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GP Singh

POLITICS

When nothing else inspires History does! (59)
Great liars are also great magicians

Cabinet expansion-cum-reshuffle next week?
Cabinet expansion-cum-reshuffle in the Modi Cabinet is expected to take place next week. One can wait and watch.

Is a lieutenant of Anil Ambani joining Mukesh Ambani Group?
Grapevine has it that a lieutenant of Anil Ambani is joining the Mukesh Ambani Group.


DEBATE

What is the character of Narendra Modi ?

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming the third most followed world leader on Twitter, next only to US President Barack Obama and the Pope, he is being discussed everywhere so much so that people have started comparing him with world leaders of the past. "Is Modi Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Roosevelt or Churchill" ?

What is your opinion ? Mail it to mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com or suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com

BUREAUCRACY

Secretary to get extension beyond superannuation?
Whispers in the corridors of power have it that a GoI Secretary may be given six months extension beyond superannuation. It is reliably learnt that the proposal has been moved. Keep guessing the name of the fortunate Secretary to get extension without any unavoidable exigency?

IAS officer Rajni Kant Verma seeks VRS
Senior IAS officer Rajni Kant Verma has submitted his papers seeking VRS to be commenced from November 2014. The 1984 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre has been serving as Principal Secretary, Power, Govt of NCT, Delhi. Last year his name had been in circulation for the post of Chairman, NDMC.

Appointment of Manocha as CMD, IRCTC expected soon
The appointment process of A K Manocha for the post of Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is reported to be in progress after the CVC clearance.

P K Sinha selected as MD, OMDC Limited
P K Sinha, Director (P&P), OMDC (Lien with CIL) has been selected for the post of Managing Director, OMDC Limited at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on August 11, 2014. As many as nine persons were interviewed for the same.

Vinod Agrawal appointed as Adviser, Inter State Council Secretariat
Vinod Agrawal has been appointed as Adviser, Inter State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs in the rank of Secretary. He is a 1980 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre.

R N Ravi to succeed R S Pandey as Interlocutor for Nagaland
Ravindra Narayanan Ravi is all set to serve as the interlocutor for Nagaland, a position which was earlier held by R S Pandey, the former Petroleum Secretary. Till July 31 the additional charge of interlocutor was held by Ajit Lal who headed JIC as Chairperson. Ravi, former Kerala cadre IPS officer of 1976 batch, had served IB as Special Director.

Tenure of Dr Trivedi as Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat ending in Aug
The tenure of Dr Prajapati Trivedi as Secretary, Performance Management in Cabinet Secretariat and Chairman, NACWC, is coming to an end in August, 2014. He is an Indian Economist.

Four names in race of ADG, Forest
If some reliable sources are to be believed, the selection interview for Additional Director General of Forest held on August 8. Reportedly, four senior IFS officers are in the race. The post has been lying vacant after S S Garbyal's appointment as DG, Forest.

Orders of Pankaj Rag next week!
Official orders of Pankaj Rag for the post of Member-Secretary National Monuments Authority of India are expected to be issued next week. He is 1990 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre.

Mohapatra to join GoI
Guruprasad Mohapatra is all set to join the Government of India next month. He is a 1986 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

S S Negi in the chase of ADG, Forest
Whispers in the corridors of power have it that Dr S S Negi is running ahead in the race of ADG, Forest. He is 1980 batch IFS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre. The post has been lying vacant after S S Garbyal made it as DG, Forest. Reportedly, the appointment is expected to take place by the end of this month.

Amid scheduled hearing of CAT, new panel of DRMs on the card
Amid the ongoing process of new panel (2014-2015) of DRM as many as 25 officers on previous panels (2012-2013 & 2013-2014) are yet to be posted as DRMs. The matter has gained importance on the onset of CAT hearing scheduled for August 26. The CAT had directed the Railway Board not to form new panel until the officers empanelled in 2012-2013 & 2013-2014 are posted.

Uttarakhand CS poised for plum post after retirement
Whispers in the corridors of power have it that Uttarakhand Government is willing to appoint incumbent Chief Secretary, Subhash Kumar on some important post after his retirement scheduled in the month of October this year. The 1977 batch IAS officer of Uttarakhand cadre has got six months extension beyond April 2014.

