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Manisha Sensarma

Aaj Ki Aawaz

Congress took its numbers for granted!!!
And when Bill to make Lokpal Constitutional Body did not go through Sonia and her minions raved and ranted!

Some say Congress's floor management was pathetic..... some say no one in the House actually wanted Lokpal to become Constitutional...... some say Congress itself did not want the Constitution amendment Bill to go through and now is doing drama baazi!! Allies were as it is against Article 253 in the Lokpal Bill.... now if Bill has to be amended it can be done by a simple majority!! And what is indeed surprising Madam 'the Ayes have it' or LS Speaker was totally at sea on the requirement of 2/3 majority to carry any amendments in a Constitutional amendment Bill.... after the vote she even passed the amendment till Sushma informed her of the 2/3 majority requirement!!! Seems after the walkout by certain Parties Congis felt they now had a 2/3 majority and forgot to do a factual head count.... both Congress MPs and some Allies had gone AWOL...... the reasons are being speculated!!! Rahul looked shell shocked and Sonia was red faced.... her eye twitches shot up!!! Totally mismanaged affair... first the corrigrendas and then miscalculation of numbers!!! Fire fighter Pranab Da tried to fire fight the embarrassment fire by accusing BJP of ditching the Lokpal Bill and Public demand for a Lokpal.... but to no avail!!! Seems the MPs did not want a Sakraari Lokpal to become a Constitutional Body.... where again the party in power would cause problems for the Opposition and get CBI to whitewash 'it's near and dear'....Congress doing a Navin Chawla in Lokpal is not being ruled out!!!

Fact is what Laloo is against should be good for the Nation!!
Laloo as you know is even against Lokpal's creation!!!

Laloo is against a Lokpal and we all know why????? And then when he got 'supari' from Congress to do what he did during the debate it was like 'sonne pe suhaaga'! Congress's strategy was to get Laloo to deride the institution of Lokpal and in the mean time it would pass a weak Lokpal!!! The shortcomings in the Sarkaari Lokpal are so glaring!! Though Pranab Da did not like the term Sarkaari but if the he would care to debate this with Arvind Kejriwal and promise not to lose his temper or make faces I'm sure he'll be 'beaten black and blue (proverbially)' in the debate!! This excuse that this Sarkaari Lokpal stands to the test to Parliament's Supremacy enshrined in the Constitution is hogwash!!! When the Constitution was written nobody in their wildest dreams could have fathomed that corruption in Government would reach such proportions!!! That's why many say that even Gandhi would have reacted like Anna did to Pawar getting slapped!!! As per Mani Shankar Aiyer Lokpal will become a Constitutional Body in 2019..... he too does not expect Congress to come back to power in 2014!! Anna's now on the back foot......yes if he is able to dent Congress's fortunes in State elections then Congress could come around to see his point of view to ensure that in General Election he does not cause a vote purge!!

Anna's health should be Team Anna's primary concern!!!!
Between forgetting the 'engine' and just going all out for the 'destination' they need to discern!!

They need to think if Anna's not there Team Anna loses its credibility ... loses its 'halo' and its name and fame too!! From a Viral Anna's gone straight into a fast.... even a healthy middle aged man would find this difficult!! They should have put an end to this fast...... they'd even save face.... looking at the turnout!!! Mumbai was the wrong choice and so was the ground..... and Mumbaikars are not known for stepping out for such issues and that too on working days!!! Moreover like I said there is a fast fatigue!!!! Three more days of crowds turning up was asking for too much and in a City like Mumbai it's asking for the impossible!!! Yes had the fasts taken place on a weekend there would have been crowds that would have been classified as 'satisfactory'!! After Anna was jailed and he fasted the turnout was phenomenal as people felt Anna was being mistreated!! I can say without a doubt had Anna been shifted to Jalsok there would have been 'more effective candle vigils' outside the hospital!! Team Anna now needs to get ready to ensure that Congress's prospects in UP elections are dented. Team Anna has the potential to make Congress's seats fall below 20!!!

