Very Informative
Ruma

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

TOP TEN OF GUJARAT CM NARENDRA MODI
1 K Kailashnathan

2 A K Sharma

3 A K Jyoti Chief Secretary

4 D Rajgopal Ex-Chief Secretary ,Chairman of Sardar Sarovar

5 Harsh Brahmbhatt

6 P C Pande Ex-DGP

7 Balwant Singh ACS

8 M M Srivastava PS Finance

9 D J Pandian PS Energy and Petro-Chemicals

10 Tapan Ray

Prabh Das in fray for the slot of CMD in IOC
As the grapevine has it, Prabh Das is in fray for the post of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) in Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). The post fell vacant after the exit of Sarthak Behuria on from IOC’s top slot on February 28, 2010. Prabh Das is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Phulokhari based (Bhatinda district of Punjab) Guru Gobind Singh Refineries Ltd (GGSRL). The GSSRL is being set up by HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL)- a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Mittal Energy Investment Pte Ltd, Singapore - a Lakshmi N Mittal Group Company. As of now Prabh Das is ahead in the race. Das is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1981 batch from West Bengal cadre & was Joint Secretary to Government of India in Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas before seeking voluntary retirement to join the GGSRL.  During his five year stint in the GOI’s Petroleum Ministry Prabh Das was in charge of the Refineries  Division and was instrumental in implementing the Auto Fuel Policy, Strategic Storage and New Initiatives in Oil Diplomacy. He led the transformation of the domestic refining sector, which included strengthening refining capacities, improving refining operations, safety aspects and introduction of new technologies. During his tenure in the ministry, he was on the Board of fortune 500 companies such as Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. He was also on the Board of Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd., Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd. and Engineers India Ltd.
Siraj Hussain unlikely to be MD, FCI
As the grapevine has it, Siraj Hussain who was tipped to be Managing Director (MD) of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is unlikely to be appointed on the coveted post. It is so because the PMO has turned down the proposal for splitting posts of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) in the FCI. At present he is Joint Secretary Food in Government of India (GOI). He is an IAS officer of the 1979 batch who belongs to the Uttar Pradesh cadre. He is due for elevation as Additional Secretary in GOI.
Two vacancies in Agriculture Ministry this month
Two vacancies of the Additional Secretary level are to arise in the Agriculture Ministry by the end of this month.
Who will be Member of CBDT ? (2) B S Sodhi
Name of B S Sodhi is being mentioned for the post of Member CBDT..1974 batch IRS officer Sodhi retires on 1 Jan,2012.
Verma to join CBI
G K Verma is all set to join the CBI as SP. He is 2001 batch IPS officer of Sikkim cadre.
Rao is JS and FS Expenditure
H P Rao is new Joint Secretary and FA Expenditure in the Government of India. He is 1981 batch IA&AS officer.
Why did Diptivilasa leave North –Block ?
Why did Deverakonda Diptivilasa, Joint Secretary (IS-1), move from the North Block to Lok Nayak Bhawan as Joint Secretary (IS-2) ?. Reason is known to him and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. He is an IAS officer of the 1981 batch who belongs to the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Sunil Gupta is new CEO West Bengal
Sunil Gupta has been appointed Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal. He is 1987 batch IAS officer.
CVC initiated 38 cases against IAS officers in 2008
The number of vigilance cases initiated against Indian Administrative Service Officers during the year 2008 was 38 as per the information received from the CVC.
CVC initiated 35 cases against IAS officers in 2009
The number of vigilance cases initiated against Indian Administrative Service Officers during the year 2009 was 35 as per the information received from the CVC.
CVC initiated 8 cases against IPS officers in 2008
