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Print from origin : whispersinthecorridors.com > Archive > 25th Aug 2015 Tuesday

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An exclusive, reliable and very authentic news bulletin, read by every citizen while in Government or outside.

Deepak Mishra David


POLITICS

This is History (46)
Where two "supremes" meet, there is bound to be trouble.


Kaptan Singh: Body in Haryana, Soul in Punjab

Will the senior BJP leader Kaptan Singh Solanki become Governor of Punjab ? It is said that though he remains physically in Haryana, his soul remains in Punjab.

HRA likely to remain the same in 7th Central Pay Commission
House rent allowance is expected to be the same in the 7th Pay Commission report as it was in 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC).

Whispers: Bihar DNA
With 1,25,000 crore largesse on the platter,
every Bihari has gone busy with his calculator,
how much each denizen will get, Or
how much is the price of each voter//
Puzzled people of the country,
trying to find out the source of funds,
For, every other day there announced is
a project worth billions and trillions,
will it come from taxes on the country's
several crore minions?
alternatively,
Skeptics apprehend Security Presses working overtime printing 1 rupee notes//
Elephants and hippos are ruling Bihari 'jungle raj',
even when it is the sole prerogative of
the one and only Gir Vanraj//
Brouhaha over good days ahead for Bihar,
for, it will now be ruled by Loh-Purush Chhote Sardar//


JPG


BUREAUCRACY

Ten IPS officers to be empanelled as DG in GoI ?
At least ten IPS officers belonging to 1982 batch are likely to be empanelled to the rank of DG in Government of India next month. They are said to be Mssrs Anurag Sharma (AP), Parminder Rai (Haryana), Asha Sinha (Jharkhand), Mahesh Kumar Singla (Kerala), D D Padsalgikar (Maharashtra), BK Behera (Odisha), Suresh Arora (Punjab), KK Sharma (Rajasthan), PVK Reddy (Tripura), Praveen Singh (UP) and SK Bhagat (Uttarakhand).


Will Negi be new Chairman of NTPC ?

Name of SK Negi, CMD of Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) has started doing the rounds for the post of CMD, NTPC. Name of REC, CMD Rajeev Sharma is also in circulation.


Six in-house candidates of SAIL in the fray for Chairman post

At least six in-house candidates of SAIL are reportedly joining the fray for the post of Chairman, Steel Authority of India (SAIL) to be selected by Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) on August 31, 2015.


V Thangapandian to join as Director (Power), NLC on Sept 1

V Thangapandian, GGM, NTPC, will be assuming charge as Director (Power), Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) on September 1, 2015.
(We said this on February 23, 2015)


Mohanty yet to get orders; vacancy of Director (Mktg), HIL arises on Sept 1

SP Mohanty, DGM, Rashtriya Chemicals Frtilizer Ltd (RCFL), is yet to get orders for appointment as Director (Marketing), Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) as vacancy is arising on September 1, 2015.


A B Khare selected for CMD, MFL

A B Khare, Chief General Manager, Rashtriya Chemicals Frtilizer Ltd (RCFL), has been selected for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Madaras Fertilizers Limited (MFL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on August 24, 2015. As many as seven persons were interviewed for the same.


Will Vijay Shankar Madan be Secretary in GoI?

Vijay Shankar Madan, Director General of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), who is due to retire next year in August, is whispered to be appointed as Secretary in Government of India this week. He is a 1981 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.


Will IFS officer continue in Uttarakhand Government ?

The Uttarakhand government has given NOC for continuation of Vinod Fonia on deputation. The GoI is said to be averse to further extension in deputation tenure.


Diggikar is new Chairman, JNPT

Anil Diggikar is new chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT). He is a 1990 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.


CAD's initiative

In a path breaking first in the GoI, Indian Defence Account Services has uploaded the entire noting and remarks made on the file involving transfers of IS level IDAS officers on CAD website to bring in greater transparency and objectivity, as the department claims.


K Satheesh Babu transferred to R & D Bengaluru

K Satheesh Babu, 1987 batch IDAS has been transferred to CDA, R & D Bengaluru. Presently he is posted as FA to DG, ADA, Bengaluru.


Mukesh Sharma gets addl, charge of Films Division

Mukesh Sharma, ADG, Doordarshan in Mumbai, has been given additional charge of DG, Films Division.


