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Aaj Ki Aawaz

Is it possible that our PM knew nothing about Anthrax Deal!!

I'm sure 'it is impossible' many like me would feel!!!

And if he did not know then proves he's totally incapable!!!

But I doubt this option as it's said he's 'so very capable'!!!

Maybe as Political establishment was raking it in via 2 G scam!

He may have decided let the technocrats too have a 'little bit of jam'!!

So now he is either a chori abetter by 'turning the other way' or incapable or inept!!

Though under the garb of secrecy 'filed' this scam will be kept!

But for Media 2G too would have been justified as 0 loss!!!

And of course credit should also go to CAG and MOF's current Boss!!!

In Punjab seems Congress is in a panic!!

And Amrinder's statements reek of manic!!

Break Akalis legs and Qatal-e-aam of Congress rebels!!!!

And then a lot Rahul prematurely making Amrinder CM tells!!!!

And then on a Talk Show Amrinder said he's rushing to meet a Dera Head!!

Maybe because only Amrinder's wife and son met him Dera Head saw red!!

Maybe Dera Head wanted ex Maharaja to visit him and plead for support!!!

Dera is not in a mood to make enemies as per a report!!

And Sanjah Morcha's Manpreet Badal is still caught up in History!!

And looks like after this election 'politically he'll be history'!!

In Uttrakhand BJP's now on a comeback trail!!!!

Some time back chances of BJP coming back were frail!!!

Khanduri magic is working!!!!

Though in the minds of quite a few 'BJP will win and replace Khanduri' doubt is lurking!

Inflation and corruption are taking a toll!!

Talk is rife about why prices went up and how much UPA stole!!!!

Then the Ramdev factor and perception that Congress is unwilling to fight 'kaala dhan'!!

And so from trudging along now BJP's going 'dhan-dhana-dhan'!!!

Congress thought 'Dilli far hai' and so 2 G and CWG will not be issues in States!!

On local Channels to Congress's shock on 2 G and CWG there are heated debates!!

And Congress is being blamed for inflation!!!!

And worse to stop inflation feeling is Congress showed no inclination!!

So as Congress feels anti incumbency will take its toll in coming election!!

If forgets Public has made 'UPA responsible for inflation and corruption' connection!

Maya now has a OSD.... Officer on Sampling Duty and he will taste Maya's food!!!

Maya is in a extremely paranoid mood!!!

She eats only at home!!!

After taster tastes her food she waits for 10 minutes to see if in the mouth he does foam!!

Get ready for the next downturn in World Economy!!

By March matters will get stormy!!

The band aid that was put on a huge gash that required surgery has come off!!

Though I'm sure Brokers at this prediction will scoff!!

At Davos Airtel's Mittal says mood is upbeat...must be!!!

Snowing.... food and drinks....... and money is what all do hear and see!!!

Montek is missing at Davos and it's not gone unnoticed!!

Absence of Montek with his 'dupatta' scarf has been noticed!!

He wanted to go!!!

But from PM he got an emphatic no!!!

And after our debacle Down Under they say Indian Team ghar mein hai Sher!!

Outside India Indian Team jo jaathi hai 'dher' (crubmbles)!!

Bharat Kumar
aaj_ki_aawaz@yahoo.com

Is Fourth Phase in UP on February 19, going to be most interesting?
Polling for the fourth phase of elections in UP will cover 56 seats. In this phase, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Kalraj Mishra would be making his debut in electoral politics from Lucknow East seat, whereas UPPCC president Ms. Rita Bahuguna Joshi would be contesting from Lucknow Cantonement seat. Congress Legislative Party leader Pramod Tiwari would be seeking re-run from his traditional Rampur Khas seat in Pratapgarh district. This phase would also test the luck of Louis Khurshid, wife of Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid from Farukkhabad Sadar seat. Senior BJP leader and MP Lalji Tandon's son Ahustosh Tandon alias Gopal would be making debut from Lucknow north seat. Independent candidate from Rae Bareli Sadar seat Akhilesh Singh would be contesting as Peace Party candidate, whereas heavyweight and sitting MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya would be testing his luck from Kunda seat. Veer Singh, son of slain dacoit Daddua, would be contesting for Karvi seat in Chitrakoot as SP nominee.

