Whispers Forum

DEBATE (1) Banking reforms
The process of reforms in the Indian banking sector is a good move but sweeping and impatient reforms will hurt the sector more than its gains. The reforms need to go step-by-step and not with abrupt policy interventions.
J J Singh
Debate (2) Banking Reforms
Bank unions need to be consulted before any process of reforms because it is the officers and employees who run the system not policy makers.
Abhijit Sinha
No ill temperate language
Whispers transparency is questioned by Radhikai. We don't see any ill temperate language used by Chatterjee nor we see any editing required to be done by whispers editor. Chatterjee has highlighted what is right in his perception and in his own words. If writing against congress becomes ill temperate, be it. Congress has ruined this country all these years by their policies and wrong doings and encouraging and sponsoring corruption. When Some strong measures like demo are taken it will definitely hurt people and the common and poor men understand and undertake it as part of sacrifice for the well being of India. All these efforts taken have hurt only those who thrive and live on corruption and corrupt activities. Foot bridges , health issues have not cropped in these few years. These were there since independence and what did Congress do to mitigate these when they were running the govt for over 60 years. Without being partisan to this or that party, let us appreciate whatever is done with good intentions and without any ulterior motive. This is what as good public, we should do. Let us give some body a chance and give enough time and start criticising afterwards. It is an opportunity for Congress to show by their conduct as to how an opposition party should conduct themselves in a vibrant democracy like ours instead of indulging in mud slinging and this strategy will not go well with people to win them back.
Ramjaya
India - an ancient-modern civilization
Giustizia sociale or social justice India is an ancient-modern civilization, yet the need for social justice in the spirit of ziustizia sociale was never felt as strongly as now. The country carries too much of the old baggage and consequential problems. Too much time, space, money and energy is devoted in the country on religion across sections. All of it should legitimately be invested in providing quality education, skill development in large numbers for all professions in an industrial environment and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. So long as the mind remains in the captivity of religion, nothing much is possible. In this age of science & technology, education and professional training are the basic requirements for breaking the vicious circle of illiteracy, poverty, hunger and disease. While religion played its dominant role in agricultural economy, education and skill development has replaced it in the industrial economy. It is the industrial era which has compelled thinkers about giustizia sociale in Europe, from where countries like India have imported it. Producing skilled professionals takes almost the same time as do the present degree level education courses. Hence, we have to go beyond slogans, if we seek transformation.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1) Banking reforms
Are Banks rejecting common man's loans ?
-If sources are to be believed banks watch dogs and the govt receiving number of complaints against banks. Most complaints are said to be related to rejection of loans of commandment, education, housing. Even small entrepreneurs and start up are facing various hurdles. In most of the cases loans are being rejected on flimsy grounds.
G K Krishnan
No fear in MCI
There is no fear in MCI and there will not be any from the fact that when you have tainted persons at the helm of affairs or his proxies. If this would not have been true, how come these private institutes would have managed to get unqualified/low level qualifiers NEET MBBS candidates in private institutions. Newspapers are filled up with ads and one is getting sms for getting admissions directly/booking your seats for MD/MS/Diploma in advance in Maharashtra, Karnataka, TN, etc. at low packages with their contact numbers. This is the audacity of the culprits in the system, they can get you admission in AIIMS, PGI, in different quotas on a remuneration of 50 L to 1 Cr claiming that everyone is hand in glove. Your computer exams are manipulated. This is a country which short of doctors, medical system is crumbling, where neo-natal death are like killing rats. What is this SC monitored committee doing ? It is just wasting time and is not improving the system. Why once for all it is not ensured that who ever has completed MBBS should be given PG admission without interruption instead of wasting 3-4 years in coaching centers, meaning thereby that your quality of education in MBBS is third grade that 99% are not able to qualify PG exam for years together. No one can understand the plight of a girl MBBS student. She is able to complete MBBS by 25-26, prepare for 3-4 for PG exam, when she will settle down in life, and who is going to foot the bill, the hapless parents. I am a frustrated parent of a medical student. I see no bright future for a medical student even parents and peers discourage to go for medical education.
Raghu