PS..... Imagine our 'know all' TV Channels forgot the 2/3rd majority rule and in fact all Channels 'had passed the Constitutional Amendment'.... I hear a TV Anchor even sent Rahul a SMS congratulating him..... 'you've changed the game... congrats'!!!! Seems Messrs. Bansal and Shukla are in for a banging..... the only excuse they have now is that their arithmetic is bad!!!!! RS will take up the Lokpal Bill on 29/12......Congress is all of a sudden talking to 'everyone'.... something that Congress is not used to!!!! And as usual Pranab Da is doing the talking.... for all practical purposes our PM is now redundant!! Without Joker Laloo the discussion in RS will be of a higher standard..... looking forward to hearing Jaitley and Jethmalani.....now let us see if there is consistency in SP and BSP's reaction to the Bill!!! When all other methods of fighting the fire fail then Fire Fighter Pranab Da fights the fire with money.... TMC may get another Rs. 8000 crores for its support in RS on the Lokpal Bill!!! Pure hogwash that Ambani bros are coming together..... Anil, needs Mukesh ....but its not vice versa.... for them to come together both should need each other!!! Yes they could stop digging ditches for each other .... may pool their Political cout!!! This show of brotherly love was for Mama Kokila who holds a considerable chunk of RIL stock!!

Flash: Seems post the discussion in RS the Lokpal Bill will be sent to a select Committee! Team Anna will go to UP! Bahut saari film abhi baaki hai!!

Bharat Kumar
aaj_ki_aawaz@yahoo.com

Bihar CM floored by Japanese Prime Minister
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was floored by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda during a dinner meeting in Delhi on December 28, 2011. It so happened that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda recounted the success story of Bihar via a vis the turn around that Nitish Kumar had been able to bring about as the Bihar Chief Minister. On hearing this Nitish Kumar was flabbergasted.

(DEBATE-CONCLUSION )

Anna effect derails work implementation
The Anna effect has created a fear psychosis among the corrupt bureaucrats with the result that several projects and schemes including those meant for the welfare of people are languishing for want of initiative at the higher level. This was the conclusion of a debate conducted by the whispersinthecorridors.com titled 'Lokpal Bill and Bureaucracy' recently.

Whispers has asked "The debate on Lokpal Bill and the subsequent anger and protests across the country led by veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare has instilled a fear of accountability among the bureaucracy. How should the bureaucrats react to the situation?" and the majority of respondents felt that since the government officials have become extra careful, even many important works have taken a backseat.

And the fear about the adverse impact of Anna Hazare (Lokpal bill) on 'mega projects' is not totally unfounded. In the absence of 'speed money', the projects could slow down temporarily due to fear in taking rational decisions. The institution of Lokpal will check, if not stamp out, inflow of black money - into the realty sector and social sector schemes - that is being misused as a corpus for bribery. Though, the Realtors, as private players, will not come under the ambit of Lokpal bill, their nexus with corrupt government functionaries will get exposed.

However, some of the respondents said, "Only the corrupt should fear Lokpal Bill". The Anna effect, according to him, has created a fear psychosis only among the corrupt bureaucrats by enhancing their accountability. The corrupt Ministers alongwith the public sector executives handling projects are also feeling immensely threatened by the impending Lokpal Bill. The nexus between the corrupt political Executives and bureaucrats is an open secret. No Minister can indulge in corruption without the collusion of corrupt bureaucrats and vice versa.

Let the performance of bureaucrats/executives be assessed in relation to physical and financial progress of government projects. Greater transparency in tender evaluation is required. The and PSU executives must also refuse to buckle under the political pressure.

(Detailed report in December issue of Whispers in the Corridors )

BUREAUCRACY

Will Justice Bhandari go to Hague?
Grapevine has it that Senior Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Dalveer Bhandari is moving to the International Court of Justice ,Hague.

Rita Menon appointed Chairperson ITPO
Mrs. Rita Menon, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation for a period of two years with effect from the date of assumption of charge till her retirement or until further orders, whichever is earlier. She is 1975 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.
(We said this on December 23)

Panel for Special DG BSF
A panel of five IPS officers has been prepared by the MHA for the post of Special DG BSF. It consists of Shiv Shankar, Umesh Kumar, V M Kanwar, Safi Alam and P N Dixit all 1977 batch.

Who will be new Commissioner BMC?
Who will succeed Subodh Kumar on February 1 as Commissioner of the prestigious Mumbai Municipal Corporation? Tie is said to be between 1979 batch IAS officer T C Benjamin and 1982 batch IAS officer A K Jain.

Dinaraj to be Director (Finance) NPCL
R Preman Dinaraj is going on deputation to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd as Director (Finance). He is 1984 batch IA&AS officer. This is a JS level post.

Nalin Singhal selected as CMD, CEL
Nalin Singhal, Director (T & M), IRCTC, has been selected for the post of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Central Electronics Limited (CEL) at Public Enterprises Selection Board meeting held on Wednesday. As many as 10 persons were interviewed for the same.

