Whispers Forum

The allegation in the WIC Forum(Feb 22,2025) titled “Corruption by UPSC- recruited officers is alarming”, seems motivated. An impression is sought to be created that UPSC-recruited officers in various organized services are corrupt. This is a misplaced perception without being familiar with the internal functioning of UPSC. The accusation carries the risk of de-motivating lakhs of civil services aspirants who appear in the three-stage examination held by the premier body of the country, year-after-year. Baseless allegation amounts to serious indictment of a constitutional body whose practices have stood the test of time spread over several decades. The written parts of exams(Mains and Prelims) are conducted in total anonymity. The interviews ( personality tests) for written-qualified aspirants, are conducted by retired civil servants and specialists who have vast experience in scanning human traits and the best qualities of head and heart. The system is fair. Qualities like honesty and sincerity are appreciated. It will thus, be unfair, in these circumstances, to blame the UPSC for selecting corrupt civil servants. Trouble starts after training and appointments. It is difficult to predict how and when a civil servant could turn into a crook. The ground reality is that abuse and misuse of power starts soon after taking charge of the job. Authority and corruption go hand in hand. It is at this stage that civil servants are exposed to evils like pressures from corrupt politicians and seniors, kickbacks, administrative delays, speed money, lack of accountability etc. Corruption is a universal phenomenon: individual-centric and job-related. Honest civil servants, more often than not, avoid lucrative postings. Absence of effective vigilance administration also contributes to corruption. The ruling dispensation would be well-advised to expedite prosecution sanctions sought by the CVC and CBI in respect of a large number of civil servants. This would enhance good governance besides sending a message to all, down the line! No wonder, India was ranked 85 among 180 countries in the corruption perception index.
A K Saxena (former civil servant)

While hearing the second appeal, the CIC observed that in many similar cases in the recent past, it has been noticed that while replying to the RTI applications and disposing First Appeals, the designated CPIO’s and FAA’s, are only scribbling their signatures and are not giving their names, official designations and their official telephone numbers and email ID’s. An advisory was issued under section 25(5) of the RTI Act to the Additional Commissioner, Central GST & Central Excise, Jamshedpur, to take note of the aberration of RTI Act being manifested in the Respondent public authority’s office and issue a direction to their PIO’s and FAA’s to write their names, designations, official telephone numbers along with email id, while replying to the RTI Applications and First Appeals in future, in accordance with the spirit of transparency and accountability as enshrined in the RTI Act. It was also directed to sensitize their officials regarding the provisions of RTI Act by way of training workshops etc. and putting in place a coherent system of checks and balances.
Comments
Vide Office Memorandum Ref. No. 10/1/2013-IR, dated 06.10.2015, the Department of Personnel and Training, had directed that the reply should contain the name, designation, official telephone number and email ID of the CPIO. Further, the name, designation, address, official telephone number and e-mail ID of the First Appellate Authority should also be clearly mentioned in case of the first appeal. All public authorities should ensure compliance of the above instructions.
Citation: Devanshi Jay Kothari v. Office of the Assistant Commissioner of GST & CX, Division V, Jamshedpur, CIC/CCESR/A/2023/143990; Date of Decision : 20.02.2025
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

This step of the government, albeit late, is welcome that a big campaign is being started against non-communicable diseases responsible for eighty percent of deaths in the country. About ninety crore people above the age of thirty years will be tested for sugar, BP and cancer across the country. Actually, this campaign should have been started much earlier, however, now the government should also ensure that those who are outside the ambit of Ayushman Yojana should also get cheap medicines and medical facilities at low cost.
Yogita Malviya

President Trump’s suggestion to PM Modi: “I leave Bangladesh to PM Modi”, is welcome. As per US media reports, some leaked files confirm US’s covert hand in destabilizing Bangladesh and overthrowing ex-PM Sheikh Hasina. The problem was created by Biden, who was supposedly close to Md. Yunus. Trump’s suggestion could, however, be a blessing-in-disguise for India to ward off China’s threat. Let me be more specific. The ruling dispensation in Bangladesh is an unelected, interim government, cosying up to China and Pakistan and receiving covert support from the ISI. China’s motive is to disturb the balance of power in the region by creating unrest in India. There is utter chaos in Bangladesh. It has lately hinted at even scrapping the “uneven” international border fencing deal with India struck by Sheikh Hasina. The Hindu and other religious minorities are being tortured and their places of worship vandalized. This could not be possible without the covert and overt support of the interim government. Sheikh Hasina is on extended stay in India. Restoring the status quo ante by her safe return to power is important. The question is : Should India intervene militarily to create conditions conducive for holding general elections in Bangladesh? Diplomatic efforts alone may not suffice amid escalating violence and growing radicalism. The army is divided into several sections owing allegiance to different political parties. Trump’s advice comes in handy. To follow up his offer to India to handle Bangladesh on its own, concrete action is needed. China has its eyes set on the Siliguri corridor (Chicken’s neck),a crucial link between the North-east and the rest of India. It is strategically important and sensitive. India faces the perennial danger of untrustworthy China cutting off the chicken’s neck. To neutralise the threat, India must consider annexing northern-most territory of Bangladesh bordering Siliguri corridor and convert chicken’s neck into an elephant’s neck. China took over Tibet. No country except India protested. President Trump advocates taking control of Panama canal, Canada and Greenland. Then, why should India lag behind in neutralizing the threat perception from China?
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)

The applicant submitted that after serving the chargesheet to certain officials, nothing has been beard so far and it is not known as to what happened to the chargesheets. He sought to know whether some major or minor penalty has been imposed or not and whether the embezzled amount in connivance with each other and on account of serious lapse on their part the loss caused to the State exchequer has been recovered. The PIO replied that the charge-sheet, disciplinary proceedings, professional records etc. are all personal information exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1) (j) of the RTI Act. The appellant appealed claiming that it related to a massive scam and records have been sought for in larger public interest. Upon being asked by the CIC as to whether the appellant was the informer/complainant based on which action initiated against the delinquent officials, he answered in negative. Considering the issue flagged by the appellant and in the light of larger public interest and a natural public expectations to know the broad outcome of a case which was in the public domain, the Respondent was directed by the CIC to inform the broad outcome of the final order passed on the chargesheet issued to the officials as also the final outcome of departmental disciplinary appeal as mentioned in the RTI application.
Comments
The copy of chargesheet and its outcome has often been sought by applicants. It has been debated whether it is a personal information and whether the same should be made available to the complainant or any other person.
Citation: Ram Lal Arora v. Executive Engineer (HQ), O/o Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Administration, CIC/ENGDP/A/2024/611452; Date of Decision: 14.01.2025
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com