Whispers Forum

Information on 15 points was sought from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment such as the number of persons having Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mental illness, Multiple Disabilities etc. Information about offence committed against persons with disability and data about the against persons with disability like their Marital Status, Employment Status, Education Status was also desired. Further, the appellant sought information about steps taken to encourage employment and equal participation of the differently abled in the field of work and to promote respect, empathy and tolerance towards the differently abled. The PIO submitted the available data of persons with disabilities (PwDs) category wise and State wise was provided. He added that the process of incorporating segregated data on autism and specific learning disabilities is ongoing as a part of the UDID initiative i.e ‘Unique Disability ID’ which is being implemented with a view of creating a National Database for PwDs, and to issue a Unique Disability Identity Card to each person with disabilities. The CIC held that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment ought to take certain extraordinary steps aimed at data creation entailing the aspects as pointed out by the Appellant in his RTI Application to the extent possible and to facilitate a centralised resource centre i.e the Ministry’s website for the general public. A copy of the order was marked to the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment to expeditiously look into the serious concerns raised by the Appellant and to take note of the advisory of the Commission.
Comments
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 Act was enacted under Article 253 of Constitution of India to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The applicant has used the RTI Act successful for creating a huge database for the persons with disability.
Citation: L Muruganantham v. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in File No: CIC/DEPDD/A/2019/648066, Date of Decision: 31/05/2021
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

DEBATE(1)
Bureaucrats should stick to their professional business and should not transgress all the bounds of decency at the behest of politicians.
Priyanka
(DEBATE)
Topic of discussion is ok but in reality both use each other according to their agenda.
Aniruddha Jain
Another victory for Modi Govt
Ms. Jagjit Pawadia has been elected as President of INCB, Vienna. She is a former IRS officer. This is another victory for Modi Govt and his Principal Secretary Mishra for placing India's human capital for the world with a vision. India should continue to push and help officers selected through competition on merit. This is a good sign after World Bank group success for India. IRS officers due to their hard work and commitment have been in demand with the international organisation.
Ram Kumar

DEBATE(1)
Politicians will dump the bureaucrats in cases of the latter's misdemeanours and misconduct in order to save the image of the Government. Otherwise, they are favourite with politicians.
Sunil Kumar
Great boost to officers ?
This is the right opportunity for the GoI to recruit personnel for CBI, central intelligence agencies and central police organisations through UPSC based upon a competitive exam and personality test. IPS officers should not be deputed at any cost to these organisations. Only officers directly recruited by these organisations should be appointed chiefs. That will be a great boost to the officers of the organisations listed above..
K Srinivasa Rao

DEBATE (1)
Its both ways .In order to get good positions in the administration bureaucrats use politicians.
N D Joshi
DEBATE(2)
Infact, bureaucrats use politicians because the later have lack of rules and regulations.
Dinesh Gupta
Chances of WWIII looming large ?
I am in complete agreement with AK Saxena, it is almost certain India China and India-Pakistan are going to be the boiling points. The moment it starts Taiwan, Hong Kong, Iran. North Korea and above all Israel Palestine fronts will follow immediately. Chances of WWIII looming large as unipolarity is dead and balance of power is missing for too long with the collapse of USSR. Chinese would be paying a heavy price. Wish 5 provinces of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau declare independence. This is only in the interest of India in long run, of course it would be a mad destruction infinite, not healthy for world economy
Harish Kumar

The appellant filed an application with the UGC and sought to know about the total number of candidate(s) who have taken admission in a particular session of the Jagan Nath University. The PIO, UGC transferred the RTI application under section 6(3) of the RTI Act, 2005 to The Registrar Jagan Nath University, for providing information directly to the appellant. The CIC observed that the transfer of the RTI Application under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act by PIO, UGC to Registrar Jagan Nath University mindlessly without ascertaining the status of the said University vis-à-vis Section 2(h) of the RTI Act was not appropriate. The CIC emphasized that the Appellant had sought for the information from a public authority and not from the Jagan Nath University which is very well as per the letters and spirit of the RTI Act. The PIO, UGC was directed by CIC to provide a statement indicating the total number of candidate(s) who have taken admission in the averred session of the University. The CIC directed the Chairman, UGC to ensure that only officers equivalent to the rank of the PIO are designated to represent the cases before the Commission in future.
Comments
In case the PIO is not able to attend the hearing before the CIC, an officer of the equivalent rank who is well versed with the issue, should be nominated to attend the hearing.
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

DEBATE(1)
Though both politicians and bureaucrats use each other buit come politicians back close confidant bureaucrats to the hilt. Mamta Banerjee always stands by the bureaucrats when it comes to the crunch.
T N Bhattacharya
“Will WW-3 precede the 3rd wave ?”
US’ 90 days deadline to CIA for demystifying the Wuhan leakage is meaningless. The entire world is convinced of China's complicity. No escape for it.
The world cannot remain a mute witness. Fearing world-wide retaliation and negative publicity, China could be preparing for pre-emptive strikes at LAC and with Pakistan at LOC.
Ignoring the disengagement agreement with India , China has started mobilising war machinery along the LAC. Likewise, Pakistan after throwing the cease-fire accord with India to the wind, has escalated hostilities along the LOC with enhanced proxy attacks.
The joint conspiracy against India,is unquestioned with worldwide ramifications. Offensives could start anytime before expiry of 90 days.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Government of India should come out with a clear policy of ending the impasse relating to CSS/CSSS promotion which is lingering on for years. Of late they have given some adhoc promotions, that too for a long wait. They should try to end the court cases smoothly and come out with a policy like other services are getting. Especially in this pandemic, CSS/CSSS are continuously working without any break and so many people have lost their lives. It will be a definite boost to the employees/officers which their promotions which are due is considered and issued on time. It is high time that the GoI should act swiftly. Otherwise our morale will be down. Take care of our cadres also please
Ramesh

The policy of giving extensions beyond the age of superannuation and post-retirement jobs should be discontinued for all as it gives birth to ‘Yes-man’ culture. Officials don’t object to the wrongs of the government for fear of annoying them as they would then loose post retirement opportunities. This should apply to all - the Cabinet Secretary, Chief Secretary, Chairman of PSUs and Banks, CEO of the railways as also the Judges. No one is indispensable and the other officers awaiting these postings after long and dedicated service should get their due .
Ramesh Rao