Sanjiv Kumar likely to join central deputation at Joint Secretary level

Sanjiv Kumar, who did not enjoy central deputation during his 27 years of service, is expected to join central deputation at Joint Secretary level. He is a 1986 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.


Seven IAS officers transferred in AP

As many as seven IAS officers have been transferred in Andhra Pradesh. Accordingly, Mrs G Jayalakshmi has been posted as Secretary, Youth Service, Sports & Culture while B Sreedhar was posted as VC&MD, AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation and K V Satyanarayana is posted as Joint Secretary, General Administration Department with additional charge of MD, AP Aviation Corporation Limited. Similarly, Girija Shankar has been appointed as Director, Mines & Ex-Officio, Mines & Geology; K Harshvardhan as VC&MD, AP BC Coop Finance Corporation Limited; K Dhananjaya Reddy as Director, Agriculture with additional charge of Deputy Secretary, Revenue and Adusumilli V Rajamouli was made Joint Secretary to Chief Minister.


Madhusudhan Reddy posted as MD, AP Seeds & Agro in Andhra Pradesh

Y Madhusudan Reddy has been appointed Managing Director, AP Seeds Corporation and MD, AP State Agro Industries Development Corp. Ltd. He is a 1990 batch IFS officer of AP cadre.


Three IRS officers get postings in AP govt.

Three officers of Indian Revenue Service who are on deputation to the Government of Andhra Pradesh have been given postings. Accordingly, Naresh Penumaka was made Commissioner, Handloom and Textiles and CEO, Khadi & Village Industries Baord, MD, AP Handicrafts Corp Ltd while G S Phani Kishore was posted as Special Secretary, IT & C Department and MD, AP Technology Services and Venkaiah Chowdary Chirumamilla was made VC&MD, AP Mineral Development Corporation Limited APMDC.

Vacancy of Joint Secretary in Road Transport in Sept.

The post of Joint Secretary is falling vacant in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in September 2015.


IM Pandey appointed DCM, Milan

Indian Foreign Service officer, IM Pandey has been appointed as DCM, Milan.

7 IPS officers of 2013 batch get postings in Bihar

As many as seven IPS officers of 2013 batch have been given postings as Assistant SPs in Bihar. Accordingly, D Amarkesh has been appointed as ASP, Anti-Terrorism Force, Patna while Jagunath Reddy Jalareddy was made ASP, Special Action Force, Patna and Manish is SDOP, Bagaha. Similarly, Rakesh Kumar has been appointed as ASP, Rail Jamalpur; Ramchandra Rajguru as ASP, Rail Patna; Upendra Nath Verma as ASP, Special Action Force and Vishal Sharma was posted as ASP, Rail, Katihar.


Tenure of Udayakumar as Director (P&M), NSIC extended

The tenure of P Udayakumar as Director (Planning & Marketing), National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) has been extended for another five years. He is on the Board of NSIC and also alumni of IIM (Bangalore) and has vast experience in the development of MSME sector.

Dr. Sahni is DG ,CSIR ? (UPDATED)
Chandigarh based Renowned Scientist Dr. Girish Sahni has reportedly been appointed Director General, CSIR. The post was vacant since December 2014. Dr. Sahni is presently posted as Director, Institutes of Microbial Technology.

Orders of Vivek Kishore issued (UPDATED)
Orders of Vivek Kishore for the post of JD,Wildlife crime control bureau,new Delhi have been issued. He is 1999 batch UT cadre IPS officer and presently posted as DIG in Mizoram police.

12 IAS officers of 2013 batch of WB cadre get postings in GoI (UPDATED)
As many as 12 IAS officers of 2013 batch have been posted to various Ministries and Departments in Government of India after completion of phase -II training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. Accordingly, Mayuri Vasu has been posted to Animal Husbandry while Panicker Harishankar was posted to Health Research and Anshul Gupta was appointed to Higher Education. Similarly, Shama Parveen has been posted to IPP; Tshering Y Bhutia to Revenue; T Balasubramanian to Power; Nidhi Malik to Rural Development; Preeti Goel to Land Resources; Reena Niranjana to Urba Development; Rajat Nanda to Electronics & Information; Khurshid Ali Khadri to Ex-servicemen Welfare and Nitin Singhanaia was posted to Disaster Management.

