Whispers addict is worse than liquor addict! Not a single day passes without browsing through whispersinthecorridors.com
Dr K B S Rajan


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

Creation of more states fallacious
Bickering over the formation of new states, meaning thereby the carving out of smaller states from the existing ones, notwithstanding, the majority of respondents to the whispersinthecorridors.com debate on the issue have been found to be opposed to it.
Whispers has sought the opinion of its surfers on "Whether creation of smaller states was justified?". And an overwhelming majority of respondents have rejected the idea outright saying "Mother India can't afford further division into smaller states" though the demand for creating Telangana, Bodoland, Gorkhaland, Harit Pradesh, Bundelkhand have stirred up a hornet's rest.
Even those who have written in support of having smaller states have said that it could be done because they are easily manageable administratively.
In other words it means that there is no need to have smaller states if the existing ones are administratively managed well as mere creation of smaller states in India cannot assure us of better Governance.
The mushrooming demand for smaller states in India, triggered in the wake of Telangana crisis, is not justified, says retired civil servant AK Saxena adding that it has demonstrated political naiveté and lack of administrative maturity. "There was no political consultation, let alone consensus!".
Respondents also feel that further division of States by going in for new States is a drain on the financial resources of the country. As HG Upreti puts in "It will only mean more Chief Ministers, ministers, legislative assemblies, more wasteful expenditure, freebies and a larger bureaucracy, to boot. The extra cost will be phenomenal".
Creation of Uttarakhand, Chhatisgarh and Jharkahnd States have not helped improve their socio-economic status, as contemplated earlier, say other respondents adding that development grant, it is believed, doesn't reaches the grass root level in full as political bosses and bureaucrats divert the funds and misuse it (take the case of Jharkhand).
"In these circumstance, we should not create smaller States at this juncture. Rather, our efforts should be to create an efficient government for speedy delivery of outcomes by revamping the machinery at the helm of affairs".
"On the one hand it immediately benefits IAS to create more posts for them and the new born State may also be benefited with new development projects which would again ultimately be a boon for the bureaucrats but the after effects are overall negative when bigger developed or developing states are split", says R V Nathan
Creating more states or even more districts are totally against the national development as these creation generates only confusion and confusion at every step. Thanks to Sardar Patel who always worked to unite India and its development.
However the protagonists of smaller states like  Jitendra Kumar say, "When present day administrative/political structure is failing to deliver in just manner, it is better to have smaller units so that even minute percentage of well intended administrators/politicians get chance to deliver".
"For that we need not wait for agitations, rather create politico administrative units of distt/parliament constituency size in planned & preemptive manner. At least the governed would be better informed of their leaders & administrators", he adds.
Another respondent Hoshiar Singh says that it is perfectly alright to divide all the existing states  into smaller administratively manageable units because this will result into more cities being developed into the state capitals, more posts of bureaucrats IAS/IPS/state services, governors, chief ministers, high courts.
All of this, he says, will result into closer monitoring of the action on ground level. But the new states creation basis be smaller manageable units rather than caste, creed or language.
"Some opportunistic politicians have sought to justify creation of new states  carved out of  existing States on grounds of cultural identities. This is fallacious. Schools taught us about India's Composite Culture. These school drop-out politicians have surely missed their lessons. Talking of Linguistic divisions, 60 years after independence, is irrelevant".
If such demands are not nipped in the bud, we shall sooner or later hear demands for a Muslim Kashmir, Hindu Jammu and a Budhist Ladakh - something which will only make our neighbours, who have a great desire to see divided India, happy .
Sunil Mitra to be Secretary Revenue ?
In all probability Secretary Disinvestment, Sunil Mitra, will move to North-Block as Secretary Revenue. He is 1975 batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre.
Gill to be Advisor Naxalite operations ?
DG CRPF A S Gill, who is superannuating this month, is likely to be appointed Advisor in the Home Ministry to look after Naxalite Operations. He is 1972 batch IPS officer of Rajasthan cadre.
IAS officer seeks VRS
Yet another 1979 batch IAS officer Dr C I Joy has put in his papers. He is 1979 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.
IPS officers resigns
G U G Sastry, IPS, presently Joint Director in the National Police Academy, Hyderabad, has put in his papers for voluntary retirement. He is a 1987 batch officer of Tamil Nadu Cadre. He recently led a team which cycled from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari.
Organised conspiracy against Rahul Gandhi ?
Is the unprecedented price rise during the past few months an organised conspiracy to prevent Rahul Gandhi from becoming the next Prime Minister? If it is so, who is behind the plot?
Sudha Pillai is senior most serving IAS officer in country
Senior most serving IAS officer in the country at present is Ms. Sudha Pillai who has made a mark through her style of working over a period of years. Though she is Secretary in the Planning Commission at present, her achievements have always been lauded by the bureaucracy in whatever position she had been serving. She is 1972 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.
Bihar assembly polls likely in June
Bihar assembly polls could take place in June 2010.As it is monsoon reach the state by June-July.