Chandra joins fray for Additional Secretary, Legal Affairs
Whispers in the corridors of power have it that Suresh Chandra has entered the fray for the post of Additional Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs. Two posts have been lying vacant in this Department vice R Raghupati who retired on June this year and another one fell vacant after S S Chahar's appointment as Member Secretary, Law Commission. Chandra is presently serving as Joint Secretary and Legal Adviser, Dept of Legal Affairs.

Ramayan Yadav in fray of Addl Secy, Dept of Legal Affairs
Whispers in the corridors of power have it that Ramayan Yadav is in the fray of Additional Secretary, Dept of Legal Affairs. Reportedly, he had appeared for the interaction at Cabinet Secretariat on August 1. Yadav is presently serving as Joint Secretary & Legal Adviser, Dept of Legal Affairs.

Sanjiv Kr is appointed as ED (Cargo) HQ, Air India
Sanjiv Kumar has been appointed as Executive Director (Cargo) Air India positioned to HQ Delhi. Previously he served as GM (Commercial) Headquarters.

Neeraj Semwal posted as Commissioner, Excise in Delhi Govt
Neeraj Semwal has been appointed as Commissioner, Excise and Entertainment & Luxury tax in Government of Delhi. He is a 2003 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

EDs to look after charge of CMD, Syndicate Bank
The charge of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), Syndicate Bank has jointly been assigned to Bank's Executive Directors (EDs), M Anjaneya Prasad and T K Srivastava.

Biswapriya Das is yet to get orders for Director (R&D), IOCL
Biswapriya Das, ED, IOCL, has been waiting for the orders for the post of Director (Research& Development), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). Vacancy against the post has arisen on July 1, 2014.

Orders of P K Rao as Director (Ope), ONGC OVL yet to come
The orders of P K Rao, GGM, ONGC, for the post of Director (Operations), ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) are yet to be issued by the Government of India.

Orders of H Kumar as MD, MRPL issued
The orders of H Kumar, ED, HPCL, for the appointment as Managing Director, Mangalore Refineries & Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) have been issued by the Government of India.
(We said this on January 22, 2014)

Appointment of Capt Devadas as Director, SCI in process
The appointment process of Capt Kelath Devadas, Sr VP, SCIL, for the post of Director (Technical & Offshore Services), Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI) is in the progress. The post has been lying vacant since January 1, 2014.

Rizvi relieved to join Director, Cabinet Secretariat
The Government of Telangana has relieved Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi of cadre responsibility enabling him to join as Director in the Cabinet Secretariat. He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of Telangana cadre.

Ahmad Nadeem is also CMD, TRANSCO in Telangana
Ahmad Nadeem has been assigned an additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director, Telangana TRANSCO. He is a 1997 batch IAs officer of Telangana cadre.

JS level post falling vacant in NATGRID
A post of Joint Secretary (Finance) is falling vacant in the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) in Government of India up to September 2014.

Sanjay Sohni likely to join central deputation
Sanjay Sohni is expected to join central deputation at Deputy Secretary/Director level in Government of India. He is a 1990 batch Indian Telecom Service officer.

Harihar is ED Southern Region Air India
R. Harihar has taken over as Air India's Executive Director- Southern Region.

Balbir Singh appointed as First Secretary, High Commission, Islamabad (UPDATED)
Balbir Singh has been appointed as First Secretary in the High Commission of India, Islamabad under the Ministry of External Affairs. He is a 1986 batch IPS Officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre.

Tenure of Rohit Nandan as CMD, Air India extended (UPDATED)
The tenure of Rohit Nandan as Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, has been extended for a period of three months with effect from August 12, 2014. He is a 1982 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

V K Subburaj appointed as Secretary, NCSC (UPDATED)
V K Subburaj has been appointed as Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in Government of India. He is a 1980 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Appointment of Mishra as First Secretary, High Commission, Islamabad cancelled (UPDATED)
The appointment orders of Amresh Kumar Mishra as First Secretary, High Commission of India, Islamabad have been cancelled by the Government of India. He is a 2005 batch IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

