What people say about us!

Excellent website and quite informative.

B Srinivas

Why was Antony silent?
Why did Defence Minister A K Antony keep total silence and not express opinion on the FDI issue. Any significance?

GoI was overactive on Friday
Government of India was over active on Friday.

BUREAUCRACY

Retirement of IAS plans in jeopardy
The Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions will now be headed by judges, courtesy a Supreme Court controversial judgment on Thursday that ended the tradition of retired bureaucrats gracing the statutory bodies constituted under the Right to Information 2005.

Going by the rule that the functions of the CIC and the State Information Commissions was necessarily judicial in nature, the apex court held, "Chief Information Commissioner at the Centre or State level shall only be a person who is or has been a Chief Justice of the High Court or a Judge of the Supreme Court," said a bench of Justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar. Such appointment shall be in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, it added.

The court further ruled that the Commissions at Centre and States would hold sittings in benches comprising of two members each, one being a judicial member and the other an expert member, drawn among persons of public eminence having wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media, or administration and governance. By stating so, the court held that the Centre may preferably consider appointing judges and lawyers as Information Commissioners as well.

While the slew of directions would require the Centre to suitably amend the RTI Act, particularly Sections 12(5), 12(6), 15(5) and 15(6) of the 2005 Act, the court directed the Centre to undertake this exercise at the earliest to bring it in consonance with the Constitutional mandate. It upheld the validity of the above Sections of the Act along with the recommended changes.

The order of the court came on a PIL filed by one Namit Sharma, who pointed out that the role of CIC and State commissions under RTI being largely judicial work, interest of justice demanded having judicial members to head such bodies. Currently, none of the eight CIC members have a judicial background.

It found the duties of these statutory bodies to be largely adjudicatory in nature. It said, "They are required to give notice to the parties, offer them the opportunity of hearing and pass reasoned
orders." In doing so, the court held, the authorities need to strike a balance between freedom under Article 19(1)(a) - right to know, and Article 21 relating to right to privacy.

Regarding appointment of expert members, the bench suggested drawing up a panel of persons empanelled by DoPT or the concerned State Ministry, three months prior to the creation of vacancy.

Gauri Kumar takes over as Additional Secretary, Mines
Gauri Kumar has taken over as Additional Secretary Mines in the Government of India. She is a 1979 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.
(We said this on August 14, 2012)

Bakshi and Vyas to be DDG, Prasar Bharti
B M Bakshi and Raj Sekhar Vyas are likely to be appointed Deputy Director General (DDG) in the Prasar Bharti.

Deputation tenure of Tarun Kumar extended
Central deputation tenure of Tarun Kumar, Director, Central Information Commission, New Delhi has been extended for one year. He is an IRS (IT) officer of 1989 batch.

Umesh Kumar appointed Director, ISTM
Umesh Kumar, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India, has been appointed as Director, Institute of Secretariat Training & Management. He is an CSS cadre of 1991 batch.

Mehra is new IG, BSF
Santosh Mehra, Addl. DGP (Crime & SIT), AP Police, has been appointed as IG, Border Security Force (BSF), New Delhi. He is a 1987 batch IPS officer of 1987 batch of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

Anshu Vaish to retire this month end
Secretary, Elementary Education in the Government of India, Ms Anshu Vaish, is superannuating by this month end. She is a 1975 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre.

Confusion prevails over UT cadre IAS officer
Confusion prevails over the issue of transfer of 25 UT cadre officials is still to be settled as the Home Ministry has not withdrawn its order till date.

Bhatnagar moves to A & N Islands
Rakesh Bhatnagar CGM, Delhi Transport Corporation, GNCT, Delhi, has been transferred to Andaman Nicobar. He is an DANICS officer of 1987 batch.

Singh transferred to Andman & Nicobar
DN Singh, Deputy Commissioner- Central District, MCD, has been transferred to Andaman Nicobar. He is a DANICS officer.

Raveendran to join GoI?
S Raveendran, DIG, HR & Legal Matters, Bihar police, is likely to go on deputation to the Government of India. He is a 1995 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre.

Ms R Malarvizhi to go on central deputation?
Ms R Malarvizhi, DIG Com, Deputy CG, HG & FS, Patna, Bihar, police is likely to go on central deputation. She is a 1995 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre.

DIG level post lying vacant in NCSC
A DIG level post in National Commission of Scheduled Caste (NCSC) has been lying vacant for a long time. The commission has been asking for officer from MHA for the same but the IPS officers are hesitant to join. This Commission comes under Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment.

IG level post vacant in NHRC
Joint Secretary (IG) level position in National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is vacant. This position is of IG level. NHRC has requested MHA to fill this position as soon as possible.

V K Saxena assumes charge as MD, IMPCL
V K Saxena, GM, IMPCL, has taken over the charge as Managing Director, Indian Medicines Pharmaceuticals Corporation Limited (IMPCL).