Brig Mutreja to be CMD Tyre Corporation
Brigadier S K Mutreja is being tipped to be new CMD of the Tyre Corporation of India Ltd..
Posting of IPS officers belonging to 1976 batch in CPOs yet to start
Posting of empanelled IPS officers of the 1976 batch in central police organizations (CPOs) is yet to begin.
Candidate for DG, NDRFCD yet to be named
Candidate for the post of DG, National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence (NDRFCD), is yet to be finalized since the name of Ranjit Kumar Bhatia, IPS (UP, 1974) has been cleared for appointment as next DG, ITBP. Presently Bhatia is DG, National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence (NDRFCD).
Yash Pal Singhal’s central deputation on the anvil
The Government of India (GOI) has retained the name of Yash Pal Singhal, IGP Security, Haryana in the offer list. He is Haryana cadre IPS officer of the 1983 batch.
Sharna is new Consul General in Durban
Anil K. Sharan has taken over as Consul General of India, Durban, South Africa.  He was in Embassy of India, Washington DC as Minister before arriving Durban.
GOI gets stricter about cash back reward on air tickets
The Finance Ministry has become strict regarding the cash back reward on air tickets that is pocketed by many officers who purchased ticket for official tour through their credit cards . This violates conduct rules. Therefore, the Finance Ministry has advised Ministries/Departments in Government of India (GOI) to issue strict instructions to officials that cash back received should be deposited with the GOI.
Eight EDs are eligible for CMD’s slots in banks
This year there are eight Executive Directors (EDs) in different public sector banks who are eligible to be appointed as Chairman & Managing Directors (CMDs).
Meeting between PM and CBDT Chairman
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met SSN Moorthy, Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes, last week to discuss restructuring of IRS cadre and other issues facing the services. The outcome of the meeting was positive and encouraging with PM taking active interest and promised to implement suggestions of CBDT.
How Telangana’s Gordian knot will be cut?
As it is the all party meeting convened by Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram to discuss the issue pertaining to statehood to Telengana had failed to resolve the imbroglio. Now a major responsibility rests on shoulders of acting Governor E. Narashiman. Sources said: Narashiman had suggested two ways to the Central Government in this regard. First, to impose the President’s Rule in the state for peace and smooth functioning. Second, President could invoke the powers vested in her under the Constitution’s Article 143 that empowers the President to seek the Supreme Court’s help to solve the ongoing row.
Tiwari trapped but many of his likes have been lucky
Former Andhra Pradesh Governor ND Tiwari had to resign following a sex scandal, which according to him was a conspiracy against him but many of his likes have been fortunate enough. One such incumbent to Raj Bhawan, it is said, had allowed direct access to as many as 34 females to his official residence. He too has been relieved of his office and is around the same age as Tiwari. No prizes for guessing who he could be .
IAS changes in Uttarakhand
Secretary to the Governor, S Ramaswamy has been moved as Transport Commissioner. Saurabh Jain will be DM Uttarkashi. Rakesh Sharma has been appointed Principal Secretary Tourism. Umakant Pawar will be Secretary Housing. Ranjit Singh Sinha has been made CDO Chamouli.
ISS officer gets new posting on promotion
ISS Officer M Peter Johnson, Director, Mining and Statistics, IBM, Ministry of Mines, Nagpur, has been posted as DDG, Mining and Statistics, IBM, Ministry of Mines, Nagpur.
Assistant Accountant General promoted and transferred
Ms. Tanya Singh, Assistant Accountant General in the office of Principal Accountant General (Civil Audit), Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, Chennai, has been promoted and transferred as Deputy Director in the Branch office Bangalore in the office of Principal Director of Audit, Air Force & Navy, New Delhi.
Promotion of Addl. CITs to CITs, after a hurdle is overcome
Promotion of Additional Commissioners of Income Tax (CITs) to Commissioners of Income Tax (CITs) is to be processed after a hurdle is overcome. UPSC has referred a related query to the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). Query pertains to an order of the Supreme Court whereby concerning authorities are supposed to show ACRs of an officer to him if any ACR goes against his promotion.
In Tamil Nadu an IPS officer doesn’t retires as DGP
For the last several years it has been a trend in Tamil Nadu that an IPS officer who is DGP doesn’t retire as DGP. It is so because he is shifted from DGP’s post to some other post a few months before his retirement.
Originally the name of Natraj was mooted for DGP in TN
As the grapevine has it, originally name of Natraj, an IPS officer of the 1975 batch, was mooted for the post of DGP.
Ms.Mrinal Pandey to be Editor, National Herald
Ms.Mrinal Pandey will be joining National Herald as Editor. Jawaharlal Nehru launched the National Herald newspaper and for the last few years it has not been in circulation. Sources said Ms. Mrinal Pandy met Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. This meeting gave strengthen to become editor of Ms. Pandey.
Governor’s appointments soon
The appointments of Governors in different states will be done after Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14, 2010. Sources said the Governors would be selected amongst political persons and bureaucrats.
Why the new Governor for West Bengal delayed
As the grapevine has it after being defeated in the election to civic body of Siliguri (West Bengal) Indian Railway Minister Ms.Mamata Banerjee is not talking with Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. It is owing to this the appointment of Governor in West Bengal has been delayed.
2 luncheons in power circuit
Two luncheons held on Sunday i.e. January 10, 2010 are being discussed in corridors of power .One luncheon was hosted by former Cabinet Secretary B.K.Chaturvedi while host at the other luncheon was Revenue Secretary P.V. Bhide.