Is Kin the King?
Amarmani Tripathi who is in Hardwar jail for the murder of a politically ambitious poetess Madhumita Shukla has recorded a video on a mobile. DVDs made out of it are being used as publicity material for his son Amanmani Tripathi, who is contesting on a Samajwadi Party ticket. In his speech, Amarmani is seen pleading to people to ensure the victory of SP so that he could be set free.

Crime still pays in UP
A scrutiny of candidates announced by different parties reveals that more than 35 per cent of them are from a criminal background. Of
these, at least 30 percent are facing serious criminal cases.

Who messed up Azam Khan's travel plan to release SP's manifesto?
It is heard that Amar Singh is allegedly playing mischief between Azam Khan and Mulayam Singh Yadav, by messing up latter's travel plans at the last moment.

What is the fate of Badshah Singh?
After having been inducted in the party, Nitin Gadkari is shy to announce Badshah Singh's candidature, why?

Ooops! Manyavar to the audience by BSP neta?
Satish Chandra Mishra's relative Gopal Narayan Mishra who is contesting on BSP ticket recently gaffed when he called the audience 'Manyawar'. For, in the BSP, `Manyawar' is reserved only for party founder - the late Kanshiram.

BUREAUCRACY

Laxman Das to be new Chairman CBDT
Committee of Secretaries is believed to have cleared the appointment of Laxman Das for the post of Chairman CBDT. 1974 batch IRS officer Laxman Das will succeed Mukesh Joshi on February 1.
(We said this on January 13)

Meeting for empanelment of 1978 batch IPS takes place
Meeting for empanelment of 1978 batch IPS officers to the rank of DG in the Government of India has taken place on Friday evening.

Shaktikanta Das is now AS, DEA
Shaktikanta Das has been elevated as Additional Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs. Das is 1980 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Anuradha Gupta is now AS, Health
Ms Anuradha Gupta has been elevated as Additional Secretary Health in the Government of India. She is 1981 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Pradhan is replaced by Inbasekar in Islamabad
S Inbasekar has moved to Islamabad as First Secretary in Indian Embassy in place of Binaya S Pradhan. Pradhan is back to the MEA
Headquarters.

PM constitutes Expert Committee on Sugar Sector
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has constituted an Expert Committee on Sugar Sector under the Chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, to examine issues relating to the sugar sector. The other members of the committee are Dr. Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance; Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution; Secretary, Department of Agriculture; Dr. Ashok Gulati, CACP ; Nand Kumar, former Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution and Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and presently Member NDMA and Dr. K P Krishnan, Secretary EAC - Convener. The Committee which will look into all the issues relating to de-regulation of the sugar sector has been empowered to involve such experts, academics as required as special invitees.

Eight IAS of Orissa cadre want central deputation
Eight IAS officers of Orissa cadre have expressed their desire to go on central deputation.

Posting to three CCITs to be decided next week
Posting of three new Chief Commissioners of Income Tax in Mumbai is to be decided next week.

Seven posts of Judges vacant in Madras HC
As many as seven posts of judges are lying vacant in Madras High Court against 60 approved strength. They include two posts of Permanent Judges against 45 approved strength and five of Additional Judges against 15 approved strength.

Two IRS officers get posting
Two Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers have been given posting on return from deputation. Pradeep Kumar and V K Saxena have been posted as OSD in the CCIT (CCA), Delhi.

Ashok Kumar Gautam, IES, promoted as Adviser, Economic & Statistics
Ashok Kumar Gautam, Director, Planning Commission, has been promoted to Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) and posted as Adviser, Directorate of Economic and Statistics. He is an Indian Economic Service (IES) officer of 1984 batch.

A K Bhardwaj promoted as GM (ATM), CHQ in AAI
A K Bhardwaj, Joint Secretary (ATM), IGIA, Delhi, has been promoted as General Manager (ATM) and transferred to CHQ in Airport Authority of India (AAI).

Post of Director (Projects) vacant in PFC
The post of Director (Projects) has been advertised falling vacant in Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC). Those willing to apply can
send their applications to Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) before March 9, 2012.

