The whispersinthecorridors Online
Print from origin : whispersinthecorridors.com > Archive > 14th September 2016 Wednesday

What people say about us!

whispersinthecorridors is a new concept in Indian journalism.

A N Pandey


POLITICS

This is History (377)
Some people will never change, and you just have to accept that.

Gujarat Bureaucracy Means Business (5)

Whispersinthecorridors.com's Business Editor Abul Hasan visited Gujarat Secretariat in Gandhi Nagar the other day and what he saw was unbelievable. He shares some of the unforgettable moments of his visit. Ask anyone about the promotion of Tourism in Gujarat and he would mince no words in mentioning the name of Vipul Mitra, now Principal Secretary (Transport), Ports & Transport Department. The 1986 batch IAS Officer, Mitra is considered as an architect of Gujarat Tourism' promotion. He was the one who roped in Amitabh Bachchan as the Brand Ambassador of Gujarat after which the so called 'Bachchan campaign' came into being. Mittra carries out his job to the best of his capabilities and is a great motivator for the entire team working under him. Now as Principal Secretary (Transport), he looked quite upbeat to create new history in his present assignment.

BJP is richest political party ?

In political circles people say, BJP is the richest political party in the country. This party has no dearth of money.

Is Nitish Kumar ill briefed ?

It appears that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has not been properly briefed about Narmada Bachao Aandolan and the likely consequences of supporting her agitation against Sardar Sarovar project at Barwani in Madhya Pradesh and therefore he has decided to join the Nasha Mukthi Andolan under the ageis of Narmada Bachao Andolan at Barwani. It is learnt that he will be joining her agitation on 16th September at Barwani. It is well known that NBA is running anti Sardar Sarovar dam agitation along with Nasha Mukti Andolan. Sardar Sarovar project in Gujarat is one of the dearest project to Prime Minister of India. Secondly old political friends of Megha Patkar will tell Nitish Kumar the hazards of a friend like her for his own upcoming projects in Bihar. It is to be seen that whether Nitish kumar welcomes NBA in Bihar for opposing its projects also.


SIDBI under Dr. Kshatrapati all out to boost Modi's startup ecosystem

Using its - built over the years - expertise to address major challenges being faced at present by startups, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), is leaving no stone unturned to boost the startup ecosystem initiated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Disclosing this, SIDBI's Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Kshatrapati Shivaji in an informal chat with the Editor of whispersinthecorridors.com, Sanjay Sharma said, "SIDBI has ramped up the start-up funding operations to boost 'Start-up India' initiative with the launch of funds like unique India Aspiration Fund (IAF) and Fund of Funds operations".

"And it (SIDBI) has set aside Rs 2,000 crore for a fund-of-funds to pick-up equity in startups under the Rs 10,000-crore corpus to be spent in five years", said Dr. Shivaji, who brought with him vast experience in the field of industries and finance when he took over as SIDBI' CMD in February 2015.

"It is very crucial in fuelling India's economic growth trajectory", feels Dr. Shivaji who has been Principal Secretary of Industries in Maharashtra as also Chief Executive Officer Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. Earlier he has also served as the CMD of Maharashtra State Financial Corporation and as its Director also.

SIDBI, as part of its Fund-of-Fund operations, has set up IAF with a corpus of Rs. 2,000 crore and was vying to support and promote the entire startup ecosystem for making it more healthy, robust, strong and vibrant.
In order to bring in more professional outlook, Dr Shivaji said, "SIDBI has constituted a Venture Capital Investment Committee (VCIC) comprising experts such as H K Mittal Head, National Science & Tech. Entrepreneurship Dev. Board, Kiran Karnik former Nasscom Chief, Sanjeev Bikhchandani founder, Naukri.com, Saurabh Srivastava Co-Founder, Nasscom and Indian Angel Network, Prof. R. Vaidyanathan IIM, Bangalore and T V Mohandas Pai, former CFO, Infosys.

Also, to facilitate Venture Capital Funds to raise requisite funds and achieve financial close, SIDBI has partnered with LIC of India as part of IAF. Accordingly, LIC will be contributing up to 10 per cent of the IAF's Fund size (RS. 2000 crore) to be managed by SIDBI.

SIDBI has so far funded 97 Venture Funds including Social Venture Funds such as Samriddhi Fund (anchored by DFID,UK), Ankur Capital and also Funds focused on healthcare and agribusiness. Some of the Startups benefited out of SIDBI's initiatives include Billdesk.com, Little Eye Labs, Wildcraft, Smaash Entertainment etc.

