What people say about us!

How do you get such an accurate information?

N Singh

Aaj Ki Aawaz

Congress in UP has gone berserk!!!
Getting to hear from Congis quirk after quirk!!

First Beni got into a scrap with Punia calling him an 'Bahar Waalah'!!!
Hadn't Congress cried foul when Shiv Sena ne UPites ko same category mein tha daala!!

Then Beni said PM's too old!!!
'Just remove Soni's puppet strings and see old Manmohan perform' Beni should be told!!

Jaiswal says if Congress comes to power Rahul will run UP with a 'remote'!!
Even the most optimist Congis say chances of Congress coming to power in UP are remote!!

Jamai Raja's contributed too by saying 'we are all in line'!!!
Though some say this is 'internal rift' ka sign!!

Then Digvijay rubbished Kursheed's 'Sonia tears' story!!
But Kursheed has stuck to his story as he has not said sorry!!

Our Law Minister disrespects the Law!!!
For being the Law Minister a cardinal flaw!!

To appease the majority minority he has flouted EC's rules!!
With people's sentiments this man really fools!!

Now News Channels have started hyping Priyanka!!
Take Headlines Today ... it really sounds like Priyanka's 'pankaa' (fan)!!

Her 'foresight' up to now has been planning what she'll wear for a Page 3 party!!!
She's being 'sold' as the hope for Congress Party!!

I'll say those who think she's the 'deliverer' will be sorely disappointed!!
And those who tom-tom this have been 'appointed' (bought)!!

Campaigning is just the means and to 'deliver on promises' is the end!!!
For us they are supposed to fend!!!!

Winning elections is a means to an end!!!
To serve us to the Parliament or Vidhan Sabha Netas we send!!

But then some will say she's any day better than the present hope!!
Who I'm sorry to say by many is considered to be a Dope!!

Hear Modi's going to campaign in Uttar Pradesh!!
By example he'll be able to give 'Ram Rajya' sandesh!!

Post the SIT's Report Ghadkhari has fallen in line!!
Says to be PM Modi shows every sign!!

BJP for obvious reasons not washing off porn blot!!
Could land up BJP in 'voyeurs' slot!!

Is this the Party 'with a difference'!!
Party of Voyeurs would be the inference!!

Now there are demands that Tendu should retire!!!
It is high time from getting his 100th 100 he should tire!!

Shouldn't there be a limit on number of tries!!!
Today louder and shriller are getting 'retire Tendu' cries!!!

Bharat Kumar
aaj_ki_aawaz@yahoo.com

Chidambaram is active again
Indian Home Minister, P Chidambaram has started taking pre budget & review meetings.

J Jayalalitha not indulging in witch hunting
Under the present scenario a perception has emerged that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. J Jayalalitha is not indulging in witch hunting

Tickets in Punjab were sold?
Rumours are agog that tickets for Vidhan Sabha elections in Punjab were sold between Rs 4 to Rs. 10 crore. Is it true?

Why is Khurshid behaving the way he is?
There are whispers in the corridors over the way Salman Khurshid is behaving with regard to his comments on reservation quota for Muslims. Despite a warning the minister has been making sure that he is the face of Muslim minorities and he also has a clear objective to topple a general secretary in the Congress with his appeasing statements, says a party insider.

Is India's praise of Iran causing heartburn?
India standing by Iran at a time when the world backs out on Iranian oil supplies has reportedly come to be a cropper in the international diplomatic community, sources say there is a wide criticism that India is facing from this act. What pressures will India face especially when a lot of international negotitiations are pending, is the whispers in the corridors.

Punjab poll results to spring surprises
As pollsters believe, the result of recently held assembly polls in Punjab will see defeat of certain stalwarts.

BUREAUCRACY

Rahul Khullar unlikely to go to Brusells?
Though the MEA has issued orders for the appointment of Commerce Secretary, Rahul Khullar as Ambassador to Belgium, insiders rule out the possibility. He is likely to succeed Ms Sudha Pillai as Secretary Planning Commission.

