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This site keeps update all the important changes in big positions.

Gaurav Mehta

Early general elections on the anvil
Political Pundits feel that next Lok Sabha polls are likely to be held in 2013. This will happen not withstanding political scenario that emerges in pre and post presidential poll.

Who is advising Mrs. Sonia Gandhi?
Who is advising UPA Chief Mrs. Sonia Gandhi nowadays? It was stated that Defence Minister, A K Antony is the key Advisor these days.

What is deal between Mulayam and Congress?
It is heard that Mulayam Singh Yadav has been promised a cabinet berth in lieu of supporting Congress candidate for the Presidential polls.

Will Pranab make it to Raisina Hills?
Indian Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi are reportedly not happy with Pranab's candidature; it is known, but backroom politics is abuzz that every effort is being made by the top leadership to stem the rise of Mukherjee. It is heard that there were calls made to L K Advani and Nitin Gadkari by Dr. Manmohan Singh to discuss Pranab's candidature. What else could explain the reason for NDA not announcing a Presidential candidate?

Is Chidambaram working hard to become FM?
It is heard that P Chidambaram along with a lot of industry lobbyist is working hard to come back as Finance Minister.

Is Congress worried about Andhra results?
It is heard that after the result of Andhra Pradesh by polls Congress has realised that it is not public sympathy that has worked for Jagan, the man has silently worked for the masses for the past two years.

Is Congress considerate towards Ms. Mamata or frightened about a possible 'Third Front?'

Congress high-command has cautioned its leaders to abstain from hurting West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee not because it is considerate towards its ally. In fact 2014 is crucial for Congress. It knows well that after 1967 any party or coalition in centre has not won for third consecutive term. After 2004 and 2009, the 10-Janpath aims at creating history for the sake of Rahul Gandhi. The BJP is too fractured to cause a realistic threat in 2014. After retaining RJD, SP & BSP with UPA fold Congress would avoid parting ways with Ms. Mamata unto the last.

GoI likely to go for FDI & a huge loan from abroad
Before leaving for G-20 Dr Manmohan Singh's statement on need for an investment in infrastructure indicates much more than it appears. Ms. Mamata (even if continues with UPA) has lost her bargaining leverage against FDI. Dr. Manmohan has emerged stronger after Ms. Sonia Gandhi's backing. He is going to keep Finance portfolio with him only. He has previously emphasized the exigency of investment worth $ 01 trillion (in next five years) in infrastructure sector. By saying that in his G-20 deliberations need for investment in infrastructure, Dr. Manmohan has apparently made it clear that FDI and loans are next in his chart.

Is the rate cut party over?
Dr. Duvvuri Subbarao RBI Governor has indicated that the rate cut party of the Finance Ministry is over and that the action of the government is responsible for getting investments in the country.

BUREAUCRACY

Kaun Banega Cabinet Secretary? (7) Sumit Bose
Though Sumit Bose comes next to Uday Kumar Verma in seniority, all the 1976 batch IAS officers say that he is going to be next Cabinet Secretary. He is the youngest in his batch who will retire on April 1, 2014.

Kaushik Basu to move back to Cornell University
Dr. Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) to the Government of India (GoI) is all set to move back to Cornell University. Earlier he was serving as the Chairman- the Department of Economics and Director- Center for Analytic Economics at Cornell University.

7 GMs are ED in PS banks
As many as seven General Managers (GMs) in Public Sector (PS) banks have reportedly been elevated as Executive Directors (EDs). They are:

1. P Srinivas - Andhra Bank to Bank of Baroda.
2. B P Sharma -Punjab National Bank to Bank of India. S R Bansal
3. Sadhu Ram Bansal -Dena Bank to Punjab National Bank.
4. S.D.Arya- Bank of Maharashtra to United Bank
5. Ramdas Shenoy -Corporation Bank to Vijaya Bank
6. Arun Tiwari- Bank of Baroda to Allahabad Bank
7. Sudhir Kumar Jain- Dena Bank to Bank of Baroda.

Shashi Shankar selected as Director (Tech. & Field Services), ONGC
Shashi Shankar, GM, ONGC, has been selected for the post of Director (Technology & Field Services), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on June 18, 2012. As many as 11 persons were interviewed for the same.

