Whispers Forum

DEBATE(1)
Kamal Nath with 40 years experience in the Congress party, in my view, can be the right choice.
Ram Lal Vedanta
DEBATE(2)
In my opinion, Sushil Kumar Shinde a seasoned leader can be a successful Congress President.
Vivek Dhawan
Checks & Balances work in a Moral Environment
Why does the Transparency International paint India as the most corrupt Asian country year after year? Is it biased or its research flawed? Neither. We need to look within this Constitution Day 2020. Our Constitution had set moral standards high, promising us the Rule of Law. Only our governments have failed us. Instead of clean governance, we got dishonest governments, which spread corruption widely in all the ranks. This environment does not sustain clean public servants. Absence of a code of moral values is responsible for this state of affairs. Moral values are not enforceable in a court of law in India. That is unfortunate. Our satisfaction is that the Constitution still prevails in spite of the collapse of checks and balances on ground. The citizen is dissatisfied. That is the reason for change of government so often induced by public disgust against corruption. The corrupt have no morals. Their allegiance to the constitution is superficial. They exercise power only but do not serve. They neither establish the rule of law nor contribute to strengthen it. The fact that corruption cases have registered phenomenal increase in the last 50 years only proves the point that the Rule of Law does not work at the ground level. Like it or not, the corrupt outnumber the honest in government as well as private sectors. We have little respect for honesty. Because of it even the doctrine of checks and balances has failed us. The legislators can’t check the dishonest executive and the executive does not check the dishonest bureaucracy. The result is that the cutting edge of administration tends to act like the government and the citizen feels so helpless and forced to pay bribe. The court exercises its authority when a case is filed before it, which is no easy exercise and is practically unable to supervise the functioning of the government on a daily basis. Too much of law and too little moral values does not uphold the Rule Of Law, without which the constitution remains just another statute. Even a tragedy like COVID-19 is immorally turned in to a political lever and means of making quick illegal money in which doctors, private hospitals and pharmaceutical companies indulge freely.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1)
Ghulam Nabi Azad: A respected leader and a staunch Congressman can also be party high command's choice for the top post. However, political analysts suggest that the grand old party may not want to appoint a Muslim party president.
K Maheshwari
Congress party should start from the scratch (zero). New and fighter regional leaders should raised the party with new vigour and let the national leader come from the ground(state leader) It has lost its base in most of the states, It has no proper leadership in many states and is out of power for decades in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Gujarat. Present high command has no sa. Even party leaders are raising voice against its leadership. It will be a great help, if Gandhis say goodbye to the party.
Ajay Chaturvedi, Delhi
Congress is a divided party. Even Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has no neck to pull the party. Its a bad luck that the party is not able to select a new president for the last two years. It will be appropriate to say that the party is in wind up mode.
A retired bureaucrat, Jaipur.

DEBATE (1)
Shashi Tharoor: Thiruvananthapuram MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor is also one of the top contenders to become party chief. However, critics point out that Tharoor may not appeal to people in the hinterland.
M D Verma
DEBATE (2)
The problem with congress, since beginning, was that it has revolved around Nehru-Indira clan only. Whosoever tried to raise their voices, were shown the door. It was aura of Indira Gandhi, who could rise from ashes, first after implementation of Kamraj plan and later 'post Janata Party' rule. Rajiv Gandhi carried this aura. Nehru clan have always been the uniting factor. It appears to be fading quite fast in the present period of 'social media available for all'. People today are simply refusing to accept anybody on the basis of family lineage or not having competency. As happened in the past, congress will disintegrate in many factions, if Sonia-Rahul step down. The reason being- each and every senior leaders in the congress hate each and everybody. Senior leaders like Mallikarjun Khadge, Kamal Nath, Digvjay Singh, Ashok Gahlot, Capt Amrinder Singh, Kapil Sibbal, P Chidambaram, Shashi Tharoor can barely win their seat. Young leaders have some kind of energy but are not acceptable to senior leaders. Adhir Ranjan may not win even his seat. In my opinion, Congress can try Dr Manmohan Singh at the helm as uniting factor and small contribution from senior leaders may work for them.
V K Pandey
DEBATE (3)
At present there is no other leader, except the Gandhi family, who can be accepted by all. However, partymen are compelled to pull the Gandhi family.
Sandeep Thakur, Political Analyst, Ghazizabad