Mittal unlikely to be Secretary, Commerce
Nomination of Secretary - Financial Services, D K Mittal, on the Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India, seems to be an indication that he is not going to replace Secretary, Commerce, Rahul Khullar. Earlier the name of 1977 batch IAS officer of UP cadre D K Mittal had prominently figured for the replacement of Khullar.

Chaudhary to be Secretary, Commerce?
Secretary, Industrial Policy and Promotion Dr P K Chaudhary is likely to move as Secretary, Commerce. He is a 1977 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Ashok Thakur to be Secretary, IPP?
Special Secretary in HRD, Dr Ashok Thakur is likely to be appointed Secretary, Industrial Policy and Policy (IPP). He is a 1977 batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre.

Ashok Thakur unlikely to go as CS, Himachal Pradesh
Ashok Thakur is unlikely to return from central deputation to his parent Himachal Pradesh cadre as Chief Secretary.

Krishna Kumar to be Ambassador to Morocco
Krishna Kumar is being tipped to be new Ambassador to Morocco.

CVC clearance delays appointment of DGIT Vigilance, Delhi
As the grapevine has it, CVC clearance has delayed appointment of new DGIT Vigilance, Delhi.

Interviews for slot of CIL's Chairman on Feb, 14 & 15
Interviews slot of CIL's Chairman will be held on February 14 & 15, 2012.

CCIT transfer postings deferred
Transfer and postings of Chief Commissioner of Income Tax have been deferred. It will take place only after the Budget Session of the Parliament. Now only in-situ promotions will take place.

Postings of DG (Investigations) soon
The CBDT is expected to order posting of new DG, (Investigations) in major cities in a week or two.

A K Jain to be DG, (Investigations) Mumbai?
Latest information says that A K Jain is moving to Mumbai as DG, (Investigations) Income-Tax. He is a 1978 batch IRS (IT) officer.

Batra to be Director, (Investigations) in Ahemdabad
Grapevine has it that, Y K Batra is being appointed DI, Income Tax in Ahemdabad. He is a 1978 batch IRS (IT) officer.

K K Tripathi to be DG, (Investigations) Hyderabad
K K Tripathi is likely to be posted as DG, (Investigations), Income-Tax in Hyderabad. He is a 1978 batch IRS (IT) officer.

CSS officer is new JS, Telecom
CSS officer B B Kaura has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Department of Telecom in the Government of India.

Brig. Narula poised to DIG, Training Centre in NSG
As the grapevine has it, Brig. Narula is poised to be DIG, Training Centre in National Security Guard (NSG).

9th National Steam Congress attracts international attention
The 9th National Steam Congress scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 18, 2012 has started attracting international attention. The presence of many luminaries including Sir Mark Tully of BBC fame, Paul Whittle of DHRS (UK), Rob Lynn of the British Council, Chairman Railway Board, Secretary Tourism GOI and many others is bound to give a fillip to this niche heritage tourism segment of the country. The development and positioning of Rewari steam shed as the finest steam destination in the world is already making considerable waves. Since its inception in December 2002, this annual event has been the brainchild of Ashwani Lohani, the steam man of India and currently the Divisional Railway Manager of Delhi who is widely known for his substantial contribution in the growth of tourism in the country.

Raja joins as Dy. Secretary in DoPT
N Raja has joined as Deputy Secretary, (Vigilance. I) in DoPT Government of India. He is a CSS Cadre officer.


Ms Kulshreshtha relieved to join CRPF
Ms. Anupama Kulshreshtha, Deputy Director, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Police Academy, Hyderabad has been relieved to join as DIG in CRPF. She is an IPS officer of 1995 batch who belongs to the UP Cadre
(We said this on 21December 2011)

An IAS officer to gain tremendously if Amarinder becomes CM
There is one IAS officer in Department of Finance who will become Secretary in the same department if Amarinder Singh comes to power in Punjab.

