What people say about us !

I am a regular reader of your website. Your website provides a lot of information on administrative set up/changes pretty well with reasonable accuracy
M J John

Aaj Ki Aawaz

Why is Sonia so desperate to fiddle with the RTI Act???? Fact is this Act came into existence because she put her foot down and forced the NAC Draft to be accepted.... or we'd have had a RTI act that would have been like the Jokepal that UPA wanted instead of a Lokpal!!!! Well seems her advisors have changed.... now Aruna Roy has been replaced with PC & Sibal!!!! If Aruna is still her advisor than this could be a ploy for Sonia to score brownie points.... Mohna will plug for a change in the RTI and Sonia will ultimately turn it down!!!! The excuse that Mohna is giving is that RTI is creating problems in Governance!! Like I've said now the Dictionary has a new addition to Honest..... dishonest honest....... one who is said to be personally honest but sides with the dishonest collectively!! This Act has brought out into Public domain a lot that the Government would have preferred to be kept hidden!!!

It is clear without Sonia's orders RTI could not have become an Act!!!

And without her orders it cannot be watered down... this is a fact!!

Advani's Yatra is jinxed!!!! Maybe now rather than giving him a re-entry into the PM race it'll remove him from the race once and for all!! Imagine to get good coverage for a anti Corruption Yatra a BJP Leader distributed Rs. 500 notes to Journos... 'neatly packed in envelopes'!! The at one 'Speech pit stop' it was shown that the electricity being used was via kundis.... chori ki bijli!!! Now with Yeddy being Jailed Congress is making fun of his Yatra and saying why did he not start his Yatra from Bangalore???? Pointing out UPA's corruption is a different and taking out a Yatra it is a different matter totally!! To point out UPA's corruption is BJP's duty as an Opposition Party.... but to take out a Yatra on corruption it is mandatory that BJP should be totally above board on corruption!!

Maybe now Advani will change his 'Rot Yatra' to 'Chintan Yatra' (worried for India and Indians)!!!

And now this Yatra will put on his PM ambitions 'full stop ke maatra'!!!!

It is indeed a good thing that Anna's gone on a 'Maun Varath'!!!! He made a huge error by responding the Digvijaya's letter...... Digvijaya is trying to give Anna a political hue ..... and if he can give Anna a saffron hue too then it'll be 'like sonne pe suhaaga' for Congress's objectives!! Seems the back channel talks between Anna and Congress have resulted in Anna postponing Civil Society's anti Congress drive in UP!!!! The lollipop being..... just see what we are proposing and our target is Winter Session!!! Fact is if Lokpal is made into a Constitutional Body then Winter Session deadline cannot be met!! And with PC & Sibal doing the drafting there is no way they'll draft for an effective Lokpal!!!! And now they have the assistance of Kursheed who is showing his colors.... he's now called India's 'Injudicious' Law Minster!!! Pranab they say is 'out of the loop'!!!

Bottom line is Sonia does not want a Lokpal who is effective!!

She wants a Lokpal who to counter corruption is 'defective'!!

PS.... Rahul technically is just a Junior MP..... but he gallivants all around at our expense...... now he's in Bhutan ..... and we are footing the bill!! Shouldn't the MEA been sent to represent India... and if they wanted to show more closeness Minister in PMO should have been sent too!!! And to a Monarchy to attend a Royal Wedding who did India send.... India's Clow....sorry Crown Prince and Scindia an ex Ruler!!

Response to Forum messages: Sirs, I cannot present a two sided version where I know the other side is wrong!!! Like I know without PC's connivance the 2 G scam could not have taken place, so how can I present the other side...... just an example!!! When UPA came back to power this time I had plugged for UPA very vociferously. But then in a year's time I found that I was wrong..... I plugged for them in Public Domain and I feel responsible for this ...... I am deeply disappointed with Sonia, Rahul and Mohna!!!! About WIC's popularity going to my head... I'm thankful for the opportunity that Dr. Mehrotra gives me to pen this column..... rest assured I have no political affiliations! Rest assured I do not benefit materially in any way from penning this column!!

