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Satpal

Cabinet reshuffle to take place within next few days?
Given that President Pranab Mukherjee is going to travel to J&K on 26th September followed by start of Pitra Paksh from 30th- 15th October chances are that the reshuffle could take place anytime. Sources say that Home, Defence, External Affairs and Finance are not going to be touched. There are many key ministry like Railway,Telecom Corporate affairs that are being held as a dual charge much needs to be done with long pending bifurcation of those portfolios as well.

Is Maharashtra to see some representation ?
With the death of Vilasrao Deshmukh one vacancy from Maharashtra that needs to be filled. Name of Vilas Muttemwar is making rounds.

Fate of Coalgate tainted ministers to be decided
It is heard that the fate of UP MP Sriprakash Jaiswal and Jharkhand's Subodh Kant Sahai is likely to be decided in this reshuffle.

Congress fringe men to be inducted
Congress Spokesperson Manish Tiwari is likely to be inducted as also General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi.

NCP minister may see replacement
NCP's Agatha Sangma is likely to be replaced by Tariq Anwar.

Is DMK in a fix?
M Karunanidhi is in fix over who he will put in place of A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran. Any replacement is likely to see heightened offensive from AIADMK's Jayalaitha.

Now West Bengal under represented
With TMC pulling out Congress candidates from Bengal have some hope Deepa Dasmunshi, Pradip Bhattacharya, Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary are the hopefuls.

Babalog brigade will see elevation
It is heard that Babalog brigade Sachin Pilot, Harish Rawat, Srikant Jena ,Jyotiraditya Scindia, will see elevation. However there is likelihood that a special slot will be created for Rahul Gandhi who is firm about working for the party and does not want any portfolio.

With C.P.Joshi as Rail Minister things look bright
With C.P.Joshi getting additional charge as Railway Minister it is widely being felt that there will be no non sense in the Ministry.

BUREAUCRACY

Viswapati Trivedi is Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India (UPDATED)
Vishwapati Trivedi, Secretary, Ministry of Mines has been appointed as Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India. He is a 1977 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre.
(We said this on September 21, 2012)


R H Khwaja posted as Secretary, Mines in GoI (UPDATED)
R H Khwaja, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, has been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Mines. He is a 1976 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.
(We said this on September 21, 2012)

Parvez Dewan appointed as Secretary, Tourism in GoI (UPDATED)
Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, has been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. He is a 1977 batch IAS officer of Jammu & Kashmir cadre.
(We said this on September 21, 2012)

Posting of Vivek Rae scuttled ?
Posting of 1978 batch UT cadre IAS officer Vivek Rae as Secretary, Defence Production has now reportedly been scuttled. Who got it scuttled?

Rakesh Mohan to succeed Virmani in IMF?
Former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Rakesh Mohan is likely to succeed Dr Arvind Virmani as ED of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in November.
A tug of war over posting of High Commissioner in Canada
There is a tug of war between Ministry of External Affairs and the PMO over the appointment of new High Commissioner in Canada. Infact, the Ministry has recommended the name of senior IFS officer Basant Gupta for the post, the PMO is keen for the posting of former Navy Chief Nirmal Verm

Vinod Kumar to be promoted this week?
T K Vinod Kumar, Deputy Director, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, National Police Academy, Hyderabad is likely to be promoted as Joint Director in Sardar Vallabhai Patel, National Police Academy, Hyderabad this week. He is a 1992 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre.

IAS officer gets inter-cadre deputation to Kerala
Shyam Jagannathan, Secretary, Planning & Development Department, Dispur, Assam has been granted inter-cadre deputation from Assam-Meghalaya to Kerala. He is a 1997 officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

Alok Sheel likely to move from Department of Economic Affairs
Whispers in the corridors of power are that Dr Alok Sheel, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs would move from Ministry of Finance soon. His present assignments involve him with G20 Secretariat as well. He is a 1982 batch IAS of Kerala cadre.

Syedain Abbasi soon to join as JS, Steel
Syedain Abbasi is soon going to join as Joint Secretary, Steel. He is a 1990 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya (A-M) cadre.
(We said this on August 27, 2012 )

Shakti Sinha not going to World Bank assignment
Delhi Government was abuzz with rumours that a 1979 batch IAS officer Shakti Sinha is going to Washington on a World Bank assignment. Sources close to Sinha have denied any such move.

