Whispers Forum

I support the views in a matter of urgent public interest published on the WIC on November 20, 2023. The WHO reported 11,60,000 new cancer cases in India in 2018 and 7,84,800 deaths due to cancer. Treatment cost between Rs.5 to 20 lakh. It said that “cancer patterns in India are dominated by high burden of tobacco-related head and neck cancers…”. The government collects annual revenue of approximately Rs.20,000 crore. It might have spent many times more in primary health care of neck and mouth cancer patients. At an average of Rs. 8,00,000(eight lakhs) as cost of treatment for a cancer patient, the total cost of treatment for all the 11,60,000 is huge business (8,00,000x11,60,000=928,000,000,000- Perhaps nine hundred twenty eight billion). Efforts to ban tobacco products have failed so far in the name of more than 45,00,000 farmers and workers employed in the industry. Where should the devastated families (widow, children, aged parents penniless with no assets at all and one of the 80 crore getting free ration) go for justice? To the government, supreme court (PIL), parliament’s standing committee on Health? Justice needs to be done to the heart-rending cries of the victims.
M L Gupta

The reimbursement of appellant’s cataract surgery raised with Insurers was restricted to Rs. 30,000 by TPA. The appellant submitted that he is entitled to Rs 50,000/- i.e. 10% of sum insured but the insurers restricted as per GIPSA whereas no such restriction was in the policy and also the insurers failed to share complete details of GIPSA which apparently had lenses of lower specifications than the ones actually installed by the doctor in the surgery. The CIC observed that the Appellant's claim of entitlement to Rs. 50,000 for the cataract surgery as per their insurance policy is a significant matter that deserves immediate attention. Further, it is essential to recognize the larger public interest in this matter. The transparency and accuracy of information related to medical insurance claims and expenses are of great concern to the general public. In an age where healthcare costs are rising, individuals rely on their insurance policies for financial support during medical procedures. The lack of transparency and potential discrepancies in the process can significantly affect public trust in the insurance system. The CIC directed the PIO of United India Insurance Company Limited to furnish the requested information including a detailed breakdown of the medical expenses incurred during the cataract surgery, along with all relevant documents and justifications for the decisions made, free of cost, to the appellant.
Comments This order would pave the way for the transparency in the processing of the insurance claims. Hopefully, the insurers would provide the detailed breakdown to the
Citation: Mr. Ajay Kumar Gupta v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd., CIC/UIICL/A/2023/632292-UM; Date of Decision: 01.11.2023
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

The recent death of young businessman Parag Desai, caused by street dogs chasing him, has once again drawn the country’s attention to this menace from which no city or town is safe. In spite of widespread criticism of Municipal authorities by the media and the Municipal authorities own efforts, this serious menace is defying solution. In my experience during service in the field as a police officer, the Municipal authorities falter in tackling this menace, sometimes in spite of resources, because catching dogs is an exhausting job, in which both dog and catcher are likely to get injured. Injury to the dog draws the ire of the animal welfare activists. Also, the dogs instinctively realise that they are going to be caught and run away from the scene. Presently the dogs are caught by hooks and wire loops, which is cruel and archaic. The proper and easier way would be to tranquilise the dogs with a dart gun fired from some distance (as is done to treat wild animals) and then sterilize them. This would save on time, injuries to both dogs and catchers and criticism from animal rights’ activists. It would cost more, but given the seriousness of the problem, should have no lack of political will to provide the necessary resources.
A R Pawar
Ex-DGP MP
The views expressed in the forum are exclusively of readers and the ‘Whispers In The Corridors’ does not necessarily agree to it.

