Whispers Forum

The appellant sought information about Dr Amulya K Panda Director, National Institute of Immunology like - the name of the subject in which he obtained master’s degree (with specialization, if any), the subject on which he was awarded PhD degree etc. It was informed that Dr Panda has superannuated on 31.05.2021. It is a personal information exempt under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, since it has no relation to public activity or interest and is exempted from disclosure to prevent unwarranted invasion of privacy. Relying on the ratio laid down in the matter of Central Public Information Officer, Supreme Court of India v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal in Civil Appeal Nos. 10044, 10045 and 2683 (all of 2010), the CIC denied the request of Appellant for disclosure of the information and upheld the submission of the PIO.
Comments
Information about the educational qualification of scholars is usually available publically, on the website of the organisation. The linked in profile of Dr Amulya K Panda shows his education as PhD - Biotechnology (IIT Delhi), M Tech - Chemical Engineering (IIT Madras) apart from other degrees. It indicates that the individual has no qualms regarding disclosure of his educational degree. The PIO could have issued a third party notice rather than flatly denying the information. If the qualification for a post requires Master’s degree or PhD, it is liable to be disclosed under RTI.
Citation: Dr. D. D. Joshi v. National Institute of Immunology (Ministry of Science & Technology), CIC/NIIMM/A/2022/647852; Date of Decision: 26.07.2023
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

Request to convey Indian Journalists Union (IJU) hearty congratulations to Hon'ble Chief Minister Sri Shivaraj Singh Chohan ji for his announcements made today on the welfare of working journalists in the state . It is one state on the top in the country in the welfare measures of working journalists. The Indian Journalists Union once again congratulate sri Shivaraj Singh ji.
K.Sreenivas Reddy President
G 20 Summit and India
The G20 summit will be held from September 9-10, 2023 at Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi and will be attended by the leaders of the G20 countries, as well as invited guests.
The theme of the summit is "Building a Resilient Recovery for a Sustainable Future".
The summit is expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including the global economy, climate change, and digitalization. It is also expected to be a platform for India to showcase its economic and diplomatic prowess.
The G20 is an international forum for the governments of the world's 20 largest economies. It was established in 1999 to promote international economic cooperation and coordination. The G20 countries account for about 80% of the world's GDP, 75% of global trade, and 60% of the world's population.
The G20 summit is the main decision-making body of the G20. It is held every year and is attended by the leaders of the G20 countries. The summit is a chance for the leaders to discuss and agree on global economic and financial issues.
The 2023 G20 India Summit is a significant event for India. It is the first time that India will be hosting the G20 summit. The summit is a chance for India to showcase its economic and diplomatic prowess to the world.
The key issues that are likely to be discussed are:
The global economy: The summit is likely to discuss the recovery of the global economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. The leaders will also discuss ways to address the rising inflation and food insecurity.
Climate change: The summit is likely to discuss ways to address the climate crisis. The leaders will also discuss how to transition to a clean energy economy.
Digitalization: The summit is likely to discuss the opportunities and challenges of digitalization. The leaders will also discuss how to ensure that everyone benefits from the digital revolution.
Poverty and inequality: The summit is likely to discuss ways to reduce poverty and inequality. The leaders will also discuss how to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to prosper.
Hina Khan

I fully agree with ML Gupta views expressed on 370 in J&K on recent happenings or decisions. I must add that it is high time that all 29 states and 9 Union Territories must be declared as States, this job can be done by the Electoral Reforms Committee appointed by the Government of India recently. All Central and State Elections are held once in 5 years, also both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Elections, State Elections be held once in 5 years with uniformity of tenure. Rajya Sabha members can be elected by direct elections or by State Assembly & Lok Sabha Members within one month of elections. Of course the committee doing this job will better do some research work before arriving at any conclusions in the interest of India's democracy. Nomination system dispensing with & uniform tenure for Rajya Sabha is a must for India now.
Harish Kumar

I have been an account holder in State Bank of India since many years in branches in different parts of the country and in the last 15 years I am operating from the same branch. So I was astounded when I received SMS this morning (02 Sept 2023) informing that STOP has been put on my account. I was advised to visit the branch concerned to know the reason and to do whatever I am asked to do. The executive at the bank explained that mine is a very old account opened many years ago and the Bank is updating your records. She asked me take an account opening form, fill it furnishing all the details asked, attach copies of PAN card, adhaar card etc and submit. After updating the details the hold will be lifted. I wanted to tell her that I have been regularly updating my KYC details which are available with the branch. She just smiled and said these are instructions from the top, Sir. Just fill the form and bring it to me. Of course after dealing with SBI for over thirty years I knew better than to pick up an argument and came away. While filling the new account opening form I was astounded that I had to furnish the maiden name of not only myself but my wife, our religion, caste etc. I never had a maiden name! but why ask for religion, caste etc. Will someone from SBI care to respond.
Raghavan