DEBATE (1) BANKING SYSTEM
Are Govt banks enjoying more autonomy (Freedom) under NDA government ? Answer is yes. It is said that govt has reportedly asked the banks to get rid from NPA. Many banks, specially big banks imposing arbitrary fee and deducting from customers accounts. Experts says that during UPA regime these banks were not allowed to work in arbitrary manner account holders were esteemed customers in real sense but now they are being treated as buggers.
A Bajpai
“2019 Election: PM Modi’s Annus mirabilis”
With Rahul Gandhi likely to take over as Congress President, I have a dismal prognosis for his party. The congis must prepare themselves to sing their swan song.
Don’t ignore other aspects. I fear the rising crescendo in the level of despondency. As a Modi admirer, I have always stood against his detractors. No sycophancy, this. I consider it my duty in country’s interests, to strike a word of caution.
The country has no alternative to PM Modi.
But, PM Modi should neither over-estimate the achievements of his government nor under-estimate the scheming, wicked Opposition.
First thing first. He must start reining in the loudmouths and rabble-rousers within his party and affiliated organisations. The so-called ‘hindutva elements’ must come out of their comfortable cocoon of arrogance, insensitivity and know-all mindset, far removed from reality.
The bottom line is that all sections must feel safe rather than feel discriminated against? The political and ideological war must be fought politically and democratically.
Confrontation with Supreme court on firecrackers controversy, is unwarranted and ill-advised. If the political class is opposed to SC’s judgment , let the Executive order filing SLP in the highest court.
Chaos would mean alienation from the masses. Silence can be misconstrued as ‘tacit approval’. PM Modi alone can control the wayward forces in his party and the country, failing which, his detractors within and outside, will earn brownie points, undeservedly and by default.
And,last but not the least, lack of punitive action against UPA scamsters is heartbreaking to all Modiphiles including myself.
A K Saxena ( A retd civil servant)
Congratulations to Anupam Kher
Heartiest congratulations to Anupam Kher, well deserving person to head the prestigious institution.
Raghubir

Information about non-crediting of PF Employers share in account slips of 2013-14 etc. in applicant’s account was sought. The CIC held that the RTI request is concerned with ‘life and liberty’ and should have responded by EPFO within 48 hours. The CIC observed that if the phone/mobile or whatsapp, or email id is available, the EPFO shall use them to contact the applicant and to communicate the response. The CIC held that the EPFO is required to incorporate a system according to which the moment RTI application on pension issue is received, there should be a mechanism at the entry stage to discover and identify if it is a pension related grievance and then should start acting immediately. A show was issued to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-II, Sub-Regional Office, Ganjam to show-cause why maximum penalty should not be imposed upon him for not providing the information within prescribed timelines. The officer submitted an explanation and informed that a sum of Rs. 1,08,000/- will be credited into the account of the appellant within a week. The CIC found the explanation satisfactory and dropped the Penalty proceedings.
Comments
The view of the CIC that a grievance related to pension (delay in response, delay in fixation and delay in payment) should be treated as ‘right to life’ under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and the public authorities shall do all the needful to address the issue within 48 hours extends the scope of life and liberty. The CIC has suggested the quick mode of communication while holding that if the phone/mobile / whatsapp, or email id is available, the respondent shall use them to contact the applicant and to communicate the response..
Citation: Manoranjan Patra v. EPFO, Ganjam, Odisha in CIC/BS/A/2016/000523 Decided on: 15.09.2017
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of 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 http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

Sadly the law and order problem in U.P remains as bad as before notwithstanding the fact that the Chief minister of U.P is working so hard. The chilling report of a woman being gangraped near Muzaffarnagar a few days back in front of her husband who was also beaten badly, then of another girl meeting the same fate but the police not registering her case for three days till she brought the ear of the rapist which she cut during the assault are pointers to this state of affairs. These things are happening not only in the badlands of the state but in a places like Noida and on the signature highways. The other day a neighbour was robbed of her purse right on the DND Flyway while she was driving to Delhi from Noida. Two boys on the motorbike stopped her by hoodwinking her pointing towards her tyre. As she opened the door to see what happened they picked up her purse and drove away. I myself experienced such trauma when on 2nd Oct. I planned to go to the nearby Mall to do some shopping. I did not buy much seeing the crowd there but during the few minutes it took me to exit from the mall and while waiting for the driver of my car outside someone took away my small purse containing all the money by opening the side zip of the big purse hanging on my shoulder. Quite a loss it was. I believe such incidents like purse snatching ,chain snatching are daily occurrence in Noida markets and roads.Many a time criminals leave the attacked ones injured if they resist. It is imperative to let the citizens feel safe. For this the police need to be more proactive.
Aarti Khosla
Cadre review of eight services of Indian Railways pending
It is surprising that cadre review of eight services of Indian Railways is pending with DoPT for years shuttling between DoPT and Railway Ministry for one or the other reasons. Perhaps only GOD may help looking at the way it is being dealt with.
SPU