The number of vigilance cases initiated against Indian Police Service Officers during the year 2008 was 8 as per the information received from the CVC.
CVC initiated 10 cases against IPS officers in 2009
The number of vigilance cases initiated against Indian Police Service Officers during the year 2009 was 10 as per the information received from the CVC.
CVC initiated four cases against IFS officers in 2008
The number of vigilance cases initiated against IFS Officers during the year 2008 was 4 as per the information received from the CVC.
CVC initiated nine cases against IFS officers in 2009
The number of vigilance cases initiated against IFS Officers during the year 2009 was 9 as per the information received from the CVC.
988 cases pending with CBI
The Number of cases pending investigation in the CBI as on December 31, 2009 was 988.
No Secr from Assam-Meghalaya cadre in GoI
Surprisingly enough, there is no Secretary from Assam-Meghalaya cadre the State represented by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. There used to be half a dozen secretaries from this cadre in the GoI till recently.
Principal Accountant General (Civil Audit), Tamil Nadu & Puducherry transferred
Shankar Narayan, Principal Accountant General (Civil Audit), Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, Chennai, has been transferred and posted as Director General (RS-I) in the office of the Comptroller & Auditor General Of India, New Delhi.
Anita Nayar gets extension in Melbourne
India’s Counel General in Melbourne Anita Nayar has been granted extension till December end this year.
IAS officers envy IFS officers in Orissa
Believe it or not, officers belonging to Indian Forest Service (IFS) are better off than IAS officers in Orissa. As the grapevine has it, it has made the latter breed jealous of the former.
R. Chidambaram moves to his private house
As the grapevine has R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India has vacated his government house in Mumbai & shifted to his private house.
Additional charge for D.D.Sharma
D.D.Sharma Director Ayush in Government of India (GOI) has got additional charge as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Delhi based National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). Sharma is an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the 1984 batch who belongs to the Jharkhand cadre.
Dr. S.K. Jain NPCIL’s CMD to retire in May 2010
Dr. S.K. Jain Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is going to retire in May 2010.
One IPS also in race for JNPT Chairman’s post
At least one IPS officer has also applied for the post of Chairman in Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).
Only 17 IAS officials from Rajasthan on central deputation
There are only 17 IAS officials on central deputation from Rajasthan as against the quota of 47.
Asit Gopal is Director, Tribal Welfare
Asit Gopal, Madhya Pradesh cadre Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the 1990 batch, on central deputation has joined as Director, Tribal Welfare.
Ms. Sameeta Rajora posted as Director NIFT-Gandhinagar
Ms. Sameeta Rajora DFO Gwalior on central deputation has been posted ass Director of the Gandhinagar (Gujarat) located centre of National Institute of Fashion Technology(NIFT). She is a Madhya Pradesh cadre Indian Forest Service(IFS) officer of the 1992 batch.
Ms.Ruchira Pant relieved
Ms. Ruchira Pant an IRS(C&CE-78 batch) officer who central deputation was Joint Secretary Tribal Welfare has been relieved to join back her parent cadre.
Additional Judges in Bombay High Court appointed for one year
Nandkishor Digambar Deshpande, Mrs. Rekha Prakash Sondur Baldota, and Kailashchand Uttamchand Chandiwal have been appointed as Additional Judges of the Bombay High Court, in that order of seniority, for a period of 1 year with effect from April 16, 2010.
Gangapurwala appointed Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court for two years
Sanjay Vijaykumar Gangapurwala, to be an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court, for a period of two years with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.
Additional Judge of Punjab & Haryana High Court appointed
Jora Singh jas been appointed Additional Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, for a period of one year with effect from March 12, 2010.