Ajay Kumar Sharma appointed as Ambassador to Republic of Mali (UPDATED)
Ajay Kumar Sharma presently Ambassador of India, Pyongyang, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Mali.

Mrs Innocent Divya appointed as Dy Secretary to CM in TN (UPDATED)
Mrs J Innocent Divya has been appointed as Deputy Secretary to Chief Minister. She is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

A R Karve assumes charge as Chief of Personnel (UPDATED)
Vice Admiral AR Karve has assumed charge as the Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1980. After his initial sea appointments, he completed his specialization in Anti-Submarine Warfare in 1986 and has served onboard various frontline fleet ships.

V K Singh selected as Director (Tech), NEEPCO (UPDATED)
V K Singh, GM, NHPC, has been selected for the post of Director (Tech), North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on August 25, 2015. As many as 13 persons were interviewed for the same.

13 CSS officers promoted to Deputy Secretary grade in GoI (UPDATED)
As many as 13 officers belonging to Central Secretariat Service (CSS) have been promoted to the grade of Deputy Secretary in Government of India. The officers are: S S Rana, Roshan Lal, M D Kumar, A N Jena, S K Verma, Jyoti Mathur, A K Sharma, Mam Chand, Narendra Kumar, Suresh Kumar, Ziley Singh Vical, Surender Kaur and Debendra Prasad Majhi.


CORPORATE

Interview - Dr. Anoop Kumar Mittal, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC)
"Our business USP is Customers' Delight"

A blue-chip Government of India Navratna Enterprise, under the Ministry of Urban Development, National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd. (NBCC), stands out as a leader in the construction sector with more than INR 20000 crore Order Book in hand and counting and a consolidated revenue of INR 5000 crore. Winner of a number of awards because of its consistently extra ordinary performance, the Company has been receiving "Excellent" rating from Govt. of India consistently since 2004. "Our proven track record coupled with our achieved expertise and constant pro-active approach has made us think beyond the horizon, says the company's Chairman cum Managing Director Dr Anoop Kumar Mittal in conversation with our Chief Copy Editor Sujata Sharma.

Q. Your focus is more on new-age, green and modular buildings? Why so?

A. NBCC has traversed a long way since 1960 gaining all sorts of exposure in the field of construction and has successfully faced all challenges coming in its way. Today, the company stands at the zenith of its success and has become a brand in itself by comprehensively responding to the demand of the day. As I say demand of the day, I mean that sustainability in building construction incorporating Smart features and infrastructure tagged with environment care, has become the buzz word in our construction activity. This eventually points to the features such as green, new age, modular buildings which every individual, entity and the society at large demand today. Obviously, NBCC being in the business with all its expertise and exposures today, cannot afford to ignore the fact that when it comes to construction of buildings, habitat or similar infrastructure, sustainability is always the foremost concern which is again conditioned by new-age, green and modular features. So is our focus on the environment/ecology friendly structures adding all Smart green features that make these sustainable.


Q What are the challenges you face when dealing with your clients?


A. Our clientele profile primarily includes most of the Ministries of the Govt. of India, Govt. Depts., State Govts., Central & State PSUs, Autonomous Bodies and Councils etc. I must tell you in this regard that our business USP is Customers' Delight and that is the most important challenge before NBCC all the time, as far as our esteemed clients are concerned. Here, I have no hesitation in the first place, to put on record that because of its consistently good performance and proactive initiative towards fulfilling clients' requirements, NBCC carries a very high repute in clients' fraternity and has today, become the most sought after company amongst its peer group. However, with NBCC going new-age construction way, it sometimes, has to face, little hic-ups from some clients who carry a perception that if a building is good and smart, it will be expensive. Here, it becomes a challenge for NBCC to convince the client, particularly their finance departments, that it is not so. But let me further add here that the mindset of those clients is also changing fast, as they can now see for themselves, examples of so many such cost effective projects implemented by NBCC all across the country and counting.


Q What about your plans to rebuild the Parliament House?