Ajay Kashyap gets pro-forma promotion
Ajay Kashyap UN posting (Abroad) has been granted proforma promotion (Grade of ADGP). He is a IPS officer of 1985 batch who belongs to the AGMU Cadre.
(We said this on 25December 2011)

Ms. Jaya Das Gupta poised to be CS, West Bengal
Ms. Jaya Das Gupta is poised to be new Chief Secretary of West Bengal. She is an IAS officer of the 1978 batch who belongs to the West Bengal cadre.

Yogita Rana to join Cabinet Secretariat
Dr. (Ms.) Yogita Rana Deputy Commissioner, Commercial Taxes Deptt, Kakinada, is likely go on central deputation in the Cabinet Secretariat. She is an IAS officer of 2003 batch who belongs to the Andhra Pradesh cadre.

Jamwal unlikely to join Rajya Sabha Secretariat
Narender Singh Jamwal, DIG, BSF, is unlikely to join as Director, Rajya Sabha Security. He is a BSF cadre officer.

Will Vineet join NIA?
National Investigation Agency is believed to have asked for the services of Vinayak Vineet. The Sikkim Government has so far not given NOC to 1995 batch IPS officer.

G.S. Sandhu to to be next PS, Finance in Rajasthan
As the grapevine has it, G S Sandhu is poised to be new Principal Secretary (PS), Finance in Rajasthan once C K Mathew assumes charge as Chief Secretary of the State on March 1, 2012. Sandhu is an IAS officer of the 1980 batch who belongs to the Rajasthan cadre. Presently he is PS, Home with the Rajasthan Government.

Ashok Sampatram to be next PS, Home in Rajasthan
As the grapevine has it, Ashok Sampatram is poised to be new Principal Secretary (PS), Home in place of G S Sandhu. Presently, he is PS, School Education with the Rajasthan Government. He is a 1979 batch IAS officer.

Sukhraj Singh is new ADG Lokayukta in Madhya Pradesh
Sukhraj Singh has taken over as new ADG, Lokayukta, in Madhya Pradesh. He is 1984 batch IPS officer.

Power Grid to spend Rs 1 lakh crore in the next plan period
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (POWERGRID) itself has set a target of spending Rs 1,00,000 cr during the 12th Plan for capacity expansion said POWERGRID's Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), R. N. Nayak. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 809 cr for the third quarter of 2011-12, said Nayak. In the new plan the company is investing in aerial patrolling, development of mobile substations, development of national training assistance management centre for operating and controlling of sub-stations at a central place through maintenance hubs add Nayak on the future plans of the company. The company will raise Rs 1 lakh crore through 30 % equity which will come through internal accruals and FPO proceeds while 70% debt will be raised through multilateral credit from World Bank, Asian Development Bank and suppliers' credit and also from domestic bonds and external commercial borrowings. According to R.N. Nayak, Power Grid Corporation has negotiated loan of $250 million from ADB without sovereign guarantee. However the company refused to divulge the rate at which it is negotiating the loan. Addressing the concerns of arrears from utilities, Nayak said Power Grid Corporation would be able to liquidate its outstanding dues of Rs 460 crore by the end of March 2012. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has been quite helpful to due to which the company was able to bring down its outstanding dues from Rs 3082 crore as on March 31, 2011 to Rs 460 crore as on date, he added. The board of Power Grid Corporation of India has approved investment plan for transmission system to be established at Magarwada in Daman & Diu at an estimated cost of Rs 259.28 crore. Besides, there is investment approval for system strengthening in Raipur-Wardha corridor for independent power projects in Chhattisgarh at an estimated cost of 1422.85 crore.

17 officers of Assam State Service allotted IAS cadre
As many as 17 officers of Assam State Civil Service have been awarded IAS cadre against the vacancies of 2008, 2009 and 2010. The officers include Dr Anwaruddin Choudhury, Mrs Nafifa Ahmed, Dhrubajyoti Hazarika, Ahmed Hussain, Dipak Kumar Sarma, Chouhan Doley, Umadul Haque, Simanta Thakuri, Mukti Gogoi, Amlan Barua, H K Dev Mahanta, Dr Upendra Nath Bora against the vacancy of 2008 vacancy while Tapan Chandra Goswami, Mrs Larlyne Ingtipi and Ramesh Jain of 2009 and Mrs Julie Sonowal and Mrs Purobi Sonowal against the vacancy of 2010.