Rajesh Bhushan is Joint Secretary, Rural Development
Rajesh Bhushan on central deputation has joined as Joint Secretary, Rural Development on June
19, 2012. He is a Bihar cadre IAS officer of 1987 batch who. Earlier, he was Principal Secretary (PS) Information & Public Relation to the Bihar Government. He is also holding charges of State Project Director, Bihar Education Project and Bihar Secondary Education Council.

(We said this on May 9, 2012)

Vijay Anand to be Additional Secretary in GoI
Grapevine has it that Vijay Anand, on central deputation, is poised to be an Additional Secretary in the Government of India (GoI). He is a Kerala cadre IAS officer of 1981 batch.

H S Negi to be IG, National Tiger Conservation Authority
H S Negi, on central deputation, is poised to be IG, in the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). He is a Madhya Pradesh cadre Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of 1988 batch.

3 CGMs in fray for slot of ED, SEBI
Grapevine has it that three Chief General Managers (CGMs) are in fray for the post of Executive Director(ED) in the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). They are: Nagendra Parikh, T K Kuriachen and P K Bindlish. Present ED Ms. Usha Narayanan is going to retire on June 30, 2012.

Finance Ministry officials working overtime
As the grapevine has it officials in the Finance Ministry at the Centre are working overtime. As it is Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is the UPA's candidate for Presidential polls.

CBI official to seek VRS?
Rumour mill in Delhi says that a CBI official is in a mood to seek VRS soon.

Balachandran, Director, IBPS to relinquish charge on June 30
M Balachandran, presently as Director of Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), Mumbai, is going to relinquish charge on June 30, 2012. He is a banker with a varied experience and before joining the IBPS, he was Chairman & Managing Director, Bank of Bank of India (BoI).

Is IT officer Kunal Singh framed?
Kunal Singh (IT 87 batch) is a revered man with high credibility and a strong network. There is no person who has anything ill to speak about this man, say IT officials who have known him closely. He was working on very high profile cases. It is likely that there are politically influential people who want him out of the way, learns whispers. Is it another case of political bigwigs wanting an honest officer out of the way or there is more to the story of Singh, needs to be seen in coming days.

Many posts are to be filled up in Maharashtra
There are number of posts which were being held by the IAS officers in the past have been lying vacant for quite some time now in Maharashtra.

Attack on Delhi CM mounts
Grapevine has it that the detractors of Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dixit have sharpened their arsenal.

2 candidates in fray for RC of HP in Delhi
As many as two candidates are in fray for Himachal Pradesh Government's Delhi based Resident Commissioner (RC).

Ms Deepika is Dy Secretary, DoPT
Ms.Deepika Lohia Aran has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in Department of Personnel and Training in the Government of India. She is an IOFS officer of 2002 batch.

Suspense over new AP Chief Secretary
Who will succeed Pankaj Dwivedi as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh on July 1? Picture is still not clear. Will some AP cadre IAS officer posted in GoI return as Chief Secretary?

Ms. Meenakshi Negi, Director, NMPB selected for 38th APPPA
Ms. Meenakshi Negi, Director, National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), D/ AYUSH, M/Health & FW, has been selected for 38th Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA) to be conducted from July 2, 2012 to March 31, 2013.

Kundal is posted in MEA
Counsellor in Kathmandu, Puneet Kundal has been moved to the Ministry of External Affairs Headquarters.

Mrs. S R Burman empanelled as Joint Secretary, GoI
Mrs. S R Burman has been empanelled for the appointment of Joint Secretary or equivalent in Government of India. She is a Civil Accounts Service officer of 1986 batch.

G J Singh is new IG CRPF Jammu Zone
G J Singh has taken over as new IG CRPF Jammu Zone. He is senior CRPF cadre officer.

Girish Pillai posted as COM, WR
Girish Pillai, SAG/IRTS/WR, has been posted as COM (CHOD)/WR.

R K Tandon shifted as CCM, WR
Ravinder Kumar Tandon, SAG/IRTS/ECOR, presently working as CCM/ECOR, has been transferred to Western Railway (WR) and posted as CCM (CHOD).