DEBATE (1) Congress
Congress lost the last election not only due to various scams, corruption but also due to an inefficient and silent PM Man Mohan Singh. Projecting him as PM candidate for Congress in 2019 will be suicidal and will end up in Congress getting much lesser number of seats than they got in 2014 election. People with Congress affinity will prefer Rahul Gandhi much more than Man Mohan Singh. If there is to be a real alternative, Mrs Shiela Dixit will be an appropriate one who would have quite an approval among people.
Ramjays
Answer to Rahul Gandhi
Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the largest Hindu women's organisation working to uphold Indian culture and tradition , celebrated 80 years of its establishment having 2784 branches in 22 countries and 2380 cities, 52 seva sansthan and running 22 hostels.
The Rashtra Sevika Samiti’s goal is to unite everyone and work towards re-establishing our sanskriti . Rashtra Sevika's feeling proud and looks more beautiful wearing saree our traditional dress.
Bhupendra Kumar
Jay Shah’s case is a minniscule
It is indeed amusing to see the plight of the opposition leaders, and the presstitutes, who are scanning all news sources daily to find out how to corner the NDA government, even if for the day, before it is punctured. Thus it is that through some non descript news sources , they have zeroed in on Jay Shah , for corruption. It is sheer shamelessness that having been involved in corruption of lakhs of crores, which are being investigated, they have found solace in Jay shah having a turnover of Rs 15 crore, which is a massive scam!!!! Well people are not fools, and somebody should advise these frustrated leaders, that they would be more credible, if they could introspect and correct themselves. That would at least be reassuring the people.
S Chatterjee
Ill temperate language
The ill temperate language used by S. Chatterjee is highly objectionable and bad in taste. How come the Editor publishes such letter without application of mind. The writing is already written on the wall for the present Govt. The trading community is worst hit and shops are wearing a deserted look just a week before Diwali. Does a country without proper foot bridge at the Railway Stations, clean railway compartments and coaches need a Bullet Train just to please business community of Gujarat? If introduced, the train fare will be much more than the flight ticket. Is it a priority for the Nation when hundreds of poor are dying due to dengue and chicken guinea. People have become wise and are sick of rhetoric and false promises. There is not much representation of highly talented IAS officers from South in the Centre? Why this discrimination? Bureaucrats are literally scared and are not performing their duty to the optimal live. Whispers should change its mind set and feel the pulse of Youth, farmers, small time traders and intellectuals.
Radhikai

Debate (1 ) Congress
True fighting spirit of the party leaders combined together will definitely revive the congress.
Shamita Jain
Debate (2) Congress
Present scenario says Congress will come again as a powerful party, by public votes.
Ayush Seth
Debate (3) Congress
Nowadays, Modi becomes a topic of gossip among people. He has lost his faith to public.
Sahil
Many government officials have little information about RTI Act
There are a large number of government officials who have little information about the provisions of the RTI Act. This results in denial of information in some cases while the third party is made to suffer by providing confidential information related to him in certain cases. Such a chaotic situation would continue till there is a proper training to all the government officials in respect of RTI matters.
Shambhu Nath Singh

DEBATE (1) Congress
I once again stress as said earlier, if Congress wants to win next elections, must project Dr Man Mohan Singh as next Prime Ministerial candidate. Also must come with a vision document for poor Indians especially farmers, jawans, poor and downtrodden.
Harish Kumar
DEBATE (2)Congress
Congress can easily revive because the experience counts of 49 years heading the central government. It is a very tough challenge for BJP to beat congress after having so many failures.
Devesh Barai
DEBATE (3) Congress
people still have a faith in congress, something they will do in the public interest other than inflicting unplanned schemes on people like GST.
Atul Sharma
DEBATE (4) Congress
BJP is simply a Gujarat Centralised Govt. Modi wants his fellows to appear in all streams, that will be not acceptable by public. Congress atleast need a chance to clean all these conspiracies.
Ali Farooqui
DEBATE (5) Congress
Congress need to work on ground level, connect to people and should know their problems. What actually public want from the government. Then also they have to make a strong team to stand out in polling booth.
Alina Chaudhary
If not NDA, who else ?
The few people who are against government, for whatever reasons have taken to criticising the government, without proper understanding of issues, and parroting what congis and leftists are saying, ably backed by the presstitutes. If even for arguments sake, we presume that the NDA government is not doing well, what is the alternative ? Do we want a buffoon as pm or a so called great intellectual, who ably ruined this country or any of the regional leaders who apart from appeasement policy, are thoroughly corrupt . Is there any alternate leader who can lead this country better? This govt has earned the respect of all world leaders, foreign govt and world bank etc are praising Mr. Modi, perhaps they are all fools, and only the corrupt and communal elements in this country ,including presstitutes are the know all. Today their role has been reduced to shouting on TV channels, drowning out others, and believe the ordinary people are fools to support them. Well good luck to them. The NDA should however realise that people voted them for action against corrupt and appeasement free governance. The NDA would do well to expedite all criminal cases launched and prosecute all the corrupt in a time bound manner, including those who laundered money during demonetisation and get them exemplary punishment,which will restore the peoples faith in government.
S Chhatterjee

