Whispers Forum

The appellant sent a letter to the CBSE seeking correction of name in CBSE certificate and subsequently sought an action taken report under RTI Act. The appellant submitted that the correction of his name in the CBSE certificate was done by the respondent authority though delayed by over a year and a half. The PIO submitted that the grievance of the appellant was redressed properly. The CIC observed that since the grievance of the appellant was redressed and the appellant is satisfied with the same, there is no scope for intervention in the matter. However, the PIO should note that the reply/information must be supplied within the time limit as laid down in the RTI Act. Interim replies have to be followed up with final relies as soon as possible, without the appellant needing to send any reminder in this regard.
Comments
There has been an increase in the use of RTI Applications seeking an action taken report on a complaint or a request for a particular action. In a large number of applications, filing of RTI Application has led to a positive outcome for the applicant.
Citation: Shyad Hafijur Rahman v. CPIO, Central Board of Secondary Education in Decision no.: CIC/CBSED/A/2018/141146/02268, Date of Decision: 05/12/2019
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. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com

DEBATE(1)
The whole premise that a country as large and diverse as India, having such complex governance issues, can be “run” by one individual is a false idea and narrative that the ruling party wants you to believe. The country is governed by ministers, bureaucrats and technocrats who have respective domain expertise. Unlike now where, rightly or wrongly everything is attributed to one person (or 2 recently).
Konark Bhandari
DEBATE(2)
None other than Amit Shah can be the Prime Minister after Modi
R K Tayal
Empowering women in Budget
There is big aberration in tax treatment among family members. This is simple example and easy to understand. When a person retires from service and he receives pensionary benefits and other retirement benefits, there are family members like son, daughter, wife etc. among whom the retiree distributes his retirement money . There is no problem in case of son, daughter and mother but when he gives money to his wife as a family member her income - on money received from husband - will be clubbed with husband income which is not correct. On the other hand, the income of son, daughter and mother will be treated as his or her income. Similarly, the wife’s income should also be treated as her income not to be clubbed with husband’s income at least in case of retirement money. It is OK as long as the person is in service, the income can be clubbed not on retirement money. Let the wife treat it as her own money and interest or income earned from money received as a share from her husband to be treated her own income not to be clubbed with husband income. Now FM being women may appreciate the issue much better and at least give this much to women on retirement money received from their husband. This looks a fair treatment and should be considered favourably by the FM in coming Budget to empower the women as a independent identity.
Naveen
Deferment of promotions
When Modi became PM all Indians expected that his government would follow the rule of law in letter and spirit and save common people from bureaucratic tyranny. I regret to inform you that right under Modi’s vigil in the PMO, the rules set by the DoPT with regard to promotions are being ignored without any regard for those rules. Further, several Supreme Court orders in this regard are not being followed. In the garb of deferment, promotions are being denied to deserving officers though no charges are pending against them merely because some frivolous complaints are pending against them. This is in gross violation of Supreme Court orders in the cases of UoI v Anil Kumar Sarkar and UoI v K V Janaki Raman. These violations are more rampant in CBDT and CBEC.
By A Visitor

