Although I retired from Government Service, still I find this site very interesting. Also, it helps me in finding out the whereabouts of some of my old friends and bosses.
Ravi Kumar


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

Rahul Gandhi poised to be AICC’s working president
There are indications that after completion of organizational polls in the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi would be elected its working president. A political exercise in this regard has already begun.
PM Clears appointment of Sundareshan !
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is believed to have cleared the appointment of S Sundareshan for the post of Secretary Petroleum.1976 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer Sundareshan is presently Special Secretary in the Ministry.
BK Sinha to join on Feb 3 as Secretary RD, in GOI
BK Sinha, who was last week appointed as Secretary, Rural Development (RD), in Government of India (GOI), will be assuming charge on February 3, 2010. Presently he is Director General (DG) in Hyderabad located National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD).  He joined Indian Police Service in 1973 and switched over to IAS in 1975 and was allotted to Bihar Cadre. The slot would fall vacant once incumbent Secretary RD Ms. Rita Sharma retires on January 31,2010.
(We said this on January 4 & 22, 2010)
Rules for Bank’ CMDs’ being relaxed
As the grapevine has it, rules for Bank’ CMDs are being relaxed. Those incumbent Executive Directors (EDs) in public sector banks whose residual service tenure is 21 months will be entitled to become Chairman & Managing Directors (CMDs) in such banks that are being run by the Government.
A piquant situation in corridors of power
A piquant situation has arisen in the South-Block after the appointment of 1972 batch IFS officer Shiv Shankar Menon as new NSA. His one time boss 1970 batch IFS officer Shyam Saran has become less important in the PMO.
Why did Army Chief differentiate ?
Why did Army Chief differentiate in ordering enquiry against a couple of Lt Generals? The Ministry of Defence is believed to have enquired from Army Chief Deepak Kapoor as to why Disciplinary action was ordered against one Lt Gen and only Administrative Enquiry against another Lt Gen..
Who will succeed Shekhar Dutt ?
Who will succeed Shekhar Dutt as Deputy NSA? Lobbying by certain IAS and IPS officers has already begun. Shekhar Dutt is now Governor of Chhattisgarh.
Will Narayan be able to address Home Minister as PC in future ?
Will the outgoing National Security Advisor (NSA) MK Narayan be able to address Home Minister as PC in future ? He has often been calling Chidambaram as PC. This question has become a matter of discussion in bureaucratic and political circles because Governor’s post comes under the control of the Home Ministry.
Narayani Mahil is new Head of Corporate Communications, ONGC
One of the best PR person in Mumbai, Ms Narayani Mahil has been moved to Delhi as Head of Corporate Communications, ONGC.
Punjab tailors are a happy lot these days
Tailors in Punjab are a happy lot these days because of the appointment of Shivraj Patil as the Governor of their state. Reason is Patil’s penchant for new clothes and suits. They have also welcomed his appointment.
Chhattisgarh presents a unique example
Chhattisgarh is the only state in the country which has presented a unique example of allowing the competent and the capable to move up the ladder. While Ajit Jogi, once a Collector in Raipur moved up to the position of the Chief Minister, now Shekhar Dutt, who has been a Divisional Commissioner Raipur in the past, is the Governor of the state.
Deputy Accountant General promoted
S Satyanarayana, Deputy Accountant General (Ad-hoc) in the office of Accountant General (A&E)-II, Maharashtra, Nagpur, has been promoted and posted as Deputy Accountant General in the same office.
Mukhopadhyay is number two in panel
The PESB has reportedly put the name of A Mukhapadhyay on number two in the panel for the post of National Jute Manufacturing Corporation (NJMC ).
Who will succeed Sarthak Behuria as IOC chief ?
Who will succeed Sarthak Behuria, Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), if extension is denied to Behuria? This question is hotly being debated in corridors of power & the oil sector in particular.
Who are bureaucratic friends of Avani Vaish, MP-CS designate?
In bureaucratic circles it is a hot topic of discussion that as to who are friends of Avani Vaish Chief Secretary designate of the MP Government? Vaish who on his return from Central deputation has joined, as ACS will assume charge as new Chief Secretary in Madhya Pradesh once present incumbent Rakesh Sahni superannuates by the end of January 2010. Vaish is an IAS officer of the 1975 batch who belongs to the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
Moudgil is number two in panel of Director (Personnel )EIL
D Moudgil has been put at number two in the panel prepared for the post of Director (Personnel) of the Engineering India Ltd (EIL).
Bureaucratic reshuffle in MP likely
A minor bureaucratic reshuffle is expected to take place in Madhya Pradesh this week end.
ISS officer gets new posting on promotion
ISS officer PC Cyriac, Director, CA&D, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, New Delhi, has been posted as DDG, CA&D, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, New Delhi,
Balachandran to move to Shanghai
Passport Officer in Trichy S Bala Chandra has been moved to Indian Embassy in Shanghai.
Ms.Padamja is Additional CIT, Hyderabad
Ms.Padamja who was on deputation to the Tamil Nadu Government has return to her parent cadre & joined as Additional Commissioner of Income Tax (CIT) in Hyderabad.She is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the 1993 batch.
Ramvir Singh to be Director in MHA
Ramvir Singh is soon going to join the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a Director.
He is an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the 1993 batch who belongs to the Haryana cadre.
Ram Singh to assume charge as Director Finance, EIL
Ram Singh is soon going to assume charge as Director Finance in Engineers India Ltd (EIL).
Ms. Pratibha Advani urged to join active politics
BJP President, Nitin Gadkari has reportedly offered Ms. Pratibha Advani, daughter of former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani to join BJP. Gadkari has reportedly told Ms. Pratibha that she should join the party because party needs her.
Dr. (Ms.) Kiran Bedi releases Ashok Kumar’s book “ Human in Khaki”
Dr. (Ms.) Kiran Bedi released a book authored by Ashok Kumar (IPS officer) who is currently on central deputation with the CRPF. The book titled “Human in Khaki” has been published by Book World Dehradun. The book addresses contemporary issues that plague modern India such as terror, the widening gap between the haves and have-nots, crime against women, the changing value system and most significantly - basic police procedure, that is designed to serve the powerless and yet mostly ends up serving a powerful few. It also challenges several common myths about the functioning of the police force. Prakash Singh senior police officer said” Human in Khaki” is a remarkable book from the pen of a police officer. It is a compilation of real life experiences, which are like a whiff of fresh air. Ashok Kumar’s book narrates incidents where his humane and understanding approach wipes the tears of a rape victim, a man threatened with extortion, a person
 whose land has been grabbed, and facilitated the framing of charges against persons accused of dowry death or guilty of exploiting a minor girl. Book release function was held recently in seminar hall of IIT Delhi under the auspices of IIT Delhi alumni association