Singh to remain in IB
Anish Dayal Singh, Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau, Government of India, has become a Hard-Core IB officer. He is a 1988 batch IPS officer of Manipur Tripura cadre.
(We said this on April 18, 2012)

Chadha promoted in Lok Sabha
Dr RK Chadha, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat, has been promoted as Additional Secretary . His orders have been issued.

Anandrao Vishnu Patil to be Director, Steel
Anandrao Vishnu Patil who on central deputation was earlier Private Secretary (PS) to Minister for Science & Technology (S &T) Vilas Rao Deshmukh will now be Director, Steel. He is a 1998 batch IAS officer.

Notification on CESTAT increase of age withdrawn
The notification on CESTAT increase of age has been officially withdrawn with the remark that it was a draft notification and had been put out as a mistake.

Deepak Amitabh to be new CMD of PTC India Ltd.
As the grapevine has it, Deepak Amitabh is poised to be new Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) of the Power Trading Corporation (PTC) India Ltd. Presently, he is Director, Finance, PTC India Ltd. He is a retired IRS-IT officer of 1984 batch.

50 percent IAS vacancies in Jharkhand
Jharkhand is said to be worst hit as far as IAS is concerned. As per data almost fifty percent IAS posts are vacant in the state.

Brahmdutt gets HAG in Lok Sabha Secretariat
Joint Secretary in the Lok Sabha Brahmdutt has been given HAG.

CWC achieves yet another record turn over
The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) achieved yet another record turnover of Rs.1218.65 crore during 2011-12 as against Rs.1029.55 crore achieved during the preceding year, thus recording a growth of 18.37%. This could be possible due to addition of constructed storage capacity by 2.09 lakh MT and increase in overall capacity utilization (occupancy) to 91% as against 88% achieved during previous year. Keeping in view the national priority for safe storage and preservation of foodgrains procured for the Central Pool, utilization of capacity for storage of foodgrains was given priority as a result of which the utilization by foodgrains increased from 54% during 2010-11 to 57% in 2011-12. CWC handled 11.55 lakh TEUs during 2011-12 inspite of euro zone crisis and a weak rupee and earned Rs.50.85 crore out of Container Rail Transport operations in spite of overall decline in IMPEX trade. The income under Pest Control activities also registered growth over the previousyear. Land Customs Station at Petrapole on Indo-Bangla Desh Border handled 2.39 lakh import/export trucks with 128% capacity utilization and registered a growth of about 35% in the traffic handled.Keeping in view the excellent financial results, CWC in its 50th AGM held at New Delhi on 22.9.2012 has declared dividend for the year 2011-12 @ 40%, second time in a row. During the current financial year, operation of Cargo Terminal of Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari on Indo-Pak border entrusted to CWC by the Department of Border Manager (MHA) commenced in April 2012.
CWC plans to construct storage capacity of about 2.50 lakh MT with a financial outlay of about Rs.125 crore across the country.

Goyal to join NDC Course
Prashant Goyal, Member (Finance), Delhi Jal Board, Delhi GNCT, New Delhi, has been qualified for the NDC course. He is a 1993 batch IAS officer of Assam Meghalaya Cadre.

Archana Pandey Tewari empanelled as Joint Secretary in GoI
Indian Revenue Service (IRS-Customs) officer of 1985 batch, Archana Pandey Tewari has been empanelled as Joint Secretary or equivalent in Government of India.

18 posts vacant in Bombay High Court
As many as 18 posts of Judges have been lying vacant in Bombay High Court against approved strength of 75. The vacant posts include six posts of Permanent Judges against 48 approved strength and 12 of Additional Judges against 27 approved strength.

N K Nanda, Director (Tech.), NMDC elected Member of MGMI (UPDATED)
N K Nanda, Director (Technical) has been elected as Member to the National Council of the Mining, Geological and Metallurgical Institute of India (MGMI), an over hundred years old Professional Body of Mining Engineers, Geologists, Metallurgists and the mining engineers. This has been announced in the Annual General Meeting held at Kolkata on September 22, 2012. Formed in 1906 the MGMI has been instrumental in the development of mineral sector in the country. It is placed in most of the policy making bodies of government of India. Its opinions are given weight in framing or amending the relevant acts and rules governing the mining industry. That way, it is recognition to Nanda to find place in the National Council on account of his valuable contribution to the mining sector. Nanda has been one of the few mining engineers in the country 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.