Appointment of five High Court Judges in a day or two ?
Appointment orders of five Additional Judges as permanent judges of the Madhya Pradesh High Court are expected to be issued in a couple of days.
J P Sharma  appointed JS DoNER
Joginder Paul Sharma  has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. He is 1981 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.

(We said this on December 11,2009)
Dalwai  to join GoI
Ashok Mahadeorao Dalwai has been appointed Regional Deputy Director General (Joint Secretary level) in the Unique Identification Authority of India at Bengaluru. He is 1984 batch IAS officer of Orissa cadre.
Three months extension to Ms Anita Kaul
The GoI has given three months extension in tenure of Central deputation to Ms. Anita Kaul. She is 1979 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.
CVO of Bharat Petroleum gets extension
The ACC  has approved the extension in Central deputation tenure of Ms. I. Sasikala, IRS(IT:85) as Chief Vigilance Officer in the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited for a period of two years beyond February 2.
Secretary level changes in Jharkhand soon

As the grapevine has it Secretary level changes in Jharkhand are expected to take place soon.
5th North East Business Summit to generate business MD, NERAMAC

Recently co concluded 5th North East Business Summit that was held in Hotel Hyat, Kolkata is expected to generate business. This was stated by S. Bhattacharjee Managing Director(MD) North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC). During the summit MD, NERAMAC gave a presentation  through which he tried to emphasise on the cash crops of north east and shared with the valued gathering how best NERAMAC can associate in marketing the north east's exotic products beyond the region. He emphasised the importance of the North East Technology Mission scheme of Govt of India which is going to bring a huge marketing perspective & significance in the days to come and welcome investors to join hands with NERAMAC in a PPP or Joint ventures mode in agri-business to support the farmers of north east.
Strong show by SAIL dealers

The over 2,000-strong countrywide dealer network of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)being headed by S.K.Roongta has performed in an exemplary manner during the first nine months of the current financial year by achieving 4.17 lakh tonnes of sales – a YoY growth of 23% – and registering double-digit growth in each of the four regions. SAIL dealers mainly market the company’s branded products such as SAIL-TMT and SAIL-Jyoti. In recent months, light structurals have also been added to their product basket. In December ’09 alone, sales through the dealer network were a record 1.16 lakh tonnes, a growth of 210% over December ’08. This contributed substantially to SAIL’s overall domestic sales of nearly 1.4 million tonnes during the month which grew 32% over December ’08. During October-December (Q3) ’09, too, SAIL sold a record 1.94 lakh tonnes through its dealer network, showing a YoY growth of 104%.In a span of a little over 3 years,
these brand ambassadors of SAIL have steadily helped the company to consolidate its position throughout the country, particularly in the interior areas, enabling the common man to have easy access to quality steel materials of general use in construction. With ‘Shahar se gaon tak’ as its objective, SAIL aims to market over 1 million tonnes of branded products through its dealer network during the coming financial year.