A. Of late, NBCC, by adding innovative sustainable green and smart features in its building construction activity, have executed a number of new-age green government building projects in the country that include CBI HQ Building in Delhi; Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) Building at Manesar (Haryana); Redevelopment of huge New Moti Bagh GPRA Complex, New Delhi; Office Building of Coal India Ltd., Kolkata; CSOI Building, New Delhi; National Institute for Solar Energy, Gurgaon, Aykar Bhawan, Noida (UP); SIB, Kolkata etc. These were the outcome of our out of box thinking and were highly successful initiatives, giving a new dimension to the whole concept of building construction which is green, environment friendly and sustainable too. This proven track record coupled with our achieved expertise and constant pro-active approach has made us think beyond the horizon volunteering the idea of re-building our Parliament House in the style and concept of New Moti Bagh GPRA Complex, Delhi; Indian Museum, Kolkata etc. that NBCC has already implemented. New Moti Bagh GPRA Complex is a brown-field redevelopment project, the Company has already completed successfully, on a 105 acre land and now certified as the largest Green Home Complex of its kind in the country. The next huge one- a Rs.5000 crore East Kidwai Nagar-Redevelopment project, another brown-field project in Delhi, is presently under implementation by us for the Government.

Inspired by all these success in the field of redevelopment & rebuilding of brown-field and green field energy efficient projects, we have volunteered to rebuild Parliament House so that it gets a smart new look, with fixing of all its existing hazards developed over the past many years. However, I would say that, it is the Govt. who is to take a call in the matter. If assigned the responsibility, NBCC is, of course, very confident of coming up to the expectation.


Q How about your focus on Tier-2 cities?


A. NBCC has huge number of projects in PMC, Real Estate & Redevelopment and EPC segments pan-India, which include areas such as Health Care, Offices & Institutions, Transportation, Environment & Industrial, Misc. Infrastructure, Border Fencing, PMGSY, Power Projects, Commercial & Residential Real Estate/Redevelopment etc. As far as Real Estate is concerned, which is our focus area now, we are doing projects in metros as well as in some Tier-2 cities. Presently, apart from metros, NBCC has projects in cities like Alwar, Patna, Kochi, Jaipur, Khekra (UP), Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar etc. But our future plan is to focus more and more on Tier-2 Cities. As we work to a plan, we are now expanding our stake, based on the potential locations. That way, our forthcoming target locations include cities like Bhopal, Surat, Rajkot, Raipur, Ranchi, Dehradun, Pune, Nagpur etc. and also include some smaller cities such as Moradabad, Bareilly, Aligarh and so on.

Q Say something on your redevelopment plans in Delhi.


A. As you know, New Moti Bagh GPRA Complex, New Delhi, now certified as largest Green Home Complex of its kind in the country, is our first Redevelopment Project and is located in Delhi. This has been followed by the on-going Rs.5000 Crore East Kidwai Nagar Redevelopment Project, another Zero Waste Disposal Project of its kind. I would say that NBCC's highly successful redevelopment project of New Moti Bagh Complex has caught the imagination of the Govt. on new-age building infrastructure, opening up huge future opportunities for NBCC in the field of Redevelopment in the Capital Delhi and and in other States as well. As far as Delhi is concerned, there are three more Govt. colonies in pipeline for redevelopment by the Company and these include Netaji Nagar, Kasturba Nagar and Thyagraj Nagar. The proposals for approval of these projects are on fast track and are likely to mature soon. Apart from this, there are also plans to redevelop some old govt. Presses in Delhi on the same model as that of East Kidwai Nagar. Move is on and hopefully things shall be in place in quick time.

Q What is the contribution of the real estate business in the total revenue of NBCC? And how much funds have you earmarked for the real estate business?


A. Presently, it contributes to approximately 10-15 per cent of total revenue of NBCC. However, our target is to raise the Real Estate business in the range of 25-35 per cent in the next two to three years. If I have to say about earmarking of funds for Real Estate, I would put it this way, that, there is no such budgeting by us as of now. But, the practice is to invest the profits earned from the Rear Estate business into Real Estate sector itself. Also, some portions of the profits earned from other businesses are also invested in Real Estate. However, all these depend on the opportunities we get.


Q Would you please elaborate on your diversification plans?


