hear the bad news. For the remaining six months when the weather is conducive & some money can be earned these dirty politicians sabotage all efforts at peace & are even funding stone throwers so that they do not lose their relevance & shout Azaadi as a means of blackmail & attracting foreign funds. We need a Nitish Kumar in J&K. If a much ridiculed BIMARU State like Bihar can become the most sought after State in the country then I have no doubt J&K can become No. 1, provided there is conducive, good governance, the rest can be left to the hardworking, honest people of Kashmir who will not shy away from their responsibility. If given an opportunity & free hand Ghulam Nabi Azad can do it. He is sensitive, emotional, mature, experienced, dynamic, honest, hard working with best intentions & can become the Nitish Kumar of J&K. Please stop experimenting with the "Absentee landlord" Abdullahs & relegating Kashmir as the training ground for every C.M of the National Conference. We want to see decisive action. The people of Kashmir are fed up of all this talking & no positive action.

Lok Nath Mehra

What a shame on the system

Sudhir Chandra ,who will retire on 31.03.2011( having a period of three months only) is going to be made Chairman CBDT. On the other hand, SS Khan who had 11 months available to him ,was not made Chairman CBDT on the ground that he does not have one full year to go and a junior SSN Moorthy was made Chairman.

Ask anybody in the Income Tax Department, Chandra is no match to Khan whether it is integrity, technical competence or commanding respect in the department. The only fault with Khan was the he could not be influenced in transfer matters. Probably this is known as " You show me the face. I will show the rule. "

God save the Income Tax department.

Poonam

No end to corruption in sight

You may deem to call me an alarmist or pessimist and many readers may jump at me. But the fact is I do not find any end to the corruption parades happening in our country. The country has been captured by a mafia style Congress ?high command? who rules the nation with the help of a coterie and some selfish dynasty retainers. They indulge in open corruption; CWG, 2G, Air India, Adarsh? to quote a few, cocking a snook at the ordinary citizens. The remedy through courts is a long drawn process and ridden with loopholes for the corrupt to escape. Commissions are formed with pliable retired judges to hoodwink the public and as a cover up. The only person who could do some thing is the President, but she is a convenient hand pick of the ?high command? and many believe quite unworthy of holding the post. In these circumstances if any one believes that a short term of martial law will do good for the country, he can not be faulted. After all democracy should be for the good of the nation and not for getting certifications from countries like US. To those who point our national growth, I will say this growth is inspite of the decadent democracy we have. Like terrorism ,corruption should be declared as war against the nation. All those who amassed ill gotten wealth should be given two months to declare their assets failing which they should be put before a courtmartial. Those who are proved having stolen nation's wealth should be put before firing squads and their wealth confiscated. A new constitutional assembly should be formed for framing a new constitution preventing casteist, communal and regional parties from forming national governments. The number of political parties should be restricted to two or three.

Navnith

Identify the officer, Dimpy

Dimpy Chopra has narrated the bad experience of lady officer in the Ministry of Urban development. She should tell us name of the officer and some RTI activist take up her case to ensure that she should not suffer.

Rakesh Tiwari

"Associations as Whistle Blowers."

This is a good suggestion for the Government of India (GoI) for immediate action. At the same same time, protection must be given to the whistle blowers.

T S Ravi

When will the loot-maar stop?

And now, Onions have hit Rs 80 per KG in Delhi! When will the loot-maar stop? And when will we uneducated people of India stop electing such crooks as our representatives? Surely even the most greedy politician can stop looting after his first billion dollars? Why cant they just let us normal people be??

-Aditya

Musings from the bench

Bharat Kumar was sitting on the Bench & stretching his tired limbs after an exhausting morning walk when a young boy with a gun hanging loosely on his back came & sat besides him.

BK: Who are you? what's your name?

Boy: I am Bhangtu from Jharkhand. (With pride) I work for the Maoists Army.

BK: (somewhat alarmed) Tell me how did you become a Maoists? Do you know you are considered as outlaws/ anti national elements?

Bhangtu: (rudely) what anti national. I work for Maoists army. What's your problem? In my village we go to forest & collect & sell forest product. Life simple but good. Then some gormint man come & stop us. Forrest is barricaded. our entry stop. We starving dying of hunger. We try for getting work but not get any. Where we bring bribe money for getting job? One day Pardu come to our village, he well fed, wearing nice clothes he tell us to join work & also get Rs. 5000 per month we happy & start working. Now every month I come home give money to mother she proud. I buy first television in village. My sister now married off. Two brothers are well fed. They very small but mother want them to join Army. I proud to be Army man.

BK: Hey don't you know the difference between Indian Army & Maoists Army?

Bhangtu: Job is job. I proud to work for Army. My father mother happy & proud. I sending money home regularly. I get respect from villagers. Now everyone in village keen to send children to join Fauj. No any give bribe for joining. It giving good regular salary, free food & good clothes & shoes. I wear shoes first time in Army. Look at my new watch. Why you city people jealous when poor people get good salary & work?

BK: what are you fighting against?

Bhangtu: I fighting against republic of corruption. I fight to get access to my forest. I fight for dignity of existence. I fight against dark days of despair & hunger & starvation deaths. I fight to free my people & give them secure, happy life.

BK felt silent, very, very silent & a tear dropped from his eye. How to explain to Bhangtu the complexities of a dysfunctional administration & absence of State initiatives.

As overheard by Ritu Sharma.