Additional Judges of Patna High Court appointed
Akhilesh Chandra, Gopal Prasad Mungeshwar Sahoo have been appointed Additional Judges of the Patna High Court, in that order of seniority, for a period of two years with effect from the date they assume charge of their respective offices.
Additional Judges of Karnataka High Court appointed
Benedict Victor Pinto, Bijoor Manohar, K. Govindarajulu Hosahalli Sheshadri Kempanna have been appointed Additional Judges of the Karnataka High Court, in that order of seniority, for a period of two years with effect from the dates they assume charge of their respective offices.
Judges of Bombay High Court appointed
Justice Shinde Sambhaji Shiwaji, Justice Ashok Pitamber Bhangale, Justice Anand Vasant Nirgude and Justice Rajiv Yadunath Ganoo have been appointed Judges of the Bombay High Court, in that order of seniority, with effect from the dates they assume charge of their offices.
Gauhati High Court Chief Justice transferred to Kerala High Court
Justice Jasti Chelameswar, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court has been transferred as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court and directed to assume charge of the new office on or before March 17, 2010.
Ravi Mathur gets addl charge
Ravi Mathur (IAS : 1979), Principal secretary, Small Industries, Khadi and Gramudhyof, Jaipur, has been given the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director – Rajasthan Finance Corporation, Jaipur.
Railway transfers and postings (UPDATED)
AK Kansal of SAG/IRSME has been transferred from NCR to be posted as CME (CHOD) on the Railway itself, Badal Chakraborty of JAG/IRMS (Dental) has been transferred from CLW to be placed in selection grade with efect from Jan 7, 2009, MK Patnaik of SS/IRTS has been transferred from ECOR and promoted to JAG notionally with effect from Oct 6, 2007 and appointed to officiate in JAG on regular basis with effect from Oct 17, 2008, Tapan Chakraborty of SS/IRTS has been transferred from SER (Since retired)) and promoted to JAG notionally with effect from Oct 6, 2007 and appointed to officiate in JAG on regular basis with effect from June 3, 2008, Partha Pratim Roy of SG/IRSME has been transferred from NFR and posted as Dir./Darjeeling Himalayan Rly, Headquartered at Elysis building/ Kureong, Dr. Anjani Kumar Shukla of SG/IRMS (Dental) has been transferred from NER to be antedated from Sept 28, 2009 to Jan 7, 2009, Dr. SK Panda of SAG/IRMS has been transferred from ECOR and posted as CMS/MD etc., Dr. SK Rajan of SAG/IRMS has been transferred from ECR to NER and posted as CMS/MD etc, Mrs. Chetna Kumar of HAG/IRAS has been transferred from NR as FA&CAO to NFR as FA&CAO and Bela Banerjee of HAG/IRAS has been transferred from NFR and transferred to NR as FA&CAO.
Two IDAS officers transferred (UPDATED)
DBK Reddy (IDAS : 1983), IFA in the office of the IFA, HQ, WNC, Mumbai, has been transferred to CDA, Secunderabad while M Anjaneyulu (IDAS : 1985) Controller in the office of CDA, Secunderabad, has been transferred to IFA, HQ, SWAC, Gandhinagar.
IDAS officer gets additional charge(UPDATED)
Mrs. Manjula Mathur (IDAS : 1983) Controller in the office of the CDA (CSD), Mumbai, has been given the additional charge of the post of IFA, HQ, WNC, Mumbai, till posting of a regular incumbent.
Vasan gets addl charge of CCIT, Trichy (UPDATED)
PM Vasan, CCIT Chennai, has been given the additional charge of CCIT, Trichy.
Mrs Kacker gets addl charge of CCIT, Pune (UPDATED)
Mrs. Manjri Kacker, CCIT Thane, has been given the additional charge of CCIT, Pune.
Secretary PESB gets proforma promotion (UPDATED)
Dr. PS Behuria, Secretary, PESB, o central deputation, has been given proforma promotion to the grade of Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT), CBDT.
IRS Officers Association delegation meets CBDT chief (UPDATED)
A delegation of Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Officers Association led by its president Sunil Chopra met CBDT Chairman SSN Moorthy & other members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Among other things the delegation urged for expediting cadre structuring, promotion of IRS officers belonging to 1988 & 1989 batches and empanelment in Government of India (GOI) as Joint Secretaries.