Meira Kumar to attend CPA conference in Meghalaya
Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will leave for Meghalaya on Thursday, Jan 28, to participate in the 12th Annual Conference of North East, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). This will be Meira Kumar’s first visit to the state after assuming the charge of Speaker

CORPORATE
Ravi Swaminathan appointed MD and regional vice president of AMD India
Ravi Swaminathan has recently been appointed Managing Director and regional vice president, for sales and marketing, of AMD India. He will replace Ram Subramaniam who will, however, remain a senior member of AMD team and will be responsible for corporate strategic development.

Aaj Ki Aawaz

Some observations on the Republic Day Parade….for starters the President!!!!
This time she showed that to the families of the Ashok Chakra winners her heart went!!
 
Nice of her to show some emotion to people who we all are in debt!!!!
At such occasions emotional one should get!!!
 
Years in a 'bandh galaa' has made our Mohna stiff and emotionless!!
Ordinarily if an elder passes the widow of a brave soldier he’d extend his hand to bless!
 
While going to the saluting dais he passed the widow of an Ashok Chankra awardee!!!
And the emotionless and stiff/formal side of Mohna all got to see!!!

He did a stiff and emotionless namaste and waddled away!!!!
Arre a few words of sympathy and a thank why did you not say????
 
Sonia sat in the VIP enclosure!!!!
And was a symbol of composure!!!
 
As she sat ‘out in the cold’ her appointees sat in a heated enclosure!!!!
And she did not show any remorse and that is why I say picture of composure!!!
 
Pranab Da came dressed like he’s in the North Pole …..especially his cap!!!
Nowadays he' a cheerful chap!!!
 
Does not show that he’s a guy with really a short fuse!!!!
If he looses his cool in shudh Bengali or English with a Bengali accent he’ll abuse!!
 
Mamtha showed glee when the Assam Regiment marched in,
At someone she was pointing out this Regiment and karr rahi thi believe it or not grin!!!
 
I was reminded of the movie Sergeant Bilko as the DRDO tableaux passed by!!!
View the movie and see how they put on show a tank that was in fact a total lie!
 
Serves Mohna right for standing by Pawar and clean-chitting him and saving his skin!!!
Now Pawar to save his skin is trying to ‘do Mohna in’!!!
 
Fact is that as Agri Mantri Pawar could have done a lot to reduce the price rise!!!
But to the occasion he did not rise!!!
 
He fibs that Farmers have got more than they got during BJP’s rule!!!
Who is he trying to befool???
What does he feel Farmers are insulated from inflation?????
Their ‘extra income’ caused just momentary elation!!!
 
Because when they went to buy essentials they found their measly gain was wiped out,
And shamelessly Pawar karr raha hai ‘farmers benefited’ tout!!!
 
Okay PC you’ve deflected from Congress any ill will by the majority minority lot!!!!
But I’m sure if you put your ear to the ground you’ll hear ‘why not’!!!!
 
Yes majority of Indians are not embarrassed or pained by Paki players not being bought!
From one cricket crazy Nation to the other ‘ hope a lesson has been taught’!!!