And last but not the least, SIDBI is also trying its hands on ASPIRE scheme for promoting entrepreneurship in Rural Areas. A fund of Funds has been created under SIDBI and Rs.60 Crores allotted for the same. This fund targets mainly those initiatives which need support and nurturing to succeed in developing technology and agri and rural start ups.


DEBATE

Topic for debate

Who is most well dressed politician in India as on date ?


Mail you views to mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com and suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com


BUREAUCRACY

Sushil Chandra likely to be next Chairman of CBDT !
Sushil Chandra likely to be appointed next Chairman, CBDT. He is presently Member, Investigation. He is a 1980 batch IRS - IT officer. Though one member is senior to him but he is schedule to retire in September. After that Chandra would be the senior most member in the CBDT. Therefore his chances are bright to become Chairman.

Will CBEC be renamed?

Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is likely to be renamed as Central Board of Indirect Tax( CBIT) to deal with the proposed GST which is kicking on from April 1, next year. CBIT will implement the rules set up by the GST. A Secretary level officer is likely to head the CBIT.

IRS officer to join CBI

One IRS (IT) officer is all set to join CBI in SP rank.His name is believed to have been cleared.

Who will be Spokesman of MEA ?

Who will succeed Vikas Swarup as Spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs ?. Search has already started after the 1986 batch IFS officer Swarup to the rank of Additional Secretary.

Secretary Defence Finance yet to be appointed

Govt is yet to appoint new Secretary ( Defence Finance). Shobhana Joshi has retired as Secretary defence finance on August 31 this year.

UP Chief Secretary replaced

In a surprise move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal has been removed within two months. A 1982 batch IAS officer is kept in waiting. Why he was transferred suddenly, every body is trying to find out the real reason of his departure.

Bhatnagar takes over as new CS, UP

Rahul Bhatnagar has taken over as new Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. He is a 1983 batch IAS officer.

Bhatnagar supersedes two dozen IAS officers

Newly appointed Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Rahul Bhatnagar who is 1983 batch IAS officer has superseded two dozen IAS officers. While 17 IAS officers are currently on deputation to the Government of India 8 are in the state.

Formal orders of Justice Mukherjee soon

Formal orders of the appointment of Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee as Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court are likely to be issued either this month end or early next month.

Will Dhingra Report be out ?

Even after a fortnight, the Haryana govt is yet to decide about the fate of Dhingra Report which investigated alleged forged land deals against Robert Vadra and others. If sources are to be believed, the report has indicted some bigwigs of ruling party and state officials.

Keshav Kumar is Special Director ACB in Gujarat

Keshav Kumar has taken over as Special Director ACB on Wednesday in Gujarat. He is 1986 batch IPS officer.

Three posts of Directors lying vacant in FACT

Three posts at Director level have been lying vacant in Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) for a long time. The posts vacant include: Director Finance, Director Technical and Director Marketing.

18 IAS officers of UP to attend Mid-Career training programme

As many as 18 IAS officers from 1986 batch to 1989 batch in Uttar Pradesh have been deputed for Mid-career Training Programme Phase-5, at LBSNAA, Mussoorie from October 3 to 21. The officers are: Alok Sinha, Mukul Singhal, Kumar Kamlesh, Rama Raman, Mrs Renuka Kumar, Sanjiv Dubey, Hemant Rao, Arvind Kumar, Rajnish Dubey, Ms Juthika Patankar, Rajan Shukla, T Venkatesh, Mrs Dimpal Verma, Mrs Monika Sehgal Garg, Amit Mohan Prasad, Suresh Chandra, Anil Kumar-II and Manoj Singh.

Secretary is down with Chikengunia?

One Secretary to the GoI is not well and down with Chikengunia fever. He was on leave till September 11 but because of fever he has extended his leave for two more weeks.

Dr Ish Kumar likely to join as ADG in GoI

A 1985 batch IPS officer of Telangana cadre, Dr Ish Kumar is expected to join central deputation in Government of India.

74 posts of Group 'A' increased in BSF

The Government of India has increased as many as 74 posts of various ranks from Assistant Commandant to Additional DG in Group 'A' Executive Officers of Border Security Force (BSF). Now, total strength is from 4109 to 4183 in the Force.

Inbrasu likely to join central deputation at Joint Secretary level

Murugan Aurumgam Inbrasu is expected to join central deputation at Joint Secretary level in Government of India. Inbrasu, who belongs to a 1985 batch IRSME officer, is likely to given postings in southern part of India.

Two Indian Postal Service officers given new postings

Two Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) officers of the Indian Postal Service have been given new postings: E V Rao has been appointed as DPS, Vijayawada Region, Andhra Pradesh Circle while K Somasundaram was posted as DPS (Mails & BD), Tamil Nadu Circle, Chennai.

