Whispers Forum

The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances in association with the National Informatics Centre had issued Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) in May-2008. If all Government offices in the entire country followed those guidelines strictly, the number of RTI application will reduce automatically. Further, in the year 2016 the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances had also issued guidelines for preparation of Manuals by all the central government entities. These guidelines lays down inclusion of lot & complete informatio about an office or a Department (including acts, rules, laws etc.). If followed strictly this will also reduce the number of RTI applications. Last but not the lest the guidelines of Manual provides for laying down all the administrative and financial powers within an organization, which can a go long way in ending; (i) slow movement of files in offices; and (ii) slow decision making. It is for Modi and his team do take stringent action on the subject. The guidelines for preparation of Manual was drafted by an IAS officer of Gujarat Cadre at the insistence of Modi. If the GIGW and Guidelines for preparation of manuals is brought to their logical end automatically governance in the country will also improve. E-Governance ranking of the country in the entire world will also automatically increase. Actually no body in the top echleons of the government don't want the work should be become easy. They want people to continue to suffer. They are only busy in enjoying their perks & power and always try to ensure that they get promotion of time and they get fat pension after retirement.
Anurag Srivastava
Congratulations
Congratulations Manish Desai, on being appointed as Director General (west zone).
Victor Philip
Pune Traffic: A Real Case to Study
To begin with I want to say that every thing has two facets, its positive side as well as a negative one. Pune is not an exception to this. To be honest I was very happy to get transferred to Pune. Pune is called as the Oxford of the East. It is the fastest developing city in the world in last twenty years. Pune has got everything which a developed city should have. A Strategic location, Good Employment Opportunities, Big Corporate offices, Plush Malls, Hotels, Multiplexes and Housing Societies. But if something is missing the said list, then it’s surely Transport facility in the city. Actually there is no mistake of Government in this. Nobody thought that one day Pune will grow like this and all the narrow lanes in the “Peths” (marketplaces) will wreck such havoc for Traffic. And particularly when the city is having the highest number of two- wheelers in the country. But when it comes to traffic control, the Traffic Police and the regulatory authorities are very slack. I have never seen any cop following any rider for violating the rules. Also there is no co-ordination between the Traffic Signals in the city. Even if you go straight on a road the chances of you getting the next signal is almost zero. It means you have to stop on every signal no matter whether you go straight or by turns. This angers the commuters due to which they get impatient resulting into breach of traffic rules.
The IT Revolution has improved the standard of living of an average Punekar. So in each home there is one four wheeler along with a substantial number of two wheelers. The driving habits of the Punekar is the same for two-wheeler as well as four- wheeler. People in Pune try to ride their four-wheelers from the narrowest road as if it is a bike. This is the reason we can see so many cars blocking the entire road. The Government thought that Fly-Overs will be the solution for this problem. But the Fly-Overs and their construction in turn has become another problem. One of the much hyped, celebrated and now infamous fly-overs in Pune, The University flyover has been under construction since the past 2 1/2 years!! So due to such constructions it take 5 wholesome minutes (& loads of carbon consumption in the process) for a normal person just to cross a road from one side to the other (University Circle, Pune). And one can see such constructions going on all over the city.
Now to tell my personal experiences:
1) My home is in one of the ’so-called’ better areas of Pune - Aundh, and is not more than 5 Kms away from my Office. Just imagine how much time it takes - by Bike - for me to come to office in rush hour - 10min, 20min, 30min...nah...its 45min!!!
2) How many traffic signals are there on my way to office from home - 7.
3) I stopped wearing my Fav. white shirt because it got a black-sooty color after just one drive around the city.
4) One of my friends’ family living in Pune has 5 members - each one with his/her own 2 wheeler. This is because Public transport in Pune is not that good.
Thus Pune Traffic is a Real case to study for the Business Schools.
Atul R Thakare