Name of 1986 batch IPS officer, Mahendra Modi not approved for empanelment as IG
The names of Pravin B Gondia of Gujarat cadre and S N Pandey of Maharashtra cadre, both 1987 batch IPS officers, have not been
approved for the empanelment as Inspector General (IG)/equivalent in Government of India.

Sarangi to retire next month
ACS Home in Maharashtra U C Sarangi is retiring next month end. He is 1977 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Names of two 1987 batch IPS officers not approved for empanelment as IG
The names of Pravin B Gondia of Gujarat cadre and S N Pandey of Maharashtra cadre, both 1987 batch IPS officers, have not been approved for the empanelment as Inspector General (IG)/equivalent in Government of India.

G C Chaturvedi bereaved
Girish Chaturvedi Petroleum Secretary is breaved. His mother Smt. Angoori Chaturvedi 89 breathed last 01.40 at Chennai hospital on Friday.

Post of Director (Domestic Division) vacant in CONCOR
The post of Director (Domestic Division) has been advertised falling vacant in Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR). Those willing to apply can send their applications to Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) before March 27, 2012.

Inquiry recommended against four Naval Officers
The Navy bosses have recommended action against four senior Naval officers.

Ishar in VC of Jammu University
Dr Mohan Paul Singh Ishar has taken over as new Vice Chancellor of the Jammu University.

Rameshram Mishra is now PS, Revenue in TN
Rameshram Mishra, Principal Secretary, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, has been made Principal Secretary, Revenue Department. He is a 1980 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

R Rajagopal is new Principal Secretary Home TN
R Rajagopal, Principal Secretary, Revenue, has been posted Principal Secretary, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department. He is a 1984 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Transfers and postings in Railways
Services of some officers have been affected in Railways. Accordingly, Krishan Kumar Meena of JS/IRTS from NFR has been shifted to NWR while the transfer order of Arun Kumar of SAG/IRSSE from NCR to CORE has been cancelled and Niraj Sinha of SAG/IRSSE from NCR is being transferred to CORE in the same capacity and posted in the cadre. Besides, P Behra of SAG/IRSEE, on return from training, has been posted to ECOR in the same capacity.

Singh is new Airport Director Ahemdabad
Jaipur International Airport Director R K Singh has been moved as new Airport Director of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad.

Oldest living IFS is no more
Oldest living foreign service officer M K Roy has passed away in Kolkata at the age of 96.

PAKISTAN WHISPERS
Lahore - Karachi Business Express PR's first ever JV
Pakistan Railways successfully completed the trial run of a high speed luxury business express train between Lahore and Karachi in collaboration with a private firm M/s Four Brothers International Pvt Ltd. The train running at a speed of 105 km/h will have nine AC coaches, two power and one luggage van in addition to a dining car. The train a first ever joint public private partnership venture by PR is to be formally inaugurated by PM Yusuf Raza Gilani on 3rd Feb

A belated effort to appear to be even handed?
Stung by the criticism that the supreme court was obsessed with political cases like the NRO and the memogate for embarrassing the civilian government but going soft on cases of atrocities by the security agencies on common citizens the apex court has issued notices to the DG ISI, the chief of MI and the attorney general in two petitions. The first one is a habeas corpus petition filed by Advocate Tariq Asad for a 29 year old man Abdul Saboor picked up by 'intelligence agencies in the 'GHQ camp attack case' as three other suspects who were picked up in the same case had already been found dead under mysterious circumstances' between August and December 2011. The petition was still awaiting hearing the detainee's dead body was found from a place in Peshawar as informed to his brother in Lahore by a 'mystery caller'. In the second petition one Hadi Shakeel has sought the court's protection for the life and property of the residents of Baluchistan. In both the cases the ISI and MI have been asked to produce the daily secret reports submitted by their concerned field units.

