This is a very good site in the sense that it provides very good information
Madanpal Singh

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

Whisper's Debate

Seven Prime Ministerial candidates in NDA
As the political climate in the country turns murky, observers feel a general election to the Lok Sabha in the near future will benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). A debate run by whipsersinthecorridors.com to judge the mood of the nation has thrown open a positive mandate in favour of the NDA. However, who will head the NDA combine if it returns to power is what most observers are still confused about. For there are as many as seven aspirants or Prime Ministerial candidates from the NDA combine.

The leaders of NDA who are eyeing at the top include Lal Krishna Advani - the senior BJP leader who missed out in 1999-2004 term when the NDA was calling the shots. During the entire five year period he had to live under the shadow of Atal Bihari Vajpayee - elder statesman - and he remained relegated to the number 2 position in the government. For Advani this is perhaps his last opportunity for a look at prime ministership. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj is also hoping that things will go in her favour. Being a women gives Sushama that added advantage. Like Sushma Swaraj, BJP's second rung leaders namely Narendra Modi, Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley are also eyeing their chances. With a little luck anyone one of these leaders can make it to the top. Modi, by his effective handling of the Gujarat is harbouring ambitions for a national role.

Fresh from his electoral win, Nitish Kumar has been tansformed overnight from a regional leader to a national leader having a pan India appeal. He is also eyeing on the Prime Minister's post as he feels he would emerge as a consensus candidate in an NDA formation. On the other hand there is Sharad Yadav, a politician who has mastered the art of survival and cannot be written off. Being the NDA convenor, he is a potential candidate. Going by his past, it won't be a surprise if the champion of the Mandal movement pulls off to lead a non-Congress, non-BJP combine in a fractured Lok Sabha.

(Read details in the Dec issue of WHIPSERS IN THE CORRIDORS, Magazine)

TOP CORPORATE POWER HOUSES IN INDIA
1. Mukesh Ambani & Anil Ambani
Reliance Group
Apart from heading one of India's biggest and diverse business conglomerates, Mukesh Ambani is the man keenly watched globally. For the record sake Mukesh's worth is over US $27 Billion as per Forbes list and he may be the richest man in the World by 2014. So, it is hard to believe that his footprints are not behind any major policy initiatives, especially that relating finance, taxation or trade and commerce. Mukesh's Man Friday in Delhi, Bala Subramaniam, takes care of the group's networking. He has unhindered access to all power centres in Delhi be it Congress party's Pranab Mukherjee or Motilal Vora, BJP's L.K. Advani or Nitin Gadkari, Communist party's Sitaram Yachuri or D. Raja, RJD's Laloo Yadav or other smaller parties. His aim is to get a Bharat Ratna award for the late Dhirubhai Ambani - his father and founder of Reliance Group - besides, total allegiance of the country's bureaucrats and politicians. His team is feverishly working along with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi. However, the row over lobbyist Neera Radia tapes and her conversations that became public have tarnished the image of the company still, he is not the one who can just be stopped over by such minor irritants.
His younger brother, Anil Ambani had already enjoyed unhindered access to the -corridors of power and ever since the patch up with the elder brother is trying to consolidate his gains. His team is active round the clock keeping a tab on critical issues in governance.

2. Shashi Ruia and Ravi Ruia
Essar Group
They are number four in Forbes list of richest Indians with assets worth nearly US$ 15 billion, but maintain an extremely low profile. The government is said to have supported them in the attempt to restructure their group in recent years and they enjoy the most unhindered access to all political parties. The fact that they have no political ambition has stood them in good light with all political parties. Their man in Delhi is Sunil Bajaj, who enjoys an easy access to all political bigwigs and bureaucratic strongholds. They only travel to Delhi when work calls for their presence and their coming and going go unnoticed as they travel unobtrusively with the minimum noise. Of late, the Group's networking too has acquired a higher crescendo, what with all the expansion plans, and acquisitions in foreign countries.