Saran to be Secretary National Commission for Women (UPDATED)
Ajit M Saran is being appointed Secretary National Commission for Women. He is 1979 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Rashmi Verma to be Additional Secretary Revenue (UPDATED)
Latest information says that Rashmi Verma is being appointed Additional Secretary Revenue in the Government of India. She is 1982 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.


Ramesh Abhishek elected as Chairman, Forward Markets Commission (UPDATED)
Ramesh Abhishek, Member, Forward Markets Commission under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has been promoted as Chairman, Forward Markets Commission in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary. He is a 1982 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.
(We said this on September 11, 2012)

DEBATE
Is FDI in retail in the interests of economic independence of India? Mail your views to Mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com or Suresh.mehrotra@yahoo. com.

CORPORATE


Kamath is new Chairman of IBA
KR Kamath, Chairman and Managing Director, Punjab National Bank (PNB) has been appointed as Chairman of Indian Banks' Association (IBA).

Bhasin is new Deputy Chairman of IBA
TM Bhasin, Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Bank has been appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Indian Banks' Association (IBA).

Shah appointed Director of Bluechip Stockspin
Maulik Shah has been appointed Director of Bluechip Stockspin.

Raghunathan quits Dabur India
S Raghunathan has resigned as CFO of Dabur India

Sharma appointed Director of KIC Metalik
Laxmi Narayan Sharma has been appointed Director of KIC Metalik.

Parida appointed Director of CMS Infotech
Akshay Parida has been appointed as Director of CMS Infotech.

Ghosh appointed Director of Foundry Fuel Product
Kamal Ghosh has been appointed Director of Foundry Fuel Product.

Kishore appointed CVO, Engineers India Ltd
Anand Kishore has been appointed as Chief Vigilance Officer of Engineers India Ltd (EIL)

Two Directors join Board of WNS (Holdings) Ltd
Renu Karnad and Adrian Dillion have been appointed as Directors on Board of Directors of WNS (Holdings) Ltd.

Mathur to be Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone?
Vivek Mathur may be appointed shortly as Chief Commercial Officer , Vodafone.

Khanna joins as GM (Public Safety Businrss), NEC India Pvt Ltd
Bharat Khanna has joined as General Manager (Public Safety Business), NEC India Pvt Ltd

Gupta quits MSP Steel & Power Ltd
Pawan Kumar Gupta has resigned as Independent Director of MSP Steel & Power Ltd.

Soin appointed Independent Director, MSP Steel & Power Ltd
Ashok Soin has been appointed as Independent Director of MSP Steel & Power 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)

FDI in retail

It is a right step in the right direction. People are criticising it only for the sake of criticism or they are bound by their inherent ideologies. First of all, it should not be linked to the fact that money will go to foreign countries. In globalisation one country cannot stand alone. What if, countries where we Indians and our youth are holding prestigious posts in politics, economics, medical, engineering or even labour sectors etc. Pass a law that no foreigners are allowed at the cost of their own citizens? Our own corporate sector has huge global investment. Repatriation by NRIs is in Billions of Dollars. Can we close our doors and windows from the world? Are not people of Indian origin Presidents/Prime Ministers, Ministers, business tycoons etc. in foreign countries? A Survey can make it clear that how many relatives and children of our leadership, bureaucracy and businessmen are enjoying the benefits in foreign countries. Are foreign countries not the source of our employment?

The grass root impact of FDI in retail would be that (i) on every purchase you will get receipt, hence the tax net of the government will be widened. Mushrooming of unauthorised Raharis, khokas etc. on roadside pavement will be cleared. It will add to cleanliness. It will help in Plastic ban. It will certainly hit the interests of government authorities who are being benefitted by 'Hafta Vasuli'. It will be small step to stop corruption at the lowest level.

Only weak minds are afraid of taking new, bold and reformist steps. The subject is not something un-natural. The option is left to individual States. Let us try.

Z S Nirwal, IFS (Retd)

Is Black Money of Indian political leaders going to enter through FDI ?

