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Amarendra Kumar, London (UK)

Will Justice Kapadia head Coalgate Commission ?
Now rumours are rife that the Government of India may set up a Commission headed by the outgoing Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia to enquire Coalgate matter.

Why did Sule leave NCP meeting early?
NCP, MP Supriya Sule left the NCP meeting within 10 minutes on Friday when the crucial issue of her cousin's resignation was being discussed. Is she not interested in state politics or is only interested in becoming the CM of Maharashtra is the whispers making rounds.

Did Bhaiyuji Maharaj broker a crucial deal?
It is heard that Bhaiyuji Maharaj has brokered a crucial deal between the NCP leadership and the BJP for Maharashtra.

Did Satish Sharma meet Sonia Gandhi?
It is heard that Satish Sharma met Sonia Gandhi on Saturday to discuss Cabinet reshuffle.

Is Gadkari being reviewed by RSS?
It is heard that Nitin Gadkari is being reviewed by the RSS after his latest involvement in irrigation scam in Maharashtra. Earlier too the Sangh was not too happy with him with his name being involved with Anshuman Mishra, Ajay Sancheti etc.

BUREAUCRACY

Gautam Chaterjee to be DG, Acquisition?
Latest information says that Gautam Chaterjee may be appointed DG, Acquisition in the Ministry of Defence. He is a 1982 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre. He has earlier served in the Defence Ministry as Joint Secretary. His name is also in circulation for the post of DG, Shipping.

Prabhat Kumar is new Joint Secretary in Civil Aviation
Prabhat Kumar is all set to join the Ministry of Civil Aviation this week. He is a 1985 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.
(We said this on July 31, 2012)

Rajiv Mehrishi appointed Secretary, Indian Overseas Affairs
Rajiv Mehrishi has been appointed new Secretary of the Indian Overseas Affairs. He is a 1978 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.
(We said this on September 28, 2012)

Atheeq likely to move on World Bank assignment
As the grapevine has it, name of L K Atheeq, Joint Secretary, PMO, has been finalised for the post of Senior Advisor to the Executive Director, World Bank. Atheeq, a 1991 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre, is running on central deputation since August 2007. He would move to Washington DC for tenure of three years.

Chavaly joins Finance Ministry
Sharmila Chavaly has joined as Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, in the Ministry of Finance. She has been given the charge of desk of Infrastructure and Investment.
(We said this on August 6, 2012)

Alok Sheel is yet to get NOC to join PM's Economic Advisory Council
As the grapevine has it, Dr Alok Sheel, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, is poised to move from Ministry of Finance to Planning Commission as Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister. He is a 1982 batch IAS of Kerala cadre. He is, however, yet to get NOC from the Kerala Government.
(We said this on August 27, 2012)

Vasudev is new Chief Commissioner Customs, Mumbai
BS Vasudev, Chief Departmental Representative, CESTAT under CBEC has taken over as Chief Commissioner, Customs, Mumbai in place of Mrs Shobha Chary.
(We said this on September 1, 2012)

Shah is new DG, Revenue Intelligence
Najib Shah has taken over as new Director General of Revenue Intelligence. This is considered to be a sensitive assignment.
(We said this on September 11, 2012)

Rana's appointment pending with CVC
SS Rana's appointment as DG Vigilance in C & CE is pending CVC's approval.

Sidhu joins Settlement Commission
Outgoing DG, Revenue Intelligence, RS Sidhu, has joined Settlement Commission in Delhi in place of RK Gupta who retired in mid September. He passed out from St Stephens in 1974 after completing BA (Hons) and MA in History belongs to the 1977 batch of IRS.
(We said this on September 12, 2012 )

Meeting for new CRPF, DG today
A meeting to select new DG of the CRPF is being held in North Block on Monday in the chamber of the Home Minister. While Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde will chair the meeting other members include Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, Home Secretary, R K Singh, Secretary, DoPT P K Mishra and Director IB Nehchal Sandhu. DG, CRPF K Vijay Kumar has retired.

DPC held for Chief Commissioners Customs and Central Excise
The DPC was conducted for Chief Commissioners in CBEC on September 27. The last person in the panel is K K Sharma of 1981 batch. There are no surprises in selection and the seniority was the principal criteria.

43 Brigadiers promoted in Indian Army
Altogether 43 Brigadiers have been promoted to the rank of Major General for holding various charges in the Indian Army.