Bharat Kumar
aaj_ki_aawaz@yahoo.com

Lone warrior in Congress Party-Digvijay Singh
It seems Digvijay Singh is fighting political war with BJP, RSS, Anna Hazare and company, Mayawati and Ram Dev and company, single handedly. Where have other Congress leaders gone? Will he be rewarded by the Congress Party? Perhaps Digvijay Singh has forgotten that Narsimha Rao, Shankar Dayal Sharma, Manmohan Singh and Moti Lal Vora - reached the top Nothing more to elaborate.

Maharashtra Congress to swing into action over 'Power'
Even though the 'Power' portfolio rests with ally NCP in Maharashtra, it is heard that Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is being urged by other Congress leaders like Manikrao Thakre to take a stock of the situation.

BUREAUCRACY

Ten Secretary level posts to be filled up in GoI this month
Ten new Secretaries are to be appointed in the Government of India. The Departments are :- Industrial Policy and Promotion, Pharmaceuticals , Overseas Indian affairs ,Health, Information Technology, Youth Affairs ,DG NIRD Hyderabad, Inter-State Council Secretariat, MSME and Official Languages.

Empanelment list yet to reach the ACC
List of 1978 batch IAS officers empanelment to the rank of Secretary in the Government has not yet reached the ACC.

Vijay Kumar moves to Fertilisers
Secretary Mines in the Government of India, S Vijay Kumar, has been moved to the Department of Fertilisers. He is a 1976 batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre.
(We said this on October 3)

Vishwapati Trivedi is new Secretary, Mines
Special Secretary Home Vishwapati Trivedi has been appointed new Secretary, Mines in the Government of India. He is a 1977 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre.
(We said this on October 14)

Dr Sutanu Behuria is now Secretary, NDMA
Secretary Fertilisers Dr Sutanu Behuria has been moved as Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). He is a 1976 batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre.
(We said this on October 14)

Dr Bhattacharya is new CPF Commissioner
A Bhattacharya has been appointed new Central Provident Fund Commissioner. He is a 1977 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
(We said this on October 14)

Kuldip Singh, CMD, MTNL gets 3 months extension
Kuldip Singh, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), has been given three months extension.

Onkar Kedia likely to be Joint Secretary, Sports
As the grapevine has it, Onkar Kedia, Additional DG, Media and Communication (M&C), I & B Ministry, Government of India (GoI), is likely to be appointed as Joint Secretary, Sports, GoI. He is an IIS officer.

Vir Bhadrappa succeeds Easwar
Vir Bhadrappa has succeeded the President of the Income Tax Tribunal Easwar who has been sworn in as Judge of the Delhi High Court.
(We said this on October 4)

CSB to meet today
The CSB is meeting on Monday. Nine items are to be taken up in the meeting.

DoPT has reservations on lateral shifting of Railway GMs
As the grapevine has it the DoPT has got reservations on lateral shifting of two GMs of Railway Ministry.They are: Varun Bharathuar & G. N. Asthana. It was proposed that Varun Bharatwar GM, Eastern Railway (ER),should be GM, East Central Railway (ECR) Hajipur. Likewise, it was mooted that G. N. Asthana GM West Central Railway (WCR), should be GM, South Central Railway (SCR)-Secunderabad.At the same time it has also been pointed out that an injustice will be done if Rajeev Bhargawa Additional Member -Works in Railway Board on elevation was not given posting GM of an open line. It was mooted that Rajeev Bhargawa should be GM Rail Wheel Factory (RWF), Bangalore.

Minor change in postings of DRMs
There has been minor change in postings of DRMs. Accordingly, Vinod Kumar who was
earlier posted as DRM Nagpur has been posted as DRM Mysore. Similarly, Ms. Sujatta Jairaj who is posted in Southern Railway (SR) headquarters in Chennai will now be DRM Nagpur. Robin Decca who was to go to DRM Mysore has sought relaxation about his new posting due to family reasons.So far Vinod Kumar was Executive Director (ED) with Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM), Lucknow.

Vumlunmang Vualnam appointed Staff officer to Home Secretary-GoI
Vumlunmang Vualnam, Director Internal Security (IS1), has been appointed as Staff officer to Secretary Home R.K Singh, in the Government of India. He is an IAS officer of 1992 batch who belongs to the Manipur- Tripura cadre.