CORPORATE
25 candidates in fray for Director Oil India
The PESB has shortlisted 25 candidates for interview to select a new Oil India Director (Human resources and Business Development).
IFS officer is CVO HSCL
Shiv Raj Singh has been appointed Chief Vigilance Officer in the Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited (HSCL), Kolkata. He is 1986 batch IFS officer of Karnataka cadre.

Aaj Ki Aawaz

From SP Amar's filmi pals are resigning!!!!
And then outside NCP's door with Amar they will be lining!!!
Mulayam says he'll not let Amar go!!!
But this time to Amar's resignation its a muted 'no'!!!!
But one must not forget that Amar had made himself a part of Mulayam's life!!!
Be it work or play Amar was side by side with Mulayam ....in khushi, sadness and strife!
However Amar took SP away from Samaajwaad!!!!
And from the MY equation shifted SP's focus to sheer poonjiwaad!!!!
So in fact post Amar, if Amar does ultimately go, SP will return to its roots!!!
Akin to going back to being barefoot or wearing chappals from high heeled boots!!!
Many say Amar will bounce back!!!!
But if he exits SP after Mulayam Singh lets see he climbs on to whose back????
On his own Amar Singh is a nobody!!!!
He needs to sit on someon'e shoulder to be a somebody!!
Shashi Tharoor makes Congress go red in the face every 15-20 days!!!
Its either by what he Twits or what he says!!!
Now he's questioned Nehru's Foreign Policy though now he's using the misquote excuse!
An excuse that many a Neta when he has his foot in the gob he does use!!
He says he's victim of 'tendentious' reporting which means reporting of the partisan kind!
He used tendentious so that tomorrow with the Media some escape route he'll find!!
If he said partisan it would be clear but he's used a rarely used word!!
And then when the Media questiones him he'll tell the Media 'you misheard'!!
Imagine he's trying to deny what he said despite the fact that he did so on tape!!!
This can be termed as 'sharre-aam or khullam khulla truth ka rape'!!!
Or maybe the dolt is itching to be shown the door!!!!
Because he may be feeling 'iss ke aaghe hai better jahaan aur'!!!
Ghadkari has sorted out the mess Rajnath made in Rajasthan!!!!
Aur seems Vasundhara Delhi mein occupy kare gi Party mein sthaan!!!
Rajnath was a petty man who did not see beyond his 'Thakur ego'!!!!
And in his term as President 'lower and lower BJP did politically go'!!!
In fact Ghadkari should do opposite of what Rajnath did during his term as President!
That's if 'back into orbit BJP has to be sent'!!!
Jaya Jaitley and Fernandes's estranged family are fighting for his assets!!!!!
And with every passing day murkier the fight gets!!!!
Fernandes's son wants security because maybe he's heard Jaya's borrowed Jadeja's balaa!
And that's why he's creating this ' I feel insecure' halaa!!!
Confucius says ....Isn't it ironical that a Leader who showed he was 'above assets'??
For his assets everyday murkier the war gets!!!!!
Adds.....seems his family and adopted family do not share his values and outlook to life!!!
That's why to dispose off his book collection in all probability there will be no strife!!
Flash...... Haryana Cops have arrested the man who implicated Ruchika's brother!!!
And then they've also located the Lady who Abha Rathod referred to as 'Ruchika's step mother'!!!
Now two things can happen..... if Haryana Cops allow them to spill the beans!!!
Then Haryana Cops will not be able to keep Rathor 'out of jail' by any means!!
But if the Haryana Police forces them 'humaari tune karro sing'!!!!
A new twist to the case this could bring!!!
Hooda's mind we know but let's see if 'someone has drilled some sense into his khopdi'!!!
What will Congress do if the blindfolded Lady with the scales 'roh padhi' (cries)???

