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POLITICS

What bureaucracy feels about Manmohan Singh's regime ?
There has been a lot of hue and cry over the (mis)rule of the UPA under Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The alarming defeat of the Congress party in the recently held state Assembly polls has only added fuel to the fire. We invited the decision makers to make their own assessment regarding the above notion about Dr Singh's tenure and found that the majority of them rate his performance as below average.

If RC Pant, a surfer, felt that we do have an Economist in our Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh but he lacks certain leadership qualities which are very much essential in political arena, another surfer Rajkumar Bajpai said that Manmohan Singh's lack luster performance which resulted in Congress's disgraceful defeats in State Assembly polls has been below average.

Another surfer Ramesh Chhabra however said, "I do not know the economic policies of Dr. Man Mohan Singh. But I will honor him as a great politician who runs the government very smoothly, efficiently & completed his tenure as PM twice".

Yet another surfer RP Pande said, " I would rate Dr ManMohan Singh the worst ever P.M, of India. He has failed miserably in all areas".

By and large the main reasons behind his below average performance, as pointed out by the decision makers who wished anonymity, were

Manmohan Singh, the unelected PM, failed to lead the political and permanent Executive from the front. Unconnected with the masses and usually reticent, he never engaged with the grassroots. Bureaucracy looks forward to an assertive CEO, which he is not.

Dual centres of power. Sonia Gandhi retained charge of politics while leaving governance to Manmohan Singh

As ministers owe allegiance to Sonia Gandhi and their parties' Supremo, the PM is divested of all authority. The PMO is ruled by the Congress High Command. A "bureaucratic caucus" in the PMO transformed all Congress's orders into Cabinet decisions.

Backseat driving by extra-Constitutional authorities subverted legitimate, competent authorities in central government. All top appointments were made, on quid pro quo basis, on recommendations of business houses, builders mafia. Mediocrity is encouraged at the cost of Merit. Honest civil servants are either marginalized or punished.

The PM embroiled in scams, has lost moral authority to question his ministers who have direct access to "high command".

The Congress is a Past master in making compromises with UPA allies in the name of electoral adjustments in exchange of protection from its caged parrot.

Supreme arrogance, insensitivity and incapability of the Congress and its economist PM to check inflation also contributed to his below average performance..

Congress and Corporates !
Heard at a get-together-NRIs and Corporates will see to it that Narendra Modi becomes the PM.Also heard that about 200 foreign investors have withdrawn from the UPA government.

NHPC's profits expected to decline this year too
The profits of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) are expected to decline in this financial year-2013-14 too as last financial years profit slid down from Rs.2771 crores to Rs. 2348 crores in 2012-13., NHPC Limited, which is 60,000 crore balance sheet size company, is leading without full time CMD causing losses one after another year.

BUREAUCRACY

Rajiv to be new Vigilance Commissioner
Former CISF DG Rajiv will be new Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).He is retired 1975 batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

List of new Ambassadors stuck in President's Secretariat
President Pranab Mukherjee is believed to have not given approval for the appointment of new Ambassadors. He wants that the new appointments be done by the new Government.

B B Mishra poised for ADG, BSF
As the grapevine has it B B Mishra may soon be appointed as ADG, BSF. The 1983 batch IPS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre is currently serving as Deputy Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau and been empanelled as ADG, GoI.

Mustfa Mohammad to be JS Banking
Mustafa Mohammd is likely to be appointed new Joint Secretary Financial Services . He is 1995 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.

Who will be winner PS of PM or Favourite of FM ?
As the grapevine has it, Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi was to move to the World Bank as Senior Adviser to the Executive Director of the IMF. The 1987 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre has been serving as PS to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Meanwhile, the Finance Minister P Chidambaram has recommended the name of Joint Secretary in the DEA Nilaya Mitesh for the post.Mitesh is 1991 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

Is Archana Ramasundaram destined for Spl Director, CBI ahead?
Whispers in the corridors have it that twists and turns in the appointments of ADG, CBI and Spl Director CBI together reflect a forward-thinking strategy of CBI Director. The smart spectators inside bureaucracy make it a point that Archana Ramasundaram is heading towards making a second consecutive history. The 1980 batch IPS officer has made a history as the first ADG, CBI. One can and watches only.

