What people say about us!

Your website is a very good and reliable source is not only for me but for thousands others like me. Keep up the good work Sir.

Vikram Kapoor

There's something about PC that makes people distrust him!!!
The same goes for his latest NCTC whim!!!!

He's conjured up NCTC!!
Nitiwit Chiddy Trying to Control is how many decipher NCTC!!

Congress and PC is 'sonne pe suhaaga'!!
From day one as MOH to make BJP State Governments fall 'kaam pe PC laaga'!!

Congress's ethos is' do not let Opposition State Governments last'!!!
On some issue or the other BJP State Governments they try to blast!!

But PC is 'apple of Sonia's eye'!!!
Why even PM he does sometimes defy!!!

PM apni asli aukat jaanta hai!!!
Parr PM ke dill ke behelane ke liye 'I am PM' khayaal achcha hai!!

Coming back to NCTC…. PC could have taken the States along!!!
But in PC's dictionary 'consensus' is wrong!!

Sonia whose basic grasp of such issues is negligible!!!!
Puts her trust in PC as she feels he is 'most eligible'!!

Chalo like the old saying…. those who live by the sword die by it too!!!
Similarly Madam's usage of PC will end up in PC cooking 'her goose stew'!

Congress cannot complain about Rahul not putting his all in electioneering!!
This fact toh even his detractors are 'cheering'!!

But from ground zero the report is Congress stuck at number 4!!!!
Even after Priyanka came to the fore!!

Jamai Raja has again shot his gob!!!
He says ' keeping Middlemen away from his family' is his primary job!!

Amar Singh is a businessman and his Party is a non starter!!!!!
Apni campaigning Amar ne 100% kee hai barter!!

Otherwise you think he'll waste money flying about???
He's out to hurt SP without a doubt!!!

Poor fellow in a Chopper he even had a fall!!!
Bichaara apne aap girr gaya just after giving 'make SP fall call'!!!

Bharat Kumar
aaj_ki_aawaz@yahoo.com

2 possibilities in Manipur
Two possibilities are being foreseen in Manipur where polling for state assembly elections took place in January 2012. First, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh retaining power. Second a hung house.

Pre counting alliances being worked out in Manipur
With barely a few days left for counting of votes in Manipur for last month's state assembly polls, political parties are busy working out pre counting alliances.

No wrong in elected representative addressing a bureaucrat as "Sir"?
There is nothing wrong in an elected representative addressing a bureaucrat as "Sir" . The above conclusion has been drawn from the responses received during a debate conducted by whispersinthecorridors.com, to elicit whether it is appropriate for an
elected representative to address a bureaucrat as "Sir"?

The issue came to the fore when, recently, Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik asked his Cabinet Ministers to maintain dignity of the office. Patnaik conveyed his mind when a Minister addressed "Sir" to an IAS officer in his presence. "You are Cabinet Minister and should maintain your dignity" the Chief Minister was reported to have said.

The whispersinthecorridors.com , thus, asked its surfers "How far it is appropriate for an elected representative to address a bureaucrat as "Sir". And the majority respondents said - There is nothing wrong in an elected representative addressing a bureaucrat as "Sir".

While some said that Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik's advisory to his Cabinet colleagues to refrain from addressing the bureaucrats as 'Sir', was unwarranted, others said that it reflects his feudalistic and hierarchical mindset .

While K Y Dasu, DIG/Retd. (CISF) said, "An elected representative addressing a bureaucrat as 'Sir', is neither a crime nor political taboo and there is nothing wrong in it", TVS Narayan said "Politicians calling Bureaucrats 'Sir' is perfectly in order. Not every politician need do this. It is a relative equation, where the Politician might be giving value to the person and not to the position. The politician must be a person of propriety and stature who wanted to give due respect to another individual. Nothing wrong in the salutation. I do not say everybody should do it".

Yet another respondent A K Saxena who is a retired civil servant asserted that Patnaik's advisory to his Cabinet colleagues to refrain from addressing the bureaucrats as 'Sir', was unwarranted. "He owns a feudalistic and hierarchical mindset . Ego massage is an important aspect of Communication skill. If an elected representative addresses a bureaucrat as 'Sir', his job is completed quickly and without bribe", he said.

