Whispers Forum

DEBATE (1)
Narendra Modi is much better than previous Prime Ministers. He should lead the country in second term also.
A K Banerjee
Who said 2019 General Election is a fight between Modi and Rahul Gandhi. Just wait for the Karnataka assembly election results to see realignment of political forces opposed to both BJP and Cong.
Krishnadas
Dent in the independence of the judiciary
The state of affairs between the judiciary and the executive as being witnessed of late is worrisome. There is definitely a dent in the independence of the judiciary. The goings on right in the Apex court where judges hold press conference and criticise the chief justice or the open conflict among brother judges in the high courts make one lose one's faith in the courts. One major reason for all this garbage coming out of our courts is the corruption that has engulfed those who are sitting on judgment on our cases and the years pass before one can get a final verdict. Dates after dates on trivial grounds are manipulated by the parties not interested in getting a quick verdict when they think it would not be in their favour. Judgments are reserved for months even in simple cases relating to service conditions then written by a clerk or the interested party who would have managed the bench. I have personally seen a case where the high court bench instead of giving justice to the aggrieved in a seniority case delivered a judgment after 11 months further down grading the petitioner's seniority. It was obvious that the judgment was written by interested respondents and the bench did not even care to read. Where does the aggrieved go. Supreme court which did not even admit the plea. Then who can afford the amount charged by lawyers for handling your case. So you accept the injustice done to you though it rankles you all your life. How can one say then that i have full faith in judicial process.
Aarti Khosla