No Joint Secretary level vacancy in PMO
Now there is no Joint Secretary level vacancy in the PMO. Vini Mahajan has already been given six months extension.

Shortage of IAS officers mars Maharashtra govt's performance
There is a shortage of IAS officers in the Maharashtra state due to faulty policies of the present government and some due to exodus to the private sector. There is an allocation of 350 IAS officers in the state but now there are only 285. Though the Maharashtra CM has urged the officers in the centre to return to the state, it will take time.

Ms. Manisha Sinha appointed Director, Textiles
Ms. Manisha Sinha (IPoS-1992 batch) on central deputation has been appointed as a Director, Ministry of Textile.

Gayasuddin Ahmad to be Director, Disinvestment
Gayasuddin Ahmad on central deputation is poised to be Director, Disinvestment. He is an IDAS officer of 2000 batch.

R. Anand appointed Director, Cabinet Secretariat
R. Anand (IPoS-1994 batch) on central deputation has been appointed as a Director in the Cabinet Secretariat.

Rajendra Kataria relieved to re-join Karnataka cadre
Rajendra Kataria after completing his six years successful tenure on inter-cadre deputation to Haryana has been relieved & is now going back to Karnataka
His inter cadre deputation had ended on October 14, 2011. He also completed his mid career training (MCT)programme phase IV in LBSNAA, Mussoorie. During the last six year he had worked as Joint Secretary Finance, Deputy Comissioner-cum-District Magistrate in districts of Kaithal ,Panchkula and Gurgaon and had also worked as Adminstrator, HUDA, Panchkula. During the period as Deputy Commissioner-cum-district Magistrate, Gurgaon, Rajendra Kataria was awarded twice the following :-"Award from Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Salman Khurshid both Indian Ministers September 3, 2010 for the promotion of Tourism in the NCR Haryana." "\On the occasion of Digital Inclusion Day i.e. September 22, 2010, jointly organised by Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in collaboration with National E-Governance Plan and Skoch Development Foundation, Indian Minister Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy Minister Urban Development at Hotel Shangrila, New Delhi was awarded Skoch ICT Award-2010 for the commendable efforts and re-engineering put forward in providing better e-Governance in the project "Property Registration - Gurgaon" .

ORF launches Asian Forum on Global Governance
In order to position the Observer Research Foundation (ORF ) as Global Think Tank, it has launched the first "Asian Forum on Global Governance", an annual workshop jointly organized by the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius, Hamburg, Germany, and the Observer Research Foundation. This ten day workshop is taking place at the Oberoi, New Delhi, India. According to Sunjoy Joshi, Director of the ORF, this forum is modelled on the Bucerius Summer School, Hamburg, established over 10 years ago and which today has a global alumni network .

Shailesh Pathak invited in Mumbai Conference
Former 1990 batch IAS officer Shailesh Pathak who is presently President, Srei Infrastructure Finance, has been invited to participate in the 2nd Annual Conference on "Road Ahead for Infrastructure Finance" Current Scenario and Future Requirements to be held on October 19, 2011 at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.

Manoj Pant joins at World Bank
Manoj Pant who was earlier private secretary (PS)to Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has now joined as senior Advisor to Executive Director (ED), World Bank (WB), Washington. He is an IAS officer of 1991 batch who belongs to the West Bengal cadre.

J S Sahani's appointment challenged
J S Sahani's appointment as Maharashtra Government's Chairman - Pollution Control Board has been challenged in the court on the grounds of lack of experience in environment and pollution department.

Power cuts cause loss of Rs.100 crore to Maharashtra
The recent power cut will lead to a loss of Rs 1000 crore for industries but for the revenue strapped state ex-chequer, it will cause a loss of Rs 100 crore says sources in state Revenue department.