Nine posts of Judges vacant in MP, HC
As many as nine posts of judges have been lying vacant in Madhya Pradesh High Court against 43 approved strength including seven posts of Permanent Judges against 32 approved strength and two of Additional Judges against 11 approved strength.

Sahu promoted as Economic Adviser, Rural Development
Anand Singh Bhal, Director, Rural Development, has been promoted to Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) and posted as Economic Adviser, Rural Development. He is an Indian Economic Service (IES) officer of 1985 batch.

Dangi shifted to SQMS, CHQ in AAI
M C Dangi, General Manager, CSIA, Mumbai, has been transferred to SQMS, CHQ in Airport Authority of India (AAI).

Former IIS officer passes away
Former Indian Information Service officer, Akshey Kumar (65), an eminent media personality passed away on 11 February 2012 in Gurgaon (Haryana).

DD Bharti to be revived?
D D Bharti is likely to be revived by the Prasar Bharti.

A feather added in MP Forest department's cap
Madhya Pradesh forest department has been conferred the international Green Globe Foundation Award for outstanding achievement in environment sector. The award was jointly given by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) and Vizcraft International, during a recently held function in Delhi. It was presented during Delhi Sustainable Development Summit-2012 held in New Delhi recently. The award was given under the government institutions' category for remarkable contribution in the environment sector. Madhya Pradesh Government's Additional PCCF S.P. Singh (an Indian Forest Service-IFS- officer of 1979 batch, MP cadre)had sent a nomination for the award for its research extension work and 'Lok Vaniki Yojana'. The state has 156 research and extension nurseries. The team is seen with MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan & Forest Minister Sartaj Singh besides the then ACS Forest Swadeep Singh (3rd from left).Others seen in the photograph are: K.K. Dave PCCF to MP Govt (2nd from left) and S.P. Singh (1st from left),

Ray is back to parent IRTS
CMD, Orissa State Roadway Transport Corporation, G C Ray is back to the parent IRTS. 1985 batch IAS officer G K Dhal has been given additional charge of CMD, OSRTC.

Post of CMD vacant in RITES
The post of Chairman and Managing Director has been advertised lying vacant in RITES. Those willing to apply can send their applications to Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) before March 14, 2012.

PAKISTAN WHISPERS
Memo commission's less known fall out
A less known fall out of the judicial commission appointed by Pakistan's supreme court to probe the 'memogate' is the adverse impact it has had on the functioning of the lower courts in Islamabad. Islamabad's District & Sessions Judge has been appointed the Secretary of the commission and the entire clerical staff headed by the office superintendent Chowdhary Mohammad Siddique deputed for doing secretarial work of the commission. Chowdhary Siddique and some of the LDCs are now being told to be in readiness for travelling to London for the secretarial work relating to recording of the statement of Mansoor Ijaaz from the Pakistan High commission London on 22nd February. Work relating to computerisation of the District court's cases which was underway has also come to a standstill because the entire clerical staff which was involved in data entry work has become busy in the commission's activities.

AG indicts culture institute for contract irregularities
Pakistan's auditor general has adversely commented on a contract worth 92 million rupees awarded to a private party by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage popularly known as Lok Virsa. The contract was awarded without meaningful competitiveness and the party was allowed to run commercial ventures including a cafeteria and a profit oriented 'lok virsa college' on the premises belonging to the institute. These activities were not covered by the public notice issued by the institute for the tenders. Term of the contract too was increased to 10 years and 30 years for certain activities against the initially notified term of 5 years. The AG has observed that these irregularities are as a result of collusion between the institute's administration and the private firm.

Government to give detailed account of Baluchistan situation to parliamentarians
Alarmed by the recent hearing on Baluchistan in the US House committee on foreign relations in which witnesses gave graphic details of human rights violations by the security and intelligence agencies and hinted at the need for 'self determination' Pakistan's interior minister Rehman Malik has promised to give a detailed presentation on the subject to both houses of the Parliament next week. Minister Malik was responding to concerns voiced by two parliamentarians from Baluchistan about the excesses being committed by the intelligence agencies against Baluch Nationalists.