State Bank of India launches 'Hindi version of Mobile App' (UPDATED)
Mrs Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairman State Bank of India, launched recently Hindi version of 'State Bank Anywhere' - Mobile App for SBI retail internet banking users released for Android and iOS smartphones. As the name suggests, customers can do banking from anywhere, anytime using their mobiles. The Hindi version will make the usage more easy and comfortable for a larger number of customers. Earlier, the English version of application was launched in March 2014. The application received overwhelming response from users, with about a million downloads and an average user rating of 4.4 out of 5. It is a safe, convenient and easy to use application with a host of features to help users manage their finances on the move. The user can enquire overview of 4 account variant (Transaction / Deposit /Loan / PPF), detailed account information & view Mini Statement (Last 10 transactions). Users can make Fund Transfers, within and outside bank, including NEFT, Credit Card (VISA) payments, IMPS Transfer, creation of Fixed Deposit, Recurring Deposit etc. among many other things. Users can also seamlessly recharge mobiles or DTH service at lightning speed. In addition, it also has a facility of Bill Payments with scheduling option. Once the application is installed, users need to enter their SBI retail internet banking credentials to log in and start enjoying the application. Suggestions and feedback from users are considered and examined on a regular basis to improve the application and make it more user friendly and increase adoption. Other innovative and exciting features are in the pipeline and would be rolled out shortly. The Bank has earlier released a map based mobile application "SBI FINDER" for locating SBI ATMS, CDMs , E-Corners and branches , with directions to the same. Also a mobile application "SBI Bank Holiday Calendar" for finding the Bank holidays across different States is available. These can be downloaded and used by customers of any bank.

Business Partners of LCA program resolve to increase indigenization (UPDATED)
The business partners who work on India's prestigious light combat aircraft - a lightweight multirole fighter jet - have resolved to ensure the indigenous content of components used in the aircraft touches 80 percent in next three years at the indigenous strategic partners' meet of LCA organized by HAL here yesterday. According to SA to RM, Avinash Chander, it is possible to achieve such a goal since 165 out of 344 Line Replacement Units (LRUs) are already made in India. In his address to the vendors, representing around 50 companies, he pointed out that LCA dream has been achieved in-spite of denial of technology. "It is clear that we have capability and the government will do everything possible to strengthen the knowledge base. Even funding can be provided and national facilities (such as testing) may be shared with private players to bring down costs to create a vibrant aerospace eco-system", he added. Dr R K Tyagi, Chairman HAL said the production of LCA is on track with the creation of dedicated production division at HAL Bangalore. "We are aiming to roll-out 16 LCAs every year from the initial target of eight per year. Having specific business partners on such an important project has been of great help", he added. Dr K Tamilmani, Director General (Aeronautical Systems) and P S Subramanyam, Director, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) also spoke on the occasion. T Suvarna Raju, Director (Design and Development, HAL) in his address said coming together of stakeholders is necessary to understand and share the knowledge since India is poised to have its own fighter aircraft comparable to the best in the world. During the Q&A session, queries from these vendors on future programs of HAL, procurement procedures, taxation, IT enabled services etc were addressed.

Meena is also Agricultural Production Commissioner, Patna (UPDATED)
Amrit Lal Meena has been given an additional charge of Agricultural Production Commissioner, Patna in Bihar. He is a 1989 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

Ramashish Paswan shifted as JS, Ministerial Secretariat, Patna (UPDATED)
Ramashish Paswan has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, Ministerial Secretariat Department, Patna in Bihar. He is a 2000 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

Proposal of Sandeep Verma as Adviser, Planning Commission rejected (UPDATED)
The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has rejected the proposal of Sandeep Verma for the appointment as Adviser in the Planning Commission in Government of India. He is a 1993 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

R Vimalesan selected as Director (Ope), HMT Ltd (UPDATED)
R Vimalesan, GM, HMT Machine Tools, has been selected for the post of Director (Operations), HMT Limited at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on August 12, 2014. As many as six persons were interviewed for the same.

Tenure of Anil Swarup as Addl Secretary, CCI extended (UPDATED)
The tenure of Anil Swarup as Additional Secretary, Secretariat for CCI, Cabinet Secretariat has been extended for a period of six months with effect from September 1, 2014. He is a 1981 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

CORPORATE

Rambabu resigns as Director, Servalakshmi Paper Ltd
Y Rambabu has resigned as Director of Servalakshmi Paper Limited

Rao appointed Chairman, Honeywell Automation India Ltd
Honeywell Automation India Limited has appointed S L Rao as Chairman of the company w.e.f. August 11, 2014

Srinath appointed Independent Director, Honeywell Automation India Ltd
Honeywell Automation India Limited has appointed N Srinath as an Independent Director of the company.