DEBATE(1)
There is a leadership crisis in the country. There is none other than Narendra Modi.
Raj Kumar
DEBATE(2)
Sharad Pawar and Rahul Gandhi. In BJP only Raj Nath Singh.
S S Aporiya
A welcome step
Thanks for settling the issue with the case law. There was a lot of confusion whether similar or identical applications should be replied to ...... At least now the SPIO/ CPIO would know that he has to respond to each and every application filed under the RTI Act. Similar applications cannot be kept away as the earlier application on the issue was replied to. This would increase the work load in terms of sending the photocopy of the earlier reply, but a certainty in the matter is welcome.
Swami Periyar
Gulping of public money
No body is talking about the gulping of public money by the Senior Bureaucrats and Ministers in the form of excess consumption of fuel/vehicles for personal purposes, hospitality expenses over & above entitlement and misuse of staff/officials (excess employment in their personal establishment) for personal purposes.
BBS
Negativity also pervades society
Lafadaa, Fasaad, Vitandabad Test not the power of the Devil. Negativity also pervades society; perhaps in equal amount in proportion to positivity. Neglect the word and it can cause all varieties of infections in social life of a country. Academic hygiene demands alertness at a level surpassed by the armed forces at the LAC. Social debility is caused by abuse of the word. Something akin to Life Style Diseases pervades conditions which can not be cured and can only be managed by regular medication. According to a study, 3 out of 4 young people suffer from high blood pressure. Another study had predicted diabetes, mental health and other problems. Medication costs a lot and still the patient fails to return to normal health enjoyed before suffering the silent attack from the disease. Social disorder caused by lafadaa, fasaad and vitanda has the same, even worse, effect on peace, harmony, law & order, fraternity, unity and integrity. A matter of thought in these Devil inspired times inverting the word completely !
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1)
Only well experienced Sharad Pawar.
R Rathee
DEBATE (2)
Raj Nath Singh 2. Amit Shah 3. Devendra Fadvavis (X- factor) 4. N Chandra Babu Naidu (X-Factor)
Vjay Kant Pandey
"Non-news as Breaking news”
Writing TV news script is a lot harder than one might think. Indian TV news script writers never write for ears. Hence, more often than not, these are out of sync with visuals based on ground realities. All TV channels have the inherent propensity to show every news as Breaking News. All under TRP compulsions. In the competition for One-up-manship, news are hyped so much that the script writers, invariably end up making a mockery of themselves and worse, mislead the viewers.
Sample the following "Breaking News" that appeared simultaneously on all TV channels, on Dec 30 ,2019.
First Breaking news :- Priyanka Gandhi is reaching Delhi by road as the flight was cancelled due to fog. Worse, the news was repeated several times in succession.
Second Breaking news :--Fire breaks out in PM House ( PMH) ;
Third Breaking News :-PM Modi promptly consoled all his fans by tweeting " that there was no fire in PMH ( 7 Lok samiti marg) and there was a short circuit in SPG House (9 Lok samiti marg) "
Questions
(a) Whether there are criteria for categorizing the News. Priyanka Gandhi’s travel mode is a non-news ; (b) How did the PM butt in ? Is he a specialist? (c) Where did engineers disappear despite ? Who leaked the news to the Media? ( d) Was attempt was made through the Tweets to attract global attention; ( e) Are there any standard guidelines to regulate media hypes ?
Will the News Broadcasting agency or m/I&B issue appropriate advisories to TV channels to exercise utmost restraint in analyzing the news-worthiness before classifying them as normal or breaking news?
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)
CBIC has done it again
Earlier It has promoted Direct recruit ACs of 2014 on !st Jan 2019 to the post of DC (STS), now it has come out with Office order no,175/2019 where in it has promoted Direct recruit ACs of 2015 batch to the post of DC (STS). Promotion orders from DC (STS) to JC (JAG) have also been issued. All the orders are on ad-hoc basis i.e as per para 5 of the order promotion shall not confer any right on the officers so promoted for any claim for regular promotion in the grade of DC & the period of such service will not count for seniority or as qualifying service for further promotions. CBIC can very well promote the Promotee ACs of 2014 putting in the same condition. The whole batch of Direct Recruit Officers are promoted enmasse and no sanction strength or availability of posts come in the way. Every time promotion orders of Direct recruit ACs are issued few promotee ACs from Appraiser cadre are also promoted. In 2014 order 10 such Promotee ACs (from Appraiser cadre) were promoted and in order issued on 30/12/2019, 20 Promotee ACs from Appraiser cadre have been promoted to the post of DC. Why no Promotee AC from the cadre of Superintendents (who are much senior to Appraisers in feeder cadre) have been promoted to the rank of DC. The conduct of CBIC is not above the board. There surely a promotion mafia operating in the Board which must be investigated by CBI.
Durgesh Makwana
Childish claim
CBIC promoted ACs in 2014 not on charity. It is a childish claim & it appears that writer is not aware of promotion rules at the level of Group A officers. Due permission, approval & concurrence of DOPT UPSC & ACC is taken. Due requirement in wake of upcoming tax reform of century i.e. GST was kept in the mind while promoting them. Department will further be benefited by their rich experience, by promoting them, which will keep them motivated and boost their morale. CBIC must give a serious thought that if they promote 2015 batch of Direct recruit ACs (who have completed only 4 years of service, which include two years of training) to the rank of DCs (STS Scale) on !st Jan 2020, by overlooking promotee ACs of 2014 it will be committing a Himalayan Blunder as CBIC has already promoted Direct Recruit ACs of 2014 batch on !st Jan 2019. Not only will there be spate of court cases, VRSs, but demotivated and demoralised officers, will not be able to give their best, when that are most required, when the GST Revenue is going downhill. For more than 95% of them, it will be the last promotion of their life. The promotion to the next rank of DC in STS will boost their morale to walk an extra mile for the People and Govt of their country. GST has been PMs most important project in Tax Reforms. If PM looks into the matter, injustice being done to the Promotee ACs of 2014 batch who have completed more than 5 years of service in JTS can be set upright, as CBIC is openly biased against them.
Dharmesh Singh
Congratulations !
Congratulation Rajesh Bhushan Sir for being Secretary (RD) Ministry of Rural Development.
Sanjeev Kumar