Ignoring Apex Court's directive ISI fails to produce detainees
Seven surviving detainees out of the 11 picked up by the ISI from Adiala jail in May 2010 were not produced before the supreme court in spite of clear directive given by a three member bench of the apex court headed by the chief justice to produce them latest by Friday evening. When the court resumed hearing of the case in the evening Advocate General, Maulvi Anwarul Haq expressed his inability to do the needful as the counsel for ISI Raja Irshad was absent. Chief Justice, Iftekhar Chowdhary has given a last and final opportunity to the ISI to produce on Monday the detainees four of whom are in Peshawar's Lady reading Hospital in critical condition presumably on account of torture during detention, and three at a detention centre run by the intelligence agencies. Four detainees had already died under suspicious conditions even before the habeas corpus petition presently being heard by the apex court was taken up.

Gross disparities in pay & perks of PTV anchors
Information given by Pakistan's information and broadcasting minister Firdaus Ashiq Awan in written reply to a Parliament question reveals gross disparities in the pay and perks of anchors working for the state run Pakistan TV (PTV) having no linkage with their educational qualifications or the TRP of the programmes produced by them. A certain anchor with a doubtful BA degree (the degree certificate contains a remark 'confirmation awaited') gets Rs 300000 per month while another staffer with post graduate qualifications and a well rated programme 'Pakistan Ban Raha tha' gets just Rs 31000/-There are other instances of certain anchors getting a fabulous Rs 750000/- and their better educated colleagues getting just 10-15% of that amount. In the written reply the minister has said that these appointments are decided by the PTV Board headed by its MD and the pay structure is determined by the 'market value' of the concerned person rather than his educational qualifications or other factors. PTV insiders and some Parliamentarians however believe that the anchors' political connections are responsible for their lucrative pay packages.

Liver transplant at Lahore's SZH by joint team of Indo-Pak surgeons
A team of surgeons led by Dr Subhash Gupta of Delhi's Appollo Hospital performed two live liver transplant operations at Lahore's Sheikh Zayed Hospital along with a team of Pakistani surgeons led by Dr Tariq Bangash. Cadaver liver transplant operations have been performed in Pakistan earlier also but a living donor liver transplant has been done for the first time by the joint team. Dr Bangash had initially talked to some British Surgeons who refused to come to Pakistan due to security concerns. Later he invited Dr Gupta who promptly agreed to travel to Lahore and perform the surgeries.

Rs 122 billion needed to repair roads damaged due to NATO supply carriers
Pakistan's minister for communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan has informed the parliament in a written reply to a question by MNA Ms Nisar Tanvir that over 4000 kms of road length on different routes linking Karachi with the Afghan border has been damaged due to heavy goods carriers plying on these routes for carrying supplies for the NATO troops stationed in Afghanistan. The government needs at least Rs 122 billion to repair these roads.

Brigadier to be Court martialed
Brigadier Ali Khan of the Pakistan army is to face court martial for 'grooming a particular mind-set in the army' and 'for maintaining contacts with a banned organisation Hizb ul tehrir'. According to information coming from GHQ a summary of evidence against the brigadier has already been completed and court martial proceedings are to be launched soon. Col Akram a retired officer of the JAG branch is likely to be engaged by the Brigadier for his defence.


P.K. Anand & Dr. Savita Anand bereaved
Mrs. Pushpawati Anand mother of P.K. Anand (IAS Rajasthan cadre) Joint Secretary, Rural Development in the GOI and mother in law of Dr. (Ms.) Savita Anand (IFS, Rajasthan cadre) Joint Secretary, Department of Land Resources (DLR), is no more. She was 82 years old. A prayer meeting has been organised at New Moti Bagh located B-5 in Tower 1 from 4 pm to 5 pm on February 13, 2012.

