IAS Sachin Gupta, a 2018 batch officer of the Haryana cadre currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of Rohtak has positioned the district as a frontrunner in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) reforms in Haryana through the initiative ‘Padhe Rohtak Likhe Rohtak.’ The programme addresses learning gaps faced by children in their early years through a systematic process that strengthens classroom teaching,uses data to track progress and involves the community.

Launched in July 2025,the initiative covers 100 per cent of Rohtak’s 211 government primary schools. One of its most impactful innovations is the introduction of the ‘Zero Period’ a compulsory daily remediation slot added into school timetables across the district. This allows teachers to focus exclusively on identifying student weaknesses ,ensure targeted instruction and remedial support for those who need it most. The simplicity and effectiveness of this low-cost, high-impact model led to its adoption across all 22 districts of Haryana, a district-led reform shaping state education policy.

The impact is significant, sentence reading proficiency improved from 28 per cent to 64 percent marking a 128 percent increase while subtraction proficiency rose from 44 per cent to 78 per cent, a 77 percent gain. These outcomes were tracked using Digital Skill Passbooks, a child-wise monitoring system that enabled teachers and administrators to identify learning gaps in real time and plan targeted remediation. Additionally regular data-backed reviews at the school, cluster, block and district levels ensured consistency and accountability in execution.

Infrastructure reform formed another key pillar of the initiative. Rohtak established NIPUN Vatikas a child-friendly, activity-based learning spaces designed to strengthen literacy and numeracy readiness with minimal recurring costs. Apart from this, 50 Anganwadis were also upgraded so they can work as pre schools helping children easily transition and build skills. 

A defining feature of Padhe Rohtak Likhe Rohtak is its emphasis on community ownership. Through Parent-Teacher Circles and a structured home-reading movement over 12,000 parents are actively engaged in their children’s learning journeys, inturn extending literacy practices beyond classrooms into homes. Teachers too benefited from clearer assessment frameworks, level-based worksheets and visible progress tracking, building instructional confidence and motivation.

The initiative’s outcomes have received recognition by the Hon’ble Governor of Haryana and the Hon’ble Education Minister acknowledging Rohtak’s model as a standout example of community-driven FLN reform. In recognition of its innovation, scalability and measurable outcomes ‘Padhe Rohtak Likhe Rohtak’ was also conferred the Good Governance Award.

As the programme moves from initiative to institution, looking ahead Rohtak is now targeting 100 per cent NIPUN coverage by March 2026.

In addition to this a similar governance philosophy is being visible in Rohtak’s health sector. The district has launched Swasthya Vahini, a mobile healthcare initiative delivering free high-end diagnostics, including mammography, directly to villages through a camp-mode saturation strategy. The initiative screened over 1,000 women, conducted 469 mammography scans and identified 106 critical anaemia cases, reinforcing the administration’s emphasis on early intervention, last-mile delivery and data-backed follow-up.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi (born July 1964) is due to retire in July 2026. Who will succeed him?
• Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, Vice Chief of Army Staff, is the front-runner, in line with traditional succession norms.
• Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, GOC-in-C Southern Command, is another strong contender.
• Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, currently a Northern Army Commander, is also in circulation
for higher responsibility, particularly if border tensions escalate. Other senior Lieutenant Generals commanding key regional formations could also be
considered, but the Vice Chief is typically the front-runner.

Sanjay Mangal is likely to be selected for the post of Member CBIC. He is a 1992 batch IRS (C&CE) officer.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has not made any schedule for the Board level selections till January 15, 2026. However, the PESB re-schedules as and when required.

The Ministry of Finance has asked the media, since the Union Budget has a determinate and publicly known timeline, and so there is no particular need to speculate about it especially in view of its economic and financial implications.The advisory further elaborated that It has been noted off late that there is a lot of buzz in the media on the forthcoming Union Budget 2026-27. The Ministry of Finance takes note of each and every story regularly. At this point, we would like to underscore the importance of due diligence, factual accuracy, and responsible reporting on budget-related matters.

Rajasthan Chief Secretary Srinivas Voruganti will be sharing an innovation in governance of Rajasthan - CM UNNATI to review infrastructure projects on lines of PM PRAGATI in  first meeting on 16 January 2026.

Rear Admiral Vikas Chawla was promoted to Vice Admiral and assumed charge as Assistant Chief of Materiel (Dockyard & Refit) at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and has held key roles in ship production, training, and indigenisation.

As many as 22 officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of various batches are retiring in Gujarat cadre.