Certain information relating to the representation of the appellant was denied claiming that it was not traceable in their record. The appellant claimed that his letter dated 14.10.2013 was sent by Speed Post vide tracking no. ED 888476332 IN and also delivered personally to the office of the CMD of Bank. The Commission observed that record keeping and proper maintenance of files is a key function of any public authority. Hence, it is imperative to ascertain the facts leading to the misplacement of the representation submitted by the appellant. The Commission directed the First Appellate Authority of Oriental Bank of Commerce, Head Office, Gurgaon to inquire into the matter of the ‘missing’ representation and to ascertain as to whether the representation was actually misplaced or the PIO had taken that plea to deny information to the appellant. The FAA was directed to take appropriate departmental action against the officers/officials responsible for the misplacement of the representation, if required. A copy of the inquiry report along with the action taken report to be provided to the Information Commission as well as to the appellant within a period of six weeks.
Comments
All organisations should take a note of the fact that in case of ‘missing’ records, the Information Commission has started taking strict action for not taking due care of the records.
Citation: Dinesh Bhagat v. Oriental Bank of Commerce, RTI Cell in Decision No. CIC/OBKOC/A/2017/179224 Dated 28.03.2018
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of the books: RIGHT TO INFORMATION – LAW AND PRACTICand 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)
Naidu Leads The Opposition Sprint The political scene in India is hotting-up as only about a year’s time is left for the next general election to the parliament. It is somewhat difficult to digest for political observers that almost 47 months have peacefully passed without even a single scam in India since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in May 2014. It looks like a walk over to prime minister Modi. That perception has made the opposition jittery. They are trying to do whatever they can to “check/deter/stop/defeat” Modi in his mission 2019. They are best defined as “crowd” in the glossary of Urbanisation. Like the crowd, they too have no “leader” at present. They are humouring themselves with the woolly idea of “collective leadership” or “co-operative leadership” which envisages rotating prime ministership going from party to party at pre-determined intervals. Unfortunately for them, the Indian voters think differently. The efforts so far made have not gone beyond a loose alliance of parties opposed to Prime Minister Modi. Though not yet successful, they are trying to form a grand alliance of all like-minded parties opposed to Modi. The problem is that there is no glue available at present. Earlier the Congress Party used to provide that glue treated chemically by the communist parties and regional leaders like Lalu Yadav. Lalu is undergoing imprisonment for embezzlement of public money from the treasury and is unlikely to come out in the next 15 years. The Congress President is a young man with no significant experience in political affairs. Besides, his leadership of the alliance is not acceptable to many others. Mamata Banerji, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC (Trinamool Congress) has been pursuing the proposal most fervently, but nobody takes her seriously outside West Bengal. Sharad Pawar of the NCP has long cherished the ambition to occupy the chair of the prime minister of India without success. Mayawati of the BSP will watch from the side lines the developments before playing her cards. Akhilesh Yadav of the SP (Samajwadi Party) is likely to come out openly but has no influence for the moment as the strength of his party in the Lok Sabha and state Assembly has gone down abysmally. The Orissa Chief Minister is unlikely to get involved in the alliance politics except to the extent necessary in the interest of his party and state. The DMK and AIDMK can play limited roles in critical situations in a confidence motion. The Chief Minister of Telangana has extended support to Mamata’s efforts, but whether he will accept her as his leader is doubtful. Nitish Kumar has not encouraged the alliance evangelists so far and is unlikely to go with them beyond superficial endorsement in case it becomes politically expedient. That has left Chandrababu Naidu of the TDP (Telugu Desam Party)to fill the vacuum. Chandra Babu Naidu has played politics for very narrow interests. He was with the ruling NDA (National Democratic Alliance) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is a seasoned politician. In spite of that, he had failed to stall the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He was building a New Andhra Pradesh of the truncated old one and was a part of the ruling alliance at the centre. He has suddenly chosen to part ways on extremely flimsy grounds. He has not only withdrawn his ministers from the central government but the BJP too has withdrawn its ministers from his cabinet in Andhra Pradesh. His party has given notice of a No Confidence Motion against the Modi government as his rival in Andhra Pradesh the YSR Congress Party too had given similar notice prior to him. The ground is that the central government has not given Andhra Pradesh its due under the terms of the bifurcation. It is facetious. Naidu was privy to the decisions of the Modi government. Modi is not a leader who would renege on sacred commitments. He doesn’t play cheap politics. He is one leader who is confident of himself and fulfils his commitment without any hitch. Clearly, Chandrababu Naidu has been misled into believing that the need for a substitute for Narendra Modi has arisen and so he is positioning himself to claim his share in the power roulette. But he has underestimated the power of his opponents who had long been trying to depose him. The Congress Party especially has no longing for Chandrababu Naidu. That leaves him in the lurch worse than the zealous advocate of Modi Roko Squad Mamata Banerji. Narendra Modi is so lucky that his detractors lose steam even before they can gather traction. The Indian Opposition Parties have never been in greater disarray as now. Ever since H. D. Deve Gowda managed to become the prime minister of India in fluid political situation in 1996, every politician has been dreaming of doing so at some time in the future. But they forget that today’s India is radically different from the one of 1996.Today Narendra Modi is the most qualified leader to lead the country. People like Chandra Babu Naidu have yet to establish their credentials to be entrusted with the onerous responsibilities of the prime minister of the country. Naidu has made the gravest error of judgement by severing connections with the NDA and withdrawing his ministers from the Narendra Modi cabinet and giving notice of a no confidence motion against the Modi government. It was the time for him to share the glory of a full term of good governance by a collective of clean leaders under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Instead, he has invited condemnation of the public in general for creating unnecessary uncertainty in the country and adding fuel to the embers of opposition fire. The country is prepared to witness acts of treason in the Alliance Partners versus others, Alliance Partners versus BJP, BJP versus BJP, RSS versus BJP, RSS versus Modi. It is also prepared to face storm of fake news, malicious news, paid news, sponsored debates, commissioned social media barrage, engineered riots or violent agitations, scores of Cambridge Analytica kind spy onslaughts, gold or silver showers, tsunami of regional issues inflated to gain undue benefits like Special Status for the state or other untried artillery. What they fail to understand is that Narendra Modi is perched so high that they can not produce a leader to touch his shoulder even in the next ten years. That is where they will suffer humiliation. In the process, Indian polity will be washed of the soot and dirt of politicians unsuited and their archaic thoughts. In the most unlikely situation of succeeding in capturing power, as they did in 2004, they would only be taking the country back by more than 35 years and repeat the horror of a corrupt and inefficient government (2004-2014). Only an ingenuous person would accept such an alternative.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1)
Of late, I am a regular reader of your whisperinthecorridors. When I was looking at yesterday events, there has been a question " can anyone replace PM Modi in BJP or any other party.
My reply: No. Not at all possible at this juncture. After a long gap, we have a dynamic and performing Prime Minister for our country. When we have given chance to other parties for 6 decades, can't we give him a chance to perform. Actually, before he took as PM, our country's image was at dark and now needless to say the image is flying high across world. I do not say, whatever decision taken by the PM & party is 100% successful but I can say that every decision taken is in the interest of our county and development of our economy.
As everyone knows, our PM is a very hardworking person and has got in depth knowledge in every area. Certain section of people and parties, keep on criticizing him pin pointing his failure to fulfill the commitment he made before Lok Sabha election. All the commitments can not be fulfilled over night and require some time and will be done in order of priority.
I feel sorry for our Hon.ble PM, his achievements/performance made all through 4 years are wiped off due to misdeed done by some of his own party members.
However, I could not see anyone or any party who can match the class of roaring PM Modi.
V. Shankar
DEBATE (2)
Though PM Modi did not deliver much to peoples expectation still there is no true substitute of him. Of course, there are competent persons like Nitin Gadkari and Suresh Prabhu in BJP as also Nitish Kr. and Mamata Banerji. In the present situation of country top leader should be honest, competent and able to take quick/right decisions. Also, it is expected from top leader that irrespective of party in power economic policies should be allowed to continue. Unnecessary too much questioning and investigations lead to the fact that nobody likes to take a decision and country's development is hampered..
Prosun Banerj
India should be a casteless society
Seven decades down the line since Independence India should have seen the end of caste system. It has actually grown up thanks to our politicians who play one caste against another all for vote bank politics. It is indeed shocking to see how upper castes look upon Dalits specially in villages so much so that a dalit boy riding a horse provokes them so much that they kill him or they would not allow a dalit boy to take out his barat from their side. Really sickening. On the other hand the dalits also exploit their pedigree to take several benefits from the Government. Many get even fake certificates to garner the advantage of reservations etc. It is indeed an irony that even our Prime minister has to flaunt his OBC background to earn some points. It is high time India becomes a casteless (or even classless) society.
Aarti Khosla