(i). The ‘Best’ team lost to the second best team on the best day. (Life is unpredictable).
(ii) The second best team played its best and the best team played second best on the most crucial day. ( one who never loses hope and encashes the opportunity presented always ends up smiling)
( iii) the best hitter of the tournament Rohit Sharma was the unluckiest on the best day and got out to one of the best catches( Travis Head). ( one’s best plans may not work at the most crucial times).
(iv) The best selection of the tournament Travis Head came best on the best day. ( He was injured before the tournament and missed half the tournament but Australia kept him in the team at great risk). ( Having trust and faith in individuals and preparations always helps)
( v) the best bowler of the tournament ( Mohd. Shami) was not at his best on the best day. ( one has to be at best all the time)
( vi) the best batter of the tournament ( Virat Kohli) couldn’t produce his best on the best day. (99 percent is great and may make you a tragic hero but its no match for hundred percent)
( vii) The pitch was at its worst during Indian innings and at its best during Australian innings. (Life may throw up unpredictable and unforeseen situations at you)
( viii) he most crucial and best toss was lost by the best team and won by the second best team. (Luck is not a stranger in life)
( ix) the second best team batted, fielded, bowled the best when it mattered. (the importance of occasional is equally important in life)
(x) The pitch and ground condition were not the best for the best occasion as the toss played a crucial role and was the game changer. (other extraneous factors may bowled you over and you can’t do anything about it)
(xi) The best crowd couldn’t get the best result of their choice. (emotions has got nothing to do with success or end result)
( xiii) the team which was at the bottom of the table at one stage of the tournament finished at the top and the team which was all through at the top finished bottom between the top two at the last stage. (Never lose hope and keep trying your best)The timing, sense of occasion, fate and destiny are also key factors in life. And the story of tortoise and rabbit is not untrue)
(xiv) The tournament and organisers ( BCCI) got the best possible commercial success but the second best performance and expected results. (Life is ruthless)
(xv) History will record Australia as the World Cup Champions but will not record the Indian team as the best team of the tournament. (History is facts and not emotions)
( xvi) If the result is not the best, people generally forget all your best efforts and remember only the errors. (People judge you by the end result and final outcome)
Sunil Tated
The views expressed in the forum are exclusively of readers and the Whispers In The Corridors does not necessarily agree to it.

Tax details and GST returns of more than a dozen entities sought by the applicant was denied claiming that it is Third Party Information, and cannot be provided being confidential. The applicant made allegations of tax evasion against all the entities in her RTI Application. The respondent PIO was not present during the hearing. The CIC observed that it is not inclined to adversely question the absence of the Respondent PIO during the hearing in the matter as the facts on record suggest that the case is not filed only against the said PIO but also against multiple other PIOs designated in separate public authorities. Yet, for the record, the Respondent PIO was directed to send a proper written explanation stating the reason for their absence during the hearing without intimating any reasons thereof. The CIC held that the Appellant has far stretched her apprehensions and is merely expressing conjecture against the tax liability of the averred entities. The CIC ruled that the strength of the material on record does not suggest any larger public interest in the disclosure of the personal information as well as information bearing commercial confidence of the third parties, rather the underlying premise of the instant RTI Application and the Appeal has an apparent substance of personal dispute. The appeal was rejected.
CommentsThe details regarding the tax returns and payment are personal information of the individual of commercial confidence. The applicant has to establish larger public interest to seek such information.
Citation: Vinita Nareeshkuamr Biyani v. Asstt. Commissioner CGST Service Tax Div IV, CIC/DGSTX/A/2022/159699; Date of Decision: 18/10/2023
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

If production of alcohol, cigarettes is prohibited then cancer will reduce.
Harshad
Election promises or guaranteed poverty
The promises made by political parties in the State Assembly Elections these days are nothing more than a guarantee of voters’ poverty for the next 5 years. Consider these: (1) consumption of electricity is an important indicator of poverty and they are guaranteeing only 200 units free against the need of minimum 800 units per household with two school going children these days; (2) pension of Rs. 1000 per month is insult with injury as it means US $ 10 only; (3) unemployment allowance of even Rs. 10,000 per month is no substitute for regular employment; (4) Only 200000 jobs are promised against needed several millions in each state and no data on job seekers is disclosed; (5) there is no promise about self-employment or entrepreneurs or livelihood; (6) education and health are fundamental rights under Parts III & IV of the constitution but there is no promise to provide quality education or health services; (7) the only thing they can guarantee is reservation and old pension scheme. They talk as if they are Maharajas or Nawabs speaking to their “subjects”, going by their language, tone, tenor and manners. Have these parties lived up to these promises in the last 75 years when they were the government? They are fooling the voters, from whom they are asking for the vote but will take their skin if elected to ensure that poverty stays and prospers under their good care!
M L Gupta