A. Presently, NBCC has been operating in a unique business model, probably the one that no other company in the peer group has. It has three segments of operation i.e. PMC, Real Estate Development and EPC Contracting. Its PMC covers almost all areas of construction like Offices-Institutions, Roads, Bridges, Highways, Airports, SWM projects, Townships, Mass-housing, Hospitals & Medical Colleges, PMGSY, Border Fencing, Infrastructures for Para Military Forces & Misc. infrastructures etc.. Our Real Estate includes Commercial & Residential projects. Here, I would say that in an initiative to diversify in this segment, we have, of late, added Redevelopment of Govt. Properties which is a very significant move forward from our end and would remain as a key driving force for NBCC's future growth. Recently, NBCC has, of course, added another important vertical in its operation which takes care of Renovation & Reconstruction of India's Heritage Buildings. To this end, we have already successfully completed two projects, one named Indian Museum, Kolkata and the other is Museum of Moving Images (MoMI) in Mumbai. I may also add that NBCC has a massive plan to develop unused land properties of various sick PSUs and autonomous bodies and departments. You may be knowing that NBCC has recently signed MoUs with Air India and NAWADCO for development of their huge land banks spread across the country, for mutual benefit. Talks are also on for more such initiatives in future. In EPC, of course, we are executing all civil infrastructure works in power plants of various PSUs like NTPC, BHEL and others.

Q After the devastating quake in Nepal, what changes are you planning to make in your building construction policy?


A. First of all, my deepest condolences to the victims of the devastating earthquake that occurred in Nepal sometime back. In fact, NBCC has already shown interest to the Government of India for it's participation in the rehabilitation work of earthquake ravaged Nepal. Now, as far as NBCC's building construction policy is concerned, I would like to tell you that my company has proven track record of constructing earthquake resistant buildings right from the beginning. That is to say that our existing building construction policy takes care of all the norms provided in the National Building Code. Moreover, whenever NBCC goes for constructing a building, it ensures preparing earthquake resistant design of the structure to be constructed. Further, I can add that NBCC strictly follows all the guidelines and procedures while constructing a building and therefore, the projects that we execute, are always earthquake resistant. You take any example of a building constructed by us anywhere in the country or overseas, and you would see, there is no instance ever that our building has collapsed due to earthquake. Therefore, as a responsible Govt. of India organization, NBCC has all construction imperatives in place in respect of its building construction policy.

Vittal resigns as Director of Axis Bank Ltd

Ireena Vittal has resigned as Director of Axis Bank Limited

Two directors cease to be on Board of The Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited
Abdul Majid Matto and Prof. Nisar Ali, have resigned as directors of The Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited

Singh ceases to be Independent Director of NTPC Ltd
Dr A Didar Singh has ceased to be the Independent Director of NTPC Limited

Modi appointed CS of Texmaco Infrastructure & Holdings Ltd
Texmaco Infrastructure & Holdings Limited has appointed Pratik Modi as Company Secretary of the company.

Betai appointed Director of Welspun India Limited
IDBI Bank Limited has nominated Ms Padma Betai as Director on the Board of Directors of Welspun India Limited

Shah resigns as Independent Director of Garden Silk Mills Limited
J P Shah, has resigned as Non-Executive Independent Director of Garden Silk Mills Limited

Sinha appointed Nominee Director of Surya Roshni Limited
IDBI Bank Ltd. has nominated Rajeev Kumar Sinha as as Nominee Director of Surya Roshni Limited

Aloria appointed Chairman of Gujarat Gas Ltd
G R Aloria, lAS has been appointed as Chairman of Gujarat Gas Ltd

Joshi resigns as CS of Sterling International Enterprises Ltd
Sunil Joshi has resigned as Company Secretary of Sterling International Enterprises Ltd

Two Addl. directors appointed on Board of Lycos Internet Ltd
Lycos Internet Limited has appointed Michael Loren Mauldin and Subrato Saha as additional directors of the company


FORUM

(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)

No land of Law in MOS & PI

MoS &PI is going to be a weak spot for Narendra Modi too. MoS &PI has no regards for DoPT's OM No. 11013 / 10 / 2013 - Estt. A dated 2nd July 2015 in the subject matter of framing a transfer policy for the members of Indian Statistical Service (ISS) and Subordinate Statistical Service (SSS). In fact transfers and postings in MoS&PI is being used for considerations other than good governance. Will anyone in the present government care for MoS&PI ! Can responsibility be fixed for such harassments, victimization and disregards to the rule and procedures?