3. Gautam Adani
Adani Group
Forbes has placed him at number 7 in the richest Indians list with a worth of more than US $ 10 billion in kitty. Adani's is the fastest growing group in the country's Corporate landscape forcing observers to say that he is the Dhirubhai Ambani in the making. His political connections are fantastic. His claim to fame is for having been caught on the wrong side of the law more than any other business man in the country. However, he sails out of trouble every time and moves ahead with greater conviction. His strong political connections with BJP patriarch L.K. Advani, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Congress' Ahmed Patel is the talk among observers and the envy of his competitors. His key aide Puneet Sharan presides over the Public Relations activities of the group in Delhi.

4. Ratan Tata
Tata Group
From salt to heavy vehicles to the most high tech IT set ups, Tata's is one of the oldest Indian conglomerates, having touched the lives of every Indian. People have learnt to live with Tata, for Tata's stood for quality, conviction and growth with humility. Though the contents of the Radia Tapes have done great damage to the reputation of Ratan Tata, still his is the most revered business house in the country. For the record, Forbes does not have him on their rich list. Is he a billionaire? No, Ratan Tata is not a billionaire. Of course he is the Chairman of Tata Group having 96 businesses out of which 28 are publicly listed and are worth more than US $ 70 billion. Well, to be a billionaire, on your financial statement, your assets must be worth billions of dollars. The main bulk of the shares of its 96 Businesses are not on Ratan Tata's personal financial statement. Tata Group's Key holding Company, Tata Sons has 65 per cent ownership to various Tata group charitable organizations out of which Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Sir J.R.D. Tata Trust are the main holders. About 18 per cent of the holdings in Tata Son's are with Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry who maintains low profile and is known as "Phantom of Bombay House". Ratan Tata himself holds less than 1% of TATA Sons, the key holding Company of Tata Group. This is the reason why he is not a billionaire.
Ratan Tata given his respect among common man should have been number one in this list but his public spat with TMC leader Mamata Banerjee over the Nano project and land acquisition in Singur, West Bengal have left his image tarred. Moreover, the shifting of his pet Nano small car project to Narendra Modi's Gujarat has marred his chances of getting a Bharat Ratna, as long as the Congress is in power at the Centre. His personal office general manager, who happens to be son of a senior lady journalist in Delhi, is RNT's networking man.

5. Lakshmi N. Mittal
ArcelorMittal
Steel tycoon and the chairman of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaking company is placed by Forbes at the number two position with a net worth of US $ 26.1 billion. His journey to become one of the richest man in the world, has been very controversial from his association with former
Indonesian President Suharto to British Prime Minister Tony Blair who allegedly helped him in his business ventures. In India his association started with for Union Minister N.K.P. Salve and this helped him move closer to power centres in India. He enjoys personal rapport with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress' Political Secretary Ahmed Patel and enjoyed equally close relationship with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's family.

6. Sunil Mittal
Bharti Enterprises
With a worth of US $ 8.6 billion the telecom czar, Sunil Mittal is placed at number 9 in the Forbes list. Son of a father who was MP from Ludhiana of the Congress Party, he started business with manufacturing cycle parts at the age of 18. He is a risk taker and known to have best networking with political masters in Delhi. His office door conference room) near Qutub Minar says it all SULTANAT. His aim is to be Emperor of telecom world and he has already taken steps in that direction looking for joint ventures, acquisitions and mergers in Africa and elsewhere in Asia.

7. K.P. Singh
DLF Limited
Forbes pitches him shade ahead of Sunil Mittal at number 8 in the India rich list with a worth of US $ 9.2 billion. His chance meeting on the road with late Rajiv Gandhi turned him from a small time builder of south Delhi to the biggest builder in India. His controversial tie up with Dubai World company Emaar Group has tarnished his image and probably made him loose a few billions. He is regarded as the Ambassador of Good times by the political glitterati in Delhi. He is said to be richest person in the national capital.