Revival of opposition is automatic in view of the commitment of the NDA Govt only to mutiple taxes and a corrupt taxation department .
ARC Kumar
DEBATE (2) Congress
Surprised that there are people who are seeing hope of any revival of congress. Haven't they had enough scams already. The party is full of sycophants & jokers. No comparison with honest & hardworking Modi. Like it or not, he is going to be around for a very long time.
Arun Sharma
Cheats On The Prowl
“Start Your Own Business…” reads one big ad in big newspapers. Enough inducement for Modi’s Start Ups/ Stand Ups/ Entrepreneurs, who are eligible for loans under MUDRA, various Finance & Development Corp (Women, Minority, SC, ST, Handicapped a.k.a. Divyaangjan & Safai Karamchari) and other schemes up to Rs. 10 lakhs. Without reading the fine print and ignorant of the large scale cheating going on in the name of ‘Franchisee Opportunities For Reputed Brands”, the youth walk into the trap innocently. Not realizing the legal connotations and implications of the term “investment” or ROI (In 3 Years), s/he invests the money borrowed for the business development or personal capital hoping to get the assured ROI by way of doubling of the investment in three years. The ad carries further guaranty on legal document assuring that the investment is secure. Can the investor get back her/his money if s/he wants to terminate the contract? It only says in smaller print that if you want your investment back any time within a year, it will be returned to you (T&C apply). It means it is not meant to be returned before 3 years and if insisted, it would be subject to terms and conditions. These T&C are not known and always subject to change without prior notice just like the change of their address. What is hidden is the processing/administrative expenses/front charges of no less than 10% of the “investment”. Crores are looted from the startup ventures of the youth in this manner and nothing can be done to them. The Ad ends with a mobile phone number. Their location can be traced if they publish their landline number. The fraud and cheating that has been going on in the name of Franchising needs to be checked urgently. The money taken from the young entrepreneur/start up/MSME unit is lost as it is never returned. Once paid, the ownership of the collecting company goes on changing so that they can’t be traced. It is a con NBFI kind of operation where money is collected without any interest (it is termed “investment”). In fact, you can lose your investment if the business of the company/firm/unit you invested fails or declared bankrupt. These cheats are aggressively advertising on commercial TV channels too. The M/o Commerce & Industry, MSME, SFIO, Corporate Affairs, Law & Justice and NITI Ayog etc. all are obligated to stop this open cheating. They need to read only the several cases against some of these people, the latest one in which a company with a big brand name has been declared PO (Proclaimed Offender) by a Chandigarh court as reported by The Tribune of 19th Sept 2017, should stir them to prompt action.
M L Gupta
IAS scuttle promotion in CSS!
On account of the designs of IAS, there has been no promotion in CSS for the last one year at US, DS and Director level. The politicians are also giving a blind eye to the problem. The ruling party is also not realizing that these type of development/amongst government servants leads to their becoming unpopular. The government servants spread a lot about the functioning of the government in market. They should realize that they are being taken for a ride by the feudalistic mentality people . Not all but a majority of them are.
BBS