Rajiv Sharma to join GoI as JS, NGRBA
Rajiv Sharma Prl Secy, Panchayat & Rural Dev Deptt., government of AP will be joining shortly to the newly created post of Joint Secretary National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) Ministry of Environment & Forest. He is an IPS Officer of 1982 batch who belongs to Andhra Pradesh Cadre.

Jauahri to be new JS Shipping
M C Jauhari will be new Joint Secretary Shipping in the Government of India. He is 1987 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

Mittal gets additional charge of JS (P) in MHA
K. K. Mittal, Joint Director, (BM), Ministry of Home Affairs is taking over additional charge of Joint Secretary (Police1) .He is an IAS officer of 1983 batch who belongs to Assam Meghalaya Cadre.

Jyoti Arora to be new JS, Power
Ms Jyoti Arora is being appointed new Joint Secretary, Power in the Government of India. She is 1987 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Anil Gulati is new JS, Justice
Anil Gulati has joined the Department of Justice in the Government of India. He is a 1984 batch IRPS officer.
(We said this on October 28)

Tenure of Dr. Prajapati Trivedi as Chairman NACWC extended
The tenure of Dr. Prajapati Trivedi as Secretary (Performance Management) and Chairman, National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention, Cabinet Secretariat has been extended from January, 2012 to August 2013.

Ms Priya Kumar appointed Director Financial Services
Ms.Priya Kumar has been appointed as Director Financial Service in the Ministry of Finance. She is an IIS Officer of 1991 batch.

1979 batch IAS to get ACS rank in Maharashtra
Two 1979 batch IAS officers in Maharashtra cadre Dr Amitabh Rajan and T J Benjamin are being promoted to the rank of ACS early next month.

V R Gupta soon to be Director (Finance) CWC
V R Gupta is soon going to be new Director (Finance) of the Central Warehousing Corporation. Presently, he is Director Finance with IRCTC.
(We said this on April 15, 2011)

Govt. launches drive to fill 57947 backlog vacancies
Centre Government has launched a drive to fill up as many as 57947 backlog vacancies in all Ministries and Departments by March 31, 2012.

Vijaya Kanth takes over as FC Railways
Mrs. Vijaya Kanth has taken over as the new Financial Commissioner (FC) (Railways) and ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India. Prior to her appointment as FC in Railway Board, Mrs. Kanth was General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) Organization, Guwahati. She is 1975 batch officer from Indian Railway Account Service (IRAS).
(We said this on Nov 19 and Dec 27, 2011)

Two IFS of J& K cadre get HAG
A K Srivastav IFS (1980, J&K) presently on GoI deputation as IGF Wildlife and Lal Chand IFS (1981, J&K) presently Chairman J&K Pollution Control Board have been given HAG.

1998 batch officers can be Directors in GoI after June
1998 batch officers will only be eligible for the post of Director in the Government of India only after June 2012.

2003 batch officers to be Dy Secretary in GoI after June
2003 batch officers will only be eligible for the post of Deputy Secretary in the Government of India only after June 2012.

P P Srivastava to be Settlement Commissioner, Mumbai
P P Srivastava, IRS, CCIT-I, Mumbai, who is retiring on December 31, has been re-appointed as Settlement Commissioner at Mahalaxmi office in Mumbai for a period of two years.

Will Bishnoi become Member of PESB?
Name of former CMD of the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) P K Bishnoi reportedly figure in the panel prepared for the post of Member of the PESB.

Kanodia promoted in JAG in Orissa
Nikhil Kumar Kanodia, AIGP, SP, HQ Cuttack, has been promoted to Junior Administrative Grade by the State Government of Orissa. He is an IPS Officer of 2003 batch who belongs to Orissa cadre.

Bansal appointed CMD, Oriental Bank of Commerce
Union Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services, New Delhi has appointed S. L. Bansal, presently Executive Director of United Bank of India (UBI) as Chairman and Managing Director of Oriental Bank of Commerce effective March 1, 2012.

Rajesh Kumar gets promotion in Orissa
Rajesh Kumar SP Balasore has been promoted in Selection Grade by the State Government of Orissa . He is an IPS Officer of 1998 batch, who belongs to the Orissa cadre.

Mishra appointed ED, Andhra Bank
Union Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services, New Delhi has appointed K. K. Mishra, General Manager, Canara Bank, as a Whole-Time Director designated as the Executive Director of Andhra Bank.

