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Harinarayana Kompella

Is Rahul Gandhi facing a dilemma?
It is heard that in the close circles of Rahul Gandhi, the discussion is whether he should take over as the PM ? His reluctance can be heard say insiders, but he also has been told that his period of waiting is soon ending.

What is Ms. Sonia's lunch meant for?
It is heard that all in not well in the UPA over the Presidential elections and that Ms. Sonia Gandhi's lunch is meant to cement ties with the alliance partner. It is also meant to create cohesion for the vice president's election say insiders.

Is middle class already fuming about PC's ice cream and mineral water economics?
Even before he has taken the baton Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram has inflamed middle class feelings by claiming that they were perhaps protesting a little too much about inflation. The middle class is already inflamed by PC's comment on comparison between rice and ice cream say party insiders and so are the party walla's.

Why is media hostile towards UP CM Akhilesh Singh Yadav?
Why is media hostile towards Uttar Pradesh(UP),Chief Minister (CM) Akhilesh Singh Yadav? Specially the Electronic media is very hostile. This question is a hot topic of discussion in corridors of power.

Cabinet reshuffle likely in Kerala
As the grapevine has it there is likely to be a Cabinet reshuffle in Kerala. Insiders say that V.M.Sudhiram a very senior party leader has suggested for a reshuffle.

BUREAUCRACY

Mangotra is new Secretary Border Management
A K Mangotra will be new Secretary Border Management in the Government of India. He is a 1978 batch IAS officer of Manipur-Tripura cadre. Orders of Mangotra are being issued on Monday.

B C Gupta declines Chairmanship of CWC?
Latest grapevine says that outgoing Secretary Food and Civil Supplies in the Government of India B C Gupta has declined the Chairmanship of the Central Warehousing Corporation. He is a 1975 batch retired IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

14 IFS officers empanelled
Altogether 14 Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers have been empanelled to the rank of Joint Secretary in the Government of India.

CBDT sends Proposals
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is reported to have sent proposals of CIT and CCIT for annual transfers and postings to the Department of Revenue.

Naveen Prakash to be CVO SAIL!
Naveen Prakash is being tipped to be new CVO of the Steel Authority of India (SAIL). He is a 1987 batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre.

Did Bharat Bhushan pay price (1)?
Did the outgoing DGCA Bharat Bhushan pay price for not allowing the bosses to purchase old aircrafts ? Answer of the insiders will be yes.

Kharola is new Principal Secretary to Karnataka CM
Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed Principal Secretary to new Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar. He is a 1985 batch IAS officer.

Bhatti to be JD CBI in Chennai ?
R S Bhatti is being tipped to be new Joint Director CBI in Chennai. He is a 1990 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre.

Datta to be SP CBI?
Umesh Chandra Datta, SP,Bhilwara Rajasthan Police is likely to be inducted as SP in Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI). He is an IPS officer of 2000 batch of Rajasthan cadre.

Hectic lobbying on appointment of new Chairman Paradip Port Trust
Whispers in the corridors of power are that a hectic lobbying has been going on regarding the appointment of new Chairman, Paradip Port Trust.

Names of 18 DRMs finalised
As many as 18 names of railway officers to be posted as Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) had been finalised on late Saturday (July 14,2012) evening. They are:

1.Mukesh Nigam IRTS,Mumbai VT

2. Mahesh Kumar gupta - IRSE

3. Aniurban Dutta-Howrah

4. Sanjay Gehlot IRTS-Asansol

5.Arun Malik IRSE-Samastipur

6. Amit Kumar IRSME-Waltair

7. Ajay Vijayvargiya-Varamasi

8. Ratan Lal IRSEE-Rangiya

9.Virendra Kumar IRSME-Alipurdwar

10.VK Rastogi-IRAS- Madurai

11.PK Mishra IRSE-Chennai

12. Sushant Mishra, IRTS- Secunderabad

13. Rakesh Aron IRSS-Hyderabad

14.Rajiv Agrawal IRSEE- Chakradharpur

15.Anil Kumar Agrawal IRSME-Banglore

16. Rahul jain IRSME- Hubli

17. Sonvir Singh IRSE- Bhavnagar

18. Rajiv Chaudhary IRSE- Bhopal

Yadav to get new assignment in MHA
Pradeep Yadav, Director, MHA has returned from his mid-career training. A1992 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre ,Yadav is to get new assignment.