No empanelment/promotion for want of QRs
The Government of India has said that the officers will be denied vigilance clearance and not be considered for promotion, empanelment, postings etc if States fail to submit Quarterly Reports (QRs) in time.

Will Rakesh Singh move to GoI ?
Rumours are rife that Punjab Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh is moving to the Government of India as Secretary . Will he ?.

Dev unlikely to be relieved by CEC?
Amid the supposed appointment of Vijay Kumar Dev, as Adviser to the UT administrator in Chandigarh, it is unlikely that the Central Election Commission would relieve him before the upcoming Lok Sabha general elections. The 1986 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre has recently made a mark by conducting the Delhi Vidhan Sabha election successfully.

Mohanty and Agrawal promoted as ACS in MP
S R Mohanty and Rakesh Agrawal have been promoted to the rank of Chief Secretary in Madhya Pradesh. Both are 1982 batch IAS officers of Madhya Pradesh cadre.

Bureaucratic reshuffle is likely in Delhi Government
A bureaucratic reshuffle is likely to take place soon in the Delhi Government.Delhi LG Najeeb Jung will clear the changes.

Over 100 IAS and DANICS officers were transferred in Delhi
Over 100 IAS and DANICS officers were transferred during the regime of AAP party during its 49 days of tenure.This included the Chief Secretary and almost all the Additional Secretary grade officers and more than 60% of super time officers.

Mahua Pal to be DG PPAC
The services of Ms. Mahua Pal (IA&AS-1987), Principal Accountant General (A&E), Uttarakhand, Dehradun, on relief from her present duties by Saurabh Narain, Accountant General (Audit), Uttarakhand, Dehradun, who will hold additional charge of the post until further orders, are placed at the disposal of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for appointment as Director General in the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) in the pay band of Rs. 37,400-67,

Maj Gen Sharma promoted as Lt Gen
Major General Rakesh Sharma has been promoted to the rank of Lt General in the Indian Army.

Applications for five posts of JDG invited
Competition Commission of India (CCI) has invited applications for five posts of Joint Director General. Those willing to apply can send their applications to the CCI before March 14, 2014.

Four new books of B K S Ray
B K S Ray (I.A.S. retired 1972 batch) has out with 4 new books1.From Silence to Silence (poetry) 2.l Began Walking (poetry) 3.The Lonely Rebel (short story collection) and The Swinging Pendulum (Essays on contemporary affairs).These books are on display in the current world book fair in Delhi (B.R.publishing corporation).Ray's books relate to love, relationship, hope, despair , loneliness , struggle against injustice and an existential revolt against the commercial face of the civilisation.B.K.S.Ray has written 25 books till now.

Four DG level vacancies in Bihar
Four DG level vacancies areyet to be filled up by the Bihar Government. IPS officers are now waiting to be promoted.

PESB seeks applications for Director (Infra), DFCCIL
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has invited applications for the post of Director (Infrastructure), Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited falling vacant on March 1, 2014. Those willing to apply can send their applications to the PESB beforeMarch 27, 2014.

Vijay Kumar appointed as Director, Publications Division, Delhi
Vijay Kumar has been appointed as Director, Publications Division, New Delhi. He is an officer of Indian Information Service (IIS).

Puneet Rastogi likely to join central deputation
Puneet Rastogi is likely to join central deputation at Deputy Inspector General level. He is a 1995 batch IPS officer of Manipur-Tripura cadre.

6 IAS officers shifted in MP
As many as six officers belonging to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) have been transferred and posted at different places in Madhya Pradesh. Accordingly, A P Shrivastava has been appointed as Chairman, Board of Professional Education (Vypam) while Mrs Shikha Dubey will now be Director, RCVP Naronha Academy of Administration, Bhopal and Mrs Sudha Chaudhary is Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Khadi and Rural Industries with additional charge of OSD-cum-Commissioner, Sericulture. Similarly, Mrs Madhu Khare has been appointed as MD, MP State Finance Corporation, Indore; B Chandrashekhar as MD, Madhya Pradesh State Co-operative Dairy Federation Limited and V Kiran was posted as Collector, Balaghat.

