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Partha Sardhi

Aaj Ki Aawaz

By the wonder of imagination I'm going into Tihar to have a talk with Kalmadi.

Kalmadi is seated in a secluded room which is air conditioned and he's reading a newspaper and in front of him on the table is a coffee mug, a plate of cookies and some loose papers!!

Me: How do you manage to get these goodies?????

Kalmadi: Everything is manageable!!!

Me: When you say manageable it takes a totally different meaning!!!!!!How do you manage this????

Kalmadi: Standard rates.... for this secluded room I pay the room rent what I'd be paying for a room in Taj.......for the entire day the room is mine! To be let out from my Cell to use this room I pay a flat rate and I get 2 exits from my cell/day!! For the coffee etc., I pay ten times the menu price..... like a cappuccino at Barrista costs 65 bucks..... I get it for 650!!!!! On all these there is a Jail Tax of 20%!!!

Me: Steep prices........ but when one can afford it one should enjoy one's money!!!! Can you communicate with the outside World????

Kalmadi: Doesn't pinch a bit when you know you will be able to recoup this money in due course...and then one must not give up one's style......of course I can communicate with the outside World..... and believe me it's safe!!!! For calls I pay ten times the tariff plus 20% Jail Tax!! But I cannot reveal the modus operandi as prior to availing the facilities one has to take the oath of secrecy......and at the end of the oath they show you photographs of those who broke the oath....... pics...... before and after pics!!!

Me: What's your daily routine?????

Kalmadi: It is very much like college..... the roll calls are a must and then you can bunk...... after the roll calls one is free to do what one wants.... of course moolah permitting!!! If I have to attend Court then I have a day out at the Court and there too the system is well oiled and I get to meet my family without the 'bars' in between..... they do not need to get anything for me because everything is available in here!!! I instruct my son about who has to be paid and how much!!! In case of emergencies I have pin type numbers that authenticate the one I give the pin to and then I have different pin numbers for different amounts...... my son honours the pin numbers as if the pin numbers are cheques!! The system works on total 'imaandari' ...... like its said 2 number ke kaam mein there is maximum imaandari!!!

Me: I see on the table this paper with the heading 'Projects'......

Kalmadi: Sneaky ..... sneaky......... yaar I'm a businessman and even here my mind is active on 'making moolah'! Like I'm planning to launch a 'Jailhouse Brand' of apparels and undies when I get out!!!! Apparels and undies will be suitable for use in Jail, of course based on my experience .... remember you can wear your own clothes till you are sentenced!!! The shirts and trousers will be baggy...... in pastel shades........... trousers will have chor pockets!!!! Undies will be extra absorbent ..... so if during custodial interrogation you pee or crap.... nothing will come out of the undie!!! Then the Jailhouse footwear will comes with special compartments in the heel!!! For the super rich I'm planning wear and throw away garments.......they can get a fresh set smuggled in for themselves everyday ....... sweat resistant and odour free!!!

Me: Wow..... you can lock up a businessman or crook but you cannot lock up his mind!!!

Kalmadi: CBI has this third degree and they use it pretty often...... they wrap up those being interrogated ,depending on the weather, in a sheet or blanket stinking of urine..... the stench is so overpowering that people start to 'sing like canaries'!! I'm working on an inner nose 'blocking device' which one can fit into the nasal cavity and all odours are blanked out!!! For lie detector and Narco Tests I'm working on chemical and mechanical devices to make one lie and not get caught..... I have an in-house scientific team in my Office and I've put them on the job!!!! I jot my ideas and pass on the scraps of paper when I meet my son during my Court outings or just have one of my minders in Jail pass these on to my son!!!

Me: Do you get to meet Raja or the Telecom Honchos who are in jail????