The appellant sought to know about the movement of his complaint to DDA and the action taken on it. The CIC observed that till date no information has been provided to the appellant on his RTI application dated 26.08.2018. Instead of transferring the RTI application to one specific PIO, the Nodal PIO had transferred the same to numerous PIOs within the public authority without application of mind. The CIC expressed its anguish observing that the RTI Act is clearly violated by the hands of the DDA and the PIOs are handling the RTI application with lackadaisical approach. A notice was issued to the then PIO, Commercial Land branch to show-cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on him for contravening the provisions of the RTI Act by not giving any reply to the appellant on his RTI application within the stipulated period of time as per the provisions of the RTI Act. The CIC advised the Vice Chairman, DDA to look into the style of work in the RTI cell and what methods are being adopted by the Nodal PIO regarding the disposal of RTI applications.
Comments
The PIO is only a communicator of information based on the records held in the office and hence, he cannot be expected to do research work to deduce anything from the material therein and then supply it to the RTI Applicant. However, the Nodal PIO should analyze the RTI application properly and then transfer the same to the specific PIO. One RTI application should not lead to multiple appeals just because of indiscriminate transfer of RTI Application.
Citation: Akshay Kumar Malhotra v. Delhi Development Authority in Complaint No. CIC/DDATY/C/2019/101384, Second Appeal No. CIC/DDATY/A/2019/101389, Complaint No. CIC/DDATY/C/2019/101502 and Second Appeal No. CIC/DDATY/A/2019/100447, Date of decision: 19.10.2020.
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. 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

DEBATE(1)
The Congress, India’s grand old party is terminally ill due to its atrophied existence. There is crisis of leadership in the party. A fierce power struggle is on due to weak leadership and total absence of intra-party democracy. With Ms Sonia as ad hoc President, elections are banned for fear of losing dynastic control. Reason: Mother’s “putra-moh”!
The veterans (old guards in popular parlance) owing allegiance to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty have been sidelined. A majority of them have been written off. “Sorry state of affairs”, slams Kapil Sibbal. Worse, the young turks are disillusioned with Rahul’s style of functioning .Unless given authority, they could switch loyalties to the ruling coalition. The Congress has been out-of-power for over six years. Frustration and disenchantment is rampant in the party.
The ad hoc President has limited understanding. She is slow to act, trying to build consensus, resulting in slow decision making. She has a tendency to procrastinate decisions. She will never allow anyone other than her Rahul Gandhi, to take over the reins of the party. They will be a threat to the dynasty. Obama’s passing reference in his autobiography, confirms Rahul’s leadership as “disastrous”. Worse, Rahul’s increasing arrogance and impulsive, non-sensical utterances, are his enemies.
Conclusion
All things considered, the interim Chief is more interested in maintaining the Status quo. Total mistrust. Regional satraps are becoming assertive. No one except Rahul Gandhi could become Congress President, unless the party undergoes a split with joint support of disgruntled, out-of-power old guards and the disillusioned young turks. No person other than Rahul, could replace her mother as President of the Congress. Please remember, she and her family alone holds the key and password to secret party funds stacked in foreign havens.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)
DEBATE (2)
Ashok Gehlot: Speculations are rife that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, one of the closest aides of Sonia Gandhi can be the Congress party's first choice for non-Gandhi chief.
Vishnu Kumar