3 banks are without CMDs
As many as three public sector banks are without full time Chairman and Managing Directors (CMDs). These banks are: Allahabad Bank (fell vacant following retirement of JP Dua), Bank of India (BoI) and Bank of Baroda (BoB). Alok Kumar Misra retired as CMD, BOI last week and so did S Raman of Canara Bank.

Nitin Gokarn is CEO, NATRIP
Nitin Gokarn has joined as Chief Executive Officer of the National Automotive Testing R&D
Infrastructure Project (NATRIP). It's a project aimed at achieving global competencies in product development and validation for India's automotive sector. He is a 1990 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.
(We said this on August 20,2012)

1982 batch IAS officer is Chief Secretary of West Bengal
Sanjay Mitra has succeeded Samar Ghosh as new Chief Secretary of West Bengal. He is a 1982 batch IAS officer.
(We said this on August 6, 2012)

Satyavrat is new DGP of Uttarakhand
Satyavrat has taken over as new DGP of Uttarakhand. He is a 1976 batch IPS officer of Uttarakhand cadre.
(We said this on September 29, 2012)

Kerala is short of 56 IAS officers
As against the authorized strength of 214 IAS officers in Kerala, only 158 are presently serving in the state.

Orders of Justice Harkauli for Allahabad High Court this week ?
Transfer orders of Acting Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court, Justice, Sushil Harkauli to Allahabad High Court are likely to be issued this week..

IRS officer to be Director in Civil Aviation Ministry
Shaifali Juneja is all set to join Civil Aviation Ministry as a Director. She is a 1992 batch IRS (IT) officer.

Asra Garg to be SP, CBI?
Asra Garg, SP Madurai is likely to be inducted as Superintendent of Police, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He is a 2004 batch IPS officer.

Empanelment of 18 CSS officers as Joint Secretary in GoI soon
As many as 18 officers of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) have been proposed to be empanelled as Joint Secretary in Government of India. A file regarding this is moving in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

Post of Asstt Commissioner, Land Resources vacant
The post of Assistant Commissioner is vacant in the Department of Land Resources on deputation basis. Those willing to apply can send their applications to this department at the earliest.

Singh posted in Atlanta
First Secretary in Lusaka Rajinder Singh has been transferred to CGI Atlanta.

Dinesh Kumar to go to US
Dinesh Kumar, Principal Secretary (Energy Department), AP Government Secretariat, Andhra Pradesh is going to USA for attending Mid Career Training Programme Phase V 2012 for one-and-a-half months. He is a 1983 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

Rajiv Kapoor to go to US
Rajeev Kapoor, Principal Secretary Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, is going to USA for attending Mid Career Training Programme Phase V 2012 for one-and-a-half months. He is a 1983 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

Pritam Singh to go to US
Pritam Singh, Divisional Commissioner, Government of Rajasthan is going to USA for attending Mid Career Training Programme Phase V 2012 for one-and-a-half months. He is a 1984 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

Anjali Prasad to go to US
Ms Anjali Prasad, Joint Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India is going to USA for attending Mid Career Training Programme Phase V 2012 for one-and-a-half months. She is a 1984 batch IAS officer of UD cadre.

Umesh Mishra to join NDC Course
Umesh Misra, IGP, Anti-corruption, Rajasthan Police has qualified for NDC course. He is a 1989 batch IPS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

Bidhu Shekhar is now IB man
Bidhu Shekhar, Additional Deputy Director, Intelligence Bureau, Government of India has become a Hard-Core IB officer. He is a 1999 batch IPS officer of Nagaland cadre.
(We said this on April 18, 2012)

14 posts vacant in Gujarat High Court
As many as 14 posts of Judges have been lying vacant in Gujarat High Court against approved strength of 42. The vacant posts include nine posts of Permanent Judges against 29 approved strength and five of Additional Judges against 13 approved strength.

IAS postings in Uttar Pradesh
Some IAS officers have been transferred and posted at different places in Uttar Pradesh. Accordingly, Suhas LY has been appointed new DM of Jaunpur in place of Balkar Singh who is being transferred to Chitrakoot in the same capacity and Agriculture Production Commissioner Alok Rajan was posted as Officiating Chief. Similarly, Pinki Joval has been appointed as Additional Divisional Commissioner, Jhansi and Nidhi Kesharwani will now be DM of Ambedkar Nagar.

IPS changes in Uttar Pradesh
SP, Kushinagar Vijay Kumar Garg has swapped places with SP, Ghazipur D K Chaudhary. Muniraj has been appointed ADC to Uttar Pradesh Governor.