Kalmadi: Of course....... Wednesday is Bingo Night and we meet here in this very room..... inmates can attend it by paying Rs. 5000...... Saturday night its Cocktail Night and we meet then too......cost Rs. 10,000............the prices are steep so as to keep these bashes exclusive !!! Apart from these days in case one wants to meet someone lodged in the Jail it's arranged....... of course it costs money......... 10 times the commercial Video Conferencing cost plus Jail Tax!!!

Me: How's Raja????

Kalmadi: Fine........ in fact he's already had two Board Meetings with some of the Honchos in Jail...... seems they had formed Companies to handle the money being made from 2 G!!!!

Me: Yeah and now with Kanimozi inside MD will be present for the Board Meetings... quorum must be really complete now!!

Kalmadi: First few days she's going to be depressed etc., but soon she'll find things are not that bad!! I hear she's going to get food from Ashoka Sagar Ratna....... Raja arranged just after her sentencing!! Of course for a cover up they'll say she's permitted South Indian food from the canteen......South Indian food from the Canteen.... bah...... Punjabi Sambar......... roti dosa...... pakoda vada!!!!

Me: What about you when you came in how did you handle it?????

Kalmadi: Somehow I had got the inkling that it was only a matter of time before I'd be arrested....so I prepared for it!!!! Systems were set in place so that when I went in I'd be taken care of from the very start!!! I had a cell replicating the Tihar cell made in the basement of my house and I slept in it and got used to the conditions!!! My wife behaved like she's one of the Jail staff and she got her Mom to assist........ and believe me the Jail Staff here are so very good compared to her and her Mom!!!! I cannot stand foul odour....... so I've shammed that I have a cold and I get my supply if Vicks Nasal Inhalers....... boy these inhalers are addictive! I eat whatever I like..... today I have the craving for Chinese and its being arranged.......soup, noodles, fish, chicken and to top it honey noodles!!!!

Me: So now no more games organizing!!!!

Kalmadi: Why.......... games organizing is in my blood..... I'm planning to organize Jail Asiads, Jail Commonweatlh Games and Jail Olympics.........I meet my pals from the OC who are locked up in Tihar and we hold meetings!!! We've got so many innovative ideas....... money spinners.....we'll make tonnes of money!!

Me: But Mr. Kalmadi after going to jail aren't you scared of a repeat...... being investigated and the ensuing rigmarole ......going to jail again!!

Kalmadi: Arre once you go through it you are no longer scared.......once you come here your fright of going to jail goes..... arrre now I've become like a Sher..............now I'll be even more daring!!!

Me: And now that you know where you can get caught you'll be more careful......and they say jail is meant to reform??? But then reform also means 'improve' ....... so you will improve on your performance........ higher stakes and foolproof delivery!!!! I think once you go through it your besharmi knows no bounds!!!

Kalmadi: (mockingly) Beshrami increases ...... (abuses: edited)......shoo...... (threateningly) baagh yahaa se....... don't forget I've made some very useful friends in here and most of them will be out sooner or later!!

Bharat Kumar
aaj_ki_aawaz@yahoo.com

Contact-suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com> &

<mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com>

UP CM sets an example in India
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ms. Mayawati has set an example in Indian democracy where a Chief Minister can govern without being accessible to public. Thy name is bureaucracy.

Cabinet reshuffle on the anvil in Rajasthan
As the grapevine has it, there is going to be a cabinet reshuffle in Rajasthan of which Chief Minister is Ashok Gehlot.

Will bail of ex Gujarat Minister be cancelled?
Will bail of ex Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah be cancelled? This question is a hot topic of discussion because Vipul Agrawal (IPS) former SP Dahod who had turned an official approver had taken Shah's name in the Tulsi Prajapati encounter case. Vipul Agrawal is presently in jail and happens to be son in law of noted industrialist Parsramrampuria

BUREAUCRACY

Retirement age will not be raised
A Committee of Secretaries is believed to have rejected a proposal to raise retirement age from 60 to 62 years.