DEBATE (1)
Apparently no alternative of Modi but nobody in the world is indespensable. In the present scheme of things Modi is the best option.Integrity of the PM is an attribute which has no match.
O P Garg (IPS retd) Former DG Police
DEBATE (2)
All services other than the IAS are happy with Modi sarkar. The hard working IAS officers are also very happy, but the indolent and corrupt are not.
Vijay Kumar
Ministry of Finance to Think !
Govt. of India is running small saving schemes like PPF, SCSS, MIS etc in post offices and some schemes in Banks thru Ministry of Finance but there is no uniformity in operation of these schemes. Though different schemes have been opened with specific purpose and earns different rate of interest. Most of the Sr. citizens depend their livelihood from the interest of such schemes. They are old enough to go to post office and banks to draw even the interest. Govt. may bring at least some uniformity can be brought in their operation. For example PPF has facility for an extension of five years after the maturity and this can be done thrice where as SCSS has an option for an extension of three years after maturity only once. MIS of post office has no option of extension after maturity. One has to close the account and again fill up the application form for opening new MIS account. It is very difficult at the age of 75 or 80 years to close and open new account. Ministry of Finance can review the similar schemes and provide the option of extension of same scheme as per customer requirements whether two or three times of 3 years or 5 years. This also helps the Govt. to retain the money for longer period and utilise the money for their welfare schemes. Longer the period better for Govt. and also for the customer. Govt. to analyse and work out for some solution of extension in all schemes at least three times. This is only option. Customer may or may not opt for an extension of schemes. At least option should be available like PPF.
Naveen
Plight of early PSU’ retirees
The request of Subramanian V to Govt is very genuine. As he mentioned about the non implementation of Pension Scheme by Maharatna Steel PSU is pathetic due to loss making. I request PM why maharani status has not been withdrawn. Also, there is an article in RSS mouth piece Organiser on April 11, 2013 that 25000 crore scam has been taken place. Govt should investigate the 70000 odd crore investment in SAIL units. The honest, sincere , qualified, dedicated executives are retired as AGM & DGM and some are taken VRS. The detailed project reports, the feasibility reports prepared by agencies should be investigated. The tender evaluation reports should be investigated. promotions, foreign tours, temporary transfers, falsified age affidavit holders(reduced age 4 to 6 years) has to be investigated.
Prasad