8. Venugopal N. Dhoot
Videocon Industries Limited
Videocon Industries limited being headed by its Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) Venugopal N Dhoot, is the flagship company of US $ 5 billion Videocon Group having diversified business interests in white and brown goods, power generation (both conventional and renewable energy). Exploration and Prospecting Oil and Gas, Providing GSM Mobile Telephone Services, last mile retail, and Direct to Home Delivery of Television Contents. Its activities are well spread out in India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia and Mozambique, with employee strength of more than 15,000. Venugopal N Dhoot, a second-generation entrepreneur and an engineer by training, transformed Videocon from a conference room-sized assembly line in 1979 into a conglomerate across the verticals of consumer electronics and home appliances, office automation, telecom, power, crude oil and natural gas. Dhoot has a vision to led Videocon and make it a Fortune 500 company in the next five years. Dhoot is an environmental enthusiast having successfully completed a project of planting 2,00,000 teak saplings across India.

9. Subrata Roy Sahara
Sahara Group
Chairman of the Group having India's biggest - land bank, NBFC, Media & Entertainment Company, Service & product company, exclusive Aamby Valley City along with Major housing & commercial building projects including Malls, Premium Apartments, Hotels and Hospitals, Life Insurance Company, Mutual Fund House, Housing Finance Co., Consumer products & Retail Chain, Integrated travel & tourism services. Subrata Roy Sahara's worth is about US $ 3.3 billion and as Chief Guardian of world's largest family, providing livelihood to millions, directly touching the life of one out of every fifteen Indian, believing in collective sharing & caring for collective growth, proved over decades through CSR projects and activities carried out all over India and particularly in UP & Bihar, one of world's poorest regions, up to the assistance to families of Martyr's of Kargil war and 26/11 Mumbai attack.
Biggest supporter of Sports, being a character builder of nation, more than 60 % medal winning Indian athletes in CWG 2010 sponsored by Sahara India Pariwar. Extended critical support which made the event wonderful for India. Exploring overseas value adding acquisitions like England's legendry soccer club Liverpool, one the oldest Hollywood Studios MGM, iconic London Hotel Grosvenor House. A visionary par excellence, one of the all time great entrepreneur, dedicated to nation building.

10. Kumar Mangalam Birla
The Aditya Birla Group
Like Tata, the name Birla is synonymous with Indian Industry and has been among I the country's oldest business houses. Kumar Mangalam Birla, the Chairman of the US$ 29 billion Aditya Birla Group, a global conglomerate with operations spanning 27 countries. An iconic figure, Birla holds several key positions on various regulatory and professional boards. He is a Director of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India and Chairman of the Staff Sub-Committee of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India. He serves on the Prime Minister of India's Advisory Council on Trade and Industry. Birla group has however,not changed like other business groups. They still believe in traditional business style and instead of expanding their empire are trying to consolidate their present business establishments. They do not want to walk on the waves of the time.

11. Anil Agrawal
Vedanta Group
Vedanta Group is an LSE-listed diversified FTSE 100 metals and mining company, and India's largest non-ferrous metals and mining company. Anil Agrawal, the NRI Chairman of the Vedanta Group has a worth of US $ 7.9 billion. Agrawal's ambition is to become the richest businessman in India. If things would have gone as he had planned out with the IPO and the expansion of mining activity in Orissa, Agrawal would have overtaken Mukesh Ambani as the richest Indian businessmen. He is said to have a direct access in the Ten Janpath.

12. G.M. Rao
GMR Group
Founder Chairman of GMR Group-global Infrastructure major the Group is well
diversified and professionally managed with focus on business verticals of Airports, Energy, Highways and Urban Infrastructure including SEZs, apart from interests in Agri-business. Born on July 14, 1950 in a small town of Rajam in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, G M Rao established the GMR business empire starting from a single jute mill in Rajam in 1978.G M Rao expanded the group's presence in the infrastructure sector by leading the group's foray into Highways. The group bagged its first global project by winning the bid to modernise the Sabiha Gokcen International (SGA) airport at Istanbul, Turkey and also ventured into the new business sector of Urban Infrastructure. The group will set up a 3300 acre multi-product SEZ in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu. It is marching ahead on lines of the Adani group. With a strong desire to serve the needs of the marginalised sections and the rural society, Rao set up the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, to raise their living standards. The Foundation is active in the areas of education, health and hygiene, community development and empowerment.