Ajit Lal to head JIC
Special Director in the IB Ajit Lal is all set to succeed H Upadhyay as Chief of the Joint Intelligence Committee. He is 1977 batch IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre.

Will TN CM recall Vijay Kumar ?
There is a buzz that new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayallitha will recall CRPF DG Vijay Kumar to head the state police. His meeting with Jayalalitha in Chennai has fuelled speculations to this effect. Kumar who is considered close to the new Chief Minister is 1975 batch IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre. Sources in Chennai however said that Jayalalitha has so far not given any hint on this issue.

Will DG, CISF, NR Das soon become DG, West Bengal?
Will N.R. Das DG, CISF be new DGP of West Bengal? If one goes by indications then Das has very strong chances of becoming the DGP in West Bengal. N. R. Das is an IPS officer of 1973 batch who belongs to the West Bengal cadre. One can only wait and watch.

Mamta Banerjee is now all powerful
New West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee is all powerful these days. This is evident from the fact that before leaving the Rail Bhawan, she got RPF DG Ranjit Sinha shifted and P K Metha appointed in his place despite the stiff resistance of the PMO.

Who will be new Chairman of FSSA ?
Who will succeed P I Suvrathan, Chairperson, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, next month ? Tenure of 1972 batch retired IAS officer Suvrathan is coming to an end on June 8.

Sumit Bose joins as OSD Expenditure
Secretary Disinvestments Sumit Bose is going to succeed Sushma Nath on June 1 as Secretary Expenditure in the Government of India.1976 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Bose has joined the Finance Ministry as OSD Expenditure. He is going to continue as Secretary Disinvestments also for one month.
( We said this on May 16 )

S.M. Krishna has no choice for Secretary MEA
As the grapevine has it, Indian Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna has no choice as far as appointment of new Secretary in Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was concerned.

Sanjay Mitra not going to West Bengal
Latest information says that Joint Secretary in the PMO Sanjay Mitra is not going to West Bengal as PS to Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee. He is 1982 batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre.

Now again Mohandas, not Cyriac as CS of Kerala
This is now certain that 1977 batch IAS officer K Jose Cyriac is not going to Kerala as Chief Secretary. If top sources are to be believed 1974 batch IAS officer K Mohan Das is going to be new Chief Secretary of Kerala.

Rajiv Sharma to be AIG in MoEF
Rajiv Sharma is joining the Government of India as AIG in the Ministry of Forests and Environment. He is 1998 batch IFS officer of West Bengal cadre.

CSB to meet today
CSB is meeting on Monday. Panel of Joint Secretary Culture is going to be made.

Prem Chand Meena's promotion on the anvil
Prem Chand Meena, DIG (SHQ), Sriganganager, BSF, Rajasthan is likely to be promoted as IG,(HQ),Jammu Frontier, BSF in place of S.Chattopadhya IPS. He is an IPS officer of 1991 batch who belongs to the UP cadre.

Taranjeet Singh Sandhu to be India's envoy to Germany
As the grapevine has it, Taranjeet Singh Sandhu is poised to be India's Consul General to Germany. Presently, he is a Joint Secretary in Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

S.C. Joshi to be BSNL's CGMT of Nagpur Telecom district
S.C. Joshi who so far was CGMT Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (B.R.B.R.A.I.T.T.), Jabalpur, has been shifted as BSNL's CGMT of Nagpur Telecom district.

2 posts of DIG vacant in SSB
As many as two posts of DIG are lying vacant in Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Sumeet Chaturvedi to get extension
Sumeet Chaturvedi who is on central deputation with the Intelligence Bureau (IB), is likely to get an extension of two years. He is an IPS officer of 2001 batch who belongs to the West Bengal cadre.

Proposal of hiking retirement age for scientists to be decided soon
There are indications that proposal for hiking retirement age to 64 years for scientists who are Joint Secretary level and above will be decided by May 26, 2011. It will apply in scientific departments like Science, Earth Science, biotechnology and CSIR.