CBI Selection Committee Meeting today!
The meeting of the Selection Committee of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is scheduled to meet on 16th July in the Chamber of the Chairman of Central Vigilance Commission.

Jagdishan is PS to MoS Social Justice
K Jagdishan has been appointed as Private Secretary to D Napolean, MoS,Social Justice and Environment. He is an IPS officer of 1998 batch of AGMU cadre.

Yogesh Deshmukh is now Director (Vigilance) in Railway Board
Yogesh Deshmukh, Deputy Director, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB),New Delhi has been appointed as Director, Vigilance(P), Ministry of Railway. He is an IPS officer of 1994 batch of Madhya Pradesh cadre.

Ganai joins as JS in MHA
Khurshid Ahmed Ganai has joined as Joint Secretary, MHA, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India .He is an IAS officer of 1982 batch of J&K cadre.

Sinha gets pro-forma promotion
S K Sinha, Joint Director, IB Head Quarters, New Delhi has been granted proforma promotion by the state Government of Bihar as Additional DGP (HAG+ scale). He is an IPS officer of 1978 batch of Bihar cadre.

Thakur to be promoted in CBI
Amitav Thakur SP, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to be promoted as DIG, CBI. He is an IPS officer of 1998 batch of Odisha cadre.

Aruna Sharma to get ACS rank in Madhya Pradesh
1982 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer, Ms Aruna Sharma is being given ACS rank this week.

Meeting held to select new DG,NCB
A meeting was held to select successor of O P S Mallik, DG,Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). A 1975 batch IPS officer of UP cadre ,Mallik is superannuating on July 31.

IB to celebrate Platinum Jubilee
Intelligence Bureau(IB) will be celebrating its platinum jubilee for having completed 125 years successfully. It is a three-day celebration to be conducted in the month of December 2012 in New Delhi.

Who would be the next CEO of Bhilai Steel Plant?

The speculation has started doing rounds as who would take over as the next CEO of SAIL's Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). Pankaj Gautam, the first CEO of BSP, is retiring in August.

Who will be new CMD, NHPC?
Who will be new Chairman & Managing Director(CMD) of NHPC ? This question is a hot topic of discussion in corridors of power.

Will Ravi Sinha return to Chhatisgarh ?
Ravi Sinha, Joint Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat is likely to return to his parent cadre Chhattisgarh. He is an IPS officer of 1988 batch of Chhattisgarh cadre.

IA & AS officer to go on UN assignment
Services of J Wilson (IA&AS-1988), Accountant General (Audit), Himachal Pradesh, Shimla are placed at the disposal of United Nations as Resident Auditor (P4/VI) with the Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), Internal Audit Division of the UN Mission in Entebbe, Uganda on deputation basis for a period of one year from the date of joining the assignment.

A bureaucratic reshuffle on the anvil in Karnataka

As the grapevine has it, that there is likely to be a bureaucratic reshuffle in Karnataka. However, it will happen only once newly inducted Ministers were distributed by new Chief Minister Jagdeesh
Shettar.

Tripathy is new CMD of Orissa TDC
Ashok Kumar Tripathy has also been appointed CMD of the Orissa Tourism Development Corporation. He is a 1981 batch IAS officer.

MHA refuses to re-patriate IPS officer to Chhattisgarh
The MHA is reported to have refused to repatriate Jaideep Singh, Additional Deputy Director, IB, Government of India to his parent cadre. He is an IPS officer of 1997 batch of Chhattisgarh cadre.

PESB seeks applications for Director (Tech.), WCL
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is seeking applications for the post of Director (Technical), Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) lying vacant since June 19, 2012. Those willing to apply can send their applications to PESB before August 22, 2012.

Kuldeep Kumar to join NTRO ?

Kuldeep Kumar, Additional DG, HG,Tripura police has applied for the position of ADG, NTRO Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)Government of India. He is an IPS officer of 1985 batch of MT cadre.