Srivastava to be Special Commissioner in Orissa
S N Srivastava, Joint Commissioner Training in Delhi Police, will be promoted as Spl. CP (Training) in place of K K Maheswari, IPS. He is an IPS officer of 1985 batch who belongs to the AGMU Cadre.

Post of Director (HRD) vacant in BSNL
The post of Director (HRD) has been lying vacant in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Those willing to apply can send their applications to Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) before February 9, 2012.

GoI is waiting for assessment report of MP IPS officers
The MHA is awaiting assessment report of half a dozen Madhya Pradesh IPS officers. They are Mssrs:- Ms. Ruchi Srivastava, Chandra Shekhar Solanki, Ms. T Amongla Aier and Akash Jindal of 2006 batch and Ms. Ruchika Jain and Sachin Kumar Atulkar of 2007 batch.

25,674 posts vacant in BSF
As many as 25,674 posts are vacant in Border Security Force (BSF).

Will they exchange places ?
There is rumour that Income Tax Ombudsman in Ahemdabad, K P Singh may go to Lucknow and Kalyan Chaudhary posted in Lucknow may go to Ahemdabad.

Post of JDG (Enforcement) vacant in ASI
The post of Joint Director General (Enforcement) has been lying vacant in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Those willing to apply can send their applications to the Central Board of Excise and Customs before January 15, 2012.

Training programme on CIM at Gurgaon from Jan 9
A training programme on Critical Incident Management (CIM) is being at CRPF Academy Gurgaon held from 9 to 17 January 2012.

Rishi Kapoor to move to Gaborone
Second Secretary in Canberra Rishi Kapoor is moving to Gaborone in place of Ravindra Nath who is going to Bogota.

Syamal Datta, IRS, appointed Sr. Tech. Officer, CEIB
Syamal Datta, IRS, has been appointed Senior Technical Officer in Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) for a period of three years.

PAKISTAN WHISPERS
Pakistan: If you believe ISI then everyone in this court room is a traitor, Haqqani's Counsel Tells Apex Court.
Noted Pakistani lawyer and counsel for Pakistan's former ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani has during the course of her submissions before the apex court in the 'memogate' case questioned the authority of DG ISI Shuja Pasha to visit London to investigate the case. 'Who let Shuja Pasha go to London and why did he meet US businessman of Pakistani origin Mansoor Ijaaz? Is ISI an investigating agency', she asked the court and cautioned 'if you go by the ISI's word then every one of us here in this court room is a traitor. People of Baluchistan are traitors, Late Benazir Bhutto was a traitor, Wali Khan was a traitor and even one of the present petitioners (Nawaz Sharif) was a traitor who tried to poison a former army chief if you believe the ISI'. Ms Jahangir argued praying for dismissal of the petition as it fell outside the apex court's jurisdiction being at best a criminal case.

Pakistan : Memogate litigation and controversy sponsored by Keyani-Pasha duo, says Haqqani's counsel

A section of the Pakistani legal circles believe that the 'memogate' petition is actually sponsored by the Keyani-Shuja Pasha duo for their own interests. Asma Jahangir counsel for former Pakistani ambassador to US openly termed the petition as 'benami' as 'two of the respondents (implying army chief Keyani and DG ISI Shuja Pasha) are the actual petitioners'. Jahangir also hinted in her arguments that Mansoor Ijaaz the US businessman of Pakistani origin and self confessed author of the memo whose articles in the western media triggered the memo controversy to begin with is also being manipulated by the DG ISI Shuja Pasha. It is to be noted that Pasha who hardly has any knowledge of forensics or investigative techniques met Ijaaz for just about four hours in a London hotel during a secret visit and gave a certificate of impeccable authenticity to whatever the businessman alleged about the memo, the role played by Haqqani in its conceptualisation and the approval accorded by President Zardari for it to be delivered to US Admiral Mike Mullen. An article written by Ijaaz soon after his meeting with Pasha that President Zardari had advance knowledge of the US Navy Seal's raid in Abbottabad in which Osama was killed, is also believed to have been prompted by the spy master with an express motive to bring Zardari in to disrepute before the people of Pakistan.