Budget is already under printing and only last minute call is being taken. Govt. is facing many challenges like rising fiscal deficit and slow economic growth. There is another problem of parallel economy running in the country. Parallel economy is working due to excess cash generation. Cash is generated due to either tax evasion or tax rebate allowed by the Govt. to certain organisations by not paying the taxes like NGOs, trusts, parties, ashrams etc. All are working for the society or doing charity. These organisations can easily increase their scope of work and may include country also. It means they will serve the country also for Nation Building by paying the required taxes. There is game changing plan to meet fiscal deficit by bringing these organisations under income tax regime meaning any donations or contributions received will be counted as income and paying the income tax as to be formulated by the Govt. This will empower the Govt. to know the income and assets available with these organisations. This is political decision and can be taken by the highest panel after due deliberations. This will certainly reduce the fiscal deficit. By reducing cash transactions tax evasion can be avoided up to large extent. A limit can be decided by the Govt. up to which cash transactions can be allowed. In order to reduce cash circulation, higher denomination notes can be withdrawn in specified time frame. This is high time to migrate to digital transactions no more cash transactions after say Rs. 20,000/-. Let us hope the Budget meet the people and country requirements.
Naveen
Provide search engine
I am one of the daily visitor to the site which provides latest information. I suggest a search engine be provided so that news about particular organization/department/an individual can be searched. All the best.
Ramachandran P

It would be best to put all such reports on the website of the organisation without waiting for any RTI application. Suo-motu disclosure is the best way to deal with the rising number of applications. Instead of avoiding applications, it is better to go on the front foot and deal with them.
Swami Periyar
Dr Jaishankar’s ‘Diplomatic Corps’ putting India on global stage
Dr S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister had himself been an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1977 batch, Having worked with the best talents in Indian diplomacy in various capacities throughout his career and even as Foreign Secretary, he is now closely acquainted with the working styles of most senior diplomats. He is one of very few good hands in Modi cabinet.
Venkateswara Rao Dhulipala

The World Economic Forum seems to have been converted in to the World Politics Forum as it has drifted too far from its original objectives of focussing on economic issues. I know that it attracted initial participation from corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen who were desperate to operate numbered accounts in Geneva since 1980. If I recollect correctly, Ms Colette Mathur was enthusiastic about its programmes and held discussions with stakeholders in India also. The Forum talked matters economic. But in recent years it has descended to talk putrefied politics ignoring both realities and demands of diplomatic nicety. When the high priests on the list of deplorables of President Trump too indulge in rancid politics at Davos it makes terrible nonsense. George Soros might be an investment wizard but he is terribly ignorant of matters sensitive to nations other than America/Hungary. He would improve if he devotes his time and energy to live and “feel” the country he attacks. He can invest his billions wherever he wants as beyond a certain point man assumes greater significance compared to money. Soros is not a philanthropist but mere investor once again.
M L Gupta
Work running smoothly
IIS officers senior to the post of DG, IIMC are holding the additional charge with effect from April 01, 2019. Some of the long pending issues of the Institute have been resolved during this period and the work is running smoothly during the interim period till regular suitable DG is appointed.
Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia

Union Budget 2020-21 will be presented on Feb 1st. in Parliament by FM. Everyone is waiting what measures Govt. announces when country is facing multiple problems like slow down, rising inflation, low tax collection etc. Tax or non-tax collected money has to be properly utilised to address some of the problems. Govt. should seriously consider before allocating the money for recapitalisation for banks, budgetary support to loss making PSUs, subsidies in non-essential items etc. The banks should be made completely responsible and accountable for their NPAs. Govt. gives money in the form of recapitalisation which goes in NPAs and more over they are planning to go on strike in spite of support from the Govt. It looks very surprising and only happening in our country. Banking is one of the pillar for economic growth of the country and Banks are not able to perform to their best. Cash economy is further increasing despite the Govt. efforts for digital economy. Govt. may consider no cash transactions more than Rs. 10,000/- i.e. cash transaction more than Rs. 10,000/- has to be digital. It will reduce the tax leakage in GST as well as in income tax resulting in increase in tax collection or revenue. The shortfall can easily be met and GST collection may increase. to estimated figure of Rs. 1.25 lakh crore per month. The budget should consider for promoting further digital transactions in place of cash transaction at some threshold level say Rs.10,000/-. When 120 crores Aadhar have been issued and people are having either regular accounts or jan dhan accounts then there should be no problem for digital transactions. DBT is already being implemented in digital forms. Let us reduce cash transactions. Cash transaction gives rise to parallel economy and loss of revenue whether direct or indirect tax. We are not efficiently working in divestment area also as evident from Air India. Last many years we are working and still working but not able to do it. Dividend from RBI is good amount of money but its use for recapitalisation of Banks to be considered carefully as it is not healthy trends. The budget should consider these three points carefully - support to loss making PSUs including recapitalisation of banks, limit of cash transactions and subsidies to non-essential items or areas. Good luck FM for a Good Budget..
Naveen