Dr. Bahuguna, DG, ICFRE inspects tree conservation work in Cambodia (UPDATED)
Forest Research Institute, Dehradun is doing the prestigious work of conservation of trees at Ta Prohm temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia, a world heritage site. Dr. V K Bahuguna, Director General of Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education, Dehradun visited the site and inspected the works being done by FRI along with the team members Dr. S S Negi, Dr. V R R Singh, Dr. N S K Harsh and Dr. S Nautiyal. He was apprised of the interventions made by FRI team and treatments done to preserve the trees and arrest further deterioration in their health including the capacity building of the local stakeholders. Dr. Bahuguna appreciated the works done and gave useful suggestions for future works and strategy to deal with the situation notably being the nutrient based approach for rejuvenation of the older trees and targeting the adjoining trees also in nearby areas to check further spread of diseases. He advised to develop a new formulation to control the decay in trees. Dr. Bahuguna also inaugurated a two-day's "Workshop under capacity building programme for monitoring and treatment of trees associated with Ta Prohm temple complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia" conducted for the Cambodian stakeholders. Dr. Bahuguna later met the mbassador of India in Cambodia R K Sachdeva and impressed upon the support of the Council in future works for other sites in Cambodia and also to extend a helping hand in building up the forestry in Cambodia with a community linked approach.

Rai Barelley DM and Meerut DIG shifted (UPDATED)
Rai Barelly DM Amrita Soni has been shifted by the EC to Sitapur.Abhay Shukla will be new DM of Rai Barelly.Hariram Sharma will replace Prem Prakash as DIG Meerut.

Ashish Heliwal posted as OSD in APA division, FT & TR in CBDT (UPDATED)
Ashish Kumar Heliwal, DCIT, Mumbai, has been posted as OSD in APA division of FT & TR in CBDT.

Ms Sreela Ghosh gets charge of Member (Central Excise) in CBEC (UPDATED)
Ms Sreela Ghosh, Member, CBEC has been assigned the charge of Member (Central Excise) in CBEC.

Badhan is Member (Customs, RI & I, Exports & Safeguards) in CBEC (UPDATED)
M S Badhan, has been assigned the charge of Member (Customs, RI & I, Exports & Safeguards) in CBEC.

Two IAS officers get new assignments in Haryana (UPDATED)
Services of two IAS officers have been affected with new assignments. Accordingly, Ashok Kumar Meena (HY:2006), has been posted as ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Fatehabad while Yash Garg (HY: 2009) is assigned additional charge of Sub Divisional officer (C), Tosham.

IAS reshuffle in Chhattisgarh (UPDATED)
There is IAS reshuffle in Chhattisgarh. Accordingly, D S Mishra will be new Principal Secretary, Finance while Ajay Singh has been moved as Principal Secretary, Health and Urban Development and M K Raut is APC. Similarly, R P Mandal has been posted as Principal Secretary PWD; K D P Rao has been moved to the Secretariat as Secretary Tourism and Culture; B L Tiwari as Divisional Commissioner Raipur; Avinash Champavat is posted as Collector Corriya; Nidhi Chibbar as Secretary, Technical Education. Vikas Sheel will be Secretary and Food and Ritu Sen Joint Secretary, GAD.