Sharat Chander gets selection grade
Indian Information Service (IIS) officer, Sharat Chander, presently working as Joint Director (M&C), PIB, New Delhi, has been accorded selection grade.

Deputation tenure of Kakran extended in IB
Central deputation tenure of Sunita Kakran has been extended in the Intelligence Bureau. She is a 1996 batch IPS officer of Orissa cadre.

Three IRS-IT officers get fresh postings
Three officers of Indian Revenue Service-Income Tax (IRS-IT) in the grade of Deputy/Assistant Commissioners of Income Tax have been given fresh posting. Accordingly, Yogesh Kumar Nayar has been appointed to CCA, Delhi while Kamal Kumar was shifted to CCA UP (W) and B Kavitha Rani posted to CCA, Nagpur.

Transfers and postings in Railways
J N Jha, SAG/IRT/ER, has been transferred to South Eastern Railway and posted as CCM while Ms Vijaya Sinha, HAG/IRTS/NR, is being posted as CCM in Northern Railway and C B K Singh, SAG/IRTS/SER, was transferred to Northern Railway and posted as CAO/PTS.

Mrs Narain posted as Director, HRD
Mrs Kalpana Narain has been posted as Director in the Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD).

Ravi Kanta to return
A 1998 batch IPS officer Ravi Kanta is reportedly returning to the parent Orissa cadre after completion of central deputation tenure.

Virendra Sharma to move Hong Kong
Virendra Sharma will succeed Chandar Bhan in Hong Kong .DCG in Hong Kong, Bhan is retiring in November.

Three officers found in corrupt practices in SBP
As many as three officials in State Bank of Patiala (SBP) have been charged with corrupt practices. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has recommended action against such officers.

PESB invites applications for MD, BBJ Const. Co. Ltd
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is seeking applications for the post of Managing Director, MD, BBJ Construction Co. Ltd falling vacant in March, 2013. Those willing to apply can send their applications to the PESB before October 25, 2012.

PESB invites applications for Director's post in NPCC
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is seeking applications for the post of Director (Engineering), National Projects Construction Corporation Limited, that has fallen vacant on September 4, 2012. Those willing to apply can send their applications to the PESB before
October 26, 2012.

Ravi Kant joins as Director, NRHM, Haryana
Ravi Kant has joined as Director of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Haryana. He is an Indian Revenue Service-Income Tax (IRS-IT) officer of 2005 batch.

Kharbikar is new Mangalore Commissioner
Manish Kharbikar has been appointed new Mangalore police commissioner, replacing Seemant Kumar Singh. Singh has been posted as DIG (civil rights enforcement), Bangalore.

Rao is new MD Hyderabad, MWS
J Syamala Rao has taken over as MD of Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB). He is a 1997 batch IAS officer.

NBCC's net profit increases by 36%
The 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NBCC, a State owned Construction Giant was held in New Delhi on September 8, 2012 in presence of all members of Board of Directors (BOD) and shareholders of the Corporation. Vishnu P Das, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NBCC, chaired the meeting and addressed the shareholders on the occasion. In his speech, Das gave a detailed account of the company's performance for the FY 2011-12, its operations in various segments of business and also future outlook. He informed the shareholders that the net profit of the company increased by 36% from Rs.140.34 crore to Rs.190.17 crore with top line upwardly moving by 10% from Rs.3126.77 crore to Rs.3429.32 crore in comparison to previous year. Das also said that the Net Worth of the Corporation at the close of FY 2011-12 stood at Rs.795.49 crore. This is the first AGM of NBCC after it hit the market with an IPO in the month of April 2012 when it was listed with NSE & BSE.

SAIL gets first prize in Hindi implementation & Rajbhasha journal
President of India Pranab Mukherjee presented the first prize on an all-India level to Chairman, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), C S Verma for SAIL's excellence in implementation of Rajbhasha. The award was presented as a part of Indira Gandhi Awards by the Government of India, to felicitate outstanding work in the implementation of Rajbhasha Hindi, at a ceremony held in Vigyan Bhawan. SAIL also bagged the first prize for its Rajbhasha house journal 'Ispat Bhasha Bharti' under the Home Ministry's All India House Journal Award Scheme, which was received by SAIL Director (Personnel) H S Pati from the President. Union Minister for Home Affairs Sushil Kumar Shinde and Minister of State for Home Affairs Jitendra Singh were also present on the occasion. Efforts made by SAIL for promoting and popularizing the usage of Hindi have been recognised earlier too. The company was awarded the first prize by Ministry of Steel for implementation of Rajbhasha and Ispat Bhasha Bharti was adjudged as the 'Best Publication' by Government of India. Recently, the Town Official Language Implementation Committee, Delhi conferred the first prize on Ispat Bhasha Bharti for promotion of Hindi language and quality journal publication.