Judicial Appointments Commission soon
The Government of India is contemplating to set up Judicial Appointments Commission. The Commission will consist of Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, Law Minister, CJI and other representatives from the Judiciary.

Gaur to move Paris
First Secretary in Indian Embassy Paris, Anshuman Gaur has been moved to Indian Embassy in Paris.

V A Patwardhan promoted to AG, CAG, Delhi
V A Patwardhan, Director in the office of Director General of Audit, Defence Services, New Delhi, has been promoted to the grade of Accountant General (SAG) under the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

12 posts of Judges vacant in Delhi HC
As many as 12 posts of judges have been lying vacant in Karnataka High Court against 48 approved strength including four posts of Permanent Judge against 29 approved strength and eight of Additional Judges against 19 approved strength.

Gajendra Singh, AGM, Co & Op), CGMT, MP selected for 38th APPPA
Gajendra Singh, Additional GM (Coord & Operation) in the office of CGMT, Madhya Pradesh Telecom Circle-3

M V S Rao selected as Director (Commercial), KIOCL
M V S Rao, ED, KIOCL, has been selected for the post of Director (Commercial), Kudremukh Iron Ore Co Limited (KIOCL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting. As many as 10 persons were interviewed for the same.

Superintending Archaeologist K K Muhammad retires (UPDATED)
Superintending Archaeologist at Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Delhi circle, K K Muhammad, who had escorted then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and US President Barrack Obama to guide them about Indian historical monuments during their visit to India, has retired from the service.

75 AGMs in BHEL promoted as GMs (UPDATED)
As many as 75 Assistant General Managers (AGMs) in BHEL have been promoted as General Managers (GMs). Those who have been promoted are Cyril R Fernandez, M Satyamoorthy, Dibakar Dey, K Srikanthan, Prem Pal Yadav, Ramesh Tilumal Dabrai, Vijay Kumar Sharma, Bishnu Prasad Muni, R V S Krishna Dutt, P K Goyal, Hargovind Sharma, Ashok M Dawane, Cherian Ittyavirah, M S Shankarnarayanan, R R Kasturi, S K Venkataramacharyulu, S Vaidyanathan, S Ravikumar, Anil Kapoor, B K Nandan, B M Bansal, Biswajit Das, D K Pandey, G C Misra, K.R.Gupta, Surinder Hali, A R Bhattacharya, Dinesh Baser, Dinesh Kumar, R K Paul , S Balakrishnan , S C Gupta, Bal Gangadhar Gadhave, Ch N V Murthy, D Shankaran , D Vijaya Babu , G Vijaya Kumar , R Lakshminarayana, S Pallam Raju, S Srinivasa Rao, T Nageswara Rao, D V Ravi , M Palanivel, R Ananthakrishnan, R Easwaran, R Rajamanohar , S Krishnamoorthy, V Ravindran , K Nanda Kumar, Parveen Bansal , Rana Basu, Anjan Mukhopadhyay, Pijush Kanti Sinha, Pravat Kumar Das, Tapas Majumdar , NK Aggarwala, Narendra Kumar , Rajeev Chawla, Satinder Singh Wadhawan , Shrikant Yeshwant Bhave , K R Bhardwaj , Shailendra Bhatnagar , S K Gupta, J Balasubramanian , SSN Murthy, Arun Kumar Sinha, A K Mukhopadhyay, R K Sinha , T G Chauragade , D Tiwary , K M Lakshminarayan, P C Rai , G Jayaprakash , Pradeep Kamal Jain and A K Verma.