Others like J B Sinha, NVK Prabhakar, S K Tewari were also of the opinion that there was nothing wrong in elected representative addressing a bureaucrat as "Sir".

However, those who feel that a Minister addressing a bureaucrat as 'Sir' is not appropriate said that it was incorrect because though 'Sir' is just an addressing word, in India, it is invariably associated with seniority and superiority. "Therefore in Indian context the minister calling a bureaucrat as 'Sir' is not appropriate", claimed Nandan.

"Bureaucrats are public servants and elected representatives represent the people. Therefore it is inappropriate for an elected representative (of the public) to address a bureaucrat (a public servant) as Sir", says Ajay adding "But this is India, Sab Chalta Hai, Sir"

For details : Read February issue of the Whispers In The Corridors

BUREAUCRACY

Suspension of IAS officer revoked in U P
The Government of India has revoked the suspension of senior most Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer Ms Promilla Shankar.The Mayawati Government had suspended 1976 batch IAS officer Ms Shankar.This is considered to be a big blow to the Mayawati Government.

Sarangi to be CIC in Maharashtra?
ACS Home in Maharashtra U C Sarangi is being tipped to be new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) in the state.1977 batch IAS officer Sarangi is scheduled to retire on February 29.

Jantre to be Information Commissioner in Maharashtra
Retired 1994 batch IAS officer N Y Jantre is likely to be appointed Information Commissioner in Maharashtra.

Senthil gets three months extension
Minister Economic in Washington V S Senthil has been granted three months extension in deputation tenure. He is 1984 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

IAS officer to return to Assam
1985 batch IAS officer of Assam cadre, V. S. Bhaskar presently Deputy Director General, Unique Identity Authority of India in Hyderabad is returning to the parent cadre.

1987 batch IPS to get ADG rank in Orissa
Four 1987 batch IPS officers are being promoted to the rank of ADG in Orissa in a month or two.

1994 batch IPS to be IG and 1998 batch IPS DIG in Orissa
1994 batch IPS officers are being promoted to the rank of IG and 1998 batch IPS officers to the rank of DIG in Orissa.

Vipin Kumar gets extension till retirement!
Vipin Kumar, Adviser(Security), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., New Delhi, in Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has been granted extension in his Central Deputation tenure till his retirement on July 31. He is 1975 batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre.

Rajat Sachar, IES, promoted as Economic Adviser, Financial Services
Rajat Sachar, Additional Economic Adviser, Commerce, has been promoted to Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) and posted as Economic Adviser, Financial Services. He is an Indian Economic Service (IES) officer of 1985 batch.

K V Murali, GM (ATM), SR, Chennai shifted to Chennai Airport
K V Murali, General Manager (ATM), SR, Chennai, has been transferred to Chennai Airport in Airport Authority of India (AAI).

19 posts of Judges vacant in Calcutta HC
As many as 19 posts of Judges have been lying vacant in Calcutta High Court against 58 approved strength including 6 posts of Permanent Judges against 45 approved strength.

Shaikh to go to Jeddah
Mohd Noor Rahman Shaikh has been moved from the MEA to Jeddah in place of B S Mubarak.

PESB seeks applications for post of Director (Power), NLC
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has sought applications for the post of Director (Power), Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC). Those willing to apply can send their applications to PESB before April 24, 2012.

PESB seeks applications for post of MD, Braithwaite Burn & Jessop Const. Co. Ltd.
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has sought applications for the post of Managing Director, Braithwaite Burn & Jessop Construction Co. Limited. Those willing to apply can send their applications to PESB before April 24, 2012.