IPS reshuffle in Rajasthan on the anvil
As the grapevine has it, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is going to shift IPS officers shortly.

GMs for elevation as EDs in PSU banks to be cleared in two trenches
As the grapevine has it, list of General Managers (GMs) for elevation as Executive Directors (EDs) in PSU banks will be cleared in two trenches.

Prabhakar posted as Deputy Commissioner of Delhi East
Prabhakar DCP Traffic (HQ) has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police, East District. He is a DANIPS officer who belongs to the AGMU cadre.

Secretary level meeting on LIC chief deferred
The Secretary level meeting for selection of new Chairman of Life Insurance
Corporation(LIC) that was slated to be held on May 19,2011 has been deferred.

Goutam Sanyal to be PPS to Ms.Mamata Banerjee
Goutam Sanyal is principal private secretary (PPS)to West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee. So far he was Officer on Special Duty(OSD) to Ms. Barnerjee while she was Railway Minister. He is a CSS cadre officer of the 1978 batch.

Barun Kumar Ray to join CMs Secretariat in West Bengal
Barun Kumar Ray is returning to the parent West Bengal cadre from central deputation to join new Chief Minister's Secretariat. He is 1992 batch IAS officer.

Bureaucratic changes in Assam after sometime

As the grapevine has it, bureaucratic changes in Assam will take sometime. Latest is that after formation of cabinet by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, his cabinet colleagues will interact with Secretaries of their respective departments.

Dinesh Sharma tipped to join CM's office in Kerala
As the grapevine has it, Dinesh Sharma is tipped to be principal secretary (PS) to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Sharma, 1983 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer on central deputation, is the CEO of Price Stabilisation Fund under the Commerce Ministry. Besides, he is also Chairman Tea Board.

Dr. M. Beena is new MD, Roads & Bridges corporation
Dr. M. Beena who was earlier District Magistrate Ernakulum is now Managing Director (MD) of Roads & Bridges Corporation in Kerala. She will also hold additional charge of MD Kerala Books & Publication Society. She is an IAS officer of 1999 batch who belongs to Kerala cadre.

IPS changes in Haryana on the anvil
As the grapevine has it, a reshuffle of IPS officers is on the anvil. It is likely to happen latest by June beginning.

Santanu Basu is in WB Chief Minister's office
Santanu Basu has joined in the office of new Chief Minister of West Bengal Ms. Mamata Banerjee. He is 2000 batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre. He was private secretary (PS) to Ms. Mamata Banerjee while she was she was Railway Minister.

Clear picture about bureaucratic changes in WB this week
A clear picture about bureaucratic changes in West Bengal will emerge only by Monday-Tuesday.

Bureaucracy of West Bengal in a tizzy
Since transitional phase in change of guards in West Bengal has led to a lot of mess, bureaucrats are in a tizzy in the state.

Revamp of CBI's Interpol division on the cards
Faced with all round criticism over the goof-ups in India's Most Wanted list of people hiding in Pakistan, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is learnt to be planning to revamp its Interpol division. The agency is contemplating to start quarterly review of Red Corner Notices. The government has been left red-faced after major slip-ups by the CBI. Wazhul Kamar Khan and Feroz Abdul Rashid Khan, two accused, named in India's Most Wanted list have been traced to Mumbai.

Suspense over Army Chief's age still persists
Following different views by the Law Ministry and the Attorney General on the issue of Army Chief's age, suspense regarding his age still persists with the Union Defence Minister A K Antony saying, "it would be announced whenever the government took a view". "Please don't sensationalise issues regarding services," he said in response to questions after addressing the Unified Commander's Conference recently. While the Law Ministry has said that General Singh's date of birth was May 10, 1951 as shown in his matriculation certificate, the Attorney General Goolam E Vahanvati has earlier this month opined in favour of maintaining May 10, 1950 as General V K Singh's date of birth as filled in his UPSC form for the entrance exam of National Defence Academy (NDA). The AG's reply to the Defence Ministry further says that any change in General Singh's date of birth would lead to complications in the succession line.