S Machendranathan is AS & FA, Aviation in GoI (UPDATED)
S Machendranathan, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Steel, has been appointed as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Civil Aviation. He is a 1979 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
(We said this on July 12, 2012)

E K Bharat Bhushan is AS & FA, Steel in GoI (UPDATED)
E K Bharat Bhushan, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Civil Aviation has been appointed as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Steel. He is a 1979 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.
(We said this on July 12, 2012)

NMDC Director, Nanda conferred with Baldota award (UPDATED)
N K Nanda, Director of NMDC is conferred with Abheraj Baldota Memorial Award 'Mining Engineer of the Year' for 2010-11 by Mining Engineers Association of India in its Annual General Meeting held on July 13, 2012 at Ahmedabad. The award is given every year in recognition of meritorious contribution to the Mining Industry by a Mining Engineer. NK Nanda a graduate and post graduate in Mining Engineering from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad started his career as Mining Engineer in Hindustan Copper Limited and made considerable impact in successful management of its Malanjkhand mine. After a brief stint in ACC Limited, his destiny brought him to NMDC in 1989, where he was made responsible for the expansion and modification of existing large operating iron ore mines in Bailadila sector, and later Donimalai mines. He has been one of the few mining engineers in NMDC whose contributions are primarily responsible for successive and quantum growth of the iron ore mines which also have international recognition in global iron ore trade. With the growth of Company's status, Nanda grown in status and became Director (Tech) of the NMDC. The upcoming steel plant of the company at Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh is under his technical and administrative control and expected for commencement of steel production by the end of the year 2015. Thus, the concept of iron ore to steel making would be fructified under his surveillance. The rare expertise which Nanda has inculcated over the years has truthfully been vindicated by conferring him with the Abheraj Baldota Prestigious Award of the Mining Engineers Association of India. Earlier he has also been the recipient of 'Eminent Engineer Award' from Institution of Engineers (India).

REC ranked among 'Best Companies to Work for' (UPDATED)
The Rural Electrification Corporation (REC)has been rated among the top 50 companies in the category of companies having less than 1000 employees. The REC participated in 'Best Companies to Work for' survey for the first time and has done remarkably well. REC CMD Rajeev Sharma informed that the REC has been appreciated for providing best in class compensation, benefits and rewards to its employees as compared to other PSUs, Financial Services & Insurance Sector Companies and Companies having employee strength between 500-1000. Company's Orientation Programme has also been admired as it involves participation of top management including CMD, to inculcate the company's culture and values in new recruits. As per the Trust Index Survey conducted, REC has an excellent Corporate Image, he said. The employees take pride in telling others that they work for REC and also feel a sense of pride for what they have accomplished in the organization. Sharma said that the employees of the organization believe that the top management of the company is highly competent and knows the business in and out. The company also conveys a sense of equity through balanced approach in the distribution of intangible and tangible rewards. The rating reaffirms the forward-looking and performance driven work culture that REC has been assiduously cultivating over the years, he added.

ICFRE DG, Dr. Bahuguna unveils action plan with 'whispersinthecorridors.com'

Known for his dynamism and meticulous working Dr.V K Bahuguna as Director General (DG) of the Dehradun based Indian Council of Forestry and Education (ICFRE) Chancellor, FRI University, has been able to do many things. Bahuguna is an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the 1979 batch who belongs to the
Tripura cadre. In an interview to <whispersinthecorridors.com> he unveiled his action plan. Here are excerpts from his interview:
What are major contributions of ICFRE?
The Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Dehradun was
created in 1986 when forestry research structure in the country was revamped considering the importance of Forestry for the environmental conservation and
livelihood of the people. Previously, the research was being conducted by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. We have 12 Institutes and Centre covering all part of the country. This Institute for the past more than 100 years was the fountain head of scientific forestry not only in India but most other parts of the developing world. In fact Brandish and other foresters who set up scientific forestry in India later on helped the U.S in organizing their forest department and also in various European countries. India is in tropics where our food and water security is dependent upon monsoon rains which last only for three months. The establishment of scientific forestry in India was the greatest achievement of ICFRE for sustaining the agriculture production. As per the latest Forest Survey of India Report most of the timber in the market is from the agro forestry/farm forestry and more than nine million ha. trees are existing outside the government forest lands and ICFRE is credited with developing superior clones for the farmer for this achievement. The superior planting technology for species like Shisham, Eucalyptus, Poplar, Casurina etc. was developed by our Scientists. As against an earning of Rs.15000/- per ha. from traditional agriculture, the earning from Poplar and Casurina plantation are Rs.Two lac / ha. In a nut shell, the conservation of the forests and extension of the trees outside forest
area is another major contribution of ICFRE.