Dr. Girija Vyas confers HUDCO Design Awards (UPDATED)
Dr. Girja Vyas, Minister for Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) conferred HUDCO Design Awards-2013 to winning participants at a function organized by HUDCO at IHC, New Delhi. The award was instituted in 2012 to give recognition and felicitate innovative ideas and initiatives that contribute to make our cites inclusive, livable and environmentally sustainable. It has five categories and includes HUDCO DESIGN AWARD trophy, certificate and prize money of Rs. 4.00 lacs (four lacs) and Rs. 2.00 lacs each for First and Second Prize winners respectively in each category. Commendation Prize contains prize money of Rs. 50,000 each (fifty thousand) each. Those present on the occasion were Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, A.K. Misra, HUDCO CMD V.P. Baligar, HUDCO DCP N L Manjoka and HUDCO DF A K Kaushik. The entries were judged by a three-member jury consisting of eminent architect, planners and landscape specialists. The Jury chose 15 winning entries in total, which included 1st, 2nd and Commendation prize in five categories. There were two winners of second prize in the category "Conservation of Heritage" while in the Category Landscape Planning & Architecture the Jury abstained from recommending second prize.

8 IAS officers transferred in AP (UPDATED)
A number of officers belonging to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) have been transferred and posted at different places in Andhra Pradesh. Accordingly, Aditya Nath Das has been posted as Principal Secretary, Infrastructure & Investment while G Anantha Ramu will now be Secretary, Social Welfare and Dr K S Jawahar is Secretary, Projects, I&CAD. Similarly K Ramakrishna Rao has been appointed as Special Secretary, Finance with additional additional charge of Director General, Centre for Good Governance; K Vijayanand as Commissioner, Transport; M Jagadeeshwar as Commissioner, School Education; Dr Vani Mohan as Commissioner, Employment & Training; N Sridhar as Commissioner, Distilleries & Breweries and Managing Director, AP Beverages Corporation;

Anurag Sharma promoted to DGP rank in AP (UPDATED)
Anurag Sharma has been promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in Andhra Pradesh. He is a 1982 batch IPS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

Venkata Ramana Murthy promoted to DGP rank in AP (UPDATED)
Venkata Ramana Murthy has been promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in Andhra Pradesh. He is a 1982 batch IPS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

Tenure of Madireddy Pratap as CEO, AP Invest extended (UPDATED)
The deputation tenure of Madireddy Pratap as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andhra Pradesh Invest has been extended upto October 31, 2014. He is a 1991 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

Central Bank gets first prize for implementation of official language policy (UPDATED)
Central Bank of India has been awarded First Prize for excellent implementation of Official Language Policy of Government of India in Mumbai Metro area for the year 2013. B K Singal ,Field General Manager, Central Bank of India received the prize from Vinod Kumar Sharma, Dy. Director, Government of India , Ministry of Home Affairs, Rajbhasha Vibhag and Mukund Kulkarni, Chairman Bank TOLIC and General Manager, Bank of Maharashtra in a function organized at Mumbai.

Mrs A Santi Kumari gets proforma promotion (UPDATED)
Mrs A Santi Kumari, who is working on central deputation as Chief Operating Officer-Rural Livelihoods, Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), UNDP, has been accorded pro-forma promotion the Above Super Time Scale in Andhra Pradesh. She is a 1989 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

HAL takes lead in establishing first aerospace university in India (UPDATED)
An 'Aerospace Industry-Academia Conclave' was organised at HAL under the chairmanship of Prof S G Dhande, former Director, IIT Kanpur on February 17, 2014 in presence of senior executives of HAL and other distinguished academicians. HAL aims to pursue its leading role in the Indian aerospace industry through this conclave and create an ecosystem for enhancing the capabilities of this sector. Considering the long term needs of the aeronautical sector growth, expert group on restructuring of HAL, headed by B K Chaturvedi, former Cabinet Secretary and Member, Planning Commission, recommended the establishment of an Aerospace University or collaboration with some universities for expansion of aviation sector capabilities. While delivering the key-note address, Prof Dhande said, "manpower challenge is a phenomena faced by the entire aerospace industry because of globalisation. He called for establishing synergy between the Indian academia and aerospace industries in general and HAL in particular", he added. "Human talent is recognised and considered as the differentiating asset by every nation", said Ajay Shankar, Independent Director, HAL while setting the tone for the discussions. The conclave deliberated on models for HAL`s active collaboration with institutions for research and on programs for industry-focussed post-graduate and doctoral degrees in aerospace technologies. It also considered the feasibility of establishing an exclusive Aerospace University. The discussions included interesting issues such as domain specific curriculum review, diversified and in-depth aeronautical courses to meet the industry requirements of manpower and greater interaction of industry think-tanks with academia. In his message, Dr. R K Tyagi, Chairman HAL said "Let us give our best for the future through a fertile landscape of aerospace technologies and knowledge which will make India more self-reliant, competitive and develop leaders for giving shape to our national aerospace strategies", while urging the Conclave to think as one community to address the need for developing leaders in aerospace sector. A number of dignitaries shared their thoughts in the conclave.