IFS changes in Rajasthan
Seven IFS officers have been transferred in Rajasthan. Ramcharan Lal Meena will now hold the post of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Project Formulation and Coordination and he will be replaced by Chief Conservator Of Forest (Bharatpur) Pratap singh Chholak. Kailash Chand Sakarwal has been made Chief Conservator Of Forests (Bharatpur). P K Upadhayay will now be Chief Conservator of Forests (Silviculture) in Jaipur. V S Rathore will be Chief Conservator of Forests, Joint Forest Management in Jaipur. Shikha Mehra will now be Chief Conservator of Forests, Eco-tourism, Jaipur. Anurag Bhardwaj will be promoted as Chief Conservator of Forests (Wild Life).

Pakistan : US made software for monitoring foreigners entry discarded
Pakistan has discarded the US made software 'Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation' (PISCES) being used since 2002 at the country's major airports for monitoring entry of foreigners in the country and their subsequent movements. The system has been replaced with (supposedly) indigenously developed Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) claimed to be 'more capable and secure'. Inaugurating the new system at Islamabad's international airport, Pakistan's minister for the interior Rehman Malik stated 'our data was being compromised because we were using the US made software'.

IPS Baijal and state should adjust : High Court
Bombay High Court has ruled in the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Harish Baijal's (IPS 1992 batch) case that instead of blaming each other for constant transfers, it is better to make adjustments and to work together. Baijal had challenged his transfer to Thane district from Nashik's Anti Corruption Bureau.

Sena blasts BMC Commissioner, Kumar
Shiv Sena has blasted Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM)- BMC Commissioner Subodh Kumar on the issue of going on a back foot for spending on inauguration of development schemes in the city. Additional Municipal Commissioner Rajiv Jalota had on October 3 issued a notification that finances for inaugurating any scheme has to be approved 15 days in advance by the Municipal Commissioner. However Sena claims that Subodh Kumar has taken the notification back, while sources in BMC say he is firm and has not succumbed to any pressure.

Now a channel for Maharashtra' assembly proceedings
There will be a television channel to broadcast the Assembly and Legislative Council proceeding in Maharashtra, said Dilip Valse Patil - Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Was power outage the reason for Ratho's shift ?
It is heard that Subrat Ratho (IAS 1986 batch) was shifted from the post of Managing Director (MD) of Maharashtra State Power Generation Corporation (Mahagenco) because the coal shortfall was allegedly due to poor lifting from Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) was a problem waiting to come. Sources in the Mantralaya say that whether Telangana or not the state was going to face the problem of coal shortage this in turn will adversely hit electricity generation.

Ms. Nupur Mitra takes charge as ED in Dena Bank (UPDATED)
Ms.Nupur Mitra who so far was Executive Director (ED) of the Indian Overseas Bank(IOB) has joined the ED in charge of the Dena Bank. She will become
CMD of the Dena Bank from November 1,2011.She has assumed charge in advance to familiarize herself with Dena Bank's working. She will succeed D.L.Rawal
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)of the Dena Bank who will be retiring on October 31,2011.
(We said this on April 26,2011)

D.L. Rawal was on a tour while his successor took charge (UPDATED)
D.L. Rawal Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)of the Dena Bank was on a tour while, Ms.Nupur Mitra who so far was Executive Director (ED) of the Indian Overseas Bank(IOB) took over as the ED in charge of the Dena Bank on October 17,2011. She will become CMD of the Dena Bank from November 1,2011.She has assumed charge in advance to familiarize herself with Dena Bank's working.

A .D. M. Chavali to be ED, Indian Overseas Bank (UPDATED)
A..D.M. Chavali who is currently a General Manager (GM) in the Bank of Baroda will be new Executive Director (ED) of the Indian Overseas Bank(IOB). However, his notification is yet to be issued.

GOI has made a policy for advance charge by Bank, CMDs (UPDATED)
The Government of India (GOI) has now evolved a policy whereby would be Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of any of the public sector bank will assume charge in advance i,.e. a few days before his/her predecessor retires.This came in force from October 2011.Accordingly, Ms.Nupur Mitra who so far was Executive Director (ED) of the Indian Overseas Bank(IOB) took over as the ED in charge of the Dena Bank on October 17,2011.

A.K. Mishra's notification for Andhra Bank yet to come(UPDATED)
A.K. Mishra General Manager of the Canara Bank who on elevation is supposed join Andhra Bank as Executive Director(ED) is still awaiting his notification.The ED's slot in Andhra Bank had fallen vacant following retirement of Anil Girotra.