Q. What are the major achievements after your joining?
A. 1. I had joined ICFRE on May 19, 2011. I have taken several steps. One of my
achievements is total elimination of mistrust in the organization between the management and the employees. Now a sense of confidence, unity of purpose among the Scientists, IFS and other officers and staff in ICFRE has been ensured. Now ICFRE employees are working as a team and have shown visible significant results during the last one year.

2.
My second contribution has been a total and complete recast of research priorities and
programmes in the Council. Now the research shall be primarily focused on managing the forests to cater to livelihood of rural poor and tribals, forest genetics and tree improvement, biodiversity conservation and ecological security and forest and climate change. We have finalized 35 themes and introduced All India Coordinated Projects where emphasis will be given on networking with other institutions, primary focus will be on livelihood needs of villagers and tribals. For example, our Scientists have shown that cultivation of lac can ensure an annual earning of Rs.one lakh to a family
from a few trees provided scientific cultivation is ensured. The potential of lac cultivation on Palash, Kusum and Ber trees is tremendous in Naxal affected areas of
Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, M.P, Maharashtra and West Bengal. One Kusum tree can alone fetch anywhere between Rs.35,000 and Rs.40,000 per year. One Palash tree fetches around Rs.10,000.

3.
The third achievement is launching of a scheme "Direct to Consumers" wherein we will be ensuring immediate transfer of technology to the users. Extension had so far been the weakest link .

4.
The fourth achievement is we have successfully completed the task given by the Supreme Court for conducting a macro level environmental impact assessment of
mining in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts of Karnataka. The report was praised by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. I had personally headed the team and a road map for scientific and environmentally sustainable mining has been given for the country. If the Supreme Court accepts these recommendations, the complete road map for scientific mining can be ensured.

5.
Another major achievement is we have successfully organized the first ever Indian Forest Congress from November 22 to 25, 2011 which was attended by more than
700 individuals. A Charter was adopted for implementation.

6.
A Task Force for the revision of long overdue 'Forest Types of India' has been
undertaken under my direct supervision in order to prepare a change matrix of vegetation to assess the impact due to climatic and biotic factors on the forests so
that new forest management regimes are evolved.


7.
A comprehensive Compendium of R&D activities of Scientists and Foresters over the past 150 years in the form of a compilation of "Forestry in the Service of Nation - ICFRE Technologies"

8.
Voices from the Field has been published to put in public domain outstanding work done by the field foresters and JFM members

Q.
How ICFRE can accelerate forest conservation in India?
A.
Correct knowledge information is key for successful forest conservation in India. ICFRE can conduct research in frontier areas like genetic recombination, DNA mapping, Nano technology etc. and also provide model for superior technological
regimes for the management of the forests and biodiversity. Emphasis on livelihood
based programme will now reduce pressure on forests and help in forest conservation and all round growth in villages near the forests.


Q.
What are your plans?
A.
The plan is to ensure successful implementation of All India Coordinated Projects in
order to provide better technologies and models for the forest department, forest dwellers, tribals and rural poor. We are also planning to have better extension
strategies through Direct to Consumer Scheme and plan an All India Coordinated Project on Forest Education and Research on NTFPs with our partner universities under our Educational Programmes. We are running four M.Sc courses (Pulp and Paper, Wood Science and Technology, Environmental Management and Forestry) which are unique in FRI Deemed University and three out of four courses are not
available elsewhere. We would like to create a SAARC network of research organizations to benefit each other. As a first step the Hon'ble Prime Minister had
already announced about 10 SAARC fellowships in the FRI Deemed University for the SAARC countries.

Q.
How Climate changes can be tackled by forestry sector in India?
A.
Forestry sector can play a very vital role in meeting the challenges of climate change. Firstly it can sequester carbon through Afforestation activities and secondly to monitor the forest hydrology and ecological status of vegetation to adapt to the climate changes and ensure livelihood options for the poor. What can be the role of private entrepreneurs under corporate social responsibilities?