PAKISTAN WHISPERS

Who is Mansoor Ijaaz's Indian politician investor having funds in Switzerland?
US businessman of Pakistani origin and self confessed errand boy in the memo case Mansoor Ijaaz had in March 2008 sent an email to Antonio Perrini, CEO of Banca Sammarinese di Investimento (BSI) of San Marino, for securing a loan from the Bank. As part of his financial credentials Ijaaz had boasted that US $ 50 million were being invested in one of his real estate project by "a large Indian family that has real estate investment the world over including Las Vegas, Dubai and India. The head of the family is an important political personality from the state where the family resides". The email further claims that "the same investor due to its close ties with Tata Motors in India has chosen to invest $ 10 million in our planned launch of a company to develop world's most energy efficient power trains. Definitive contracts for this deal were signed on 25 February 2008 in Orange County, California".

This time it is not contempt but praise for the PM from the Supreme Court
A three judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justices Tassaduq Hussain Jilani, Anwar Jaheer Jamali and Mian Saqib Nisar praised Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raja Gilani for the prompt action taken for setting up a Drug Control Authority as per direction given by the bench. The direction came on February 6 this year in the wake of death of over 120 heart patients after they allegedly consumed contaminated drugs given to them by the state run Pakistan Institute of Cardiology (PIC). The bench also praised the CMs of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces after the attorney general Maulvi Anwar ul Haq gave details of all the action taken for compliance of the Court's directive.

Memo Commission Secretary leaves for London
Jawad Hassain Distt & Sessions Judge Islamabad and Secretary of the Supreme Court appointed Judicial Commission probing the 'memo case' left for London on February 19 to be present in the Pakistan High Commission for recording of statement via video link on February 22 of US businessman and central character in the case Mansoor Ijaaz. Hassan is also tasked to take possession of the documentary and physical evidence that Ijaaz might like to submit to the commission. The commission had earlier agreed to Ijaaz's request for recording his statement via video link from the Pakistan High Commission in London as he apprehended threats to his person and for the evidence he wanted to submit for the commission's perusal and record inside Pakistan as his version was in conflict with the stand of Pakistan's civilian government.

Pakistan Railways will soon be Pakistan Railways Corporation
Pakistan's Planning Commission in association with the World Bank and some half a dozen Secretaries to Government has finalised a plan for 'restructuring' the Railways and Pakistan Railways could soon be Pakistan railways Corporation. The proposed corporation would focus on core business of train service while the non-core activities and entities like factories, schools, hospitals and marketing as well as commercial exploitation of the real estate belonging to the department would be left to a number of subsidiary public limited companies working under the ministry of railways. The plan presented to the PM is based primarily on the advice of the world bank that 'railways should be turned in to a tool for social integration and economic development at the national, provincial and city levels'.

Hafeez Saeed, two others barred from entering Islamabad
Islamabad's Deputy Commissioner has issued orders banning entry of Ameer of Jamat-ud-Dawa (a cover organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Tayaba), Maulana Mohammad Ahmad Ludhianvi and Maulana Khalid Dhillon (both belonging to Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat) in Islamabad for four days beginning February 18. The order has been issued to prevent these leaders from participating in the sit-in protest at Abpara in Islamabad. While Hafeez is an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attack, the other two are facing terrorism related charges for their association with banned outfit Sipahe Sahaba allegedly involved in attacks against Shias.

Doctors' suspension revoked after strike by Colleagues
Provincial government of Punjab has revoked the suspension order of some senior doctors including the MS of PIC Dr Zafar Saleem and its CEO Dr Azhar after strike by young doctors association in protest. The Doctors were placed under suspension after death of large number of patients allegedly due to spurious or contaminated drugs supplied to them from the PIC. The young doctors have however held that the fault
lies with the firms who manufactured the drugs and not the doctors. The suspension orders were also issued without following due procedure as laid down in the Punjab Employees Efficiency Discipline and Accountability Rules.

