What people say about us!

You are doing a great job. Please .keep it up and all the very best.

Prabhu Jhingran

What is common in army chiefs and a top UPA leader?
There is a common thread running between General Deepak Kapoor, General J.J. Singh and the next army chief Lt General Bikram Singh and a top Indian politician is the latest whisper in the political corridor. Will Congress wake up to take note?

Will Rahul's soft hands take action on his UP advisors?
Rahul Gandhi at the recent UP brain storming session said that, his hands are soft but they can take harsh action. Does it mean that the Congress general secretary's effort to "fix accountability" could be for Union Ministers.

BUREAUCRACY

P K Deb is new Secretary, Sports
Pradeep Kumar Deb has been appointed new Secretary, Sports in the Government of India. He is a 1977 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.
(We said this on April 9)

Nita Chowdhury is new Secretary, Youth Affairs
Nita Chowdhury is moving to the Government of India as Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs. She is 1977 batch IAS officer Uttar Pradesh cadre.
(We said this on April 9)

Vijayanand appointed Additional Secretary, Rural Development
S M Vijayanand has been appointed new Additional Secretary, Rural Development in the Government of India. He is a 1981 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.
(We said this on April 3)

C K Mishra is Joint Secretary, MSME
C K Mishra who is on central deputation has on April 9, 2012, joined as a Joint Secretary in Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). So far he was Principal Secretary (PS), Industries to the Bihar Government. He is an IAS officer of the 1983 batch who belongs to the Bihar cadre.
(We said this on February 14, 2012)

Will the list of CMDs in PS banks be changed?
Banking circles are agog with rumours that file relating to appointment of six of 11 Executive Directors (EDs) of Public Sector (PS) banks, who have been short listed for the post of CMDs, may see a change. They are: Mrs. Archana Bhargawa - ED Canara Bank to United Bank, Mrs. V R Iyer ED Central Bank of India (CBI) to Bank of India (BOI), R K Dube -ED Central Bank of India (CBI) to Canara Bank, Ashwani Kumar - ED Corporation Bank to Dena Bank, Ms. Shubhalakshmi Panse ED Vijaya Bank to Allahabad Bank & H S Mundra -ED Union Bank of India to Bank of Baroda.

Ram Lubhaya devoid of central deputation as Secretary
It is an irony of fate that Ram Lubhaya, who was empanelled as Secretary in Government of India (GoI) on March 28, 2012, will retire in April, 2012 without enjoying Central deputation as Secretary in Government of India. He is a 1978 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

1979 batch to be Additional Secretary in R&AW
1979 batch is being promoted to the rank of Additional Secretary in the R&AW this month,

Ramesh Kumar Pande to be Director, MSME
Ramesh Kumar on deputation is going to posted as a Director in Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). He is a Rajasthan cadre Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of 1996.

Three contenders for ACS Home in Kerala
As the grapevine has it, there are three Kerala cadre IAS officers who are in fray for the post of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Home in Kerala. They are: Somasundaram (1979 batch) Ms. Nivedita Haran (1980 batch) and Sajan Peter (1982 batch).

IAS officers in Kerala transferred
Certain IAS officers have been transferred in Kerala. They are: M.C.Mohandas (2004 batch) Collector Calicut, Sarabh Jain (2002 batch) Collector Additional Excise Commissioner Kerala Government, V Ratheesan (2004 batch) Deputy Director Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP), Ajit Kumar (2005 batch) Collector Idukki, Prashant Nair (2006 batch) Managing Director (MD) of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).

Dr Salim P B completes his inter cadre deputation
Dr.Salim P.B. who on inter cadre deputation was Collector Calicut from West Bengal cadre has completed his deputation tenure. He is an IAS officer of 2001 batch.

Snehalatha is PD, Audit (Central), Chennai
Ms. S Snehalatha, Principal Director, Regional Training Institute, Chennai, has been transferred and posted as Principal Director of Audit (Central), Chennai.

Bharat Chaturvedi to succeed Pankaj Kumar?
Grapevine has it that Bharat Chaturvedi GM Air India is going to replace Pankaj Kumar as head of the 3 G Delhi Airport.

450 Air Force officers quit service
As many as 450 Air Force officers have taken either premature retirement or resigned from the service during last three years. A total of 96 officers quit in 2009 while 171 in 2010 and 183 officers in 2011.

What people say about Railways?