SAIL sales registers a growth of 5 % in first nine months (UPDATED)
SAIL's turnover for the first nine months at Rs. 35563.73 crore was 5 % higher than CPLY. Profits were impacted compared to CPLY, due to higher input costs and foreign exchange variations. The company's PBT and PAT during the April-December '11 period were recorded at Rs. 2849.51 crore and Rs. 1965.74 crore, lower by 42.7 % and 41.7 % respectively, over CPLY. The difference in profit (PBT) at Rs. 2120 crore, was primarily because of impact of coking coal price increase at Rs. 1849 crore, and foreign currency variation of Rs. 1079 crore. SAIL's net worth grew by Rs. 2503 crore to Rs. 38618 crore as on 31st December'11. SAIL Board approved interim dividend for its shareholders at 12 % of the company's paid-up capital. Reflecting the uptrend in performance over the preceding quarter, SAIL Q3 profit before tax (PBT) at Rs. 903.76 crore and Q3 profit after tax (PAT) at Rs. 632.12 crore, registered a growth of 26 % and 28 % respectively, over Q2FY12. Q3 PBT was down by Rs.724.44 crore (44 %) over CPLY, owing to impact of Rs. 578 crore on account of increase in prices of Coking Coal, and Rs. 499 crore on account of foreign exchange variation. The impact of these two factors, among others, also brought down PAT by Rs. 475.35 crore (43 %). The turnover for Q3FY12 at Rs. 11685.95 crore was 4.8 % less than CPLY. SAIL Board has accorded in-principle approval for bearing
the expenses of two CRPF battalions for facilitating a safe environment in Rowghat region. Reviewing the Q3 performance SAIL Chairman C.S.Verma said, "the uptrend over the preceding quarter performance is an indication of the overall steel scenario becoming positive, and internal measures yielding desired
results. With prices of coke stabilising, steel demand strengthening and increased production volumes in the offing for SAIL, 2012 is likely to be a year of fresh beginnings."

M R Chaudhary, JCIT, Baroda, resigns from service (UPDATED)
M R Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Range-8, Baroda, has resigned from the service.

DEBATE - Should bureaucrats alone be held accountable for policy decisions ?

Bureaucrats now feel that Ministers and Politicians also be held responsible for 'policy decisions' taken by the government. They also want that entire cabinet should be held accountable for policy decisions. How far they are correct in their thinking ?

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

CORPORATE

Will UAE fill the gap of Iranian oil?
It is heard that UAE will pump more crude and fill the gap that Iranian oil will create owing to the latest sanctions.

Who will be the next sponsor of BCCI cricket matches?
After exit of Sahara, who will sponsor BCCI's cricket matches? Names of three big industrialists have come to light, one of which is based overseas.

New President and Vice President of ICAI
Jaydeep Narendra Shah and Subodh Kumar Agrawal have been elected as President and Vice President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Narayanan appointed Director and CEO of Pentamedia Graphics
Krish Naraynan has been appointed as the Director and CEO of Pentamedia Graphics.

Agarwal appointed independent director of Nikki Global Finance
Govind Das Agarwal has been appointed as independent director of Nikki Global Finance.

Makhni appointed additional director of S Mobility
Rajiv Makhni has been appointed additional director of S Mobility.

Zilliacus resigns as director of S Mobility
Thomas Henrik Zilliacus as resigned from the directorship of S Mobility.

Desikan appointed CEO of S Mobility
R S Desikan has been appointed as the CEO of S Mobility

Jilan appointed Additional Director of Exelon Infrastructure
Gandodi Shaik Jilan has been appointed as Additional Director of Exelon Infrastructure.

Deshpande resigns from Board of Exelon Infrastructure
Ravindra Deshpande has resigned from the Board of Exelon Infrastructure.

Sundararajan resigns as Director, VLS Finance Ltd
N. C. Sundararajan has resigned from the Board of Directors of VLS Finance Ltd w.e.f. February 7, 2012.

Papisetty resigns as Non Exec. Director, Refex Refrigerants Ltd
Ms. Abhinandana Papisetty, Non-Executive Director of Refex Refrigerants Ltd has resigned from the company w.e.f. December 31, 2011 citing personal reasons.

Ghosh resigns as Director, Sahara One Media & Entertainment Ltd
Amitabha Ghosh, Director of Sahara One Media & Entertainment Ltd has resigned from the company w.e.f. February 8, 2012.

Jain resigns as Director, Can Fin Homes Ltd
Ashok Kumar Jain, Director, Can Fin Homes Ltd has resigned from the company w.e.f. January 19, 2012.

Chandrasekharan appointed CFO, Shriram EPC Ltd
R. S. Chandrasekharan has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Shriram EPC Ltd w.e.f. February 8, 2012.

Sahay appointed Director, Hindustan Copper Ltd
Hindustan Copper Ltd has appointed Arvind Sahay as Director of the company.

Media sensationalising things?

