Whispers Forum

Wish PM and HM understand that this talk of bonhomie and camaraderie is of no meaning if all the services are not given their right places and due. Hegemony of IAS over other services at the cost of their self respect and self esteem is doing no good for the overall bureaucracy. Widening gap in empanelment, not giving the posts to them despite qualification and eligibility and keeping them exclusively for IAS officers is detrimental to the effectiveness and efficiency of the civil services as an organic single identity. We need to act before it is too late.
Sudhir

Yes it is true, there may be some variation in the number of surplus IAS if we recruit a complete 6200 post of IAS. In fact after 1957 when central staffing scheme was implemented since then true spirit of All India Services has been diluted otherwise only AIS officers required to come on central deputation and due to this they have good number of post under CDR but after 1957 no thought was given on this and CDR remain intact but there no vacancy and officers from other services are equally eligible to come on central deputation under central staffing scheme.
Shauramya

The UP election is round the corner. TV channels are analyzing vote share of different groups Brahmins, various groups of OBC, Minorities etc. But nobody is specifically talking about Kayasthas who have a major presence in UP. Does this mean that Kayasthas have lost their relevance in the UP election?
Kumar
Bommai may be changed
Bommai may be changed. Performance is abysmally low. The public and contractors have to bear corruption of Vijayendra Yediyurrapaji and Bommai. Rumors are that they are supplying election funds to UP. Earlier contractors, guild had given a complaint. An infamous case of BITCOINS hack and transfer of black money abroad is haunting the Bommai CM, Kateel BJP state president, Ashok revenue minister, director sood , commr panth. Despite efforts to cover up , the watch dogs are ahead . As guessed in whispers, the CM and his 40 would be changed, if the PM has to prove his image.
Sanjay

The Appellant filed an RTI application seeking information on about the itinerary of PM Narendra Modi during a few days of February, 2019 and the details of his meeting with Bear Grylls, a renowned survival expert. Vide interim reply, the PIO at PMO intimated that the matter is being processed by the office and information will be sent as soon as possible. The FAA directed the PIO to expedite furnishing the response within 25 working days. Feeling aggrieved over non-compliance of the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the CIC. The CIC observed that an appropriate response in compliance with the FAA’s order has been provided to the Appellant, albeit a slight delay for which the PIO, PMO was cautioned.
Comments
Every PIO must ensure a timely reply to an application filed under the RTI Act failing which the CIC may pass a stricture or impose penalty.
Citation: Shri Goutham Ganesh M H v. PMO in Second Appeal No. CIC/PMOIN/A/2019/656741, Date of Decision: 31.12.2021
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Apart from her weekly article here, her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com

I beg to disagree with R Subramanian theory of entrance tests for IIT-JEE, NEET, CAT etc. Rather our whole entrance competitive examination system for every education institution. We must follow a single USA, UK etc which run through the whole year and each institution has a defined score, these scores accompanied by an essay and a write up why you wish to pursue this stream & why you want to join this institution or university from the student or applicant. Some scores are there for 12th grade Marks. The percentage of each three components is defined by each institution. If the system of lottery starts it will not be a fool proof one, going by jugad, corruption favouritism & political interference in each element, certainly this will be a compromise on the quality of Indian education especially IITs and many most reputed institutions which carry a repute globally. I am sure SC too will agree to this arrangement. This would be the best reform of education provided there is a political will to do so.
Harish Kumar

Yes it is true, to create any additional post at the level of JS and above, one needs the approval of Cabinet. Further very few posts have been created at DS/Director level in GoI under central staffing scheme. All posts in the state govt are fully occupied and if we have full strength of IAS then at least 600 of them will be surplus. Many officers are empanelled at JS level from other services so they could be considered for posting so shortage of officers will not be there in GoI.
Shaurmaya
Standing committee & Journalist should show mirror to Govt
Complete rely on deputation pattern not only makes the new recruitment under vicious cycle were no new entrant can enter but also in commercial organization like NHAI where huge public fund is involved is a root cause of highest corruption with least accountability as deterrent action against them are not possible except a repatriation. In today’s time, both Standing committee and Journalist should both show the mirror to the government with such report and reporting to bring transparency in the system with accountability.
M K Jain

The role of standing committee has been always pro public and deterrent to the corruption and it give me immense pleased by the level of journalism the 'Whispers' have carried with, it has shaded the stereotype reporting and started with public accountability journalism. Such a first movement in this pattern of journalism in today's time is absolutely required and beneficial for the survival of democracy and public trust.
P K Mithal
Entrance Tests
Now that the Supreme Court has declared that marks scored in Entrance Examinations like IIT-JEE. NEET, CAT etc, are not an indicator of merit, the court could have gone a step further and cancelled all such tests. It should have directed the government to conduct admissions to all courses only through a well designed computerized lottery system under each category- open and reserved. This will ensure equity as every candidate has the same chance of getting selected. This will provide great relief parents and children.
R Subramanian