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has created a lot of furore at the National level and even caused a major damage to UPA Government due to resistance from all opposition parties including it's allies too and even forced TMC's Chief Mamata Banerjee to withdraw its support for non consultations. Though the Centre Government is hopeful of lot of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Retail Business, bringing a revolutionary change in the concept of retail business with positive hope of pure and cheap household goods under one roof with assurance of more employment generation but one Important aspect, perhaps not catching the attention of the political parties and needs to be scanned is, whether the Black Money of Indian political leaders ,diverted to different countries, may be entering in India through FDI.A serious thought for all Indians especially politicians to ponder over. Will those, who have grabbed all opportunities of collecting Black Money by corrupt practices and looting the public money by using all unfair means, may be pumped through FDI and another attempt by the same set of Powerful political lobbies to control the economy of the country through FDI. I am sure, all intellectuals will see through the game of UPA Government especially Congress party and will come out with their reactions and observations on this serious issues over and above the political war between the political parties as their political agenda to gain political mileage.

Ravinder Gupta

Reduce number of posts in IAS in every state

Number of posts in IAS in every state must be reduced as has been done in many other group of government and PSU officers.

J Sarkar

ISS Cadre Management

Four HAG level posts beside one at the level of HAG + are not lying vacant due to callousness but by design and deliberate attempt to kill the Service by someone whose appointment in the Ministry was challenged by DG before CAT and got verdict in his favor when the Tribunal declared the appointment of Head of Statistical System in the

country as against the rules. May God save this Service !

Surendra

IPS should stick to their parent force

When there is a shortage of IPS then why are they send for deputation in the paramilitary forces and fill up their vacancies and block their promotion avenues. They are not welcomed or liked by any force. They create resentment among the personnels. They don't know any basic of that force but makes amendments and rules. If they are so efficient then why Police Force is the most corrupt and inefficient force. IPS enjoy the key posts of the forces-HQ`s and the Academy and have diluted the basic infrastructure & training of these forces. They are turning them to a police force. So I advice these IPS to stick to their parent force and do not become `uninvited guests'.

Indira

Many more police officers are outstanding

I agree that K Vijay Kumar, IPS, DGP - CRPF, is a very outstanding Police officer. But please don't say that presently no IPS officer is available in India who can match his level of commitment, sincerity, honesty & hard work. In J&K Police, you will find Ashok Parsad -DGP and K Rajendra Kumar and Dr. S P Vaid - Addl. DGPs and many more officers who are known for their highest degree of integrity, honesty and sincerity.

Gunpreet Singh

Pathetic state of IFS in UP

It is really sad to see the condition of IFS in UP. It shows that UP is a separate entity all together. The authorities concerned like top brass of Forest department and General Administration department is responsible for this pathetic state of affairs in UP. Hope some body will apply mind in to this sad state of affairs in UP

Noyal

Heartiest Congratulation

Accept my heartiest congratulation on being appointed as a Chief Justice of High Court of Delhi, having its own importance

Sunder Lal

Insensible comment

I think the comment 'insensible' is in bad taste, and should have been edited out.

Surinder Pal

RIT

Detail of the correspondence between PM and Chief Justice of India

The appellant sought the copies of records related to the correspondence between the Chief Justice of India and the Prime Minister regarding the proposed amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided some of the records like the copies of the letters exchanged between the Chief Justice of India and the Prime Minister. In respect of the related files, PIO observed that one of those files was under submission before higher authorities and the other file contained certain number of pages, presumably, implying that it could be disclosed only on payment of the usual photocopying charges without expressly stating so. Neither the appellant deposited the photocopying charges nor did the PIO provide the copies of that particular file. The Central Information Commission (CIC) noted that the appellant was not clearly told the amount to be deposited and after the lapse of such a long time, there is no question of amount to be charged from the appellant for providing the copies of the records. The Commission directed the PIO to send the photocopy of the related file after severing any information which is exempt as per the provisions of Section 8 of the RTI Act after passing a speaking order.

Comments

The demand for fee should be made categorically giving the mathematic calculation how the further fee has been calculated. Further, the name and address of the first appellate authority should be given where the applicant can file an appeal if he finds the fee prohibitive.

Citation: Shri Vinod Varshney v Department of Personnel & Training in File No.CIC/SM/A/2011/001029

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)