Mugdha Sinha among four officers of Rajasthan empanelled as Joint Secretary

Only one officer out of four belonging to Indian Administrative Service of 1999 batch in Rajasthan, Mugdha Sinha has been empanelled for holding Joint Secretary level posts in Government of India.

Who will race for MD of IRFC ?

One candidate out of six, who had appeared for the post of Managing Director, Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC) at the PESB selection meeting last year on December 12, is expected to be picked up as second reserve name for the same post after the panel of A K Choudhury, ED, RVNL was scrapped by the Ministry of Railways. The candidates among whom one will be selected include: Amitabh Banerjee, Director Finance, KRCL; S K Pal, Director Finance, NBCC; S K Pattanayak, Director Finance, HEC; M K Mittal Director Finance, DFCCIL; Vijay Kumar IRAS, FA & CAO, iin the Railway Ministry and A K Chaudhary, Director Finance, SAIL.

S K Sharma is also Director (Fin), STC

S K Sharma, Director (Personnel), the State Trading Corporation Limited (STC), has been assigned an additional charge of Director Finance, STC.

Sunil Kumar Gupta yet to join as CMD, HIL

Sunil Kumar Gupta, GGM, PDIL, is yet to take over the charge as Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL). S P Mohanty is holding an additional charge of this post.

Tenure of Makwana as Joint Secretary, MHA extended

The central deputation tenure of Hitesh Kumar S Makwana as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has been extended for a period of three months. He is a 1995 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

A A Kishore posted as CCIT (OSD) after promotion

Mrs Abha Anand Kishore has been posted as CCIT (OSD) in the office of Principal CCIT, Delhi after the promotion to the grade of CCIT (HAG+). She is an Indian Revenue Service officer of Income Tax cadre.

12 Customs officers shifted

As many as 12 officers working in the grades of Chemical Examiner, Gr I and Chemical Examiner, Gr II in Central Revenues Control Laboratory under the Central Board of Excise and Customs have been transferred and posted to different places. Accordingly, Raj Pal Singh has been shifted to C H Kandla while Bhuwan Ram was posted to C H Cochin and Reena P S is transferred to C H Mangalore. Ashish Kumar has been appointed to C H Kolkata; Sansriti Johri to C H Kandla; Aleyamma A J, C H Mangalore; A K Singh to C H Nhava Sheva; K Thambidurai to C H Tuticorin; Rajeev Anand to CRCL, New Delhi; K K Soni to C H Vadodara; Ashok Kumar to C H Chennai and Vijay Kumar was posted to CRCL, New Delhi.

Rajiv Gauba is also Secretary, Information & Broadcasting (UPDATED)
Rajiv Gauba has been assigned an additional charge of Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting till September 25, 2016. He is a 1982 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre.

V V Sapkal accredited as High Commissioner to Tonga (UPDATED)
Vishvas Vidu Sapkal has been concurrently accredited as the High Commissioner of India to the Kingdom of Tonga. He is a 1998 batch IFS officer.

Yellapantula Mallikarjun appointed as OSD to Naidu (UPDATED)
Yellapantula Mallikarjun has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to M Venkaiah Naidu in the Ministry for Information & Broadcasting. He is a private person.

Three IPS officers shifted in Gujarat (UPDATED)

Three IPS officers have been transferred and posted to different places in Gujarat. Accordingly, Keshav Kumar has been appointed as Special Director, A C B, Ahmedabad while Dr Shamsher Singh was posted as IGP, Surat Range and Narsimha Komar is made IGP, Marine Task Force Commander, Jamnagar.

Vijay Suryawanshi appointed as PS to Dr Subhash Bhamre (UPDATED)
Vijay N Suryawanshi has been appointed as Private Secretary to Dr Subhash Bhamre, Minister of State for Defence. He is a 2006 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Ashok Kumar Mahtha appointed as Director, CVC (UPDATED)
Ashok Kumar Mahtha has been appointed as Director in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Delhi. He is a 1993 batch IRSEE officer.

Bharat Singh Laspal appointed as Director, CVC (UPDATED)
Bharat Singh Laspal has been deputed as Director in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Delhi. He is a 1994 batch IDSE officer.

Interviews for Director (R&D), IOCL on Sept 15 (UPDATED)
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is reported to have scheduled interviews for the post of Director (Research & Development), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) on September 15, 2016.

Four IAS officers shifted in UP (UPDATED)
Chandra Prakash Tripathi has been appointed as Special Secretary Irrigation and Water Resources while Pawan Kumar was posted as DM, Badaun and Bhupendra S Chowdhury is DM Sambhal. Besides, Narendra Kumar Singh Chauhan was posted as Special Secretary, IT and Electronics in Uttar Pradesh.