Dr Jagan Mohan gets Selection Grade in AP (UPDATED)
Dr M Jagan Mohan has been accorded Selection Grade in Andhra Pradesh. He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

A K Sharma selected as Director (Fin), IOCL (UPDATED)
A K Sharma, ED, IOCL, has been selected for the post of Director (Finance), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on February 18, 2014. As many as 12 persons were interviewed for the same.

DEBATE

WILL AAP Party get fractured ?
There is a saying "If you want to start a journey of 1000 miles begin with a single step ". Will the AAP Party get fractured by running very fast ?
Mail your views to + mehrotra.suresh @gmail.com or suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com

CORPORATE

Banerjee appointed CFO, Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri Ltd
Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri Ltd has appointed Saurav Banerjee as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company w.e.f. February 17, 2014

Mehta resigns as Joint MD, Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Company Ltd
Durgesh Mehta has resigned as Joint Managing Director of Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Company Ltd w.e.f. February 15, 2014

Vyas designated as ED & President, VP Ltd
VP Ltd has designated D D Vyas as the Executive Director and President of the company w.e.f. April 1, 2014

Mundra promoted as President (Finance) & Company Secretary, West Coast Paper Mills Ltd
West Coast Paper Mills Ltd has promoted P K Mundra as President (Finance) and Company Secretary of the company.

Two directors appointed on Board of Vora Constructions Ltd
Parasmal Jain and Vinod Chopra have been appointed as Independent Directors of Vora Constructions Ltd

Two directors cease to be on Board of MP Polypropylene Ltd
Prem Sagar Gupta and Noor Mohammad Khan have resigned as directors of MP Polypropylene Ltd

Singhvi appointed Independent Director , Wim Plast Ltd
Wim Plast Ltd has appointed Pushp Raj Singhvi as an Independent Director of the company w.e.f. February 11, 2014

Rao appointed Addl Director, Ramco Industries Ltd
Ramco Industries Ltd has appointed M B N Rao as an Additional Director of the company

Jaipuria re-appointed MD, Cosmo Films Ltd
Cosmo Films Ltd has re-appointed Ashok Jaipuria as Managing Director of the company whose term is expiring on April 1, 2014

Parida appointed Independent Director, Cosmo Films Ltd
Ms Alpana Parida has been appointed as Independent Director of Cosmo Films Ltd w.e.f. February 14, 2014

(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)

DEBATE (1)

Indian electorate when votes any alternate party its case is similar to a cancer patient who is referred to some different hospital. He gains hope of recovery but with the passage of time the hope vanishes and the reality takes over. AAP has been voted to power by Delhi electorate with same hope! The only good thing is that the AAP leaders are sincere and truthful and really want to help the common person with utmost sincerity. But howsoever sincere and truthful one may be the need of having practical wisdom, patience and thorough understanding of the system, its functions and functioning coupled with the instruments and procedure of bringing change is very important and can never be underestimated even in the most hurriedly made moves. AAP and its think tank must have done a lot of research as people like Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan are great political thinkers who know a lot about the system, but it is felt that AAP should have been little more patient. People have given them good mandate, which may be little short of majority but people know it very well that AAP does not have a magic wand or a wonder drug like many sadhus claim in India. I feel even if AAP goes slow but firmly people are still going to support it because of its commitment, sincerity & truthfulness. Collectively 100 uncles cannot make a father even in democracy as the father has a biological link with the son. Similarly rule of law or the rules made to bring changes in the rules and law will have to be followed or such new laws and rules enacted or made in haste will not withstand judicial scrutiny. AAP should go to the people with one agenda only i.e. - "Give AAP majority to rule in states and centre where ever right thinking people can and see what we will get for you through legal and lawful means." Don't wish and create fractures in the budding good ideology through media, which these days act more like an astrologer then analyst and opinion maker.