Agrahari appointed CS, Salora International Ltd
Salora International Limited has appointed Nitin Kumar Agrahari as Company Secretary of the company w.e.f. August 7, 2014

Agarwal appointed CFO, Cimmco Limited
Cimmco Limited has appointed Raj Kumar Agarwal as Chief Financial Officer of the company

Barmecha appointed CFO, Universal Cables Limited
Universal Cables Limited has appointed Rakesh Barmecha as Chief Financial Officer of the company

Rao resigns as Director, Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd
Ramesh V Rao has resigned as Director of Gulf Oil Corporation Limited

Hinduja appointed Director, Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd
Ajay P Hinduja has been appointed as Director of Gulf Oil Corporation Limited

Kapoor resigns as Non Exec. Director, Panacea Biotec Ltd
Sunil Kapoor has resigned as Non Executive Director of Panacea Biotec Limited w.e.f. August 4, 2014

Somany appointed Addl. Director, JK Paper Limited
JK Paper Limited has appointed Sandip Somany as Additional Director of the company

Saraf resigns as Independent Director, Himadri Chemicals and Industries Ltd
Sushil Kumar Saraf has resigned as Independent Director of Himadri Chemicals and Industries Limited w.e.f. July 15, 2014

Marphatia appointed Nominee Director, Nectar Lifesciences Ltd
Export Import Bank of India (EXIM) has appointed Ms Rima Marphatia as Nominee Director on the Board of Directors of Nectar Lifesciences Limited.

(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)

What is the character of Narendra Modi ? (DEBATE 1)

Modi can be compared with Churchill

Surendra Singh

Lohani excels wherever he works

The Railway Minister had to walk 50 feet as his saloon stopped short of that distance on the Platform at Lucknow station and for that an administrative warning or what they term as 'counselling' has been issued to a very senior and one of the finest officers of the Railways. How was Lohani responsible for that 'lapse'. If at all it was a mistake it can be attributed to the operational set-up. What if the minister had to walk 50 feet. Good for his health! The action taken by the Railway ministry for the incident which happened in NOV. last year exposes their arrogance and submissiveness to the political masters as also total disregard for merit and competence. I have never met Lohani but I know that this officer from the Mechanical Engineering Service excelled wherever he works. As Director of National Rail Transport Museum he gave it a coveted image, in ITDC where he was on deputation he showed his skill and competence. Then with MP tourism on deputation he was responsible in bolstering Madhya Pradesh tourism. Recently he was in the news for inventing a machine to clear the muck between the tracks. The man is full of ideas and his articles appear in some magazines and newspapers. To blame such a man for some 'silly' so called lapse for which he was in no way responsible is really being mean. This only shows that the personnel policies of Railway management is steeped in subjectivity and petty-mindedness and are the outcome of personal likes and dislikes.

Aarti Khosla

Appointment files abysmally slow in Coal Ministry

The movement of files pertaining to coal sector appointments and routine extensions are abysmally slow...no government can run effectively if decision making on crucial matters gets pending for long....yeh karenge woh karenge aasman chooyenge par files toh pehle clear hon...

Richa

Empanelment cases of Group A reaches Ministry

Cumbersome, frustrating, time taking are all euphemisms which come in when empanelment cases of Group A services officers reach the concerned ministry. How else can one explain 1996 batch IAS being taken up when even 1991 Group A Central services cases are pending for a year now.

Rambo Kumar

Determined initiative to curb out spate of corrupt practices in judicial systems

This is a very determined initiative by our government to curb out the spate of the malafide, corrupt practices in the judicial systems, lack of transparency must be the main cause of this. But in contrast can this new system fend off the political intervention, because we have seen in the past that the political bosses wants their man to be on the chair, so the new commission will have to be that much empowered that they can step aside these interventions in the appointments of judges.

Shashank Nautiyal

Commendable proposal

I welcome the proposed new procedure. How the two eminent persons will be selected must be made public and feedback taken. They are likely to play crucial role and therefore must be chosen very carefully.

P C Tripathi

DATE WITH RTI

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