A.
Private entrepreneurs can play a significant role in Forest conservation and poverty
reduction in India in building up resources for meeting the challenges for providing livelihood opportunities to the rural poor through forest based enterprise and also meeting the emerging challenges of biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation. We are in touch with Corporate House for establishing few Chairs in the FRI Deemed University.

CORPORATE

Is Gold likely to correct further ?
Gold, which is down by about 19 percent from its peak last year, is still considered to be in a corrective mode. A 20 percent drop from the peak would put gold in bear market territory. The correction in gold comes after an uninterrupted bull run since 2008.

Will the Re fall further ?
It is heard that any panic in Eurozone will lead to a dollar rally. This in all probability will lead to fall in the rupee against the greenback further say market men.

Murthy appointed to oversee audit reform process of Public Sector Banks
K Narasimha Murthy, has been appointed as member-convenor of the Implementation & Motioning Committee to oversee the audit reform process in public sector banks. The appointment made by the Union Government expects the committee to ensure that this process is completed in all the banks by March 31 next year.

Singla appointed on the board of State Bank of Patiala
Chaman Lal Singla has been appointed as officer employee director on the Board of State Bank of Patiala (SBP).

Sharma quits as Brand Director Reebok India
Sajid Sharma has quit as Brand Director Reebok India.

Three directors cease to be on Board of BEML Ltd
M B N Rao , J P Batra and J P Singh have ceased to be Part-time Independent Directors on Board of BEML Ltd w.e.f. July 7, 2012.

Noronha inducted in VST Industries
Raymond S. Noronha has been appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of VST Industries Ltd w.e.f. October 1, 2012

Sankar appointed MD, VST Industries Ltd
N. Sai Sankar has been appointed as Managing Director of VST Industries Ltd w.e.f. September 3, 2012

Nair appointed Non Exec. Director, VST Industries Ltd
Ms Asha Nair has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of VST Industries Ltd w.e.f. October 1, 2012 as a Nominee of General Insurer's Association of India.

Balaji appointed MD, Nokia India
Nokia India has appointed P Balaji as its Managing Director.

Three directors appointed on Board of OCL Iron and Steel Ltd
Sanjay Tiku, Chetan V. Shah and Vinod Kumar Uppal have been appointed as directors of OCL Iron and Steel Ltd.

James resigns as Director, OCL Iron and Steel Ltd
K T James has resigned as Director of OCL Iron and Steel Ltd.

Nair appointed Chief Advisor, Swiss International Hotels & Resorts (South Asia)
Swiss International Hotels & Resorts, South Asia has appointed Sheila Nair as Chief Advisor for its India expansion plans.

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(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)

Media responsible for rising prices

Media is one of the biggest agency responsible for rising prices in the country. They publish cover page stories, as a result of which the shopkeepers increase prices. Today there was cover page story in the Times of India that there is going to be shortfall in the production of pulses because of scanty rains. The prices of pulses will definitely go up in advance and also un-reasonably. Without knowing which Department deals with which subject and what powers they have been given, they criticize its working. This creates bad impression for outside world and India's rating goes down in International Market. Last month there was a story in Hindustan Times (Samar Khursheed) about the working of the Public Grievance Department. One should realize that the grievance can be genuine or non-genuine. The grievance has to be resolved by the line Department. Public Grievance Department's job is not to settle somebody's grievance rather to track it and monitor in order to ensure that an appropriate reply either in 'yes' or 'no' is sent to the applicant. Why does the media does not publish information about the happenings of the private companies who had benefitted from the 2G and Coalgates scams? For them sensationalism is only the motto and Government is soft target. 'Ghus lene wala and ghus dene wale dono apradhi hain'.

A Srivastava

PSUs have to survive under market forces

The public sector undertakings are competitive organization, who have to survive under the forces of the market. Railways is a departmental organization employing around 16 lakh employees. Recruitment of officers in the organization is done through UPSC and subordinate staff through Selection Boards. As per the Britishers who left this country there was only two posts of Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to the Government of India one of Cabinet Secretary and the other of Chairman-Railway Board. Railways also have their own separate budget, separate police force-RPF, works department-IOW and medical services (doctors selected through UPSC). Railways subject falls in the Central List. There is no comparision at all between a PSU and Indian Railways.