Railway officers feel that Performance report of Dinesh Trivedi, Former Minister of Railways, should be reported in media in the given format for officers. 1. No of files put up for financial decisions and cleared by him with duration taken, 2. Total misc issues put up and cleared with time taken, 3. Money saved in such decision making, 4. Loss due to delays in taking decisions, 5. How many appointments made as per Kolkatta dictats and rules mended or pressure put on PM. This will prove that martyrs die on job doing duties and not just come out fresh after not making any major decisions. Also, his calling officers bluff ie corruption looking out from files then why he did not take decisions when was fully competent to overrule. It is better to have someone inferior who will make decisions than the one to claim BIG.

V. George Jenner relieved by Tripura Government to become DTP, Dubai
V George Jenner has been relieved by the Tripura Government where he was Additional Secretary and Director of Department of Commerce and Industries and Mission Director of Tripura Bamboo Mission (TBM). He will be joining as Dubai based Director Tea Promotion (DTP); West Asia & North Africa in the Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry. He is an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of 1996 batch who belongs to the Manipur-Tripura (M-T) cadre.

Pravin Agrawal gets additional charge in Tripura
Pravin Agrawal, who is Managing Director of Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC), has been given additional charge of Additional Secretary and Director of Department of Commerce and Industries and Mission Director of Tripura Bamboo Mission (TBM). He is an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of 1994 batch who belongs to the Manipur-Tripura (M-T) cadre.

Seven posts of Judges vacant in Madras HC
As many as seven posts of judges have been lying vacant in Madras High Court against 60 approved strength including two posts of Permanent Judges against 17 approved strength and five of Additional Judges against, 15 approved strength.

Rakesh Kumar transferred
Rakesh Kumar, Deputy Director General, NSSO (FD), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), Ahmedabad, has been transferred to NSSO (DPC), MOSPI as Deputy Director General. He is a Indian Statistical Officer of 1983 batch.

A K Roy's notification for full time CMD of GIC issued
Notification regarding appointment of A.K. Roy as full time Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) has been issued on April 9, 2012. Hitherto, he was officiating CMD of GIC.

Decks yet to clear for Milind A. Kharat as full CMD, AIC of India
As the grapevine has it, decks are not yet clear for Milind A Kharat's appointment as full time Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC). Presently, he is CMD of the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) Ltd.

Five contenders for post of CMD, Oriental Insurance Company
There are five contenders for the post of Chairman-Cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the Oriental Insurance Company Ltd interviews for which are scheduled to be held on April 11, 2012.

Subodh Kumar to retire this month end
Extended tenure of Bombay Municipal Corporation Commissioner Subodh Kumar is coming to an end on April 30. He is a 1977 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Raut appointed Member in Madhya Pradesh
Outgoing DGP of Madhya Pradesh S K Raut has been appointed Member of the Narmada Valley Grievances Redressal Authority. He is a 1974 batch former IPS officer.

Anil Kumar to go UK
Madhya Pradesh cadre, 1986 batch IPS officer on deputation to the Deptt. of Atomic Energy (DAE) Anil Kumar has been selected for the one month Mid career training in United Kingdom (UK).

DPC for IRSS today
DPC for SAG promotion of 1987 batch IRSS is expected to take place on April 10.

IRPS officers seek VRS
One 1984 batch IRPS officer is reported to have sought voluntary retirement.

Bhandari gets additional charge of Divisional Commissioner
Ajay Bhandari has been given additional charge of Divisional Commissioner, Shimla, in Himachal Pradesh. He is a 1990 batch IAS officer.

Gujarat Tourism gets award for best destination

Gujarat Tourism department has bagged 'Best Destination Award' at International Tourism Conclave and Travel Awards that was held in East Bourne Resort & Spa, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh from April 6 to 8, 2012. Vipul Mittra, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Devsthan Management, Pilgrimage, Government of Gujarat, receiving the award from Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal in the presence of R. H. Khwaja, Secretary (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Among others who present on the occasion were Mrs. Manisha Nanda Principal Secretary (Tourism & Civil Aviation), Ashwani Lohani, DRM, Delhi, Indian Railways, Dr. Jyotiskar Mohapatra, Chairman, Orissa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Senior Officials, Representatives from International and National Tourism Organizations, Departments, Ministries etc, China Tourism, Mauritius Tourism, Korea Tourism, Himachal Pradesh Tourism, Maharashtra Tourism, Gujarat Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir Tourism, Chhattisgarh Tourism, Orissa Tourism, Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Rajasthan Tourism, Presidents & Members of Travel Trade Associations like IATO, ADTOI, OTOAI, SFTO, IAAI, TAFI and ITTA, Hoteliers, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Tour Organizers and Media were also present in large a number.

Dr. Birdi is also PS, PHE, and Science & Tech in MP
Dr. Devraj Birdi, Principal Secretary, Forest, has been assigned additional charges of Principal Secretary, Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Science & Technology in Madhya Pradesh. He is a 1982 batch IAS officer of this State cadre.