The central deputation tenure of Abhishek Dev working as Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has been extended for a period of one year beyond February 8, 2026. He is a 2007 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

The central deputation tenure of Ms Pooja Pandey working as Director of Census Operations, Arunachal Pradesh & Meghalaya has been extended upto March 16, 2027. She is a 2008 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is going to shift from Shastri Bhawan to Kartavya Bhawan 1 in January.

The central deputation tenure of Ms Nirupama J Dange working as Director of Census Operations, Maharashtra has been extended upto March 16, 2027. She is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Following the Commonwealth Speakers Conference in Delhi from January 14 to 16, the Presiding Officers' Conference will be held in Lucknow from January 18 to 20.

In UP, 2.89 crore voters have been removed from the electoral rolls in the state, including 46 lakh voters who are dead. As per data,Lucknow has lost the maximum number of voters. When the SIR was announced, Lucknow had 39.9 lakh electors, which has now come down to 27.9 lakh-a reduction of 30 per cent.

The deputation tenure of Sonal V Mishra, IG, CRPF, has been extended for a period of one year beyond December 20, 2025. She is a 2000 batch IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Replaces 1961 Act from April 1, 2026, simplifying rules, retaining exemptions, and adding levies on cigarettes/pan masala. Zero tax up to INR 12L, with rebates for middle-class.

The 2008 batch of IRS-IT is a dejected lot. Reason- they are still waiting for their promotion. It is said that the DoPT is yet to intiate the process of this batch. Why so late on, the DopT can throw some light.

Ms Vibha Chahal has been appointed as Director in the Department of Food & Public Distribution. She is a 2012 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.

The post of Ashish Saxena has been upgraded as Director in the Ministry of Mines. He is a 2012 batch ISS officer.

The post of Raghav Gupta has been upgraded as Director, NATGRID under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He is a 2012 batch IRS-IT officer.

The post of Ms Geetika Sharma has been upgraded as Director in the Ministry of Mines. She is a 2012 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

The post of Bakki Karthikeyan as PS to G Kishan Reddy, has been upgraded as Director. He is a 2012 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

The post of Ashish Saxena has been upgraded as Director in the Ministry of Mines. He is a 2012 batch ISS officer.

The DoT has granted NFU to 13 JAG level ITS officers. They are- Ramkumar Ramnath Kori, Rohit Jain, Abhishek Sharma, Khushboo Sharma, Ankur Gupta, Monu Gupta, Lavi Gupta, Shashi Shekhar Pandey, M. Raj Anup, Siddharth Kumar Suresh Kumar, Sanjiv Meena and Pankaj Kumar Bhagat.

Navratna PSU (unspecified, likely IRCON or RITES) secured ₹200 crore project, fuelling 26% stock surge in five sessions.Tied to Electric Power System Strengthening (EPSS) for grid reliability, with 18-month execution boosting order book to ₹450 crore. Changing trend: PSU railways pivot to renewables-integrated infra.

Following the death of IAS officer Mahantesh Bilagi due to a technical lapse in insurance coverage (leaving his family short by nearly ₹50 lakh), the Karnataka government mandated term insurance for all doctors, officers, and staff under the Medical Education and Skill Development Department. This initiative aims to enhance welfare and risk coverage for public servants.

Former Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati (Retd. IAS) met with Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Services, Sachin R. Jadhav (IAS), to discuss strategies for archery development and promotion across Odisha, including youth training programs and infrastructure upgrades under the #OdishaForSports initiative.

Tamil Nadu government, led by MK Stalin, announced protests against the Centre’s proposed IAS cadre rule amendments on January 4, 2026, viewing them as federalism violations; whispers predict similar resistance from Odisha and Kerala, signalling a southern states’ trend against central overreach.

 Adityanath Das (former Chandrababu Naidu’s Secretary) heads a Jal Shakti Ministry committee, raising inter-state water project concerns.

National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) has advertised the post of Chief General Manager (CGM) for New Delhi on deputation basis. Details can be availed from NFRA website.

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has advertised the post of General Manager (Mechanical) on deputation basis for Corporate Office, New Delhi. Details can be availed from www.rvnl.org.

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has invited applications for empanelment of persons for nomination as Independent External Monitors (IEM) in organisations for implementation of Integrity Pact (IP). Online applications can be sent at https://iem.cvc.gov.in/ latest by January 19, 2026.

National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) has invited applications for the post of Advisor-Community Processes / Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CP/CPHC) for New Delhi on contract basis. Applications must reach latest by January 20, 2026.