Baluch people have the right to their own Sovereign Country, says resolution moved by US lawmakers
A resolution moved by three republican members in the US House of Representatives states that the 'Baluch nation' has a historic right for self determination and a sovereign country of their own. It further notes that in Pakistan the Baloch people are subjected to violence and extrajudicial killings and they should have the opportunity 'to choose their own status'. The resolution moved by Republican Congressman Dana Rahnbacher is cosponsored by Congressmen Louie Gohmert and Steve King. As could be expected the move has evoked widespread harsh reaction in Pakistan. While information minister Firdaus Ashiq Awan called it 'a conspiracy' the foreign office has termed the resolution as 'ill informed' and 'driven by ignorance and arrogance'. In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly a PML (N) legislator Javed Abbasi has moved a motion for debating the US move which the motion termed as 'violation of international law and an attack on Pakistan's sovereignty'.

'GujaratTourism' gears up to host Gujarat Travel Mart' (UPDATED)
Gujarat Tourism is organizing second consecutive edition of 'Gujarat Travel Mart' from February 22, 2012 in Gandhi Nagar. The event will be inaugurated by Jaynarayan Vyas Minister for Tourism with the Government of Gujarat at 6.00 pm at Exhibition Hall No. 2, Mahatma Mandir Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar. According to Principal Secretary, Tourism, Vipul MIttra, the second edition of 'GujaratTravel Mart' which is set on a B2B platform with over 200 registered buyers fromover 30 countries exploring business opportunities for discerning travel and tourism products, will make the event one of the most sought after travel events in the country. The hosted buyers are from the following countries: Australia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Fiji Islands, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zimbabwe. Vipul MIttra, who is an IAS officer of 1986 batch and belongs to the Gujarat cadre, said "the event has support of major travel - trade and hospitality association in India such as 'Association of Domestic Tour Operators Association of India (ADTOI), Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Indian Association of Tour Operators, etc. The event is being managed by 'Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. The Mart will last till February 24.

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

DeChrispopher appointed MD & CEO, BMW Financial Services India
Dan DeChristopher has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BMW Financial Services India based at Gurgaon .

Hiremath re-appointed CMD Astec Lifesciences Ltd
Ashok V. Hiremath has been re-appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of Astec Lifesciences Ltd w.e.f. January 20, 2012.

Rawal appointed Whole-time Director, Astec Lifesciences Ltd
Janak Jaganath Rawal has been appointed as Whole-time Director of Astec Lifesciences Ltd w.e.f. January 20, 2012.

Goyal appointed Addl. Director, Modern Dairies Ltd
Krishan Kumar Goyal has been appointed as Additional Director of Modern Dairies Ltd w.e.f. February 13, 2012.

Allen resigns as Alternate Director, KPIT Cummins Infosystems Ltd
Dwayne Allen who is Alternate Director to Ms. Elizabeth Carey at KPIT Cummins Infosystems Ltd has resigned from the company.

Improve governance where you are governing

Queen;Prince and Princess are queering the pitch taking exception and protesting the corruption in Uttar Pradesh. But what is record of combating corruption where they are governing, it is learnt that a Minister of Infrastructure ministry is sitting on vigilance case involving high officials despite Central Vigilance Commission's advisories. The example should be set so that people believe on your words and vote for you in order to have your good governance.

Adarsha Gupta

Evidence of corruption or human rights violation necessary for schedule II organisations

Theappellant filed an application under the RTI Act seeking certain information from the respondent organization. The Commission noted that the respondent is an exempted organization listed under Schedule II of the RTI Act and therefore, is not amenable to any provision contained in the Act by virtue of Section 24. Furthermore, the information sought by the Appellant does not pertain to any violation of human rights and allegation of corruption, and therefore, does not fall under Proviso (I) to Section 24 of the RTI Act. The Commission ruled that an 'allegation of corruption' does not mean mere conjectures and surmises. Allegations ought to be supported by cogent and sound evidence which can lead the Commission to frame a prima facie view about corrupt or malpractices being involved in any given case. The Commission rejected the appeal ruling that such element is clearly missing as no evidence or material has been placed by the Appellant to establish prima facie case of corruption or violation of human right.

Comments

In cases of organisations which are beyond the purview of the RTI Act, an applicant must put up evidence of corruption or human rights violation for his application to be considered as a valid RTI application.

Shri Anil Prasad v. Sashastra Seema Bal in No.CIC/SS/A/2011/001855

- 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)