Two ACS in firing range of Mamta Banerjee
Two Additional Chief Secretaries are in the firing range of new West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee.

IPS changes in Tamil Nadu
AMS Gunaseelanhas been moved to the vigilance and anti-corruption directorate as IG . ADG K Thukkaiandi is yet to be given a posting. Another IG rank officer P Balasubramanian has been transferred as IGP/chief vigilance officer, state transport corporation limited, Salem.A Pari will now be DIG/ chief vigilance officer, state transport corporation limited, Tirunelveli. V Jayashree has been Principal, police recruit school, Perurani, Thoothukudi district.J Rajendran will be commandant, Tamil Nadu special police IX battalion, Manimuthar, Tirunelveli district. M Eswaran has been transferred to TSP VI battalion.PK Senthil Kumari will be AIG administration, Chennai.R Chinnasamy will be commandant, Tamil Nadu special police XI battalion, Rajapalayam.Praveen Kumar has been posted as superintendent of police, Theni district. NM Mayilvahanan is posted as superintendent of police, Salem district.

Pakistan : Islamabad being trenched and barricaded
Security experts in Pakistan are divided over the move to trench and barricade 109 out of total 164 entry and exit points for Islamabad in the wake of possible suicide attacks by Al Qayeda backed outfits to avenge the death of Osama Bin Laden. Almost all the entry/exit points proposed to be blocked as per instructions issued by the central police office to the operations wing are through kutcha tracks on the North Eastern outskirts of the capital connecting ordinary villagers living along these. The remaining 55 points are metalled roads on the southern (Rawalpindi) side where check posts are being setup for access control. Some senior police officers well versed with the capital's security plans since inception however feel that the new SOP will be counterproductive as it will completely cut off the poor villagers who have to frequent Islamabad for their daily wages and other day to day necessities leading to a sense of dangerous alienation among them.

Shymsundar is now CMD of Police Housing in TamilNadu
DG Vigilance and Anti-Corruption K.R. Shyamsundar has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation Ltd in the place of Vibhakar Sharma.

Maharashtra government. Cancels transfer of IFS officer Dr V K Sinha
The transfer of IFS officer Dr V K Sinha (1983) to the post of CCF CAMPA has been cancelled by the Maharashtra government and he has been retained as CCF and Field Director Tadoba Andhari PT (upgraded post).

Dr F S Jafri made CCF CAMPA

Dr F S Jafri (1983) has been posted as CCF CAMPA by the Maharashtra government. .

Sunil Limaye posted as CF and Director , Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Limaye (1988) who was waiting for posting, has been posted as CF and Director , Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali (Mumbai) by the Maharashtra government.

Pole posted as CF Wildlife Kolhapur

R K Pole (1990) who was waiting for posting has been posted as CF, Wildlife, Kolhapur, by the Maharashtra government.

P.H. Kurian tipped to join CM's office in Kerala
As the grapevine has it P.H. Kurian who on central deputation is Mumbai based Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks under the Commerce Ministry is likely to be posted as principal secretary (PS) to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.He is an IAS officer of 1986 batch from the Kerala cadre.

Ms Radha S Chauhan appointed Jt.Secretary, HRD

Ms Radha S Chauhan has been appointed Joint Secretary School Education and Literacy in the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry . She is an IAS officer of the 1988 batch who belongs to the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
( We said this on April 25 )

B P Singh is Principal Secretary Higher Education in MP
B P Singh has been appointed new Principal Secretary Higher Education in Madhya Pradesh. He is 1984 batch IAS officer.