Will 'mehrangate' give 'memogate run for its money?
A petition filed by Air Marshal (Retired) Asgar Khan in 1996 that the ISI had through Mehran bank distributed Rs 140 million to right wing
politicians to help them fight the PPP in the 1990 elections is coming up for hearing in the Supreme Court on February 29, 2012. According to the petition the biggest beneficiary was the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) that turned out to be the deciding factor in forming the government led by Nawaz Sharif after the elections. The petition calls for punishment for the then army Chief General Mirza aslam Beg, Lt Gen (Rtd) Assad Durrani then DG ISI and Yunis Habib of Habib & Mehran Bank apart from disqualification for the politicians and their parties that benefitted from this illegal loot through the ISI. Legal circles in Pakistan are eagerly watching whether the apex court shows the same degree of activism in uncovering the truth in this 'mehrangate' which the court has shown in the 'memogate'. 'Let us see if the CJ constitutes a judicial commission to get the truth out' some leading lawyers including Asma Jahangir are saying.

IAS changes in Delhi Government
Diwan Chand a 1995 batch IAS officer has been appointed special secretary (Education). Amit Singla, a 2003 batch officer will now be director (Education). Shurbir Singh, a 2004 batch IAS officer has been made Deputy Commissioner (north-west district). Vivek Pandey (2003 ) batch IAS officer will now be additional secretary in family welfare. Rajpal Singh has been moved to the State Election Commission on deputation.

DEBATE

Is it appropriate or inappropriate for an elected representative to address a bureaucrat as "Sir"?

Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik has asked 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 said. How far it is appropriate or inappropriate for an elected representative to address a bureaucrat as "Sir".

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

CORPORATE

2 appointed independent directors of Rajkamal Synthetics
Ashok H Jakhotia and Jagdish B Ladha were appointed as independent directors of Rajkamal Synthetics.

Morissette appointed additional director Timex Group
Arthur Morissette has been appointed additional director Timex Group India.

Roth appointed alternate director Timex Group
Ryan Roth has been appointed alternate director to Arthur Morissette of the Timex Group.

Sherer resigns as Director Timex Group
Frank Sherer resigns as director of the Timex Group.

2 appointed as Directors of National Plywood
Nani Gopal Paul and Vinod Kumar Sharma have been appointed as directors of National Plywood Industries.

Saini resigns from board of directors National Plywood Industries
Neetasinha R Saini has resigned from the board of directors of National Plywood Industries.

Six resign from the board of directors of PS Global
Anitha Mahesh, G B Patel, I B Patel, C B Patel, Hemlata I Patel and Sanjay J Shah have resigned as directors of P S Global.

Patel resigns from PS Global
I B Patel have resigned from the office of Managing Director, CEO, and CFO and compliance officer of PS Global.

Singhal appointed Company Secy. Atlas Cycles (Haryana) Ltd
Gagan Singhal has been appointed as Company Secretary of Atlas Cycles (Haryana) Ltd w.e.f. January 19, 2012.

Chew resigns as Non Exec. Independent Director, Redington (India) Ltd
Ms. Lee Fang Chew, a Non Executive Independent Director on the Board of Redington (India) Ltd has resigned w.e.f. January 27, 2012.

Engineer re-appointed MD, Astral Poly Technik Ltd
Astral Poly Technik Limited has re-appointed Sandeep Engineer as the Managing Director of the company for a further period of three years w.e.f. February 1, 2012.

Two directors appointed on Board of National Plywood Industries Ltd
National Plywood Industries Ltd have appointed Nani Gopal Paul and Vinod Kumar Sharma, as Directors of the company.

Saini resigns as Director, National Plywood Industries Ltd
The Board of National Plywood Industries Ltd has accepted the resignation by Ms Neetasinha R. Saini from the Board of Directors w.e.f. December 23, 2011.

Arora appointed Director (Sales), JW Marriott, Mumbai
Ravneet Arora has been appointed as Director (Sales) JW Marriott, Mumbai.

DEBATE

Stand is not correct

The stand taken by the CM is not correct. It would be fair for the ministers and generally all politicians to address the bureaucrats as 'Sir' for the following reasons:1. In India we are not used to address others by their names (unlike USA etc.) Even if you want to address him by name, you may not remember (as a politician or a minister dealing with so many officers). 2. The position of the Minister/politicians may change any time. In Tamil Nadu, a person is a minister today and may not be a minister the next day. When the position changes, it would look embarrassing him to address as Sir. It is better to maintain the continuity.3. Sir/Madam does not pose the problem of pronouncing the names of the officers from different states even if it is desired. Of course, the officers will always address the ministers or senior politicians as 'Sir'.