IAS changes in Manipur
M Lakshmikumar has been made Director (Institutional Finance) and MD/MSCB. K Radhakumar has been posted as Imphal West DC. Jason Shimray has been moved as Bishnupur DC. N Ashok Kumar has been re-posted as Secretary to CM.

Sumant Singh relieved to join UP Government
Manipur Government has relieved Sumant Singh to go on inter-cadre deputation to Uttar Pradesh. He is a 2003 batch IAS officer.

Former Diplomat P K Menon is no more
Former Diplomat P K Menon has passed away in Kochi.

Shakil Alam to join President Secretariat (UPDATED)
Shakil Alam is being appointed to the Secretariat of President of India. He is a 2001 batch officer of Indian Economic Service (IES).

R Bhattacharya takes over as Secretary, School Education, Literacy (UPDATED)
Rajarshi Bhattacharya has taken over as Secretary for the Department of School Education and Literacy on October 1, 2012. He is a 1978 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.
(We said this on September 13, 2012)

Pankaj Jain takes over as Secretary, Drinking Water (UPDATED)
Pankaj Jain has taken over as new Secretary Drinking Water in the Government of India. He is a 1978 batch IAS officer of J & K cadre.
(We said this on September 19, 2012)

Meena to be new DG of CRPF ! (UPDATED)
High powered committee is believed to have recommended the name of Harish Chandra Meena on Monday for the post of DG CRPF.He is 1976 batch IPS officer of Rajasthan cadre.
(We said this on January 31, 2012)

Ms.Panse's order as Allahabad Bank's CMD very soon (UPDATED)
The file relating to appointment of Ms.Shubhalakshmi Panse as Chairman and Managing Directors(CMD) of Allahabad Bank in Kolkata had been cleared by the PMO.Now, her appointment order is expected very soon. Presently,she is an Executive Director (ED) with the Vijaya Bank.
(We said this earlier and on January 18,2012)

SAIL production up 7 per cent in Q2 (UPDATED)
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has recorded a growth of 7 % in hot metal production in the July-September'2012 over corresponding period last year (CPLY), with a production of 3.6 million tonnes (MT) in Q2FY13. Growth in crude steel and saleable steel production was 5 % and 4 %, with production of 3.39 MT and 3.17 MT in Q2FY13 respectively. SAIL CMD, S C Verma informed that there was 6 % growth in hot metal production and 4 % growth in production of crude steel as well as saleable steel in September'2012, over the same month last year. Blast Furnace productivity showed substantial increase of 8 % in Q2 over CPLY. In H-1 (April-September'12) also, 3 % growth was registered in production of both hot metal and crude steel, over CPLY. Improved techno-economic parameters in H-1 of current fiscal supported the growth trend with BF productivity, specific energy consumption and coke rate registering improvements of 4 %, 3 % and 2 % respectively, he said. The production growth is in tune with the momentum that the ongoing Modernization & Expansion Plan of SAIL has attained, as it reaches the advanced stages of completion. The plan not only envisages substantial growth in production volumes in a phased manner but also producing new variety and range of products to cater to new market segments, CMD added.

Gaurav Goyal is also Jodhpur Commissioner (UPDATED)
Gaurav Goyal, Collector, Jodhpur, has been assigned an additional charge of Jodhpur divisional Commissioner in Rajasthan. He is a 2006 batch IAS officer of this state cadre.

Dr Madhukar Gupta is also Bharatpur Commissioner (UPDATED)
Dr Madhukar Gupta, Jaipur divisional Commissioner, has been assigned an additional charge of Bhartpur Division in Rajasthan. He is a 1985 batch IAS officer of this state cadre

R S Jakhar is new Collector, Karauli in Rajasthan (UPDATED)
R S Jakhar has been appointed as Collector Karaul district in Rajasthan.

Empanelment of 1993 batch IPS officers as IG in GoI delayed (UPDATED)
A meeting scheduled to be held on October 1, 2012, for the empanelment of 1993 batch IPS officers as Inspector General (IG) in the Government of India has been postponed until next date.

Pranay Sahay is also DG, CRPF (UPDATED)
Pranay Sahay, DG, Sashastra Seema Bal, (SSB), has been assigned an additional charge of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) until new appointment against this post. Sahay is a 1975 batch IPS officer of Manipur-Tripura cadre.

DEBATE
Is FDI in retail in the interests of economic independence of India? Mail your views to Mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com or Suresh.mehrotra@yahoo. com.