CORPORATE
Chatterjee joins as Director (Finance) CCL
Abhijit Chatterjee has joined as Director (Finance) in the Central Coalfield Limited .Prior this this he was Executive Director (Finance) in Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), Bangalore.
Singhal to be new CMD NTPC
A K Singhal is being tipped to be new CMD of the NTPC.He is presently Director (Finance) in NTPC. The PESB has reportedly put the name of Singhal as number one in the panel. Interviews for the post took place on Tuesday.
Development Commissioner’s post at Falta Export Processing Zone, Kolkata, vacant
The Joint Secretary level post of Development Commissioner, Falta Export Processing Zone at Kolkata (West Bengal), on deputation basis, is lying vacant.
Kolkata Tea Board Chairman’s post vacant
The post of Chairman, Tea Board at Kolkata (West Bengal) , on deputation basis, is lying vacant. The officers empanelled to hold Joint Secretary or equivalent posts are eligible for the post.

Aaj Ki Aawaz
Sonia says she’s taken a risk by plugging for this Bill!!
And she’s not out of the woods still!!
 
What women’s empowerment are we talking about?
In India in 59% households men have the license to 'beat and shout'!!
 
Laloo says if he orders Rabdi to vote she cannot refuse!!!
In this Quota Netas apni Biwis ko karrenge use!!
 
Seems till Lok Sabha passes the Women’s Bill!!
All other kaam kaaj will come to a standstill!!
 
Price rise has been given the miss!!
And prices in every home affect every Ma, Beti and sis!!
 
Because all three make sacrifices and eat less!!
And also face the maximum stress!!
 
Males hog the rice and females of the house are let with rice water!!
As females feel sacrifice is the dharma of every Ma, Sis and daughter!
 
This Bill may just be a small step towards women’s empowerment!!
But to get them true empowerment the back of the male ego has to be bent!!
 
True empowerment is via education and schemes to uplift females!!!
And also by educating the males!!
 
In a Nation where unborn daughters are killed!!!
Even before they take a breath or just after birth they are ‘stilled’!!
 
Miles to go before women are empowered.....centuries of oppression to be undone!
A lot needs to be done!
 
Though I'm happy to report henpecked husband numbers are growing!!!!
To their wives more and more husbands are bowing!! 
 
I hope there is some floor management when the Bill is presented in Lok Sabha!
Because by the looks of it there was none in Rajya Sabha!!
 
Anyway congrats to Sonia on the passing of this Bill!!!
She’s shown she ‘has the will’!!!
 
I understand that ‘her will’ took Laloo and Mulayam by surprise!!!
Now when she comes in front of them ‘in awe they will rise’!!
 
BJP should also try to grab some credit for this Bill!!!
Credit se Congress bags karr rahi hai fill!!
 
Though some say BJP’s led Congress down the garden path!!
And very soon Congress’s haath that  BJP’s shaking BJP will twist the same haath!
 
Though personally I do not think BJP has any such thing in mind!!
But then very soon this we’ll be able to find!!
 
What is BMC’s rationale to charge such a high tax on rental???
Seems BMC has literally gone mental!!
 
Is rental something like booze or cancer sticks that warrant taxation to be high?
Really this rental tax all logic it does defy!!
 
And without responding to Deshmukh’s objections BMC is sending Landlords claims!
Deshmukh had put this proposal on hold so why is BMC playing with Landlords games?
 
Property tax, income tax and a string of taxes and now this Mum of all taxes…why?
Logic for BMC’s rental tax no sane person will buy!!!
 
Sorry but in this I have a personal axe to grind!!!
In a desperate state my Dad I find!!
 
After serving the Navy bravely and honestly for thirty plus years!!!
Now he lives in BMC robbing him of his rental income fears!!
 
A proud man and now at 84 first time I’ve seen him slouch!!!
A man who in his life faced all the problems bravely and never uttered an ‘ouch’!
 
Confucius says….. sorry for raking up this personal issue but I simply had to!!!
Sometimes for one’s near and dear something you have to do!
 
Adds.... I would not have said a word if the this tax was fair!!
Everyone in Mumbai feel this tax is grossly unfair!!!
 
Flash...... Sajjan ka CBI sajjan!!!
Otherwise behind bars was the place for Sajjan!!
 
As families of the vistims watched on aghast!!
Sajjan got bail and as they watched on he drove past!!
 
Madam Sonia's proved when she wants something done she gets it done!!
Hope she looks within and realizes in 1984 cases Congress has got 'justice on the run'!
 
Madam how about becoming combative to get 1984 widows justice????
After all women's empowerment also means fighting injustice!!!

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. 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)
Eliminating black money
Let me put forward a concrete suggestion for eliminating black money from the system to a large extent. Government should make an announcement that it would come out with new currency for Rs 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations by April 1, 2011. Every person holding these currencies should deposit the same with banks by then. Banks shall replace these with currency denominations of Rs 100 for equal value after registering the full details of the depositor. Special drive to take back these currency denominations in backward and rural areas can be undertaken by banks. Now let us see the possible impacts of this measures:
1. The hawala traders having huge junks of black money would have to find out ways to somehow get this money exchanged from the banks which would be extremely difficult without them getting exposed.
2. There would be a huge set back to black money transactions in real estate and gold and their prices may crash
3. The whole duplicate currency business would crash immediately
4. Income tax department would get huge amount of information on the hidden wealth and its revenues may go up substantially.
I know there are a couple of loose ends and high risks in this type of step but with more deliberations this can be refined and given a final shape and I can bet this would be a huge step in eliminating black money from the system.
MB