B B Srivastava

Should not bother what retired bureaucrats state

If you are clean, you should not bother what retired bureaucrats state in the media after retirement or for that matter from what any other states in the media. Honest Ministers and Bureaucrats do not bother about criticism. CBI had given a clean chit to Shourie in 2G case.

A Srivastava

An outstanding choice

Having worked with him I can vouch that Kharola is a brilliant officer with an integrity of highest level.

Ashwani Lohani

Utterly painful

What has happened to a young girl in Guwahati the other day is utterly painful. It is however not an isolated incident. Everyday we hear of shameful stories of rape murder ,heinous crimes against women and children. Even the National capital is not immune from such incidents. We get shocked but move on. The authorities condemn such crimes but then do nothing. no one gets punished. The criminals are not apprehended even in most of the cases. So the crime goes on. A child gets kidnapped and Rs 25 lakhs ransom is asked for his release. The parents inform the police. The child is killed and then Rs.10 lakhs are demanded by the kidnappers for handing over his remains. Can it get more heinous than this. This is happening in our country of which spiritual richness we are so proud to brag about. Are we really spiritual notwithstanding the lakhs of spiritual gurus we have? And what about our law enforcers? They have miserably failed to protect us and punish the guilty. We talk of failure of current Government in keeping up the momentum of economic growth. The fact of the matter is that the administrative machinery both at the centre and the states have failed to ensure even the safety of its citizens .Law and order is the first priority, rest comes afterwards. At present we seem to be living in a mafia-ridden land.

Aarti Khosla

London to Delhi same

It is a matter of attitude only. During the Commonwealth Games, all Delhi beggars were rounded up by the government and deported to their dark hideouts outside the city, to protect the image of the country, especially Delhi. Delhi indeed was clean of all beggars. The London Olympics are posing some such problem there with the homeless sleeping under all possible bridges and other structures. The government agencies in London call it "rough sleeping". Here in Delhi (Mumbai no different)a large number of people experience rough sleeping. Many are even killed by drunk drivers in the night. Poverty is such a leveler that it makes no discrimination on the basis of race or religion or country. Meanwhile democracies thrive on votes promising a better deal for them!!!

M L Gupta

Too much interference by the Executive Head

Why try diverting the public when as Minister you have already filled up your coffers. And the PM grow up, the Minister is not your boss, his father was.

SWC

A dynamic leader

Ms Praveen Mahajan is indeed a very dynamic leader and she is like a breath of positivity after a long spell !! She and the Chairman have infused life and vigour into the service.

Mallika

TAIL-PIECE

'COMMON MAN' calls Vidhana Soudha. Phone rings....

Voice: Namaskara, Welcome to Vidhana Soudha. Your are communicating with the BJP government.

If you are a Lingayat, Press 1, If you are a Gowda, Press 2,

If you are a Kuruba Press 3,

If you are a Dalit, Press 0,

If you want to do Business, press 420 to talk to Our OPERATORS

Dhanyavadagalu !!!

Contributed by A Visitor

RIT

Disclosure of address and immigration details of a passport holder

Referring to a passport holder, the appellant alleged that the said citizen was accused in four criminal cases pending in various JMFC courts at Indore and Mumbai. He sought information regarding this passport holder like, his present address with name of country and the copy of his immigration form. The Public Information Officer (PIO) denied the information under section 8(1)(j) stating that the disclosure of the passport details /documents has no relation with the applicant and that it would cause unwarranted invasion on his privacy. During the hearing the appellant contended that despite his informing the Passport Office about pending criminal cases, a passport was issued to him. The Central Information Commission (CIC) directed the Passport Officer, Mumbai to inquire into the matter and inform the appellant whether cognizance was taken of the fact that three complaints of criminal charges were pending against the said person and subsequently send the findings to the appellant. The Commission also directed the appellant to send a copy of the complaints to the Passport Officer Mumbai.

Comments

RTI has been used as a tool not only to obtain information, but also initiate certain action.

Citation:Mr. Suraj Sharma v. Ministryof External Affairs, in DecisionNo. CIC/SG/A/2012/000409/18802

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)