N.Shankar to assume charge of ECGC's new CMD on Oct 19 (UPDATED)
N.Shankar Executive Director of Exim Bank of India who has been appointed as new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC)India Limited will be assuming charge on October 19,2011 .
(We said this on September 24,2011)

Rear Admiral Shrawat to be CMD of MDL (UPDATED)
Rear Admiral R K Shrawat is being tipped to be new CMD of the Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL).

Bhide to be Director (Technical) HOCL (UPDATED)
S B Bhide is being tipped to be new Director (Technical) in the Hindustan Organic Chemicals LTD (HOCL).

Kiran Dhingra Joins as Secretary Panchayati Raj (UPDATED)
Ms. Kiran Dhingra has assumed charge of office as Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj. An IAS Officer of 1975 batch UT Cadre, Mrs. Dhingra has previously served as Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. Prior to that she was Director General (Shipping), in the Ministry of Shipping and Joint Secretary in the Textiles Ministry. She has also served as Chief Secretary, Goa.

Uday Kumar Varma is new Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (UPDATED)
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Uday Kumar Varma, IAS (MP:76), presently Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, as Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
(We said this on Octumber 13,2011)

Pipersenia's removal as Secr, National Commission of Scheduled Castes approved (UPDATED)
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the cancellation of the earlier orders appointing V.K. Pipersenia, IAS (AM:80), as Secretary, National Commission of Scheduled Castes.

Debarment of Pipersenia from Central deputation approved (UPDATED)
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the debarment of V.K. Pipersenia, IAS (AM:80), from Central deputation for a period of five years.

Shyam S. Agarwal is new Secr, National Commission of Scheduled Castes (UPDATED)
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointments of Shyam S. Agarwal, IAS (RJ:80), presently Development Commissioner, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, as Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary.

Pradhan is new Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare (UPDATED)
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of P.K. Pradhan, IAS (WB:77), presently Special Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, as Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Ms. Ramachandran is new Secr, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (UPDATED)
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Ms. Vilasini Ramachandran, IAS (GJ:77), presently Special Secretary, Department of Expenditure, as Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
(We said this on Octumber 13,2011)

(DEBATE)
LOKPAL BILL AND BUREAUCRACY
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?
Mail your views to suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com or mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com

CORPORATE

Chaturvedi to look into relocation of NTPC plant in Jharkhand
Planning Commission Member B K Chaturvedi will look into proposed relocation of NTPC's 1,980-MW North Karanpura plant in Jharkhand.

MAHAGENCO rejects coal
Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Ltd (MAHAGENCO) rejected nearly 21 percent of the coal that was allotted to it by the Western Coalfields Ltd.(WCL).

Onion farmers in trouble
Onion crop is likely to start arriving in by the mid November but there is a case of overproduction and low prices in the overseas market.

Ethanol to be made available to oil companies !
Ethanol is likely to be made available to oil companies at a rate of Rs 22- 23 per litre. Though oil companies are reluctant to buy Ethanol, it is heard that Maharashtra State government is getting aggressive to sell it.

SC gives ruling on Suraj Lamp Industries
Henceforth, only registered sale deed will be accepted as the document of sale for freehold property and not the general power of attorney. This was ruled by the Supreme Court which made ruling on the case filed by Suraj Lamp Industries against the Haryana State government.

Bombay Dyeing mill area in trouble
With the Maharashtra state government dilly dallying over giving accommodation to mill workers in the Bombay dyeing Mill area, a rally is being organized by the Mill workers on October 17. Workers claim that there is 33326 square metres of land available in Bombay Dyeing mill for redevelopment. In 1991, changes in the Development Control (DC) rules allowed mill owners to redevelop or sell their land, provided the owner hands over one-third portions of the open land in premises to the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM)- BMC and Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (MHADA) each.

Hemachandra nominated as Director, Canara Bank
The Central Government has nominated Ms Meena Hemachandra, CGM-in-charge, Reserve Bank of India, Foreign Exchange Department, Central Office, Mumbai as Director on the Board of Directors of Canara Bank in place of G. Padmanabhan with immediate effect .