Jerath is new ADGFT (UPDATED)
Sumeet Jerath has been appointed Additional Director General Foreign Trade ,a newly created post in Delhi. He is 1985 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

Pradhan gets additional charge of Power (UPDATED)
Secretary New and Renewable Energy Gireesh B Pradhan has been given an additional charge as Secretary, Ministry of Power till January 15. He is 1977 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Basu gets additional charge of Animal Husbandry (UPDATED)
Secretary Agriculture PK Basuhas been given the additional charge as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry till January 8. He is 1976 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

Sikri gets additional charge of Pharmecuticals (UPDATED)
Secretary Justice in the Government of India D K Sikri has been given additional charge of the Department of Pharmecuticals. He is 1975 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

Sujatha Singh is new Ambassador to Germany (UPDATED)
Sujatha Singh, presently high Commissioner of India to Australia has been appointed as the next Ambassador Of India to Germany.
( We said this on November 11)

Sarkar appointed CMD of Union Bank of India (UPDATED)
Executive Director Allahabad Bank D Sarkar has been appointed as the next Chairman and Managing Director of Union Bank Of India. He is expected to take charge in April.

Rajkumar elevated as ED Indian Bank (UPDATED)
General Manager of the Andhra Bank B. Raj Kumar has been elevated as Executive Director of Indian Bank. He will assume charge on January 1.

Raghavan is new ED Bank of India (UPDATED)
General Manager Indian overseas bank M.S. Raghavan has been appointed as Executive Director Bank of India. He assumed charge on December 29, 2011.

K K Mishra joins as ED Andhra Bank (UPDATED)
General Manager of the Canara Bank K K Mishra on elevation has joined as Executive Director of Andhra Bank today.

Shishir Jha appointed as Commissioner (Inv.), CBDT-HQ (UPDATED)
Shishir Jha, CIT (Media Coordinator), has been appointed as Commissioner (Investigation), CBDT-HQ in the Department of Revenue.

A D M Chavali is ED, IOB (UPDATED)
A DM Chavali, who was earlier a General Manager (GM) in the Bank of Baroda (BOB), has taken over as new Executive Director (ED) of the Indian Overseas Bank (IOB).

V K Prasanth transferred to DGIT (Sys.), New Delhi (UPDATED)
V K Prasanth, DDIT (Vig.), New Delhi, has been transferred to DGIT (Systems), New Delhi.

DEBATE

Is it appropriate or inappropriate for an elected representative to address a bureaucrat as "Sir"?

Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik has asked Cabinet Ministers to maintain dignity of the office. Patnaik conveyed his mind when a Minister addressed "Sir" to an IAS officer in his presence. "You are Cabinet Minister and should maintain your dignity" the Chief Minister said. How far it is appropriate or inappropriate for an elected representative to address a bureaucrat as "Sir".

Mail your to the point views to suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com or mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com

CORPORATE

Madhukar Gupta & Ghanshyam Hiralal Amin join NALCO board
The Board of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna PSU under Ministry of Mines, Government of India (GoI), has been strengthened with the appointment of Madhukar Gupta, IAS (retd) and Ghanshyam Hiralal Amin as Independent Directors for a period of three years. Gupta is the former Union Home Secretary and Amin is the Vice-President of National Cooperative Union of India. With four other Independent directors already on NALCO board, the strength of such Directors has gone up to six.There are still two more vacancies to be filled up in the NALCO board.

Parekh resigns from HUL Board
HDFC's Chairman Deepak Parekh, who is an independent director on FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has resigned from the board.

Is Naresh Goyal in trouble with IT department?
The Income Tax Department has sent two notices to Naresh Goyal, promoter and Chairman of Jet Airways over holding foreign bank accounts.

Roychoudhary appointed by Winsome Yarns
Aditya Kumar Roychoudhary has been appointed nominee Director of Winsome Yarn.

Great Offshore's Mehra quits
Chetan Mehra Director of Great Offshore Ltd has quit.

Pawan Bansal appointed COO, Jagran Solutions
Jagran Prakashan Ltd (JPL) has appointed Pawan Bansal as Chief Operating Officer for Jagran Solutions. He will however, continue to lead the group's OOH division foray, Jagran Engage and consolidate the group's presence in the sector while the charge of COO - Jagran Solutions will be additional.

Bhartiya Group appoints Alok Nigam as SVP, HR
Bhartiya Group, a diversified lifestyle group with two verticals - Bhartiya Fashion and Bhartiya Urban, has appointed Alok Nigam as Senior Vice President, HR. He was with Bharti Airtel as CHRO of the Network Services Group for India and South Asia.

Deepak Mehrotra appointed CEO at Micromax
Deepak Mehrotra has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Micromax. Earlier he was with Bharti, where he was Operations Director - Mobility Business.