On Child Care Leave-
It must be appreciated that child rearing/caring is a social responsibility which women are delivering usually with little/no support from the State/society/family. To be fair to women, we need to first of all share this work with the men in the family. Let not nurturing/caring be reserved for women. Giving a responsible/sensible/sensitive adult/citizen to society needs to be looked upon as an important function. Women must let men pick up the skills which are supposedly intrinsic to women. Child care leave must be planned between spouses-even the private sector must regulate to this end. After all creating value-based/sensitised individuals will make for a better state/world. Moreover, boys will be socialised to accept men's roles inside the house.
Virika

Invite applications for regularization
With reportedly four in fray for the slot of IOC Chairman, regularisation need to be done by inviting applications through public notice, shortlising and interviews.
Babubhai Vaghela, Ahemdabad

Is PPS/Sr.PPS/PSO post necessary?
Persons holding the above designations require the support of PA/Steno D for sitting beyond office hours and most of the times they leave office and the poor PA/Steno D is rubbed. Apart from this in case of a lady holding any of the above posts it is open for them to leave office early and thus exposing the pathetic PA/Steno D to more problems. Hope DOPT knows that the salary is not the same from Steno D to PSO. If the officers are aware of this, they must be knowledgeable enough to fix more responsibility on the persons holding these posts irrespective of whether they are male or female. Till date, they have not be able to do so. So, therefore, at present the existence of these posts is not worthy its name.
Kureel

Moorthy drafted new transfer policy for IRS officers
Behind the transfer policy, it is SSN Moorthy, Chairman, CBDT, who has entirely drafted the new transfer policy for IRS officers. How on earth can you do such incorrect reporting based on hear say...Your site is just ending up as a Gossip site with scarce editorial backup...How can you give the credit to Sunil Mitra who doesnt know the ABC of the same! Loathsome and incorrect reporting. If youa are editorially mature, publish this feedback and content in your site.
Anil Kumar Srivastava

Are you a govt or Sonia puppet ?
Dear Chief Editor Sir,
I have observed, of  late, that you take pride in not posting views on your website  that are anti-Sonia Gandhi or anti-Government of India. Instead, you  like to post   knee-jerk responses and one-liners from  'pseudonymous' browsers rather than the opinions of 'genuine browsers'. I won't charge you with  'editorial bullying'. But 'Freedom of Expression' becomes a casualty in the process. Let  your site be a forum for  a no-holds-barred exchange of opinions on substantive issues rather than  issues like : "pay band anomalies or inter- and intra-service rivalries" for which specific redressal mechanisms exist in  GOI. You are a veteran journalist,having served on all mainstream english dailies. Will it not be appropriate  to pre-face your site with a brief ' Leader' from you to focus on current issues. The suggested change in format will oxygenate the site and give browsers a whiff of fresh air! You have seasoned Editors to assist you. Please do not post my views if these clash with your editorial policy and business concerns. My views are, more often than not, run counter to compulsions of real-politik. I hope you are not under any  kind of pressure from the power that be. I know  GOI well enough from inside and  from outside as well. My store house of information gathered from  friends  in the media and GOI, comes in handy  while formulating my opinions on issues of public interests.
A K SAXENA (A retd. civil servant)

Guard against misuse
Some officers use your and such other sites to spread false whispers to further their own interests. You need to guard against such efforts.
Maneesh Agarwal

TAIL-PIECE
     The Temple & its congregation started a campaign to block the Bar from opening with petitions and prayed daily against his business.

     Work progressed.  However, when it was almost complete and was about to open a few days later, a strong lightning struck the Bar and it was burnt to the ground.

     The temple folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, till the Bar owner sued the Temple authorities on the grounds that the Temple through its congregation & prayers was ultimately responsible for the demise of his bar shop, either through direct or indirect actions or means.

     In its reply to the court, the temple vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection that their prayers were reasons to the bar shop's demise. As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork at the hearing and commented:

     'I don't know how I'm going to decide this case, but it appears from the paperwork, we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and we have an entire temple and its devotees that doesn't.'
--
Contributed by-Vivek Dhawan