Chhattisgarh Govt. to replace its Advocate General soon?
Whispers in the corridors have it that Chhattisgarh Government has started its search for new Advocate General.

Prof. D P Singh is VC, Devi Ahilya University, Indore
Professor D P Singh, presently working as HoD, HSE Division, PSS, Central Institute of Vocational Education, NCERT, has been appointed as Vice-chancellor of Devi Ahilya University, Indore.

V K Gupta takes over GM, NR
V K Gupta has taken over as General Manager (GM), Northern Railway (NR).
(We said this on April 2, 2012)

Alok Johri assumes charge as GM, NCR
Alok Johri has taken over as General Manager (GM), North Central Railway (NCR).
(We said this on April 2, 2012)

R S Virdi joins as GM, NFR
R S Virdi has assumed as General Manager (GM), North Frontier Railway (NF R).
(We said this on April 2, 2012)

R C Jat assume charges as Secretary, RB
R C Jat has joined as Secretary, Railway Board.

PESB seeks applications for Director (Fin.), NBCCL
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is seeking applications for the post of Director (Finance), National Buildings Const. Corpn. Ltd (NBCCL) lying vacant since April 19, 2012. Those willing to apply can send their applications to the PESB before July 25, 2012.

PESB seeks applications for Director (Raw Materials & Logistics), SAIL
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is seeking applications for the post of Director (Raw Materials & Logistics), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) falling vacant next year on March 1, 2013. Those willing to apply can send their applications to the PESB before August 16, 2012.

Vinod Semwal is PS to MP Governor
Vinod Semwal has taken over as Principal Secretary to the Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav. He is 1985 batch IAS officer.

CMDE Rakesh Anand selected as Director (Corp. Planning & Pers.), MDL(UPDATED)
CMDE Rakesh Anand, GM, MDL, has been selected for the post of Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on June 19, 2012. As many as eight persons were interviewed for the same.

Swaminathan appointed Ambassador to Austria (UPDATED)
R. Swaminathan presently Ambassador of India to the Arab Republic of Egypt has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Austria.

Ms. Ishita Roy Member Secretary Silk Board makes it to top of global organization (UPDATED)
Ms.Ishita Roy, 1991 Kerala Cadre IAS Officer, currently serving as Member Secretary and C.E.O. Central Silk Board, has been elected as Secretary-General of International Sericulture Commission (ISC) in a special Conference of ISC held at Cluj-Napoca, Romania on 14/6/2012. With this, the Secretariat of ISC, hitherto located at Lyon, France, since inception (1960) would move to India and be housed in the campus of Central Silk Board at Bangalore. This historical moment would mark the beginning of a new era in development of sericulture and silk industry at the National and Global level.The ISC is the Apex Body of Sericulture with Members viz. Japan, Brazil, Egypt, France, Thailand, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Madagascar, Romania, Tunisia, Greece and Syria, at present. This victory is seen as a feather in cap for India and Central Silk Board in particular and would provide an opportunity for India to be a Global leader for sericulture
development.

Amit Mohan Prasad is new CVO Oil India Ltd (UPDATED)
Amit Mohan Prasad has been appointed Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) in the Oil India Limited, New Delhi . He is 1989 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

21 officers of Central Secretariat Service shifted (UPDATED)
As many as 21 officers of Senor Selection Grade (Directors)/ Selection Grade (Deputy Secretary) of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) have been shifted. Accordingly, Mukti Nidhi Samnotra has been transferred from Textiles to New & Renewal Energy while Sunita H Khurna, Director from Rural Development to Defence and Ms. Anita Patheja, Director is being shifted from Agriculture & Cooperation to Telecommunications. Similarly, K V Jacob, Director, has been moved from Defence to Labour & Employment; Ranbi Singh, Director from Labour to Defence; M C Luther from DoP&T to Commerce; S Chandrasekhar from Telecommunications to Expenditure; Renu Jain, Director, from Expenditure to Civil Aviation; Suman Keshri Aggarwal, Director, from Science & Tech. to NDMA; Santosh Kumari, Director, from Tribal Affairs to Defence; Raj Kumar Ghatwal, Director, from Defence to DoP&T; Geeta Narayan from Civil Aviation to Textiles; B S Rawat, Director, from Economic Affairs to Science & Technology; Prakash, Director from Petroleum & NG to DoP&T; Subha Thakur from Civil Aviation to DEA; Chanan Ram, Director from DoP&T to ARPG; M M Singh, Deputy Secretary, from Defence to Tribal Affairs; Mohan Lal, Deputy Secretary from New Renewable Energy to Petroleum & NG; Surinder Kumar, Deputy Secretary from UPSC to Civil Aviation and R K Chopra, Deputy Secretary has been transferred from NDMA to UPSC. Besides, Dr. Tarsem Chand has been deputed to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare after compulsory wait.