Four IRS officers transferred
The CBDT has issued transfers of four IRS officers of the rank of Commissioner/Director of Income Tax. Those transferred include messrs K. Gyan Prakash CIT-4 Hyderabad to CIT (CO), Hyderabad, H. Srinivasulu CIT-6 Hyderabad to CIT-4, Hyderabad, Rameshwar Singh CIT (A)- 15 Delhi to CIT (Judicial) Delhi and Himalini Kashyap CIT (Judical), delhi to CIT (A) -15 Delhi.

Kataria transferred as Commissioner Disciplinary Proceedings, Trichy
The Tamil Nadu government transferred Dayanand Kataria, Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and posted him as Commissioner for Disciplinary Proceedings, Tiruchirappalli. The Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department shall hold full additional charge of the posts of Vice Chairman and Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority

DEBATE

Next Lok Sabha-Congress and BJP to get less than 100 seats ?
If today's political scenario is taken into account, both the Congress and the BJP will get less than 100 seats in the next Lok Sabha elections. In such a case, what could be the emerging scenario? Mail your valuable views to us at -

mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com or suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com

CORPORATE

Govt to exit Scooters India
The government's plan to exit Scooters India by selling its entire (95.38 per cent) holding to a strategic partner - to revive the loss-making public sector company - has been approved. The balance 5 per cent equity, in the three-wheeler maker, will remain with banks, financial institutions, corporate bodies and others. The move is expected to help arrest further drain of public money and ensure economic growth of the company, which depends on funds from the government to pay salaries.

Seshadri is India head MasterCard
T. V. Seshadri has been appointed as the General Manager, South Asia and Country President, India of the MasterCard. He will also be in charge of MasterCard's operations in regions such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives.

Mallya is new IBA Head
M. D. Mallya, Chairman and Managing Director, Bank of Baroda, has been elected as the Chairman of the Indian Banks Association .The IBA has also elected Aditya Puri, MD, HDFC Bank, K. R. Kamath, CMD, Punjab National Bank and Rana Kapoor, MD and CEO, Yes Bank, as Deputy Chairmen. Pratip Chaudhuri, Chairman, State Bank of India, has been elected as the Honorary Secretary of the Association.

Pal appointed Finance Director, Honeywell Building Solutions
Atul Pal, CFO has been assigned a new role within Honeywell as Finance Director , Honeywell Building Solutions w.e.f. June 1, 2011.

Mundra appointed CFO, Jai Corp Ltd
Rajesh Kumar Mundra has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Jai Corp Ltd with effect from May 19, 2011.

Tak relieved of CFO charge at Jai Corp Ltd
Ashok Tak will no longer be discharging the functions of Chief Financial Officer at Jai Corp Ltd following appointment of Rajesh Kumar Mundra as CFO.

Chadha elevated as GM, ITC Windsor, Bengaluru
Anil Chadha has been promoted to the position of GM ITC Windsor-A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bengaluru.

Mewada resigns as Director, Shyam Star Gems Ltd
Bhanuchandra Manilal Mewada has resigned as the Director of Shyam Star Gems Ltd w.e.f. May 11, 2011.

Dwivedi appointed Director (Rooms), Courtyard by Marriott, Gurgaon
The Courtyard by Marriott, Gurgaon has appointed Abha Dwivedi as its Director (Rooms).

Verma resigns as MD, Usha Housing Development Company
Govind Sharan Verma, Managing Director, Usha Housing Development Company has resigned from the company w.e.f. May 16, 2011.

Ahmed appointed VP, Saatchi & Saatchi
Saatchi & Saatchi has appointed Jaibeer Ahmed as Vice President.

Sahota appointed GM, Radha Regent , Chennai
Radha Regent, Chennai has appointed Upjeet Singh Sahota as General Manager of the hotel.

Umamahesharam is new Nominee Director on Board of SMS Pharmaceuticals
Export-Import Bank of India has appointed K. Umamaheswaram, Deputy General Manager, as its Nominee Director on the Board of SMS Pharmaceuticals Ltd in place of S. Srinivas.