Confucius says...... woh humm ko bomb karre aur hum bombing karre bear!!
Aur humm un ke cricketers ko siraf ban karre and they cry 'unfair'!!!
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)
Who will be the queen’s choice for Prime Minister after Dr. Manmohan Singh?

My choice is Antony
The right person for Mrs Gandhi is A K Antony, a loyalist and a clean chap who did not confront in any matters either in the government or in the party.
Lachit Das lachit_1973@yahoo.co.in

First choice is Rahul Gandhi
I have the view that even now Manmohan Singh is not the first choice and 1st choice is Rahul Gandhi who can be certainly called De Facto PM. Its very natural &usual. Do you differ.
D Singhai dsinghai@yahoo.co.in

A good question !
It is a good question. If the Government gets stronger and sure of securing majority then Rahul will be the successor. Else a one of the moderate Loyalists
Ravi raavis@hotmail.com

Reform civil services induction system
In my opinion the time has come to reform civil services induction system. One of the core requirements is to separate IAS exams from the rest of central services. How the service profiles of services like IRS,IA&AS. IDAS, ICAS, IDES, P&TFAS etc can be compared with IAS? Since there is a vast difference between the job profiles of Central Services and that of IAS clubbing them in one exam system has no logic and is only causing unwarranted frustration in the central services as they tend to draw unnecessary comparison with their batchmates in IAS.
MB

Police Commissionerate system for larger towns in Bihar ?
Why does Bihar CM Nitish Kumar not mull over the police Commissionerate system for larger towns in Bihar viz. Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur etc? Punjab has already done it for Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar.
A K Singh

Exit of M K Narayanan
Exit of Narayan as NSA from PMO has made our PM, Manmohan Singh defense less and now more vulnerable to vilification campaign of failures and lapses. Narayan a soft spoken person with clear mindset for Nation, many a times acted as trouble shooter for PM. It's apparent that there are people in Congress who were in race for becoming PM have started nurturing ambitions of heading the Government in times ahead. Exit of Narayan is a boon in disguise for these detractors of PM and PMO.
Resignation of Dr. S. D. Pradhan, Chairman, Task Force on Intelligence Mechanism under PMO and a confidante of Narayan does not augur well with Government. A hardcore Intelligence man he is, Government should utilise his services to strengthen the plans of setting up Training Centers . The present set-up in NPAs are not well equipped with facilities to train Intelligence gathering officials in country. A separate specialized center for training, gathering, assimilation, deciphering and execution agency is required in face of numerous Intelligence failures that India has faced in recent past. Let Government have a full fledged Advisor Intelligence who should be accountable for everything in Intelligence Mechanism of the country.
Chidambram has done a creditable job as H.M for the Nation. He has been able to streamline the babu's of the Ministry to perform actual work than merely being involved in numerical projections. He has made others realise what MHA actually means. Good job done, Sir.
GOI should think of bifurcating NSA's post into Advisor Foreign Affairs and Advisor Intelligence and they should function directly under Prime Minister. Putting Intelligence Agency under MHA will amount to creating disparity between important Ministry's. We should not forget that Finance and Defense Ministry too have their own Intelligence agency that has played important role in safety and progress of Nation. If their unit is also made to report to MHA then it will be difficult for PM to balance between these three important portfolios. Moreover if Intelligence Agencies are taken out of domain of PMO then the PM would become an Institution without any powers to bite. MHA now has enough acts to perform like appointments of Governors, Center State Relationship, CPOs, National Awards etc, putting all Intelligence agency under MHA will amount to putting more burden on the shoulders of H.M.
As a common man I feel that let PMO handle intelligence as the case has been till date, with NSA bifurcated into two posts (1) Advisor -Foreign Affairs (2) Advisor- Intelligence.
Let us rise to the interest of our Country than remain hostage to our narrow political considerations. As a common man I see Mr. Narayanan's exit from PMO as an irreparable loss to Intelligence Fraternity.
Rajesh, New Delhi

How could the TN photo journalist be the fall guy !
The ‘Aaj Ki Aawaz’(19th Jan) condemning the TN Journo for failing to take the dying TN Police Officer to hospital articulates the ‘Aawaz of the ruling DMK’. I expected severe punishment to the two TN Ministers who mutely watched the gripping melodrama as bystanders despite having several government cars and manpower . How in-sensitive and callous the public servants have become? Strangely, even the Congress party did not condemn this act on humanitarian considerations ! Let us not belittle the efforts of the TN photo Journalist for showcasing the insensitivity of unscrupulous politicians. How could he help alone? May be, he did not have the wherewithal like the vehicle and the manpower to carry the dying person to the far-away hospital? May I request Dr Suresh Mehrotra, the Editor-in-chief to correct the misplaced impression about the photo journalist by posting my reactions on the website? Let us not dilute the gravity of misconduct committed by politicians by blaming the local photo journalist of Tamil Nadu.
A K Saxena (A retired civil servant)