Whispers Forum

The Appellant filed an RTI application seeking information on about the itinerary of PM Narendra Modi during a few days of February, 2019 and the details of his meeting with Bear Grylls, a renowned survival expert. Vide interim reply, the PIO at PMO intimated that the matter is being processed by the office and information will be sent as soon as possible. The FAA directed the PIO to expedite furnishing the response within 25 working days. Feeling aggrieved over non-compliance of the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the CIC. The CIC observed that an appropriate response in compliance with the FAA’s order has been provided to the Appellant, albeit a slight delay for which the PIO, PMO was cautioned.
Comments
Every PIO must ensure a timely reply to an application filed under the RTI Act failing which the CIC may pass a stricture or impose penalty.
Citation: Shri Goutham Ganesh M H v. PMO in Second Appeal No. CIC/PMOIN/A/2019/656741, Date of Decision: 31.12.2021
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. Apart from her weekly article here, her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com

I beg to disagree with R Subramanian theory of entrance tests for IIT-JEE, NEET, CAT etc. Rather our whole entrance competitive examination system for every education institution. We must follow a single USA, UK etc which run through the whole year and each institution has a defined score, these scores accompanied by an essay and a write up why you wish to pursue this stream & why you want to join this institution or university from the student or applicant. Some scores are there for 12th grade Marks. The percentage of each three components is defined by each institution. If the system of lottery starts it will not be a fool proof one, going by jugad, corruption favouritism & political interference in each element, certainly this will be a compromise on the quality of Indian education especially IITs and many most reputed institutions which carry a repute globally. I am sure SC too will agree to this arrangement. This would be the best reform of education provided there is a political will to do so.
Harish Kumar

Yes it is true, to create any additional post at the level of JS and above, one needs the approval of Cabinet. Further very few posts have been created at DS/Director level in GoI under central staffing scheme. All posts in the state govt are fully occupied and if we have full strength of IAS then at least 600 of them will be surplus. Many officers are empanelled at JS level from other services so they could be considered for posting so shortage of officers will not be there in GoI.
Shaurmaya
Standing committee & Journalist should show mirror to Govt
Complete rely on deputation pattern not only makes the new recruitment under vicious cycle were no new entrant can enter but also in commercial organization like NHAI where huge public fund is involved is a root cause of highest corruption with least accountability as deterrent action against them are not possible except a repatriation. In today’s time, both Standing committee and Journalist should both show the mirror to the government with such report and reporting to bring transparency in the system with accountability.
M K Jain

The role of standing committee has been always pro public and deterrent to the corruption and it give me immense pleased by the level of journalism the 'Whispers' have carried with, it has shaded the stereotype reporting and started with public accountability journalism. Such a first movement in this pattern of journalism in today's time is absolutely required and beneficial for the survival of democracy and public trust.
P K Mithal
Entrance Tests
Now that the Supreme Court has declared that marks scored in Entrance Examinations like IIT-JEE. NEET, CAT etc, are not an indicator of merit, the court could have gone a step further and cancelled all such tests. It should have directed the government to conduct admissions to all courses only through a well designed computerized lottery system under each category- open and reserved. This will ensure equity as every candidate has the same chance of getting selected. This will provide great relief parents and children.
R Subramanian

I agree with the views expressed by Rajesh Shrivastava about turncoats and Aya Ram Gaya Ram politics. No political party has any ideology or ethics code. High time if SC decides on it's own and instructs that, each political party declares ideology, vision for India, party rules must declare in their rules that if he leaves party, he cannot rejoin again ever, also more importantly each party member must declare his income source continuously from day one joins politics, their area funds be banned too. All these facts be available on party websites minutely. This decision must be with a rider that this decision cannot be changed even through a legislative process too. If it is not done, the way things are, India heading for civil strife, the public is losing patience due to this open looters of exchequers.
Harish Kumar

The total number of requests received under Section 69 and Rules there under from various agencies between 01.01.2015 to 31.12.2016. The PIO informed that the information sought was exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1)(a), (g) and (h) of the RTI Act. Further, the records pertaining to lawful interception are destroyed as per provisions contained in Sub-Rule 18 of the Rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951. The Respondent added that statistics of requests may be available with the Department of Telecom as the Review Committee under Rule 22 of the IT (Procedure and safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009 is dealt by this department. Hence the RTI application had been transferred to the actual custodian of information, viz. the Department of Telecom. The CIC found no reason to intervene in the matter.
Comments
In terms of the Sub-Rule 18 of the Rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, records pertaining to directions for interception and of intercepted messages shall be destroyed by the relevant competent authority and the authorized security and Law Enforcement Agencies every six months. When the records have been destroyed as per the provisions of law, copies of the same cannot be provided.
Citation: Shri Avdhesh Kumar v. Ministry of Home Affairs in Second Appeal No. CIC/ISDIV/A/2019/640226, Date of Decision: 01.11.2021
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. Apart from her weekly article here, her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com

While I agree with Rajesh Shrivastava’s post that one should think before voting for such politicians, I will suggest to the ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA to consider disallowing those politicians who have changed their parties for the sake of tickets unless they have shifted parties after two and a half years before election. Only those who had shifted their parties two and a half years before election should be allowed to contest in the election or to get a political post in the Government (such as Minister or Chairperson/ Member of some organisation). This will put a shadow on the “season of turncoats” when elections are announced and some members are not given tickets contest election from their parties.
Pradeep Kumar