Kundu appointed Associate Director (Sales), the Westin Hyderabad Mindspace
Debanjan Kundu has been appointed as Associate Director of Sales at The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace.

Das is MD of Pacnet
Sunanda Das has been appointed as Managing Director of Submarine cable network company Pacnet India.

Mr Das will be responsible for management and strategic development of the company's business in India, Pacnet said in a statement.

FORUM

Raise retirement age to 62

Urgent Need for Dr. Manmohan Singh to prove to be a world-renowned economist to control inflation by investing retirement benefits in agriculture, irrigation, etc. In spite of announcements and a number of efforts made by the RBI, his government is not able to control inflation due to various factors like incurring heavy expenditure on the recent Commonwealth Games, election to 5 State Assemblies, high international crude oil price. The recent price increase in petrol will further increase the general price level due to its circular effect. This had happened after 1982 Asian Games, as is clear from the fact that average consumer price index shot up from by 56 points (553-475) between 1982 and 1983 as against 35 points (475-440) between 1981 and 1982, representing increase of 60% price rise. Therefore, India needs another green revolution to overcome inflation so as to increase food grain production by making agriculture a more attractive investment option. It should first raise retirement age to 62 and then invest liberally the saved/postponed two years' retirement benefits in agriculture and irrigation facilities by subsidizing and distributing fertilizers and high yielding seeds to farmers as also households, subject, of course, to certain safeguards; and subsidizing purchase of agriculture-irrigation-equipments like tractors; introduce tax benefits to Corporates who adopt in-house/captive farming. Govt. should also ban forward trading, in coordination with WTO, if need be, in food grains, simultaneously raiding hoarders and putting them behind bars. Other measures are (a) extending/subsidising agriculture credit at low rates of interest - rather than waiving off loans -- free-insurance of agricultural produce in case of natural calamities, (b) imposing tax on sale of farming land - whether to govt. agency or private builders, (c) further raising interest rates as incentive to save more to curb inflation and discourage hoarders to get cheap credit from banks, (d) educating people to refrain from buying high priced items, as was done by late Lal Bahadur Shastri by advising people to keep fast on Mondays at the time of food crisis. Thus, if production of food grains increases, there will be less chance for hoarders and the principle of demand & supply will apply, thereby reducing prices of food grains. Food Corporation should be allowed to buy more and more food grains and release to the market from time to time, banning forward trading completely. By controlling inflation, our PM can prove that he is a world-renowned economist.

By raising retirement age, corruption can also be curbed to some extent. There is a strong case to raise retirement age, as has been done by other countries due to late marriages, late entry into service, increase in average life expectancy from 57 in 1990 to 61 in 2000 and 65 in 2009, etc. Retirement age in the case of doctors, professors/teachers, judges, scientists, has already been raised. Govt. By this measure, can get experienced manpower at half the cost, since retirement benefits will get postponed. Youth will not be affected by this move because they can also serve for a longer period & in the meanwhile, they can use the time for skill development/improvement for better prospects. Already, there is shortage of staff in every office and general public is feeling the pinch, as more and more raw hands are appointed on contract/re-employment basis due to the policy of filling up one vacancy against three vacancies. It is learnt that ITOs are seeking help of tax payers in disposing their work. This practice is wrong inasmuch as contract-employees are not subject to Conduct Rules and they cannot be held responsible for wrong doings. If the above measures are not taken, inflation-rate will increase further and common man will be hit hard.

PAL

Increase retirement age

Increasing, retirement age for the scientist of JS grade and above to 64 is not a bad idea. However, it should not be a blanket approval. It should be linked with performance, expertise and usefulness of the scientist during the extended period. Also, if there are any corruption charges, vigilance remarks or disciplinary actions taken against the individual, benefit of increased retirement age should not be extended.

S R

Risk of trivialising issues

Revelation of each and every audit para has the risk of trivialising issues. The media can make a big noise over non issues which are even not accepted by the AG office later.