Employee State Insurance Company (ESIC)  has advertised vacancies for  Regional Director Grade A/ Director posts on deputation basis. Details can be availed from https://socialjustice.gov.in/.

World Bank has advertised the post of Engineering Supervisor for Washington, DC, United States. Applications must reach latest by January 21, 2026.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has invited applications for engagement of professionals as Project Coordinator (from open market) on contract basis for National Project Management Unit (NPMU). Applications must reach latest by January 25, 2026. Details can be availed from Ministry's website.

In a major reshuffle, as many as 26 IPS officers have been given new postings in W Bengal. Anoop Jaiswal has been made IG, CID, while Arijit Sinha, DIG, Midnapore Range, has been given the additional charge of DIG, Jangalmahal Battalion and Shrihari Pandey will join as DIG, Intelligence Branch, North Bengal. Similarly, Biswajit Mahato was transferred as DC, Special Branch (SB).  Bidhannagar Commissionerate; Nima Norbu Bhutia as Commanding Officer (CO), State Armed Police (SAP), 10th Battalion; Mrs Sujata Kumari Veenapani as DC, Headquarters, Howrah PC; Asim Khan as DC, Traffic, Howrah; Rakesh Singh as DC East, Siliguri Commissionerate; Shyamal Samanta as Special Superintendent (SS), CID; Makwana Meetkumar Sanjaykumar as DC, Traffic, Bidhannagar; Tauseef Ali Azhar as DC, Central, Howrah; Kalyan Sinha Ray as DC, DD, Howrah; Rana Mukherjee as DC, SB, Asansol Durgapur PC; Rupantar Sengupta as DC, DD, Chandan Nagar; Indrajit Sarkar as SP, STF, WB; Indra Badan Jha as DC, Central, Barrackpore; Ali Aboobacker TT as DC, DD, Barrackpore;Manish Joshi as DC, DD, Bidhan Nagar; Ms Polumati Sharanta as Addl DC, SB, Howrah and Ms Shailja Das is posted as Addl SP, Rural, Hooghly Rural.

Deepak Hilori, IPS (Punjab cadre: 2011), has been appointed on deputation as Director (Vigilance–Police) in the Railway Board in the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), from the date of assumption of charge of the post for the balance period of his Central deputation tenure up to December 25, 2028.

Pramod Kumar Gupta, who is presently posted as Chief Materials Manager (Shell), Integral Coach Factory (ICF), has been transferred to the Railway Board and posted as Executive Director (Railway Stores–P), Railway Board. He is an Indian Railway Service of Stores (IRSS) officer.

Ms. Priya Agrawal, who is presently serving in South Central Railway (SCR) and is under orders of transfer to Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) as Director/Tele, has been promoted to Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) and posted as Executive Director (Tele), RDSO, at Secunderabad. She is an Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) officer.

Ravi Prakash Chaturvedi, an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, has been permanently absorbed in Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) following acceptance of his technical resignation from Railway service with effect from January 6, 2026, on which date he is deemed to have retired from Railway service.

As many as 79 junior administrative grade (JAG) Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officers have been placed in selection grade with effect from January 1, 2026.

As many as 2 junior administrative grade (JAG) Indian Railway Health Service (IRHS) officers have been placed in selection grade.

Renewable Energy Milestone : India added a record 44.5 GW renewables in 2025 (51.55% non-fossil capacity), achieving Paris targets early. Solar (132.85 GW, +41% YoY) and wind (53.99 GW) surges via PM Surya Ghar and Green Hydrogen Mission. 

Prediction: 500 GW non-fossil by 2030, with PSUs like NTPC and SECI leading. Under New project, NTPC Green Energy awarded ₹391 crore EPC to Bondada Engineering and ₹725 crore to Solarworld for 250 MW solar (completion FY26-27).

Dr. Rajender Kumar, IAS, has been appointed as Managing Director of Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited.

Mrs. Kiran Awasthi has been appointed as an Independent Director of Aspira Pathlab & Diagnostics Limited.
 

Ms. Shan Jain has been re-appointed as an Independent Director of Shalimar Paints Limited.

Manoj Rameshwar Sinha has been re-appointed as Whole-time Director of Saffron Industries Limited.

Sanjay Majmudar has been re-designated from Non-Executive Independent Director as a Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Ashima Limited.

Heegu Shin has resigned from the positions of Whole Time Director and Chief Financial Officer of E-Land Apparel Limited.