13. Gopichand Hinduja
Hinduja Group
Hinduja is worth billions of dollars, but he still shares a kitchen with his three brothers. He co-chairs the Indian multinational corporation Hinduja Group with his eldest brother Srichand. Srichand, 75, and Gopichand, 70, are based in the exclusive district of Mayfair in London. The third brother, Prakash, 65, is in Geneva, while the fourth, and the youngest, Ashok, 60, remains in Mumbai. In each country, there is a house with a joint kitchen for all four of the brothers and their families to use. They are estimated to be worth a total of about US$9.5 billion (Dh34.89bn), according to The Sunday Times 2008 Rich List. At one stage they had fast emerged as a force to reckon with in the corridors of power, but now seem to have preferred lying low.

Excellent information on Corporate World
Sahdev Khatua

Aaj Ki Aawaz

There is a niggling worry.... will high inflation be an excuse????

To get FDI into retail high inflation excuse Sarkaar may use!!!

It is well known Pawar is a votary of FDI in retail!!!

Because his flunkies boast.... for FDI's entry into retail all that is left is 'the tail'!!

Pawar spreads his net far and wide!!!

And Pawar is always on 'big money's' side!!!

Montek says 'prosperity's outfall is inflation'.... Congress ka upaasak!!!

We are already hurting on account of inflation and we have to listen to his buk-buk!

China has a phenomenal rate of growth but inflation is below 6% (November 2010)!!!

Montek is not willing to spell out why here into double digits inflation was sent!!

He is a Congressman at heart and so he will not accept UPA's failures and misdeeds!

Montek knows the real reasons why Indians inflation bleeds!!

Do you think Mohna does not know what is the cause for India's rocketing inflation?

That is why now people say we have an able but ineffective PM leading the Nation!!

Inflation comes down fractionally and UPA starts patting itself on the back!!

Come next general election this will be one of the main reasons for UPA getting the sack!

It is rumoured that Pawar has invested his loot with quite a few Mumbai based builders!!

How he gets away with all this for so long is what bewilders!!!

All know he's taking the Nation to the cleaners everyday!!

For his being a Mantri Nation and Indians everyday dearly do pay!

His flunky Praful is no less!!!

Its said first he made moolah and got AI into a mess and now he profits from the mess!

It is rumoured in Private Airlines he has a stake!!!

For AI concern he does fake!!

In China Ghadkari plans to 'sample China's famed Banquet cuisine'!!!

He is interested in starting a ' Chinese Maharshtrian' Restaurant Chain!!

Imagine Pao Noodle Bhaji in a spicy chilly sauce and cooked in a wok!!!

Vada Pao in which Vada is replaced with dumplings and Ghati Chillies in Chinese Vinegar for that soc!!!

Confucius says..... Chinese and Maharashtrian cuisine are not made for each other!!!!

Just like a BJP Member can never call a Chinese 'brother'!!!

Adds.... Differ in basics.....BJP believes in Bhagwan Ram's Power!!!!

And Chinese believe in Politburo's power!!!

Bharat Kumar

BUREAUCRACY

Cabinet reshuffle likely next week
In corridors of power it is strongly believed that Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's Cabinet will be reshuffled in the week starting January 17, 2011.

Madhav Lal to be new Chief Secretary of J&K
Madhav Lal, Additional Secretary to Government of India in Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises will be new Chief secretary OF J&K.1977 batch IAS officer Madhav Lal will succeed Sham Singh Kapoor on February 1.