DEBATE (1)
Now time has come to re-unite under the leadership of well experienced Sharad Pawar. He has the guts to face Narendra Modi on all fronts.
Girja Shankar
Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai, lekin
Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai, lekin… The Union Finance Minister announced Stimulus 3.0 on 12/11/2020 which includes relief for home buyers/sellers. A house in any city costs a few Crore rupees. LTCG(Long Term Capital Gains tax) on sale of residential house is very disappointing as it takes the entire life to build or buy a house. Senior citizens feel bad when they have to pay LTCG. What was thought to be a retirement investment and income planning is taken away by tax. Who keeps books for 20 or 40 or more years to get indexation benefit, which started only a few years back? One pays income tax and property tax all the years and must be allowed the benefit of LTCG free sale of one residential house. Tax should be no incentive for illegal transactions, which make both the buyer and seller feel “guilty” and the Tax bureaucracy corrupt. Do we want India to remain “Poor” or become prosperous? Do we want to serve 80% population free food even after becoming a 5 Tr economy? When will we learn to appreciate lawful income generators and wealth creators? Garibi par kashidakari karte huwe hamen 72 saal to ho chuke hai? The so-called long-term gains are an illusion for many reasons. To become a 5 Tr economy, we need to think big and not small, be innovative and bold. Every Indian citizen must be allowed to sell one residential house not exceeding an amount of Rs. 5 Crores in his/her lifetime free of LTCG. Sale of a house is different from sale of shares or equities and must not be mixed up (share/equities are speculation and government servants are not allowed to deal frequently in it under conduct rules). Here is an extract from the internet for guidance: “If the clients were a married couple who are U.S. citizens in Canada filing U.S. taxes jointly, they could potentially have a total exclusion of US$500,000 (US$250,000 each). To qualify, Mr. Ritchie says the sellers must have owned and occupied the home as their principal residence for at least two years before they sell it. THE GLOBE AND MAIL”. A single tax reform as suggested can clean the tax regime of corruption and boost consumption, promote construction industry in a big way providing roti-kapada and makaan to millions, create huge employment, prepare society for the 5 trillion economy. There may not be any need for special packages by the government from time to time as the economy will become self-sustaining in no time. It is doubtful if the government gets even a thousand crore by way of LTCG on sale of residential house property.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1)
Shashi Tharoor is the right choice. With his intelligence he can counter the BJP.
I D Verma
DEBATE(2)
After Pranab Mukherjee now Kamal Nath is the senior most Congress leader in the country. He is well known throughout the country and can be acceptable face in South also.
A K Jain
CSSS/CSS employees not getting their due promotions
As appeared in this column, I have been reiterating that CSSS/CSS employees are not at all getting their due promotions because of court cases. Recently some court issued order pending final disposal by the Supreme Court. Can anyone explain whether DOPT has been given clearance to issue at least adhoc promotion orders subject to outcome of the Supreme Court order. So many people have retired without promotions and many more retirements are on the anvil.
Seth

DEBATE (1)
I think P Chidambaram. With his political experience he can do wonders.
Shiv Anurag Pateriya
DEBATE (2)
Had Scindia been in the Congress Party, he would have been the right choice to revive the party.
R D Singh
Modi govt not responsible for it
The system of self attestation of certificates and abolition of requirement of submission of affidavits for menial level government jobs was announced in the month of May, 2013 based on the recommendations of second administrative reforms contained in 12th report 'Citizen Centric Governance'. The age old practice of submitting attested copies of certificates and affidavit was based on certain procedure adopted in the British rule. There was no legal basis to it. It is simply a procedure and it is for the State/UT Governments to adopt the practice or do away with it. Modi government is not responsible for it. Kindly go through the website of Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances
Anurag Srivastava
Bail is another source of corruption
I agree that bail is another source of corruption in Judiciary. Sometimes persons with serious crimes get the bail quickly while the innocent ones are denied bail.
Aarti Khosla

DEBATE(1)
Two time CM, Management expert Ashok Gehlot can run the Congress Party without Gandhis. He is OBC and an expert in political matters.
G Tiwari
Barack Obama on Rahul Gandhi
This is a masterly reading of the man who was the Congress President till sometime ago. Very accurate indeed.
Namit Verma
No change in CGEGIS amount despite pay commission recommendations
Matters regarding Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS)
through your platform, I would like to highlight that under CGEGIS at present, Group A employees are insured for 1,20,000 only while Group B for Rs. 60,000 and others for 30,000. This insurance amount is continuing since more than 30 years. No change has been made in the insurance amount despite various recommendations of pay commission.
Your platform can highlight the issue if deemed fit for betterment of all Government employees.
Shubham