Coaching creates civil servants ; their pre-induction training makes them arrogant. Worse, their final appointment makes them pliable to the political class.
Why not merge the existing organised civil services with a new UPSC-recruited service called the "Indian political service" ? Let them be trained together (pre-induction and in-service) for achieving greater synergy and creating a more effective public services delivery mechanism.
The modern Indian civil servants have immeasurable capacity to gel with politicians of all hues.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

Marks secured Marks secured in Written Exam and interview were sought by a candidate. The PIO informed that the marks of candidates whose candidature has been cancelled have not been provided/ uploaded on the Commission’s website. Since, the candidature of the RTI applicant for the said exam has been cancelled, the information sought cannot be provided as per the UPSC policy. On second appeal, the CIC held that since the Appellant has sought for his own marks and has applied for the same under the RTI Act, the reason cited by the CPIO for denying the same is not in compliance with the provisions of the RTI Act.
Comments
As per Section 19(5) of the RTI Act, the onus to prove that a denial of a request was justified shall be on the PIO. Relying on UPSC policy to deny an information to a candidate whose candidature is cancelled is not tenable under the RTI Act as Section 22 grants overriding powers to the Act over any other statute.
Citation: Amit Turan v. Union Public Service Commission, CIC/UPSCM/A/2022/658298; 07/08/2023
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 constitution defines India as a ‘union of States’. What is the significance? Why not a dominion? Could it be a union of dominions or a federation of dominions? Could it be both a union of states and dominions? The question assumes great significance in the context of Art370/35A. Where was the need to adopt an extra constitutional mechanism to surreptitiously insert the definition of a dominion under Art35A without using the word? Why make the ‘territory’ of India Indian and J&K? Is territory of a sovereign nation divisible? It is precisely what the Art 35A does. It makes, in effect, J&K a dominion within the union of India, where writ of the Union of India does not automatically run, where a separate constitution, flag etc was permitted as in a dominion. Whose brain was it? India's leadership of the time can’t be credited with such brilliance: it was exclusively the British diplomatic brain deciding the most critical decision for its “commonwealth”. For 75 years they have harvested rich crops in the name of J&K. They want Art370/35A restored! In all respects, it was a conspiracy from which the people of India generally, and Sardar Patel especially, were kept uninformed by choice. It surprises many that Law colleges/universities never held any debate on such an important subject. Debates on national issues were common, the lead being taken by communists, progressives, liberals, academicians et al. A treachery executed stealthily. It was designed for some other select parts too but frustrated by Sardar Patel. Yet, something British perversity still holds! The debate in the SC is watched with keen interest but without any clue to these aspects.
M L Gupta

President grab the opportunity of having meaningful dialogue with President Xi Jin Ping, on the issues of " de-escalation and dis-engagement of troops" between the two hostile neighbours? This is considered absolutely necessary in the context of recent cartographic aggression committed against India by including Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh as parts of China in their official website. Going by the wisdom of the hindsight, India should never commit the thoughtless blunder of taking China at its face value. Never, ever. China is treacherous and totally untrustworthy. India has all along been fooled by China through its time-tested doctrine of ' Salami Slicing '. Following transparency is important for India. The outcome of Sino-Indian discussion on border issues should be shared with the world in the light of the changing Geo-political position. No purpose would be served by keeping it under the wrap. Several rounds of negotiation have been held in the past between officers of Indian army and the PLA, but no headway has ever been made. The interlocutors merely fix the date of the next meeting. We Indians are eagerly awaiting the fulfilment of the Union Home minister's promise made in Parliament ,post Art 370 abrogation. This was about taking back PoK. What is India waiting for ,one wonders? The POK will surely not be surrendered by Pakistan to us on a platter. Its forcible annexation is the only option. It will be foolhardy for India to wait for the peoples' movements in Baluchistan, Sindh and POK to grow against Pakistan's regime. This approach is being repeated by Indian ministers without analysing the implications. The Pakistani army will crush these movements in the absence of active intervention by India. Another connected issue. A part of Gilgit-Baltistan, was gifted by Pakistan to China in connection with the infrastructure constructions, as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ( C-PEC). This issue has also to be discussed by India with China's President. The gifted territory belongs to India. Indian Armed forces are capable and ready to strike. We have full faith in their professional competence. Political go-ahead signals are awaited. Can our Indian compatriots expect something spectacular from the ruling dispensation after G-20 Summit?
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)