BJP to go Congress way

It is a good observation, but i don’t think it is valid because the candidates in BJP are all selected on basis of their work or politics, not based on legal hire !

Mayank R.Wadhwa

Like congress

It will be like congress as in the leadership will be same as the current BJP or little bit more aggressive but the groundworkers is MLA or other states level leaders will be like congress for sure including state CMs as if we see the current situation it's moving towards that direction

S Tari

BJP  doing well

BJP has been doing well. But, in course of time, it could get complacent, arrogant...then fatigue will set in, leading to decline. In a robust democracy, a strong Opposition is needed. Unfortunately, Congress is nowhere near being a responsible, strong Opposition. I'm sure wise leaders in BJP are aware that a weak Opposition is bad for BJP itself. Let's see how things evolve in the coming years.

Raghvan

A cadre party

A cadre party becoming like congress? No way. Besides the rss pulls strings within the BJP. Not happening.

Karthik Nath                       

Running out of ideas

BJP is already running out of ideas of "zameeni developmental infrastructure" following a spate of natural disasters in the northern region, it's just a matter of time India realizes "kya kya galat ho rahaa" and "who is making unscientific changes"!

Ashiss

Congratulations

Congratulations to DATE WITH RTI COLUMN on completing seventeen long years of regular articles on the Whispers in the Corridors website, every week. Over the years, the column has stood out for being consistently factual, legally sound, and highly relevant to contemporary issues surrounding transparency and governance. It's clear interpretation of RTI provisions and case-based analysis has made complex legal matters accessible and practical. As a PIO, the column has been especially helpful in guiding lawful decision-making, timely responses, and adherence to RTI principles. Wishing continued publication of the same high standards and many more years of meaningful contribution

Rohit Singh

Information about Bharathidasan Institute of Management located in BHEL campus

The appellant sought information related to the Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM) located in the campus of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Trichy such as whether BHEL was a collaborating partner, whether CMD attended the meeting, whether charge-sheet was issued to some officers for granting approval to BIM, etc. The PIO replied that information sought related to BIM which is a private institute and BHEL has no stake in the aforesaid institute. No MoU between BHEL and BIM is available on record. BHEL had allotted the building premises to BIM on lease basis for certain period and thereafter on license agreement basis. In accordance with the BHEL Shop and Allotment Policy, the license fee is collected as per the market rent from BIM and not on any discount or concessional rate. At present, a sum of Rs. 1.40 Crores per annum (excluding GST) is being collected as license fee from BIM. But the Respondent failed to establish how the market rent was arrived at in the absence of any open transparent competitive process. As regards details of tender floated by the BHEL for allotment of its building premises to BIM, the PIO submitted that no document related to the tender is available in their records. The appellant alleged before CIC that BHEL is one of the founders of BIM, and the registration fee for the society’s registration was paid by BHEL. The CIC noted that the Respondent has neither stated in their written submissions nor clarified during the hearing whether grant of its building premises to BIM for establishing the institute was done  through open transparent and competitive process through tender/auction conducted by BHEL. No details of any tender process have been provided by the PIO. The CIC observed that it is a matter of common understanding when government land or property is to be leased out particularly to a private institution, such allotment is ordinarily undertaken through an open, transparent and competitive (tender/ auction) process. In the present case, no material has been placed on record to demonstrate that BHEL followed such a procedure before granting its building to BIM on lease. The CIC pointed out that if land or a building is provided by a public authority to a private entity free of cost or at a heavily subsidized rate, such support may itself amount to “substantial financing”. In the absence of any tender or auction records, the method of determination of ‘market rent’ remains unclear. The CIC held that the Appellant too has not been able to substantiate his assertions or demonstrate how the body from which information is sought is owned, controlled, or substantially financed, directly or indirectly, either by BHEL or by the appropriate Government. The CIC noted that on the website of BIM it is mentioned that the institute was established in collaboration with BHEL. Holding that both sides are unable to come clear on the requirement of the RTI Act and/or public funding, the CIC directed the PIO to submit an appropriate affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper to establish the whether BIM is a public authority.

Comments

The burden to show that a body is owned, controlled or substantially financed or that a non-government organization is substantially financed directly or indirectly by the funds provided by the appropriate Government is on the applicant who seeks information which he failed to discharge in this case. For seeking information related to BIM, it has to be established that it is owned, controlled or substantially financed by BHEL.

Citation: Senthil Manian Vellaichamy v. Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd, File No: CIC/BHELD/A/2024/627929 + /657539; Date of Decision: 11.12.2025

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

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