S Nath

All not well in MOS & PI


It seems that in the WIC Forum retired MOS & PI officers are very much active in making comments, while in service they looked other way and kept mum or connived with the miscreants. It is not true that all is not well in MOS & PI, on the other hand it was not well in MOS & PI before.

KB

" No leave for 158 trainee IAS officers "


DOP & T's OM No- 21021/5/2015-Academy Desk dated 10th August, 2015, to appoint 158 new IAS officers of 2013 batch as Assistant Secretaries for three months on deputation to central Ministries on completion of phase-II training at LBSNAA. States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and others with non-BJP dispensations had opposed it. West Bengal Chief Minister's office is miffed as it had already issued posting orders for 12 officers with directions to report. The unsavoury confrontation could have been avoided by keeping the State govts in loop while reviewing the training format . Issuing fatwas without consultation merely generates mutual acrimony. The State governments have the wherewithal for 90 days attachments and acquaint officers with policy formulation. One wonders, how will knowledge of central hierarchy and its functioning help officers in discharging their cadre responsibilities more efficiently? State governments have their own work cultures and officers should get attuned to it. Deputation to Centre after waiving the mandatory nine years period is not understood. The grapevine has it that the idea of central grooming originated in the PMO. What is the motive? Was the format issue considered by Secretaries committee ? Be that as it may, feedbacks of trainees and State govts must be obtained for impact assessment of DOP&T's order. dt 10-8-15.

A K Saxena (A retd. civil servant)

Utility of CAT

What's the utility of CAT? Time taken to dispose of cases is too high.

Ashok

Corporation polls in Bangalore

Bangalore city is going to have its corporation elections shortly. An interesting feature of the election is that most of the candidates are just matrics and many of them with criminal backgrounds. None of them appear to have any vision about the emerging megacity other than how to make some quick bucks during their tenure as corporators making true Churchil's famous prophesy that the country will go into the hands of scums and free booters. The whole city is stinking with corruption even with complaints against Lokayukta. The city can only be saved if a ten-year holiday is declared for BMPP and a CEO, an expert on city development is posted with full powers. Government is spending almost 1500 crores for this election which could have been spent in a better manner.

N Krishnan

Lohani has vision

Appointment of Ashwani Lohani as CMD, Air India will remove many of the ills from which our national carrier is suffering. Lohani has vision and he is a wonderful administrator.

S C Agrawal DGP (Retd.)

Lohani's right choice


Ashwani Lohani is an excellent selection for the growth of Air India.

Rawat R B S


Congrats Lohani

Congratulations to Lohani. Proven administrator without IAS tag. Sure Air India needs such leaders to pull it out of mess. Great decision to place technocrat there.........

M K Tyagi

Lohani, right choice for AI

I congratulate Lohani on his selection and GoI on the right choice. I am confident Air India will be put on the path to progress and restored to glory.

S Kanakasabapathy, IRTS (R)

Search box facility

I appreciate your efforts for providing information on the website. I feel there should be search box facility on the website. If anyone wants information of any particular person, then putting his name in the search box should be able to display all the news of that particular name since beginning.

Anand Kumar

DATE WITH RTI

Use of park for marriage function

The appellant sought information regarding proposal of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to convert the residential park, Rampura into marriage/function site, the copy of approval from the Resident’s Welfare Association (RWA) for the same, copy of MCD clearance, copies of No Objection Certificate (NOC) taken from Delhi Fire Services, etc. The PIO did not provide the information but after the order of the First Appellate Authority (FAA), a reply was provided. The respondent stated that there is no such record and that an undertaking is obtained from the party applying for holding a marriage/function in a park and it is the responsibility of the party to take action on the fire safety measures, etc. The CIC directed the PIO to provide a copy of the undertaking (last booking of park for marriage/function), after redacting the personal information of the third party, whose form is provided to the appellant.

Comments

It is often seen that public parks are given for marriage functions etc. in an arbitrary manner which spoils the garden and also disturbs the residents living in the near vicinity. A clear policy should be drawn in consultation with the residents instead of acting in a random basis.

Citation: Shri Ram Naresh Kaushik v. North Delhi Municipal Corporation in F.No.CIC/YA/A/2014/003108

Weekly article by Dr. (Mrs.) Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in), RTI Consultant to IIM, Indore. Her other articles can be read at http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

(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)

Dr Suresh Mehrotra has his lips sealed, if you have any whispers then send it to us
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