DEBATE (1) Congress
I am a regular reader of your article 'Whispersinthecorridors'. I can forget my breakfast but not your article. Regarding revival of Congress Party, my frank and bold opinion is given as under, as desired:
In my opinion, there are a few very senior and experienced Politicians in Congress Party who have been ignored in the past. They deserve the higher responsibilities and have the capabilities as President or Vice President of Congress Party and can lead and revive the Party a grand success but the Gandhi family must quit for a couple of years.
Rahul Gandhi may be ready to accept the challenge of responsibilities as President of Congress Party but same problem of Gandhi Family - lacking an immediate requirement of a rival candidate. It is widely felt and whispered among public that the Congress Politicians want an alternative choice but the question is that by doing so who is going to suicide himself in Congress Party - Nobody.
Party High Command of Congress must sit and discuss and forget their egos to revive their future and for the welfare of our great Nation.
H.R.Ahuja
DEBATE (2) Congress
Only PM Narendra Modi will revive the Congress Party
Dr Shanta
DEBATE (3) Congress
Very difficult question.
P K Gupta
Deport Rohingyas immediately
There appears to be no concern about immediate deportation of Rohingya illegal migrants from Mynmar. One has to just read the historical background of their militant activities as reported in the media, by Brahma Chellaney, to gauge the threat they pose to the country. The more the Government of India delays in this respect, the more difficult it would be to oust them. Why wait for the Supreme Court decision ? There is no legal point involved in that. The security of the country should be paramount and the fact of the matter is that by taking no action on this, we are compromising with that.
Aarti Khos;la
Post proper police officers
Proper police officers, who can take action against criminals and take complaint of local people seriously, must be posted in police stations and zones. They must use ‘mukhbars’ for removing criminals and not for some others matter.
Ghaus Mohd

Appellant stated that he wanted to know the reasons behind the blast that occurred in INS Sindurakshak (S 63) Submarine as he inferred from media reports that the cause for the blast was attributed to some human error. The PIO submitted that the information was denied under Section 8(1)(a) and 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. Upon Commission’s instance, the PIO elaborated that the Board of Inquiry is a vast elaboration of the events which runs into almost 16 Volumes and entails description of the specifications of the Submarine; details of its deployment, where it was headed, why it was deployed and will even have sensitive details like missile fitting specifications. Disclosure of these details will be prejudicial to national security as similar class of submarines exist in present day which are used for deployment and if specifications are revealed, it will not be conducive to the strategic interest of the State. In the interim decision on 30.08.2017, the CIC directed the PIO to appear in person before the bench alongwith relevant files for the in-camera hearing. The PIO produced 16 volumes of relevant Board of Inquiry (BOI) report before the CIC. After perusing the relevant extract pertaining to findings of the Inquiry leading to mishap in INS Sindhurakshak , the CIC directed the PIO to provide to the Appellant, the extract of para 85(a) of page 46 of Volume XIII of 4 BOI, after suitably blacking out technical details.
Comments
Section 18 of the RTI Act grants the power to the CIC to requisition any public record or copies thereof from any court or office. In case of documents which are of confidential nature, the Commission has asked for the files to inspect such documents in terms of the suitability of disclosure.
Citation: Rahul Sehrawat v. Integrated HQ MoD(Navy) in File No. CIC/DODEF/A/2017/110171/SD, Date of Final Decision:06/10/2017
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of 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 http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

DEBATE (1) Congress
Yes, it is not the new face which is required for reviving but it needs proper planning and proper advisor. The Congress has to be tight-lipped in telling public the wrongs committed by other parties. Congress needs to disclose as to what had been done during its reign. People facing the music of ruling party need not to tell more. The wearer of shoe knows where shoe pinches. Congress leaders need to forgive childish habits of joking criticizing opposition. Nobody has time to hear such things which one is facing daily. Public needs something new. Politeness and proper planning will lead to success. I can assist the High command as wise advisor if needs.
Harsh Mehta
DEBATE (2) Congress
Unity among Congress leaders will turn the tables in the next elections. The Congress itself has bright chances in the next Lok Sabha polls as there is palpable swing in the mood of the public in favour of the party. Ups and downs in a party’s fortunes are a part of democratic polity and, while the Congress had been on a downswing for some time, I personally see strong signs of its revival provided leadership takes the challenge with full force.
Manoj Vajpayee
DEBATE (1) Congress
Strong leadership is required for revival of Congress. Leaders connected to grass-root like Digvijay Singh in Madhya Pradesh, if given a chance, can do wonders. Things are not good in the country at the moment… the effects of GST, of demonetization etc. etc. Voters have now understood that BJP leaders can only talk but they have nothing to deliver. No vision except one point agenda to create Hindu-Mulim rift and make attempts to finish Nehru-Gandhi legacy. Now people have come to know their game plan. Look at the recent elections – the student union elections in Rajasthan, Delhi or the Punjab University. It is all indicative of how things are changing. I think Congress has a real good chance everywhere. By the 2019 general election, certainly, the Congress is very much in the run.
Irfan Ali
Vacancies of Under Secretaries a serious issue
Vacancies of 200 Under Secretaries from the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) in Government of India are a serious issue. How can Government of India meet its objective “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” in the absence of officers? Govt should first fill the vacancies by promoting the officers to get desired results.
Sunil Kumar