Hardip Singh Kingra

DEBATE (2)

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

The AAP begins its 1000 mile journey only to get maimed and incapacitated at the first step. Judging by its performance, rather lack of it,the party appears to be heading for a downfall earlier than what the cynics had predicted. Its leadership is loud-mouth, arrogant and impulsive with holier-than-thou mindset. It is unable to controle its wayward spokespersons. After falling out with Anna, the fledgling party is waiting to meet its waterloo. It is on verge of implosion. It merely succeeded in generating a tide of rising people's expectations only to flounder with possibly, the shortest political trajectory. Overwhelmed by Delhi's results and taste of power, it has decided to encash the opportunity by covering 400 Lok Sabha seats in the country. For a fledgling party, this is absurdly ambitious. Look at his awkward public postures.Dharna by Delhi's CM deserves space in the Guinness book of records. Taking oath at Ramlila ground cost the public exchequer nearly 3 crores rupees. The CM's office refuses to give details in response to an RTI application.Now,he wants to hold Delhi assembly's session in a stadium and seeking security cover by Delhi police ,failing which, by para-military forces. He chooses to spend tax payers money. Worse, he advertises his simplicity by wearing an old "muffler "around his head. Insisting on presenting his version of Janlokpal Bill in Delhi assembly, is unconstitutional. He misled public by making a veiled reference to Soli Sorabji on a limited point. This was clarified by the learned jurist in his advice. Amendment of NCT Delhi Act by Parliament,is necessary. There is no inner-party democracy in AAP that is seething with discontentment. Let the people not conjure up a picture of divine avatar in Kejriwal, the confrontationist and an anarchist.

A K Saxena (A retired civil servant)

Just paying tax honestly is not enough

By just Paying tax honestly, the matter does not end there. IT Deptt. is sending notices on account of mismatch between TDS shown in Form 16/Form 26AS and the TDS reflected in the records of IT Deptt. This results in notices under Sec. 143 for payment of tax which has already been made earlier. Computerisation has only increased harrasment.

Rajeshwar Dayal

Highlight plight of IBPS selected candidates

I think this Forum should also high light plight of IBPS selected candidates for PO/MT-II/CWE-Clerks-II, who are on fast in front of Rahul Gandhi's residence. I do hope This forum will highlight this issue as it was this forum who first published that there are thousands of vacancies in PSU Banks.

H S Bhandari

Basic fundamental norms of propriety in public service

The basic fundamental norms of propriety in public service demands forwarding any application only through proper channel (ie) thro' the office where the officer is working for the time being. How do you expect the DOPT to entertain a cadre transfer application which is received directly from the officer concerned without a forwarding endorsement from the authority / State Govt. under whom he is working? There is something amiss.

R V Nathan

Unreasonable attitude of the Income Tax Department

I have recently started heading the Accounts wing of very important Government office. I am surprised at the unreasonable attitude of the Income Tax Department. Their recent fad of e-governance practice. The problems are remaining unresolved only because of the non-computer friendly attitude of the Government employees working both in the IT Department and the various Government offices. The nature has not given us Einsteins in the Government Department to resolve matters at the earliest. Then there is the stubborn/feudalistic attitude of the Senior Officials in the income tax departments. There is all round mess. People are complaining on daily basis. It takes time to get the problems resolved. The Income Tax Department on their own should get the information corrected/resolved on the SERVERS for some by taking hard copies of the returns/revised returns from the Government officials along with an Affidavit that the information is correct and a Certificate of the Drawing Disbursing Officer the details regarding the salaries are correct across the table. They should on their own rectify the errors electronically. They should realize that as on date not all tax paying government employees are not computer friendly and also have free access to computers. The Income Tax Department should pay more interest on the big fishes rather than wasting time on issuing notices to the Government Departments. They should also send people to different Government Departments for imparting the necessary training to officials dealing with the deposit of taxes and filing of returns. An ideal situation will emerge say after 10 years and from then on the IT Department and other Government Departments will have not much of cause to complaint.

Anurag Srivastava

DATE WITH RTI

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