Sudhir Sharma

Bigger entity can merge in a smaller one

"Bigger entity cannot merge in a smaller one. Your 'whisper' does not seem to be correct."

Who says that or where is it written? Mittal Steel took over Arcelor which was much bigger. It is not the bigger or smaller but stronger one who takes over weaker.

R Kumar

Regularisation of Ad-hoc service in respect of Stenographers Grade 'D'

As the Officers for getting promotion on seniority basis first appointed ad-hoc service followed by regularisation in CSSS and CSS, it is high time for DP&T, especially Establishment Division in consultation with CS Division, should moot a proposal to regularise the span of ad-hoc services of the Officers from the date of the initial appointments on ad-hoc basis. The reason for this being are:

The objective of ad-hoc appointments was to fill the gap till the regular incumbents joins and which was a short-term measure. Now the ad-hoc appointments are made by DP&T against the existing vacancies/ substantive posts and continue for years together. It is most pertinent in case of Stenographers Grade 'D' who were promoted by their parent Ministry/Departments Stenographers Grade 'C' way back till 1997 on ad-hoc basis and continued uninterrupted till they are covered in Select List formed by DP&T (CS Division) which is more than 13 years which cannot be treated short-term appointments;

To rectify this and to give relief to all affected officials, it would be fair for the DP&T (Establishment Division and CS Division) to take corrective steps for regularising the service of ad-hoc tenure from the date of their initial appointments. In this connection, all the Ministries/Departments may kindly take up this matter with DP&T and suggest remedial measures.

V P Sharma

Best candidate for Chairman CBDT

In the appointment of Chairman CBDT, the best candidate is Prakash Chandra, IRS 1973, who is dignity personified. Hailing from an illustrious background, he is the epitome of virtue and integrity. None can match him in expertise either. He should be appointed as CBDT chief for a period of two years.

Vijay Kumar

Prakash Chandra IRS: 1973, the senior most member of the CBDT is due to become Chairman of the CBDT. The most competent and upright officer of the IRS(Income tax), he deserves becoming Chairman. A true karmayogi, he has no axe to grind, no ambition and only quiet dignity and efficiency to offer the government.

Arjun Mallik

TAIL-PIECE

India now ruled by.......

Amma in the South (Jayalalitha)

Didi in the East (Mamata Banerjee)

Behenji in the North (Mayawati)

Mausi (Aunty) in the Capital (Sheila Dikshit)

Madam in the Centre (Sonia Gandhi)

Nani on top (the President)

& "Wife At Home" And yet people say 'It's a Man's World'??

Contributed by-Satya Singhal

CCTV Footage of Station

A copy of CCTV footage for 5 days of Andheri Railway Station, Mumbai was denied u/s 8 (1) (a) claiming that it would be detrimental to the Nation's security. The appellant argued that the location is not a prohibited area and is available on commercial charges for films, TV serials etc.. He also claimed that the CCTV will provide instances of RPF personnel taking bribes from illegal hawkers against which he has lodged a complaint. The contention of the appellant that any individual with a small camera/mobile phone can capture footage of any train or any corner of the platform was accepted by the CIC. The Commission made a distinction between those CCTV cameras which are in full public view and which are hidden. It was held that the footage of CCTV cameras kept at secret locations cannot be shared as it would indeed reveal the location of these cameras. The CIC directed to allow the Appellant to watch the footage of only those CCTV cameras which have been placed in full view of the public in the presence of PIO for the period of 5 days and if the Appellant's allegation against RPF personnel taking bribes from illegal hawkers is found true from this footage, to give a copy of that visual.

Comments

CCTVs are used in many areas including possible soft targets for a terrorist attacks. This order opens up the access to all such recorded data in public interest even when it is perceived as security risk.

(Mr.Samir Vijay Zaveri v. Western Railway, Mumbai in CIC/AD/A/2011/000439)

- 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)