Bharat Kumar

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)
Women Judges
Unless this is done, the courts will not be able to provide protection to women (50% population of India) against caste based rapes and killings in the name of (dis)honour of the castes/religions. Only women can be trusted to protect the interest of women on a lasting basis, and not as a favour. Grant fifty percent reservation to women
Kokila
Women Judges
No harm in it provided the women judges were equally well experienced and mature, comparable to male judges. There is also a need to pick up judges from civil services - male or women - who have necessary legal expertise. They will bring in administrative experience.
K C Aggarwal
Professionals should run banks
There is no IAS in Railway. Is it not running well. Is there any organisation with only IAS running better than IAS. U C Sarangi is a gem of IAS. He is there not because he is in IAS. Because he is a super human being. His personal values are much more that IAS. So identify performer not a service.
Radha
India’s bureaucratic system has failed

The  bureaucratic system of Indian Government has totally been failed almost in every Central Ministries/ Departments.   There are many Ministries, where regionalism/communilism is prevalent.  I noticed  the Secretaries belonging to the communities especially Bengali, Behari,  and Punjabi   preferring to post Director (Establishment)/ Under Secretary (Establishment) and important positions,  of their own community.  They get their work done through these officials in their own vested interest, get issued orders of transfers/posting on the basis of regionalism,  fudging the rules and regulation  and ignore the provisions of Constitution of India.  There are  no checks and balances to stop this nuisance. Home Secretary is requested to see this issue in the light of Pledge Ceremony observed on account of National Integration and Communal Harmony days. Home Minister should discuss in the concerned CC and must decide that those are of regionalistic, linguistic, community oriented they should not be posted to the position of   Secretary in any  Central Ministry/Department.   Many Ministries/ Departments are suffering from such Secretaries , mainly of those belonging to these communities.   Otherwise, the approach being followed by us for National Integration will totally be defeated.  There would be no use of pledging the National Integration/Communal Harmony- it would be an eyewash to the public. 
 
A Visitor. 

Downfall of IOC ?
I would support A K Saxena about his views on IOC on this glorious website(4th Jan,2010) and views of Naveen K (9th Jan)I am a retired CGM from ONGC. The selection of Sarthak Behuria as CMD IOC was made on political considerations rather than merit. Every Oil sector executive knows about it. He has only instilled a sense of complacency in the PSU,he heads. The two major accidents in the same Jaipur depot of IOC in quick succession as pointed out by A K Saxena bears ample testimony to the negligence of regional chief of Jaipur. Behuria must own the moral responsibility and step down immediately instead of pulling political strings.
Vijay Malik

Uinque 2010 GOI's Calendar !
Your appreciation about D/Posts calendar(8-1-10) is well taken. Now contrast this with this year's calendar of GOI (I&B).Ironically, while the gazetted holidays are marked in red, the working days are shown in lighter shade of red. The joke doing the rounds in the corridors of powers is that while the gazetted holidays are for total enjoyment, the working days are no less delightful. A dangerous signal indeed. The colour scheme is horrible, to say the least. Has the I&B ministry lost its imagination and ingenuity?
A K Saxena (A retired civil servant)

Only Indian bureaucracy can run like this.
When the question arises regarding fixing the responsibility, senior officers (mostly IAS) pass it to their subordinates, like in RTI matters. If act allows they can even designate CPIOs not above the rank of Under Secretary. However, when the question arises to travel abroad in the name of foreign training/deputation, only they can go/attend. Perhaps, by answering one more question (that too may by good luck)you can lead your life like a king..... Ye Hai India !.
Rajeshwar Lal

Cannot follow, why celebrate?
The law & order situation of the country suggests that the framers of our constitution had written a text for us, which is impossible to follow. Chief Ministers don't bother to follow it, Minister show utter contempt for it, uniformed & civil bureaucracy twists it in ways not visible in the text, judges have not hesitated to take liberties with it and even the children of those dignitaries, who have signed the document have shown scant respect for it. Why should, then, we celebrate the birthdays of the authors of our constitution? Is it not merely to fool the public? Is it any less a charm of some hollow words like the Divine Theory of Kingship? There being so much criminal happening in broad daylight that one regrets believing that we have democracy in India. Truly, it is nothing more than demon-o-cracy!
M L Gupta

"Care for the poor".
I am glad that your website also cares for the poor people of India. I congratulate A K Saxena for writing this human interest story on 9th Jan 2010.He should also write about the menace of untouchability prevailing in northern states like UP, Bihar, MP and Rajasthan and the plight of SC&ST.
V S Chauhan , Ujjain, MP

"Demolition of Night Shelters in Delhi".
My compliments to A K Saxena for highlighting the sufferings of the shelterless poor of Delhi. This is the reality show of the whole country. Your website must encourage such human interest stories.
A K JAIN

Restructure BSF
BSF should be restructured. Top leadership should be from Army/Navy officers. IPS should be removed from BSF
Vicky