Pawan Singh is no.2 in panel for DF, POWERGRID
As the grapevine has it they are: Pawan Singh (from Railways) is number two in the panel for the post of Director Finance (DF) in POWERGRID interviews for which were held on January 13, 2011. Presently he is Director(Finance) in Delhi Transco

Dr Kakodhkar nominated to National Security Advisory Board
Former Atomic Energy Commission chairman, Dr Anil Kakodhkar has been nominated to National Security Advisory Board, reconstituted by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Shashi Prakash is new CIC Tripura
Former Chief Secretary Shashi Prakash has been appointed Chief Information Commissioner in Tripura. He is retired 1976 batch IAS officer.

Behera is Director DGS&D
B K Behera has joined as Director in the DGS&D. He is 1996 batch Indian Economic Service officer.

Kushwah joins MHA
U P Kushwah has joined the Ministry of Home Affairs as Deputy Secretary. He is 1998 batch IDAS officer.

Post of IG to fall vacant in CRPF in April
One post of IG will be falling vacant in CRPF in April due to completion of central deputation tenure by M. Nageshwar Rao, IG, Orissa. He is an IPS officer of the 1986 batch who belongs to Orissa cadre.

Bihar bureaucrats to submit details of assets
The Bihar Government has made it mandatory for all bureaucrats to submit details of their assets, which would be made public by January 31 on the lines of the ministers.

Srinivasan to move to Addis Ababa
R Srinivasan is moving from the MEA Headquarters to Addis Ababa as Second Secretary.

Naik to join MEA
Second Secretary in Indian Embassy Beijing Chinmoy Naik is returning to the MEA Headquarters.

1986 batch IPS is ADG in Chhattisgarh
1986 batch IPS officer D M Awasthi has been promoted to the rank of ADG in Chhattisgarh.

Kabra is SSP Raipur
Deepanshu Kabra has been posted as SSP Raipur in Chhattisgarh .He is 1997 batch IPS officer.

NDMC vacancies to be filled up
Vacancies of Director level officers in NDMC will be filled up by the month of March-April, 2011.

CBDT constitutes DRP Ahmedabad
Central Board Of Direct Taxes has constituted the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP} comprising of three Commissioners of Income- Tax/Directors of Income-tax as its Members. Accordingly, DRP Ahmedabad includes Tejinder Singh, DIT (International Taxation & Transfer Pricing}, Pune, Sanjay Kumar, DIT (International Taxation & Transfer Pricing), Kolkala and Athulesh Jindal, CIT-H, Ahmedabad.

New Director of Bitish Council of India
Rob Lynes has been appointed as Director of the British Council in India.

BSF takes 38 school children on "Bharat Darshan"
A group of 38 school children comprising of 18 girls and 20 boys from remote and far flung areas of Kashmir along with Raman Srivastava DG ,BSF called on Home Minister P.Chidambaram in North Block on January 14, 2011. The students, in the age group of 10-16 years, are on a Bharat Darshan tour organized by BSF. As part of the programme, they were taken to Bangalore, Mysore, Agra, Ahmedabad, Gandhi Nagar, Delhi and International Borders at Rann of Kutch. These children also visited places of historical and cultural importance in these cities.Raman Srivastava DG BSF welcomed The Home Minister and apprised him of the composition of the group of children and that they all belong to remote areas of Kashmir and the visit would add to their broader vision about their country at large. The children then shared their experiences as they were thrilled by joyous Metro ride, visit of Taj Mahal, visit of Infosys etc and thanked the Government of India for organising tours of this nature.

Pakistan SC orders removal of State Bank chief (UPDATED)
A three judge bench of Pakistan Supreme court headed by CJ Iftekhar Chowdhry has ordered that the President of Stae Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Syed Ali Raza be removed from his post with immediate effect. Ali Raza has been holding the post for over ten years against the laid down tenure of three years because of repeated extensions granted by successive regimes allegedly as return favor for writing off loans worth billions of dollars by the bank to powerful politicians across the politico-bureaucratic spectrum. The order came in a petition filed by one Mohammad Idris challenging the extensions. The bench refraining from going into the allegations declared the extensions illegal and unconstitutional as these were granted via an amendment to the Finance Act of 2007 where as the proper statute governing these matters is the Banks (Nationalisation) Act of 1973.