Maham Singh Lhuid of Meghalaya awarded IAS cadre (UPDATED)
Maham Singh Lhuid, officer of Meghalaya State Civil Service, has been awarded Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre.

Three IPS officers shifted in Bihar (UPDATED)
Ravindra Kumar has been appointed as Superintendent of Police, City (West), Patna while Babu Ram was attached with PHQ for further posting and Satya Prakash is Superintendent of Police, Aurangabad in Bihar.


CORPORATE


Flintham re-appointed MD of Amtek Auto Ltd

Amtek Auto Ltd has re-appointed John Ernest Flintham as Managing Director of the company.

Tandon resigns as MD of Melstar Information Technologies Ltd

Sanjiv Tandon has resigned as Managing Director of Melstar Information Technologies Ltd.

Chaturvedi appointed as President (Sales) of L&T Infotech Ltd

Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd has appointed Sudhir Chaturvedi as President (Sales) of the company.

Somani appointed Director of Kopran Ltd

Kopran Ltd has appointed Susheel G Somani as Director of the company.

Ms Murarka appointed CS of Sreechem Resins Ltd

Sreechem Resins Ltd has appointed Ms Suman Murarka as the Company Secretary of the company.

Ms Pereira appointed CFO of Hubtown Ltd

Hubtown Ltd has appointed Ms Nancy Pereira as Chief Financial Officer of the company w.e.f. October 1, 2016.

Ms Gupta resigns as CS of Blue Chip India Ltd

Ms Jyoti Gupta has resigned as Company Secretary of Blue Chip India Ltd.


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)


Falling standards of bureaucracy

Endorsing in totality the views and observations of AK Saxena, a distinguished former Civil servant expressing concerns on the falling standards of our Bureaucracy one recalls the period of Late Lal Bahadur Shastri who owning up moral responsibility of a railway accident resigned from his position of Railway Minister interalia setting high moral standards in politics while leaders of the day(bureaucrats) find excuses to stay and hand on undeservingly in the chair till last breath of their life with a wishful and laughable planning of their last journey too at no costs. Logically Shastri was a Minister and not a Locomotive Driver of one of the trains involved in the accident that killed hundreds of passengers. He had neither a role nor responsibility that could have even remotely connected him to the said fatality yet he sacrificed his Chair and never regretted for doing so. That was the true spirit and qualities of leadership.

O P Sharma

Sr Govt. Officer (Retd)

Dividing the State on caste census figure basis


In order to do away caste factor in elections in UP, can Govt think of dividing the State in accordance with its caste census figure.

SG

Incompetent officers be weeded out

Ashok Menon's suggestion of shifting incompetent officers to irrelevant posts is objectionable & hence unacceptable. They must be, not promoted, demoted and even weeded out, after following the due process of law and observing principles of natural justice.

kanakasabapathy IRTS ( R )

Better improve delivery services


Ads about Dengu & Chikanguniya hardly deliver required health services to the CGHS members who had been charged onetime payment. The patients suffer in completely bed ridden condition. Can such patients be expected to reach the dispensary, stand for hours for a stamp size chit with handwritten number on it and wait for several hours for their turn to be seen by the doctor? There is hardly any room to even stand. It is infectious environ all around. The medical specialist is not available. Without CGHS prescription the patient can't avail of affiliated private facility nearby. Is this our digital India? Do we wish our employees, especially retired senior citizens good health and fast recovery or pack them off fast to the Lord's own abode? Trust your employees, especially senior citizens, allow them direct consultation with authorized affiliated facilities. Let us be proud of the government.

M L Gupta

DATE WITH RTI

Particulars of the Appellate Authority

The appellant had filed a complaint with the public authority and sought information about the action taken regarding the same. He later filed a complaint with the CIC alleging that PIO did not provide the particulars of the First Appellate Authority in his reply. He also insisted on compensation for non provision of information and harassment. The CIC awarded compensation of Rs. 2500/- to the Appellant. The CIC also directed the PIO that in future, the details of the FAA and the period within which appeal can be made should be intimated.

Comments

All PIO’s and FAA’s should take a careful note to the provisions of the RTI Act and ensure that while replying to RTI application the name and other particulars of the next level of appellate authority and the period within which appeal can be made should be invariably mentioned.

Citation: Mr. G. Murari v. EPFO in File No. CIC/BS/A/2014/001100/7543

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
© www.whispersinthecorridors.com. (ANN) All rights reserved.