CORPORATE

Haranahalli appointed Addl. Director, Karnataka Bank Ltd
Karnataka Bank Ltd has appointed Ashok HaranahalIi who is also the former advocate General for State of Karnataka as an Additional Director of the Bank .

Bose re-appointed MD, IOL Netcom Ltd
IOL Netcom Ltd has re-appointed Siddhartha Sankar Bose as Managing Director of the company .

Trivedi quits Neo Corp International Ltd
Dashrathbhai Trivedi has resigned as Director of Neo Corp International Ltd.

Dubey appointed Addl. Director, Neo Corp International Ltd
Ms Shobha Dubey has been appointed as Additional Director of Neo Corp International Ltd.

Joshi appointed Independent Non Exec. Director, Fortis Malar Hospitals Ltd
Fortis Malar Hospitals Ltd has appointed Dr Preetinder Singh Joshi as an Independent, Non-Executive Director of the company.

Puri appointed Non Exec. Director, Fortis Malar Hospitals Ltd
Sandeep Puri has been appointed as Non-executive Director of Fortis Malar Hospitals Ltd.

Venkateswar appointed Addl. Director, Wadala Commodities Ltd
Ravi Venkateswar has been appointed as an Additional Director of Wadala Commodities Ltd

(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)

Is there a need for it?

I am wondering about this debate on quota in promotions. There are a few observations I have to make on this issue. The fact is that the day anyone joins the IAS, he/ she becomes totally inaccessible, arrogant, brown sahib and starts to look down upon everyone including the other services. The same is true of SC officers in the IAS. They too look down upon every other service. The problem is that every IAS (including SC officers) officer treats for example, the CSS officer as Dalit. The other example is that the SC officers do not want to join the IFS since it is nowhere in the scheme of power. They want to join only the IAS.

The benefits of reservation are being cornered by some powerful SC families who are now second/third generation politicians and bureaucrats. What is the mechanism to ensure that it percolates to the poor and needy SCs? The policy of reservation in employment which was
initially for ten years is become perpetual.

Arjun Mallik

Suggestions on reservation policy Two suggestions on reservation policy. One, since SC recruits represent their caste, there should be compulsory system of community service so that less privileged among them are benefitted, Two. It is a fact that benefit of reservation has become almost hereditary at higher level. Let 15% be divided in two parts. One part may be 5 to 7%should be open to all SCs. Remaining 8 to 10% should be only for poorer sections among SCs.

Basu

Let Reservations be for 'All'.
As a member of the reserved community, I propose Reservation for all but in proportion to their population. There should not be any problem. Why should a mere three percent group rule, make laws which only suit them.

N S Rao

Most bizzare!

Let us give extensions to everyone who is sick and disabled. Why do we forget that there is CGHS for central government employees in India and has been taking care of many of them, if needed. Is it only because of her being the daughter of the very illustrious President of India?

A Diplomat

Good for force !

It is good for the force. It should be 50 per cent. Departmental IG/DIG wants to go in court.

Vinod

RIT

Can an appellant demand inforamtion in Hindi under RTI?

The appellant sought information in Hindi regarding ICDS projects operating in Delhi including details of each project on a CD, number of Anganwadi centers operating along with details of Anganwadi centers, details of budget allocations for each Anganwadi and also the details of beneficiaries (women and children) of Anganwadi centers etc..

The appellant filed a complaint before the Central Information Commission (CIC) alleging non-disposal of his request by the Public Information Officer(PIO) and First Appellate Authority (FAA). The respondents stated that information has been furnished by all the 94 PIOs of different ICDS
projects to the appellant and that they had provided the information as available in the records and some on CDs in cases where the information was available as computer data. The appellant stated that only 71 PIOs had furnished him the information, that too in a delayed manner and it has not been translated into Hindi or provided on CD. Further, the FAA had not bothered to dispose off his appeal.

The CIC issued SCN to the PIOs as to why penalty u/s 20(1) should not be imposed upon them for not responding to the RTI Application within the prescribed time period. The CIC also directed the FAA to show cause as to why disciplinary action should not be recommended against him. The CIC ruled that there is no provision for translating documents and then providing them to the Applicant under RTI Act. The CIC also ruled that information may be provided on CD, free of cost if the information is already available as a computer record. Details of all ICDS projects including budgets allocated to them, details of personnel working for these projects etc. were directed to be put up on the website of the Department as per section 4(2) of the RTI Act.

Comments

Translation or reducing the documents to electronic form in order to transfer them on to a CD just because the Appellant wants the information on a CD, is not mandated as per the RTI Act.

Citation: Mr. Shiv Kumar Saxena v. Department of Women and Child Development in File No: CIC/AD/A/2012/000794

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)