Why is it that the media is only sensationalising things these days? The only coverage is that of divorce, deviant behaviour, crime, nudity, parents abandoning their children etc etc. Is it that the country has become totally westernised and all Indian values gone to the dogs? Or is it that in sensationalising, the balance has been lost? We need to introspect. Is everything so depressing and all bad? Or is it that balanced reportage and contents are required of media? The media has to realise its power and understand that with power comes responsibility and humility. It has to be balanced and not go overboard. Titillation and sensationalisation no doubt make good copy and ensure sales but what about social responsibility?

Vijay Kumar

Army Chief's DoB saga not in good taste

The bizarre saga of the Army Chief's date of birth (DoB) has come to an end but it has left a bitter taste in the mouth. The taste of arrogance army style and ignorance army style will take a while to go away. So many retired army officers were quick to castigate the Ministry of Defence on endless talk shows on television. The only exception was retired Gen. Hoon who all along maintained a consistent line that the government was not to blame but the army chief himself was to blame for furnishing two dates of birth according to what suited him best, one date of birth for entry into the army and another date of birth for exit from the army. The bulldozing tactics that he applied to achieve his ends were in bad taste and is the
fallout of the change in the army-civil equation given in the blue book on protocol and status which was tinkered with about 10 years ago.The time has now come for the government to revert to the earlier protocol on status of the Defence Secretary vis a vis the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces to ensure that such bizarre situations do not recur.

D Choudhury

GoI denying justice and level playing field to the citizens

The GoI is running away from providing justice and level playing field to the citizens. Insisting for Board certificate by SSC/UPSC is Unconstitutional. The SC has run away from issuing direction as to how Date of Birth (DoB) is to be determined. It is High time that age restrictions for appointment is scrapped immediately and jobs are made open and offered to all based on merit and fitness only, like open economy. Age restriction for job is one of the causes of corruption. It also forces the parents to put the children in schools at the age of 2-3 years, which is violation of human rights of children, to be competent enough and competitive before attaining the prescribed age put by Govt. for appointment. Different types of age relaxations are given to different types of groups as per the whims and fancies of the GOI, in addition to reservation. Departmental promotions in Govt. organisations should also be banned and should be opened to all based on merit and fitness only. What is required is strengthening of UPSC/SSC and infrastructure for conducting exams. Due to various reasons including financial constraints one may not qualify the test within prescribed limit, it does not mean that he is not fit for ever to get appointment in Govt. Organisation. Removal of age restriction for Govt. Jobs will definitely help in decreasing the criminalization of society and problem of naxalism etc. I am confident that if Dr. Manmohan Singh is supported he would, like open economy, definitely make the job open to all based on merit and fitness without restriction on age limit. This is need of the hour. It is true that in large number of certificates dob mentioned in Board Certificates is also wrong.

RK

Loss to common man

Its a loss to the common man in Tamil Nadu. He is well read and very knowledgeable person. The most upright person in the cadre. He is one of the few officers who is honest to the core. He knows what he is doing. Wish him all the best

Subbiah

Unhealthy signals

Swadeep Singh is one of the top honest and straight forward officers of MP. He was CVO of an organization like ONGC for 5 years and is known for his uprightness. Rewarding officers who are facing investigation by IT Dept just a day before and punishing upright officers like him is being seen as unhealthy signals.

Mahadev

TAIL-PIECE

Is BJP being renamed after porngate?

Most people in the opposition are calling BJP as Blue Film Party.

Reasons for continuation of a person on sensitive post beyond policy

The appellant referred to the Railways policy for the tenure of four years for the sensitive posts for officials. He sought information about the continuation of two employees on the sensitive post beyond the policy prescription. The Commission directed to provide the reasons in the form of file noting or orders for not transferring the two employees as available on record.

Comments

The transparency ushered by the RTI Act is likely to lead to more such applications in the times to come as transfer / posting remains an area of contention in the service. It is noteworthy that section 4 of the RTI Act mandates a public authority to provide reasons for its actions to the affected persons.

[Shri Premchandra v. Northern Railway in file no. CIC/AD/A/2011/002368]

- 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)