Nigam appointed Senior VP (HR), Bhartiya Group
Bhartiya Group has appointed Alok Nigam as Senior Vice President (Human Resources).

Two directors appointed on Syschem India Ltd Board
Syschem India Ltd has appointed Jagir Singh and Satish Chand Aggarwal as Additional Directors on the Board of Directors of the company.

Balasubramaniam ceases to be Director, Bannari Amman Spinning Mills Ltd
Dr S V Balasubramaniam ceased to be Director of Bannari Amman Spinning Mills Ltd w.e.f. December 28, 2011 following his resignation from the company.

Balasubramanian ceases to be Director, Shiva Texyarn Ltd
Dr S V Balasubramaniam ceased to be Director of Shiva Texyarn Ltd w.e.f. December 28, 2011, following his resignation from the company.

Shankar resigns as Non Exec. Director Tata Global Beverages Ltd
Ajay Shankar has resigned as Non Executive Independent Director from the Board of Tata Global Beverages Ltd following his appointment as Member Secretary of National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council .

Two directors cease to be on Board of Som Datt Finance Corporation Ltd
Ved Prakash Marwah and Kawaljit Singh have resigned as directors of Som Datt Finance Corporation Ltd w.e.f. December 20, 2011

Roy Choudhary appointed Nominee Director, Winsome Yarns Ltd
Winsome Yarns Ltd has appointed Aditya Kumar Roy Choudhary as Nominee Director of the company in place of Yashpal Barar w.e.f. November 14, 2011

DEBATE (1)

Much has been written about 'Sirs' and 'Saabs'. In the tradition and discipline bound Army, Officers including COAS, address JCOs (Naib Subedars, Subedars and Subedar Majors) as Saabs.

N Krishnan

DEBATE (2)

There is a long debate whether it is appropriate to call a junior as Sir. But is a minister senior? He is a servant of the people but is he calling them Sir? Ministers don't deserve any respect but they have to give respect to all other citizens.

D S N Murthi

God save this country !

UPA is full of corrupt politicians and pushing every person who raises under the carpet. Only god can save this country.

Raman

Civil Society Scores First Victory !

The passing of the Lokpal Bill in the Lok Sabha on Dec 27, 2011 is the first victory of the civil society and a strong warning to all those elements who have been decrying it in their vanity. They called it street power, distinct from the power of the legislature, and thus were contemptuous of the wiser public opinion. They were living in the fool's paradise of absurd notion that there was none above them and they were not accountable to anybody. Now they know they are accountable to the same street, which will haul them on the coals before the Lokpal for their acts of corruption. Howsoever weak a Lokpal may be devised, it is bound to send cold shivers down the spine of most corrupt(even a non independent CBI does that by making the jungle ke sher into a circus ke sher).There is no doubt that this Bill does not satisfy all: it certainly is a weak piece of legislation. But it is not yet passed. It will be interesting to watch what newer mechanisms are deployed to derail even this half hearted piece of legislation. By the way, the full membership of the Lok Sabha did not participate in the consideration, debate and voting on such an important piece of legislation that has been agitating the nation!

M L Gupta

Mismanagement in Parking lot at Rail Bhavan

What a bold action ? The Railway minister cant take independent decision like appointing of FC, Members of Railway board without a nod from DIDI ( Calcutta) so in frustration senior honest officers like Abhaya Khanna are deprived of their right ?

Kunal

Certified copies of the photocopies

Background

The appellant sought certain attested documents and information regarding the rule of the RTI Act, under which the attested copies of documents should be given. The PIO denied the attested copies of documents claiming that the Public Authority does not possess original documents. The Commission directed the PIO to provide the relevant provision of law to the appellant regarding attestation and to supply attested copies of the photocopies of documents available in the records to the Appellant along with a note on each page clarifying that the same are only copies of photocopies and not copies of the original documents.

Comments

The RTI Act empowers the citizens of India to obtain certified copies of the documents from the Government Organisations and the PIO should not refuse to certify the documents even if the Public Authority does not possess the original documents. In such cases, a note should be given that they are only copies of photocopies and not copies of the original documents. It should be remembered that certified copies of the original may be used as an evidence in a court of law.

Citation: Shrikant Vaidya v. North Central Railway, Allahabad in File No. CIC/AD/A/2011/002311

[Mr. Paras Nath Singh v. Ministry of External Affairs in CIC/SG/A/2011/002072/15657Adjunct]

- 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)