Whispers Forum

While, Modi-led BJP's triple victory in assemblies' polls is a landmark achievement, it brings demeaning setbacks for I.N.D.I.A bloc in succession. Who, in the Congress will own the responsibility for its dismal performance? Sadly, Rahul/Priyanka Gandhi, the dynastic scions, were being subtly projected during the election campaign as future Prime minister, sidelining senior leaders. On this reckoning, the ruling dispensation's victory in 2024 Lok sabha election, is anybody's guess. A weak Opposition is a sure threat to democracy. Hence, it is time for introspection for all.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Appellant sought copy of nomination form E2 and F2 allegedly executed by her late father with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited raising concerns regarding the authenticity of a document, executed by her late father. The said document is crucial for the reconstitution of an LPG distributorship associated with BPCL. The respondent stated that the requested information could not be disclosed under the provisions of Section 8(1)(e) and Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The CIC observed that the appellant is the daughter and heir of the late Shri Bharatkumar Mohanlal Suchak and has been unwittingly included in the indemnity clause of Annexure E2, which was supposedly executed by her late father. Holding that this clause effectively makes her a party to the document, the CIC directed that she is not considered as third party, and is entitled to request and receive a copy of the same.
Comments
The RTI Act has often been used by individuals in commercial disputes to obtain certain information to build a case. The applicant has to show either the information is not personal or has to establish that there is larger public interest in disclosure.
Citation: Ms. Sharmila Bharatkumar Suchak v. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, CIC/BPCLD/A/2022/117952 –UM; Date of Decision: 02.11.2023
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

The work on Silkyara Tunnel Project in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, spanning four and a half kilometers, is set to resume. The tunnel made headlines after 41 workers were trapped when the tunnel collapsed on Diwali day. According to the Ministry of Road and Transport this is a crucial segment of the government's extensive 900 km 'Char Dham Yatra All Weather Road' project. The pause in construction is to facilitate a safety audit and repair of damaged sections. Needless to say this safety audit will only be eyewash and the government has in the past ignored the genuine concerns of the environmentalists in building this road.
Aditya Malviya

I support the views in a matter of urgent public interest published on the WIC on November 20, 2023. The WHO reported 11,60,000 new cancer cases in India in 2018 and 7,84,800 deaths due to cancer. Treatment cost between Rs.5 to 20 lakh. It said that “cancer patterns in India are dominated by high burden of tobacco-related head and neck cancers…”. The government collects annual revenue of approximately Rs.20,000 crore. It might have spent many times more in primary health care of neck and mouth cancer patients. At an average of Rs. 8,00,000(eight lakhs) as cost of treatment for a cancer patient, the total cost of treatment for all the 11,60,000 is huge business (8,00,000x11,60,000=928,000,000,000- Perhaps nine hundred twenty eight billion). Efforts to ban tobacco products have failed so far in the name of more than 45,00,000 farmers and workers employed in the industry. Where should the devastated families (widow, children, aged parents penniless with no assets at all and one of the 80 crore getting free ration) go for justice? To the government, supreme court (PIL), parliament’s standing committee on Health? Justice needs to be done to the heart-rending cries of the victims.
M L Gupta

The reimbursement of appellant’s cataract surgery raised with Insurers was restricted to Rs. 30,000 by TPA. The appellant submitted that he is entitled to Rs 50,000/- i.e. 10% of sum insured but the insurers restricted as per GIPSA whereas no such restriction was in the policy and also the insurers failed to share complete details of GIPSA which apparently had lenses of lower specifications than the ones actually installed by the doctor in the surgery. The CIC observed that the Appellant's claim of entitlement to Rs. 50,000 for the cataract surgery as per their insurance policy is a significant matter that deserves immediate attention. Further, it is essential to recognize the larger public interest in this matter. The transparency and accuracy of information related to medical insurance claims and expenses are of great concern to the general public. In an age where healthcare costs are rising, individuals rely on their insurance policies for financial support during medical procedures. The lack of transparency and potential discrepancies in the process can significantly affect public trust in the insurance system. The CIC directed the PIO of United India Insurance Company Limited to furnish the requested information including a detailed breakdown of the medical expenses incurred during the cataract surgery, along with all relevant documents and justifications for the decisions made, free of cost, to the appellant.
Comments This order would pave the way for the transparency in the processing of the insurance claims. Hopefully, the insurers would provide the detailed breakdown to the
Citation: Mr. Ajay Kumar Gupta v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd., CIC/UIICL/A/2023/632292-UM; Date of Decision: 01.11.2023
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

The recent death of young businessman Parag Desai, caused by street dogs chasing him, has once again drawn the country’s attention to this menace from which no city or town is safe. In spite of widespread criticism of Municipal authorities by the media and the Municipal authorities own efforts, this serious menace is defying solution. In my experience during service in the field as a police officer, the Municipal authorities falter in tackling this menace, sometimes in spite of resources, because catching dogs is an exhausting job, in which both dog and catcher are likely to get injured. Injury to the dog draws the ire of the animal welfare activists. Also, the dogs instinctively realise that they are going to be caught and run away from the scene. Presently the dogs are caught by hooks and wire loops, which is cruel and archaic. The proper and easier way would be to tranquilise the dogs with a dart gun fired from some distance (as is done to treat wild animals) and then sterilize them. This would save on time, injuries to both dogs and catchers and criticism from animal rights’ activists. It would cost more, but given the seriousness of the problem, should have no lack of political will to provide the necessary resources.
A R Pawar
Ex-DGP MP
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