A copy of the report of the expert committee constituted under Dr. Anupam Verma to carry out technical review of 66 pesticides was not provided to the appellant although the reply appeared to be directing him to the website where the report was to be available. During the hearing the PIO, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage submitted that the report was not under their custody as it is available with the Ministry and also submitted that some matter in relation to the report is sub-judice before a court of law. The CIC observed that even if this submission is accepted, the PIO could have sought assistance u/s 5(4) of the RTI Act from the holder of the information which was not done. The appellant objected that if the report is sub-judice, this means some third person has the report and it has gone public and hence it cannot be denied to him. The CIC accepted the submission of the appellant and directed the PIO, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare to provide the information in the form of a copy of the report as per the provisions of the RTI Act.
Comments
A case being sub-judice, by itself, cannot be a ground for denial of information under the RTI Act.
Citation: Siddharth Joshi v. Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee in Decision no.: -CIC/DPPQS/A/2018/626961/02518, Date of Decision : 02/01/2020
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)
There was a time when there was a big question mark as to who after Nehru and who after Indira ? Now Everybody can answer to this question “Amit Shah”.
Anjali
DEBATE (2)
There is no mass leader except Narendra Modi.
A P Jain
Vadra not Gandhi
Pl write Priyanka Vadra and not Gandhi as she is married to Vadra.
Chetan
News on SAG promotion of IDAS missing
News on SAG promotion of IDAS (joining 2002) are not found after December 24, 2019
Raja

DEBATE(1)
Any leader like Chandra Shekhar, Deve Gowda and I K Gujral can become PM according to political compulsions and situation.
Vijay Tiwari
Who is responsible to create jobs?
Whose responsibility is it to create jobs? It is the primary responsibility of the state governments to create jobs, livelihood & self-employment opportunities for the youth of the state. Three important economic areas are in the State List under the Constitution of India: Education, Agriculture, Industry. These areas offer maximum jobs and opportunities for gainful employment. Only a few state governments have discharged their responsibilities honestly to some extent whereas others have only disappointed. For the failed states, politics is more important than jobs. They have ruined education by transferring primary, middle and secondary education to Panchayats, Municipalities or other Local Self Government institutions. It has resulted in waste of scarce financial resources of the state and ruining the development of the human resources. Since 1980 continuous efforts have been made to destroy even higher education, perhaps because the politicians had come to fear and hence hate the educated university academics and students who had become a real threat to them since 1974 onwards leading to imposition of Emergency. Without world class education in the universities in the contemporary global competitive scenario we can only lose jobs but never gain them for our young graduates. The industry and private businesses have been complaining of “un-employability” of our graduates. State governments disturbing academic atmosphere in the universities have successfully diverted youth anger demanding jobs from them to the central government ! Why don’t the state governments create jobs for the youth ? The state governments have failed on yet another front: industry. They are responsible for development and growth of industries within their jurisdiction. They have only stalled all such activities for non-industrial reasons. The state governments and agencies have turned in to rent seekers, stalling approvals required to set up industry or business. They hurt, harm, destroy or kill industrial and management assets sending fear down to industrialists and first generation entrepreneurs. They think the industrialist or the entrepreneurs have loads of money and made to pay by arm twisting methods, contrary to the reality of financing a project mostly by costly debts from financial institutions. Can jobs be created in such territories? Take stock of closure of hundreds of enterprises due to industrial sickness seen in West Bengal or Kerala and many other states. The youth must agitate to demand jobs from their state governments who can achieve much by sincere promotion of industries and creating jobs. Their political treatment is required so that they could see the benefits of promoting industries and thereby creating jobs. The third highest employment generating activity is agriculture. State governments can create ten times more than the existing opportunities in the farm sector provided they treat it with sufficient respect for the potential for high paying job/livelihood opportunities for a large section of the population. States have immense job opportunities in mining, tourism, hospitality and health services provided they ensure security and fair business, service and employment practices. This they can’t do if they don’t practice these virtues themselves- not if corruption pervades government, administration and other agencies. It demands visionary leadership with a mission to provide jobs to its resident citizens. Jobs don’t hang on trees, but innovative leaders can make the trees provide enough livelihood opportunities as well as jobs. State governments alone provide electricity and water to industry and commercial enterprises. They provide municipal services too. If they do their job honestly they certainly can create jobs for the young men and women voters in their state.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1)
Why not a woman PM ?.Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Neel Kant
LTCG : Pious or Sin Tax ?
A house commands a market price of 5 Crore rupees if the seller agrees to get paid in cash but only 3 Crores if s/he wants to be paid by bank draft. It means saving in LTCG and registration fee in, may be a Crore or so. Honest tax payers would prefer to get paid by bank draft but others (sagacious/wise/practical) would not mind getting paid 5 Cr. Which one should be preferred? The next step is to buy a new house. The builder wants payment in cash and draft in a certain ratio (generally 40:60). Should the honest tax payer miss the opportunity? Should s/he be a loser in both situations? I have wasted all these decades waiting for an honest regime to settle this tax conundrum with little chance now. LTCG Amar Rahe!
M L Gupta