IFS officers promoted in Assam (UPDATED)
Assam Government has promoted RP Agarwalla (IFS) and D Mathur (IFS), both chief conservators of forests, to the rank of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. Mssrs B Brahma (IFS), GC Basumatary (IFS), Dr SP Singh (IFS), Dr AH Khan (IFS), Dr RDS Tanwar (IFS) and AK Rabha (IFS), all conservators of forests have also been promoted to the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests; and AS Laskar (IFS), S Nayak (IFS), PN Bordoloi (IFS) and Dr V Gupta (IFS), all deputy conservators of forests, to the rank of conservator of forests.

SAIL and IRCON join hands for rail infrastructure projects (UPDATED)
Maharatna Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IRCON International Limited, a PSU under the Ministry of Railways, for jointly working on rail infrastructure projects both in India and abroad in Delhi on January 15, 2011. The MoU was signed by the Directors (Finance) of SAIL and IRCON in the presence of SAIL Chairman C.S. Verma, IRCON MD Mohan Tiwari, and Directors and senior executives of both companies. The MoU is the first step by SAIL and IRCON towards joining hands for efficient execution of public-public and public-private partnership projects of the Indian Railways, as well as participating in rail infrastructure projects in developing countries where presently there is no infrastructure for evacuation of raw materials.Speaking on the occasion, Verma welcomed the partnership and assured all cooperation. On his part, Tiwari said that he looked forward to the synergies
envisaged between the two companies in the MoU translating into a joint venture/special purpose vehicle in the near future. He added that IRCON has already identified a number of projects in which SAIL and IRCON can participate jointly.

RTI

Are Employee Associations covered under the definiton of Public Authority?

Information about the election for Executive Committee proposed to be conducted by All India SC/ST Railway Employees Association (AISCSTREA) was refused by the Zonal President, claiming that the Association is not a Public Authority. The Commission noted that AISCSTREA is indirectly controlled and substantially financed by the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways. The office premises have been granted by the Railways and substantial financing in the form of receipts under the head Central Share are received from the Railways. Even the letterhead of the Association clearly states that it owes it's recognition and registration to the Railway Board. The CIC observed that a regime of transparency is in the interest of the Association. The CIC declared the Association a Public Authority under the RTI Act 2005 and directed the General Secretary to appoint the CPIO in the organization and comply with the other provisions of the RTI Act.

Comments

There are thousands of organisations claiming to represent the interests of employees of the Public Authority out of which many receive grants from the government. Some of these unions appear to be accountable to no one. Will this order turn out to be a milestone for the transparent working of the associations ?

[Mr. Kumar Shrawan Bhivgade v. Western Railway and the All India SC/ST Railway Employees Association [CEC] in File No: CIC/AD/C/2009/001263]

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

CORPORATE
Deepak Chatterjee is new MD of SBI Funds Management
Deepak Chatterjee has been appointed as the new Managing Director of SBI Funds Management SBI Mutual Fund, with effect from Jan. 13.

R.T. Agrawal is no. 1 in panel for DF, POWERGRID
As the grapevine has it R.T.Agrawal (of POWERGRID) is number one in the panel for the post of Director Finance (DF) in POWERGRID interviews for which were held on January 13, 2011. Presently he is an Executive Director (ED) in the POWERGRID.

CIL Chairman gets award
Coal India Chairman Partha S Bhattacharyya was conferred "Swami Vivekananda National Award" for 'Corporate Excellence' at the Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi on January 13, 2011. The award was given by Smt. Ambika Soni, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting in the presence of Oscar Fernandez, Member of Parliament, Prof. Alauddin Ahmed,Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Swami Parthasarathy,Trustee of the Ramakrishna Vivekananda International Foundation. The award recognizes Bhattacharyya's outstanding and extraordinary contribution in the field of strategic initiatives and Public Sector Management. The other recipient in the category of corporate leadership was Dr. Vijay Mallya.