Dua resigns as Independent Director, JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd
Dr. Ajay Dua, Independent Director , JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd has resigned from the Board of Directors of the company w.e.f. September 30, 2011.

Sahgal resigns as Chairman, Halonix Ltd
Raj Krishnan Sahgal, has resigned from Halonix Ltd as Chairman of the company with effect from October 11, 2011.

Narayan resigns as Director, Samtel Color Ltd
V. Narayanan, Director, Samtel Color Ltd has resigned from the Board of Directors of the company.

Deshpande resigns as Company Secy. Indiaco Centures Ltd
Aniket Deshpande, Company Secretary , Indiaco Centures Ltd. Has resigned from the company.

Ramesh resigns as Independent Director, Moschip Semiconductor Technology Ltd
A. Ramesh, Independent Director, Moschip Semiconductor Technology Ltd has resigned from the board of directors of the company effective October 14, 2011

Chandra re-designated as MD, Orissa Minerals Development Corporation
Dr. Satish Chandra, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Orissa Minerals Development Corporation has been re-designated as Managing Director with effect from June 1, 2011.

Jaiswal appointed GM, Howard Sarovar Potico, Agra
Sandeep Jaiswal has been appointed as General Manager Howard Sarovar Portico, Agra.

Indian bureaucracy most corrupt, inefficient

Indian bureaucracy is one of the most corrupt bureaucracy in the world. It is also not efficient. They rarely take responsibility and are expert in passing the buck. They are also arrogant. The nomenclature like Indian administrative Service, Indian Police service etc add to their arrogance. They also use these IAS, IPS, IRS along with their name as if these are academic degrees. Such names should removed. They should be called general management service, police service etc. This will reduce their arrogance. Lokpal must come down heavily on corruption by higher bureaucracy and then only corruption will come down at lower level.

J Sarkar

Prescribed service delivery standard required
This is regarding your report that disposal by ACC has slowed down. Today we all talk of service delivery standard for every organisation. It is therefore imperative that there is prescribed service delivery standard at highest level so that it can set example for lower functionaries. ACC must cut on the time being taken by it.

B Arun

Social, educational reforms required
There is a lot of hot air in the Anna Camp on how to tackle corruption through a bill; just like how to avoid Dowry using the Anti Dowry Act or how not to have a preference for a male offspring by criminalising female infanticide. What is important is analysis and understanding of why we are corrupt or the people that we are. Just why do we encroach the zebra crossing while stopping at a red light? Why do we skip a queue ? Why do we tell story of Ali Baba to children ? Why did we remove subjects of character building and prayer session from school syllabi ? Why do we want to give more weightage to quotas and priveleges over the effort of another ? Why is "oopar ki aamdani" asked for while negotiating marriages ? Without a social reform to correct the basic fault line, attempts at tackling only the symptoms, by a lokpal bill, will be a miscarriage of a movement.

What India needs is a reform in the education system, massive social reforms, status and respect for the honest, teachers, soldiers, scientists and all those who contribute to the richness of the society and not for the rich and influential.

India does not need Bills, we have enough. The threat of punishment cannot remove corruption.

Problems are in our traditions, families, value systems?and??expectations?from? our breadwinners, sons and even our leaders we elect.

Perhaps Rishi swami Dayand is more relevant than Gandhi or Anna. Do Anna and his naive team understand the fault lines ? The movement can very easily go out of control to the crowds.

Pravina

All the best to Vishwapati Trivediji

I wish Vishwapati Trivedi the best. I had occasion to interact with him when he was Sales Tax Commissioner, MP, at Indore and found him to be a decent gentleman and officer and forthright in conveying his views.

Hearty Congratulations to Mr Vishwapati Trivedi ji!

Meenakshi Mishra

Stop publication of "Aaaj ki awaaz"

May I request you to kindly stop publication of "Aaaj ki awaaz"? It is in poor taste, with poor English, clearly written by an RSS supporter who is completely illogical, hysterical and non-lyrical!