Whyare our kids killing themselves? 
Our kids are killing themselves because they do not know anything better. They have not been trained by their parents to handle failure and frustration. They do not know that they have to deserve what they aspire for. In cases where they are made to slog by their parents in order to achieve it is mostly with the aim to make a statement, to feel superior, and not for the inner satisfaction of a work done well. There is overwhelming pressure on performance for the sake of fame and not everyone can be at the top. Besides, glory and acclaim are short lived. 
So much is being written and said on why an increasing number of kids are committing suicide. The education system and the competition in it are getting the greatest accusation while we are forgetting the role of the parents.  
A lot of parents these days pamper their kids and are proud of being able to do so. Pampered kids are easy going and demanding with no sense of responsibility.
They grow up to believe that they are special and superior and deserve the best but discipline and hard work are not known to them. Can they, in the absence of these qualities, be expected to achieve anything big? Do they know that they too have duties? High level of success is what they think is their right while their parents have not taught them to work hard and be disciplined. They do not know how to handle failure and frustration which is sure to come their way if they want to achieve anything big(It does for everyone). They are unable to respect others and their rights which are essential qualities needed for leading a successful and stress free life. They grow up to believe that the world owes it to them to provide them with everything they want or desire which is never possible. And when they do not get what they want they take the extreme step. 
Always remember that the world out there is the same for every kid. Make your child strong enough to be able to live a successful and happy life that she deserves. 
Mridula Agarwal (Author of- 'I am smarter than you think, Mom and Dad'. How to raise responsible kids)
High degree of corruption and political affinity
I would like to add some comments regarding the high degree of corruption and political affinity as well a light hearted comment on the libido exhibited by IPS. They also seem to be singularly lacking valour quotient. I am yet to learn of an IPS officer who has laid down his life in the call of duty. I can count hundreds of BSF and CRPF officers and army officers. In all the years, all across India in the thousand low intensity conflicts, counter insurgency operations IPS is conspicuous by its absence.!!!!!
Rajashekar

Discriminatory action
Dynamic Assured Career Progression for all Central Government doctors has been implemented in all ministry except in Armed Forces Medical Services under DGAFMS. Even for civilian doctors under DGAFMS the same been implemented but not for Army Medical Corps under DGAFMS.
Qs 1. Is this action of DGAFMS is not discriminatory in the eyes of Law.Qs2. Is this not undermining a cabinet decision which is setting a dangerous precedence. Request clarification on DACP for Army Medical Corps through proper channel.
K Roy

Chidambaram gets the heat of his own decisions as HM !
Apropos to your news item dated 6-1-2010 about GOI’s decision to raise number of IPS vacancies this year for recruitment by UPSC. PC as FM, was a protagonist of cost cutting-- much to the discomfiture of other Ministries. MOF was the honorable exception for which rigours of economy instructions were always soft-pedalled! In his enthusiasm as FM, Chidambaram ordered drastic reduction of direct recruitment vacancies’. Every ministry was ordered to abolish 2/3rd of direct recruitment vacancies year after year till 2009 co-terminus with UPA-I .As this caused heart burnings , orders were withdrawn . No attempt has ever been made to remove the ‘dead wood’, the ‘couch potatoes’ of GOI . The ‘laggards, continue to thrive despite their non-performance! Ironically, Chidambaram is now feeling the heat of his own decision as FM. He suddenly realized the importance of creating additional posts for the IPS in the name of security! I have no problem with the top heavy structure of the IPS. Let them have quicker promotions without proportionate increase in their workload. What disturbs me is the reduction of Police strength at the lower echelons: beat constables, ASIs, SIs, Inspectors. They form the cutting edge level having a large public interface. Why not enhance their strength and liquidate their frustrations .One more suggestion. I hear that in Delhi, the Commissioner of Police gives direct instructions to the SHO’s bypassing the DCPs, Additional CPs, Joint CPs ,who are, more often than not, kept out of the loop. This has created frustrations at higher levels too. This input was gathered during my interactions with some IPS officers of Agmut cadre. The position in Delhi is the mirror image of rest of the India. Delegation of informal authority to SHOs without accountability to their immediate superiors, merits a review by the MHA. At the end, I can only hope for a some semblance of security for the“Aam aadmi”. In a lighter vein, the creation of additional posts in the IPS will have unique pitfalls: More corruption, more molesters to the already long list of: the Gills, Sharmas, Rathores, Tandons and their ilk.
A K Saxena (A retired civil servant)