DEBATE(1)
2Yogi Aditiya Nath
Rajshri Shastri
DEBATE(2)
1. Arvind Kejriwal
2. Chandrababu Naidu
3. Nitin Gadkari
In the same sequence.
Sanjay
Unequal distribution of wealth
The richest 10% of Indians own 77.4% of the country's wealth as per one of the Global Wealth Report. The bottom 60%, the majority of the population, own 4.7%. The richest 1% own 51.5% of country's wealth.While wealth has been rising in India, not everyone has shared in this growth. There is still considerable wealth poverty as per report. The gap between poor and rich is rising. One of the factor responsible is taxation system and its implementation. Fiscal deficit is rising and is concerned to the Govt. Direct tax collection is also falling short of estimated target. At least 1% population is having more than 50% of wealth and their wealth has increased in last 10 years. Has this category paid the correct tax? It is not known to the Govt. as Govt. has no system in place to check the correctness of their earnings. Some professionals are playing in money and having assets of more than 1000 crores. The gap is required to be reduced by proper policy interventions. There are anomalies and discrepancies in tax system also which is giving rise to fiscal deficit like reduction of corporate tax. Corporate tax has been reduced to less than personal tax which is something cannot be explained in simple theory. When corporate can pay tax, is there any necessity to reduce it. The one who can pay tax, should pay. There is no need to devote time and man power in lower category. 1% population is sufficient to contribute more than 50% of tax revenue. Indirect tax collection e.g. GST should be more than direct tax i.e. income tax as GST is paid by every 120 crores people indirectly. Unless indirect collection increases direct collection, fiscal deficit is not likely to be contained. To reduce income disparity and wealth distribution, our tax policy and implementation should be strong and simple. For example lot of problem being faced by people due to LTCG related to transfer of equity and equity oriented MF. Simple solutions can be worked out like no LTCG if holding is more than 2 or 3 years. Proposed budget should simplify some of the tax policy and procedures.
Naveen
CIC will gradually die down ?
I have been a regular reader of your column on RTI and have found it interesting. The CIC has been performing with hiccups but at least there was an organisation which was working for the people. By withholding appointments, it appears that this avenue available to the people would gradually die down.
Sushila Katiyar

DEBATE(1)
There is no match of Namo. I have not seen such a powerful PM since India gained independence. He will continue to serve us for years to come.Hard-wkg PM/PMO/Cabinet.
Kanchwala
DEBATE(2)
Leadership crisis : In a get-together there was a consensus that there is a leadership crisis in the country. There is none other than Narendra Modi.
T C Jain
Has India become a police state ?
It looks as if India has become a police state where police has gone on the rampage like teargasing, baton beating lathi-wielding marauders who walk into the campuses and brutally beat students or play havoc with the youth who are protesting for one thing or the other according to their beliefs but silently standing when masked goondas come to the campus of a university and beat up students with lathis and rods.Yes they are a disciplined force as they obey the orders of their superiors-right or wrong. I wonder if the bosses tell them to jump into the well, will they do so. Are we a democratic country where the Govt is by the people of the people and for the people. I may better forget this definition which I learnt while studying political science for my M.A degree and I also ask for forgiveness from my students whom i gave this definition of democracy while teaching the subject in a university for three years.
Aarti Khosla