Dhayalan

R-Day parade & Western style suits

Visuals of R-Day national parade at Rajpath showed a number of senior national level politicians in Western style suits. One wonders if the national dress of Jodhpuri coat or Sherwani is not to be worn on such national functions then what it is meant for. Similarly, black lampposts and black chains in lawns of Rajpath gave a jarring look. Can't they be painted in a colour that matches India Gate ? The function otherwise went very well.

S K Sharma

People expressing anger

People are throwing chappals on politicians in election meetings to express their anger. But this anger is borne out of hardship and misery caused to people because of corruption ,inefficiency and delay on the part of public servants. It is only the politicians who get the flak while corrupt and inefficient public servants go scot free. Politicians have to face the public but government servants who are the real culprits in many cases hardly face the anger of public. There are all kinds of restrictions and security precautions which insulate them from public. If all public servants from Secretary to Assistant were made accessible to public by removing all kinds of restrictions, it is the public servants who will have to incur the wrath of public. I feel very sad and chappals are thrown on politicians because of anger due to actions of corrupt and inefficient public servants. It is high time people realise who is the real culprit.

Sudhir Chopra

ISRO controversy

The GoI has put the entire Scientific community to shame by banning four Space scientists from future assignments. Conferred with Padma Vibhushan on Jan 26,2009, Dr G Madhavan Nair former chairman ISRO - cum - Secretary ( D/ Space), is a rocket technologist. His role in Antrix-Dewas sweet heart deal, became suspect in 2011 as soon as the internal inquiry was launched. Dewas Multimedia Multi-media Pvt. Ltd, an Indian company headquartered in Bangalore, was founded in 2004 by a team of satellite entrepreneurs and executives. Awarding contract to it at throw away price without competitive bidding could not have been possible without the knowledge of MOF, Pr Secy to PM , MOS in PMO and the PM himself. One wonders how did they turn a blind eye to it? Has the GoI's action anything to do with the recent overhaul of PMO? Banning retired scientists/civil servants from future re-employment, is not a punishment. The question of filing an appeal or approaching the court does not arise in the absence of any Cause for action. Preliminary investigation being over, disciplinary proceedings against four scientists must start immediately by issuing show cause notices, conducting detailed inquiry, framing of charge sheets, slapping penalties etc. This will meet the requirement of Principle of Equity & Natural justice, as demanded by them. Padma Vibhushan Dr G Madhavan Nair must reveal if there was any pressure from any quarter (Un-constitutional or otherwise) in pushing the deal. Early action is necessary so that the latest Super Scam does not go the way of CWG and 2G scams. Concurrently, the GOI may also consider withdrawing the second highest civilian national award from Dr Nair before initiating disciplinary action to keep the dignity of the national award intact.

A K Saxena ( A retired civil servant)

Using RTI to get a CGHS claim cleared

In respect of a CGHS claim, an appellant sought the details of items of theclaim which weredisallowed by CGHS along with the reasons and the copies ofcirculars on the basis ofwhich the items were disallowed, and whether thecirculars were available onthe CGHS site. The PIO demanded Rs. 8/- for the 4 pagesof information whichwere duly deposited by the appellant. He was not satisfiedwith the replysupplied by the PIO and filed an appeal before the FAA who askedthe appellantto visit the office of FAA on any working day by appointment fordiscussing theRTI of Appellant. After a perusal of the papers, the Commissionobserved thatthe information has not been supplied to the Appellant despitepayment of theadditional fee. The Commission directed to provide theinformation to theAppellant before 05 February 2012 and issued a notice to thePIO why penalty shouldnot be levied on him.

Comments

The case discussed above shows how the RTI Act can be used to solve some of theproblems which the government servants encounter on day-today basis.

Citation : Mr. A.L. Makhijani v. CGHS in Decision No.CIC/SG/A/2011/003275/16955

- 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)