DEBATE (1)
In my view Naveen Patnaik followed by Sharad Pawar. Patnaik will make good PM while Pawar with his experience will do well.
Raghu Thakur
DEBATE(2)
None...if any body claims so.. CBI ED raid Tihar jail will be waiting for him.
Venkateswara Rao Dhulipala
Only Modi can ensure justice !
Govt. does not fill Group "A" level posts, for the sake of charity or generosity. Recruitment at Group A level is always done strictly as per requirement of Govt. For filling up the posts of ACs from promotion in 2014, due approval of DOPT, UPSC & ACC was taken by the CBIC. The arrogance & ignorance of Mr. Vikas Singh has been revealed through his write up. Are Supdts. & Appraisers responsible for stagnation, or policies of Govt. ? 9 officers who have joined the Department as Appraisers have been promoted to the rank of Commissioners vide Office Order no 158/2019 dated 29/11/2019 issued by CBIC. Is it a crime to aspire for promotion ? Yes, if CBIC can manage to meet or surpass the targets of CGST collection without their services, revert them! This is not British Rule. This is Modi Government, so choose your words and action carefully. It is requested that PMO must intervene in this matter urgently and Promotee ACs of 2014 should also be promoted to DC in STS pay scale after 4 years of service, before the junior direct recruit ACs of (2015) are promoted to the rank of DC. CBIC has already done grave injustice by promoting direct ACs of 2014 on 1st Jan 2019 to the rank of DC (who have joined the service after Promotee ACs of 2014) and overlooking Promotee ACs of 2014 batch. Only clear cut instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi can ensure justice for promotee ACs of 2014 of CBIC.
Vijay Mahadevan
LTCG on transfer of equity shares/equity oriented MF
Till FY 2107-18 LTCG on transfer of equity share and units of equity oriented MF was exempted under section 10(38). Vide Finance Bill 2018, the new section 112A has been inserted in order to levy long-term capital gain tax on the transfer of equity share, units of equity oriented funds and units of the business trust. Further, in order to levy long term capital gain tax @10%, the capital gain should be exceeding INR 1 Lakh. It means there is no tax liability upto 1 lakh. The attention of FM and PM is drawn why un-necessary details are being asked in ITR even if LTCG in such cases is less than 1 lakh or loss. It is understood that notices have been issued for mismatch and it is really a difficult for CPC task to match each and every entry of ITRs knowing well there is no tax liability from assesses side and no revenue to the Govt. Cases can be understood and details are required if LTCG in such cases exceeds 1 lakh. Simply the information can be asked as per Sec112A for reporting purpose as was being followed till FY 2107-18 under Sec 10 (38). Secretary, Revenue is nodal authority and should take up the case with CBDT for simplification of the procedure as it helps both sides. There is wastage of time, manpower and financial resources etc without any revenue. The same resources can be used for some innovative solution of prevailing situations and plugging the revenue leakages. It is well known that a small mistake may invite big problem and may be the first step towards harassment of tax payers. To avoid such situations and problems let us follow the simple solution of the problem. We can still workout better method to increase revenue by withdrawing LTCG tax i instead increase STT which is simpler way of collecting taxes. Whenever there is a transaction STT is calculated and deposited by the stock exchanges in Govt, accounts on settlement. Each and every transaction gives the revenue to the Govt. without involving tax payers and tax authorities. No complexity in filing ITRs and wastage of resources by the Govt. and still there is increase in revenue. These are simpler way of boosting the revenues and sentiments of the investors. This will make the tax payers life simpler specially salaried class, sr. citizens, pensioners who mostly files ITR1. The tax compliance is highest in this category and we should make their life simple not complex. Let us hope for good solution.
Naveen
Excellent move by GoI
John Joseph -Excellent move by GOI. Due has been given to bold and dynamic officer.
Sanjeev Kabbur

DEBATE (1)
2 Shiv Raj Singh
3 Priyanka Gandhi
Dinesh Gupta
DEBATE (2)
Mamta Banerjee and Amrinder Singh
A Joshi
People voted smartly in 2019
The people of India have voted smartly in 2019. For PM and Central Govt, they wanted BJP & leadership of PM MODI. It will be the same in 2024. For State Governments they want focus on local issues. In Maharashtra & Haryana the local people wanted NDA Alliance. SS betrayal of alliance will be punished. The weakness of state level CM's in BJP is evident . Hence the loss of power. In Jharkhand the tribal population punished BJP CM for his anti - tribal stance ! He lost 28 sure shot seats there. This must not be repeated in 2020 . Currently there is no opposition leader who can compete with PM Modi.
Devindra
Railway restructuring without analysing working requirements
True. The Railway work force is not only immense but highly diversified work-wise---from gangmen checking the tracks daily to mechanics /fitters in workshops / loco or carriage and wagon sheds to signalmen to commercial booking clerks to accountants to storekeepers,........the categories, pay-structures/promotional avenues/recruitments etc. are way too many. Also, the all important industrial relations--UNIONS to work with. Therefore the Personnel service at field/zonal levels and a Member Staff in the Rly. Bd. The restructuring has been done without going deep into the working requirements of the largest employer in the World.
V Nanda