Brijesh Kalappa

Digbhramit naa ho civil society

The successfully executed attack on Prashant Bhushan is only a re-run of the old time tactics of the decade of the 60s. I am really amused at the flawless conception and execution of the plan, without the super intelligent civil society class of even getting an inkling of what was coming their way.It has achieved the "objective". The one point programme is to demolish the civil society- an invisible but very strong organization. We had seen such plans getting executed in the 1960s, especially after the second General Elections(elections in those years used to be held only every five years, simultaneously for the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies, unlike these days, when they are a daily affair like the variety of cricket matches).But the operators have forgotten one significant fact: those tactics gave birth to opposition governments under the name & style of SVD(Sanyukta Vidhayak Dal = joint members party. Something akin to UPA or united progressive alliance).Creating "factions" among civil society is the aim of sections of the media allied to the political parties on the basis of unwritten MOUs(memeranda of understanding).The Civil Society will be forgotten like the SVD if the stray into darker areas of dirty Indian politics, which creates Frankensteins or Bhasmasurs of innocent youth on a regular basis. Don't think Maoists are creations of China or extremists simply materialise from thin air. 'Unhe to paal pos kar badaa kiyaa jaataa hai taaki isee tarah kisi zaroorat ke din kaam aa saken'. The Government should not be unjustly undervalued: certain subjects are better left to them eg relations with neighbouring countries or currency matters. Those who have any concrete suggestions should address the PM, as they may not know who exactly deals with the subject matter. There is no gag. In fact knowledgeable people must go on egging the government for healthier policies, but Maryaadaa or limits must be observed. Errors or rather even one single error from the civil society can destroy the whole movement as they are pitted against real Ravans and asurs/F-monsters.

M L Gupta

Why there is so much 'hulla gulla' about Hissar ?

INC never was in competition and in bye-elections normally there is sympathy wave in favour of the kins of the deceased. I cannot understand why Anna group is wasting its energy/movement in it. It is a non-issue in case of Hissar to oppose INC. And going by the information available about the candidates INC candidate was the best. If Anna group felt that INC was in competition and had to be brought out of the competition by creating an un-even playing field then I pity them.

Prakash

Interpretation of years after independence

Well, election every 5 years may be enough to the satisfaction of many but my interpretation of the years after independence are-

(a) After emergency, IG (Indira Gandhi) decided to screw this country to remain in power. Whatever it takes to remain in power- so be it. Thats the attitude of present day politicians!!!!

Sardar Patel was right- rule this country with a danda for 10 years- we will be a strong country. Though emergency was imposed for wrong reasons, but things in govt departments were functioning 'tika-ti-boo'

(b) Thanks to the media (some not yet purchased), we still have a voice- hats off to Anna Hazare & his team!! You have done this country proud!!

We need to wake up- drastic measures are required. More judges need to be appointed so that cases are disposed off within a year or maximum - two years. Madam Gandhi ensured that all institutions are paralysed- be it the judiciary, education (ppl with think, no), armed forces etc.

We Indians learn only by the danda! Democracy is essential when you have an educated electorate!

What are our allotments for education, health, defence? How many defence people are involved in national security issues? none!

Wish we will wake up- we Indians will sell our country for anything- even a coke!!

Neena Mahen

File notings regarding reinstatement
The appellant sought information about reinstatement of her service including reasons for filing an appeal against the CAT decision before High Court, the names of officials involved in decision regarding the file an application before High Court along with the file notings, total expenses incurred during filing of the appeal, copy of the minutes of the Governing Body meeting etc. The desired file notings including the names of the officers were refused u/s 8(1)(g) claiming that it is likely to endanger the life or physical safety of such officers. The Commission observed that it is a very sad comment on the employees of an organization if an organization claims that a former employee who is a lady is capable of physically harming its officers. The Commission directed the PIO to severe the names of the officers as per Section 10 and give a typed copy of notings to the Appellant. The Commission directed to provide the total legal expenses incurred in
the matter and a copy of the minutes of the Governing Body meeting.

Comments

The PIO should not try to invoke section 8(1)(g) indiscriminately in every legal or vigilance case without looking into whether the physical safety of any official would be jeopardized.

Smt. Rajni Bajaj v. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in CIC/SG/A/2011/002273/15097

- 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)