S D Sharma is Director (Busi. Dev.), DMRC (UPDATED)
S D Sharma, Executive Director, DMRC, has taken over as Director of Business Development in Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Arun Mishra tipped to be new DGCA? (UPDATED)
Grapevine has it that Arun Mishra is tipped to be new DGCA. He is an IAS officer of the 1986 batch and belongs to West Bengal cadre.

Indrajit Pal empanelled as Secretary in GoI (UPDATED)
Indrajit Pal has been empanelled as Secretary in Government of India. He is a 1977 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

IRS officer Sunil Bajpai deputed as Director, NSCS, New Delhi (UPDATED)
Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, Sunil Bajpai presently working as OSD (TPL-I) in CBDT, New Delhi, has been appointed as Director in the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), New Delhi.

CORPORATE

Alok Mishra is new Chairman of IBA
Bank of India Chairman and Managing Director Alok Misra has been elected Chairman of the Indian Banks Association ,bankers' body for the current fiscal.

The IBA managing committee electe
Committee to be set up to handle foreign investment matter A Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary, A K Seth is being set up to handle issues related to foreign investments made under bilateral agreements.

Is Nayar looking at starting his own firm?
It is heard that Vineet Nayar CMD of HCL Technologies is quitting the firm and is taking a lot of top management along with him, sources say that he is starting his own firm and that there is an announcement to that very soon.

Bansal appointed ED, PNB
The Central Government in consulation with Reserve Bank of India has appointed Sadhu Ram Bansal as Executive Director on the Board of Punjab National Bank.

Jain appointed ED, Bank of Baroda
The Central Government after consultation with the Reserve Bank of India has appointed Sudhir Kumar Jain as Executive Director of Bank of Baroda w.e.f. June 18, 2012.

Vyash appointed Director, Bihar Sponge Iron Ltd
Bihar Sponge Iron Ltd has appointed Shyam Babu Vyash as Director of the Company w.e.f. May 5, 2012.

Loya appointed Company Secy. Novopan Industries Ltd
Novopan Industries Ltd has appointed Ms. Padma Loya as Company Secretary of the company.

FMC nominates Independent Directors on Board of Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd
Forward Market Commission (FMC) has nominated Ravi Kamal Bhargava, (IAS Retd.) and Dr. Prakash Apte as independent directors on the Board of Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd for a period up to March 31, 2015.

Savita resigns as Company Secy. Goenka Diamond and Jewels Ltd
Ms. Rashmi Omprakash Savita has resigned as Company Secreatry of Goenka Diamond and Jewels Ltd w.e.f. June 11, 2012.

Raikar appointed Company Secy. Trident Tools Ltd
Ms Snehal Manish Raikar has been appointed as Company Secretary of Trident Tools Ltd w.e.f. June 15, 2012.

Kansara resigns as Director, Alka Diamond Industries Ltd
Jayant Kansara has resigned as Director of Alka Diamond Industries Ltd w.e.f. May 25, 2012.

Neelakanteswaran appointed CEO, Atlanta Ltd
Atlanta Ltd has appointed N. Neelakanteswaran as Chief Executive Officer of the company w.e.f. May 10, 2012.

Two directors appointed on IDBI Bank Board
IDBI Bank Limited has appointed S. Ravi and Ninad Karpe as Additional Directors of the Bank w.e.f. July 2, 2012.

Ganapathi appointed CFO and Company Secy. W S Industries (I) Ltd
W S Industries (I) Limited has appointed M. Raja Ganapathi as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of the company effective on June 18, 2012.