Jindal appointed Addl. Director, Ispat Industries
Ispat Industries Limited has appointed Sajjan Jindal has been appointed as an Additional director with effect from January 13, 2011

Sardana resigns as MD, Tata Teleservices Ltd
Anil Kumar Sardana, Managing Director of Tata Teleservices Ltd has resigned for taking up a new responsibility with another Tata company. The Board of Directors of the Company in its meeting held on January 13, 2011, has accepted his resignation with effect from close of business hours of January 31, 2011. He will continue as a Director of the Company.

Srinath to take over charge as MD, Tata Teleservices Ltd
N. Srinath who would be taking over as the Managing Director of Tata Teleservices Limited with effect from February 1, 2011, has also been appointed as the Additional Director and the Managing Director of Tata Teleservices Ltd with effect from February 1, 2011. Srinath is currently the Managing Director and CEO of Tata Communications Limited (formerly VSNL).

Gupta resigns as Director, Punjab & Sind Bank
Manish Gupta, part-time non-official director on the Board of Punjab & Sind Bank Ltd has resigned .

Kumar appointed Director, Tata Communications
Vinod Kumar, Director of Tata Communications Ltd has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of the company.

Jain appointed Company Secy. Atlanta Ltd
Ms. Hemlata Jain has been appointed as the Company Secretary and Compliance officer of Atlanta Ltd with effect from January 01, 2011.

Dua to head Network18 News Media Network
Sanjay Dua, Chief Operating Officer and Head, IBN Media Operations, has been assigned the task of leading Network18 News Media Network.

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)


Disparity required to be removed

I want that the following discrimination/disparity may be publicised through your valuable site as it may help in removing the disparity for future. It may not be helpful to me since I am retiring from Government service shortly. The disparity is like this:

Steno. Grade D who joined Government service in 1973/1974 (treated as entry level) and may have passed Limited Examination conducted by UPSC in the years 1980,1981 & 1982 etc. became Gr. C. Stenographers. They were subsequently promoted as Sr. PA/Steno Gr A&B (Merged) within a specific period say in 1992, 1993,1994 accordingly to their seniority and were admitted in subsequent Select Lists. After implementation of the 6th pay commission report and MACP scheme, the Steno Gr. 'C' who have joined service later or during that period have been treated as entry level and given three promotions (including MACP) and are enjoining the benefit of Grade Pay of Rs. 6600/- whereas the individuals who are in the same select list say of 1992, 1993, 1994 etc. are having Grade Pay of Rs. 5400/- wheretheir their juniors by two/three years are enjoying Grade Pay of Rs. 6600/-. What is the fault of individuals who have passed the Departmental Examination and have not come directed as Gr. C. but are in the same select list having put in more service have been denied the benefit of MACP scheme. These category of employees are permanently absorbed in Gr. A & B merged in Select List years 1991 onwards and no further promotion has been given. At least the benefit of MACP after 10 years of service in Gr. of A&B (merged) may be given to these unlucky Gr. C. Stenographers who have passed the Departmental Examination.

As this is a life long loss we are bearing due to this disparity which is required to be removed soon, it is requested that this may find place in your site at the earliest opportunity before it is too late.

G.C. Duggal

Quality of forum declining

The comments of M L Gupta on various require extensive editing before publishing on your website. Let him write about governance, if he is in corporate sector. Mythology is not needed. Who is Ram, the admirer of M L Gupta? He is not an IAS officer. I have checked from civil list.

Ranjit Banerjee IAS (Retd)

Allow counterparts

Please allow the counterparts in Stenogapher Cadre in Field Offices to give their views about the immediate restructuring of the Stenogapher Cadre in Attached Office and also for immediate implementation of Rs.4600/- GP in PB-II also for the Stenogaphers outside the Central Secretariat.

V S Rana Shimla