Gopalan gets three months extension (UPDATED)
R.Gopalan Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs has been given extension in service for a period of three months beyond his date of superannuation, ie., 30.4.2012. He is 1976 batch IAS officer of TamilNadu cadre.

Anil Jain to join Planning Commission (UPDATED)
Resident Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh in Delhi Anil Jain is all set to join the Planning Commission as Advisor (Energy) this month . He is 1986 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre.
( We said this on March 2 )

Sasmal selected as Director (Operation.), PGCIL (UPDATED)
R P Sasmal, ED, PGCIL, has been selected for the post of Director (Operations), Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on April 10, 2012. As many as 10 persons were interviewed for the same.

CORPORATE

Gupta ceases to be Telecom Advisor to the Tata Group
S K Gupta, as ceased to be Telecom Advisor to the Tata Group on March 31, 2012.

Gupta appointed Independent Director, Nelco Ltd
S K Gupta is now Independent Director of Nelco Ltd. w.e.f. April 1, 2012

Wiedner appointed Director, Castrol India Ltd
Peter Wiedner, Regional Vice President (Asia & Pacific- Automotive) has been appointed as a Director of Castrol India Ltd w.e.f. April 5, 2012.

Aga appointed Chairman Emeritus, Virat Industries Ltd
Naozer J. Aga has resigned as Chairman and also Director of Virat Industries Ltd and now appointed as the Chairman, Emeritus of the company w.e.f. April 1, 2012.

DadyBurjor appointed Director, Virat Industries Ltd
Ms Ayesha K. DadyBurjor has been appointed as a Director of Virat Industries Ltd.

Modi appointed Company Secy. Modern India Ltd
Vijay Kumar Modi has been appointed as Company Secretary of Modern India Ltd in place of Ajit P. Walwaikar w.e.f. .April 3, 2012

Soni resigns as Company Secy. Euro Ceramics Ltd
Ms Jayshree Soni has resigned as Company Secretary of Euro Ceramics Ltd w.e.f. February 21, 2012.

Thadani resigns as Company Secy. Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd
Ms Chanda Makhija Thadani has resigned as Company Secretary of Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd w.e.f. March 2, 2012

Shanker appointed Company Secy., Reliance Industrial Infrastructure Ltd
N. Shanker has been appointed as Company Secretary of Reliance Industrial Infrastructure Ltd in place of Swatantra Kumar Sethi.

Tharaney resigns as Whole-time Director, SB & T International Ltd
Vivek Tharaney, Whole-time Director has resigned as Director of SB & T International Ltd w.e.f. March 2, 2012.

Nagpal resigns as MD of Saregama India
Apurv Nagpal has resigned as Managing Director of Saregama India

Tharaney resigns as director of SB&T International
Vivek Tharaney has resigned as whole-time director of SB&T International

Ong appointed Head of Corporate Affairs for Citi South Asia.
Jane Ong has been appointed as the Head of Corporate Affairs for Citi South Asia.

Why posts of judiciary are vacant?

People can not understand the posts of judiciary being vacant for so long when there are tens of lakhs cases are pending waiting for hearing. What the law ministry is doing. who is responsible for all this.

Pt Ram Kanwar

Reemployment of officers in Tripura

Your report regarding Reemployment of officers in Tripura. It needs to ascertain cadre strength, any vacancy and no of officers on deputation to get a clear picture

T K Ghosh

Disclosure of "Default Cases" of the Banks The appellant wanted details of default cases which were compromised by the State Bank of India (SBI) during the last three years. The PIO claimed the matter pertained to commercial confidence and disclosure of trade secrets may harm the competitive position of the entity. He also stated that the information sought was vast and disproportionately can divert the resources of the public authority as per section 7 (9) of the RTI Act. The First Appellate Authority (FAA) also upheld the PIO decision. The appellant argued that he was not seeking the names of the defaulting parties and therefore the argument by the respondents of compromising information pertaining to third parties should not arise. The CIC observed that disclosing the year wise aggregate settled amount by the banks with the defaulting parties will help in transparent functioning of the public authority which is the very objective of the RTI Act. Accordingly, the Commission directed the respondent to furnish information limited to the total number of entities who have defaulted and the total settled amount for the past three years. Comments The rising Non-Performing Assets (NPA) in the banks has been a matter of concern for the citizens which has been wrapped in an opaque process. Hopefully, the implementation of this order would help in restoring transparency in banking industry.

Citation: Shri Kulbhushan Jain v. SBI in Appeal: No. CIC/DS/A/2011/000841

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)