CORPORATE


Kulkarni elected President, IEEMA
J G Kulkarni has been elected President of the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers' Association (IEEMA) .

Hazarika retires from ONGC
After serving ONGC for over 36 years. Ajit Kumar Hazarika, Director (Onshore) has retired.

Satagopan appointed CFO, Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills Ltd
The Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills Limited has appointed Ms Jayashree Satagopan as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company.

Singh elected President, IBF
Manjit Singh had been elected as the President of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF)

Three Directors elected to IBF, Board
Tripurari Sharan, Ronnie Screwvala and Markand Adhikari have been elected as Directors on Board of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF).

Dalal appointed Addl. Director, Nitesh Estates Ltd
Nitesh Estates Limited has appointed Ashish Dalal as an Additional Director of the company.

Sharma re-appointed MD, Lupin Ltd
Lupin Limited has re-appointed Dr Kamal K. Sharma as the Managing Director of the company.

Two Addl. Directors on Board of NCC Ltd
NCC Limited has appointed T N Manoharan and Anil P Gupta as Additional Directors on the Board of the company

Joshi appointed Director, Marksons Pharma Ltd
Marksans Pharma Limited has appointed Ajay S Joshi, as a Director of the company

Nair ceases to be Director, Marksons Pharma Ltd
Kumar Nair has ceased to be a Director on the Board of Marksons Pharma Ltd.

Das quits Zee News
Barun Das has resigned as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zee News.

Agarwal appointed CEO, Zee News
Alok Agarwal has been appointed as CEO, Zee News

(The views expressed in this column are of the contributors. We do not owe any responsibility, whatsoever, of the views of our surfers as they are their personal opinion. However, we would also request our contributors not to be personal, directly or indirectly, in presenting their views. Instead of countering the views which ‘X’ has already expressed, our contributors are advised to present their own views. Also be brief, say about 200 words at the most since any views longer than that if eliminated at our end would carry the risk of the contrbutor’s item losing its original essence)

Intolerable injustice

1997 batch of the IAS and 1990 of the IRS on the same rank. Imagine the frustration of the totally depressed central services 2 years has become 7 still the IAS craves for more. High time that central government intervenes. It is monopoly at worst.

Aakash Sinha

Totally wrong

The Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure says that the fair of DO letters have to be faired by the personal staff of the officers or ministers. With the advent of computers it is seen that many of the personal staff have started avoiding doing fairing of DO letters and sending it down. The result is that some of the Directors level officers are also doing fair typing work. This is totally wrong. The PSs/PAs are expected to take the draft of the D.O. letters on the pen drive or obtain it through e-mail. This trend has reduced the works of CSSS officers and not to forget the personal chores which they are performing of their officers. Further, they also do not want to do the dairying work. They force the Department through their bosses to have LDCs and UDCs in their establishment. From one angle if you see it amounts to corruption. This is so because the tax payers money is being used for payment of the salaries of the extra staff. The day I retire I will end this rot through, media, parliament and demonstration on streets. The Senior Officers should also realize their folly and end the practice. We have to shed our
feudalism and work in an horizontal manner.

Anju Saxena

RIT

Can CAT direct All India Radio to grant a promotion to the RTI appellant?

The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). He wanted to know if CAT could direct the All India Radio (AIR) to give him promotion under some statutory amendment of a certain recruitment rule. The Public Information Officer (PIO) informed the appellant that he could make an application to the CAT under its rules for the redressal of his grievance if the matter fell within its jurisdiction. The First Appellate Authority (FAA) also denied the information observing that it was not the duty of the PIO to respond to hypothetical questions nor could he offer any interpretation. During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant argued that that he was entitled to get the advice of the PIO since the definition of information given in section 2(f) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act included opinion and advice. The Commission held that under the RTI Act, the citizen cannot seek the opinion or advice of the PIO on any matter unless such opinion or advice already exists with the public authority. The Commission rejected the appeal stating that the PIO had very rightly referred the appellant to the relevant rules under which he could always approach the CAT for redressing his grievance.

Comments

The term 'opinion and advice' appearing in section 2(f) refer to any such opinion or advice which the public authority might have obtained and which form part of the records. It does not refer to any opinion or advices which are not in existence. The Section 2(f) of RTI act does not permit seeking 'opinion and advice' of PIO as a consultant of the applicant.

Citation: Mr. Deba Prasad Dutt v. Central Administrative Tribunal in File No.CIC/SM/A/2011/001923

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