Khemani resigns as Company Secy. Blue Blends (I) Ltd
Ashutosh Khemani has resigned as Company Secretary of Blue Blends (I) Ltd w.e.f. May 31, 2012.

Kumar resigns as CMD of Thinksoft Global
Asvini Kumar has resigned as CMD of Thinksoft Global

Mishra resigns as director of Risa International
Satajit Mishra has resigned as director of Risa International.

Naik resigns as director of Iris Mediawork
Rakesh Naik has resigned as director of Iris Mediawork.

Sankaran resigns as director of Everonn Education
S Sankaran has resigned as director of Everonn Education.

Kansara resigns as director of Alka Diamond Industries
Jayant Kansara has resigned as director of Alka Diamond Industries.

Wilson appointed as director of Asian Flora
John Wilson has been appointed as director of Asian Flora.

(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)

Govt should utilize service of retired IRS officer, Prakash Chandra

The services of Prakash Chandra (IRS retired) who retired as Chairman CBDT after a long distinguished innings as an exceptionally able tax administrator and who is currently Ombudsman of the Income tax are much appreciated by the public at large. In view of his services to the country he should be considered for higher responsibility and higher posts. No doubt the government will further utilise his services in the future.

Arjun Mallik

Congratulations to new GMs

Hearty congratulations to all our general managers. I wish you all success in your new assignment and to have many more laurels in your carrier.

Balakrishnan G

Ganga Das Hi Jamuna Das Hai

The past 48 hours or so have been different from the previous boring TV channels' programmes, due to the game of chess on the President's election. Pranab Da should be grateful to his younger sister Mamata Banerji, whose consistent opposition to him ensured his official nomination. Without her stout opposition, Pranab Da was nowhere in the reckoning. He was just bait for Mamata to secure the nomination of the chosen one, which fell flat because of Mamata. What her politicalally (hum or I it might mean) contributed was to oppose the Congress nominee without being called saffron. So it was the Former President who was put at number one, knowing fully well that the remaining two names stood absolutely no chance. And this has made economic and business imaginations to go wild: reforms will get a push; pension bill is going to be passed; FDI in retail is just about to open up etc. The doubting Thomases are expressing doubts in the ability of the government to achieve much in the next 24 months or so before the parliamentary elections. And it is here that the government can certainly do wonders without even more legislation. Let it put the meritorious officers in positions to deliver quality services to the people. They have been marginalized for far too long and the undesirable elements brought in. The government still has time to do wonders. Let us hope it does the right thing and perform better in
these 24 months.

M L Gupta

RIT

Warning of misuse of the RTI Act From the LIC (Mumbai), the appellant sought the details of Probationary Development Officers and Development officers, whose resignation was accepted/ terminated by public authority during a certain period. He also requested that the information sought should be provided as per the format given by him. The Public Information Officer (PIO) denied the information by quoting the provisions of section 7(9) of the RTI Act that it would divert the resources of the Public Authority disproportionately. During the hearing before CIC, the respondent submitted that the information sought by the appellant pertained to about 3000 - 4000 Development Officers and that this information held at the divisional offices and was not available in the format provided by the appellant but were available in individual files of each Development officer. The appellant stated that he was the advocate of a Development officer posted at Jaipur - I office of the Corporation who has not received his arrears and that this information sought from the public authority will be used to enable his client to recover his dues. The Central Information Commission (CIC) stated that the RTI Act confers a cherished right to the citizen and this case was a classic example of misuse of the RTI Act. The Commission further observed that the appellant despite being a responsible citizen (he was a lawyer) has chosen to use the RTI route to harass the public authority with a view to getting an edge in the legal case of his client which was undoubtedly a very unprofessional approach to the issue. The appellant was advised to approach the Senior Divisional Manager, Jaipur - I to obtain the calculation sheet for release of arrears to his client. The Commission also warned the appellant to be more careful in future while using the right given to him under the transparency act.

Comments

There are many cases where applicants seek information in a particular format. If it leads to wasting of the scarce resources and time of the the public authority, the PIO is not bound to provide the information in a particular format. He may offer inspection of the documents to the applicant.

Citation: Mr. Ashok Kumar v. LIC of India in Appeal No. CIC/DS/A/2011/002087

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)