DEBATE (1)
This is a silly question. In democracy, prevailing circumstances create proper leader.
Jaipuria
DEBATE (2)
In BJP only Modi. Congress should announce. PM will be one whose party gets majority in the Lok Sabha.
D K Rai
Only PM can solve problems of pre2007 pensioners
The observations of Subramaniam about pre2007 retirees is so true. I belong to the same category and also very proud of the fact that people belonging to pre2007 were pillars of PSUs in India. If not for their hard work and dedication, no PSU would be existing now. As rightly pointed out, the health need of these elderly retired personnel are very important. I know a group of very senior retired personnel from a Bangalore based PSU major trying their best for the post superannuation scheme be extended to them but to no avail so far. Similarly, the EPS 95 pension scheme is a cruel joke for the retired personnel who are eligible for it. The scheme framed by a former finance minister of India is such a stupid policy and a disaster. He is at present MP. Does he knows what a beggarly sum a pensioner gets. He does not know the pinch because he gets handsome salary and allowances. Only one person who can solve all the problems of pre2007 pensioners is our beloved PM Narendra Modi but it can only happen if all the concerned ministries brief him properly. It is reported that this website is read by crores of Indians and I sincerely pray and hope that some official of the PMO reads these columns and briefs the PM about the status of these class of retirees.
K Srinivasa Rao

DEBATE (1)
Now anybody minus Narendra Modi.
A Joshi
DEBATE (2)
Chandrababu Naidu –the PM candidate
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu could be an ideal candidate for the post of Prime Minister as he has the vision and also the ability to ensure implementation of projects. He is also the person who could build true smart cities in India.
Amit Jain
“ China-Nepal-India economic corridor; A strategic blunder”
Nepal has expressed its consent in permitting China in constructing China-Nepal Economic Corridor. It is reported by the Nepalese media that Leaders of China and India have reportedly “ reached consensus on exploring the feasibility of the China-Nepal-India Economic Corridor”.
This will be Nepal’s greatest blunder unless it is keen on a suicide mission, hell-bent on getting swallowed by the dragon.
Consider India. China’s expansionist policy,its illegally occupyiing 40,000 sq kilo metres of Indian territory in Aksai Chin during 1962’s undeclared war with India, its claim on Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim, building infrastructures at Dokalam with the ulterior motive of attacking chicken neck.
These are proofs enough of China's nefarious designs. Inciting insurgency in the North-east , extending clandestine support to Maoists, constant attempt at derailing India’s economy are additional pinpricks.
Nepal will lose its status as a buffer state between two neighbours. It will either end up as a province of China or its protectorate..
A grave threat,in case,war breaks out with China. Deployment of more army on Indo-Nepal border.
Another manifestation of string of pearls woven around India by China. There should be no question of having diplomatic parleys by India with the Machiavellian China.
Never trust China unless it agrees to return 40,000 sq kilo metres of Indian territory in Aksai chin, forsake its illegal claims over Ladhak, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim.
Let it stop building infrastructure at Doklam with the ulterior motive of invading the chicken neck.
Let it stop building CPEC through POK, a part of India.Let it vacate the artificially created coral island and dismantle its military,near South-China sea.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)
Asset details of officers should not be made public
It is surprising that many state governments have made the asset details of their officers public without any reason. Public servants and elected officials are on a different footing and such details which are filed as a part of their annual property return should not be put on websites.
Meena Gharbiyal

DEBATE (1)
I reckon that citizens of the country should give a chance to the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. I am of the view that he is from youth fraternity and can lead the country to a right direction.
Rajesh Kumar
Cash Crunch
Hyped by media houses there is no such cash crunch in the country today. Only few people know about this adverse publicity.
Vivek Dhawan
Visa free entry
As reported in Whispers, soon Indian Diplomatic Passport holders will be allowed visa free entry to UK. Other countries try to gain ease of access for their businesspersons; it is they who bring prosperity to their country. Indian diplomats try to get visa-free entry for diplomatic passport holders and they have succeeded in many countries. All officers of Government of India in level 14 and above (there are thousands of them) and their families are entitled to diplomatic passports. Retired IFS officers (all regular recruits retire at the level of Secretary to Government of India) and their spouses are entitled to Diplomatic Passport for life. In addition influential non-officials are issued Diplomatic Passports under a discretionary quota with the Minister of External Affairs. Indian diplomatic missions abroad, drowned in protocol and alcohol, need to change their attitude towards promoting business and aim for visa free entry (or at least e-visa facility) for ordinary passport holders. Most readers of Whispers are senior Government officers; their self serving approach is not good for economic development of the country.
Prof. N.C. Saxena

Debate (1)
Sushma Swaraj has all qualities to be PM. She could be an ideal choice for the Prime Minister of India as she is a very senior and experienced parliamentarian and is doing an excellent job as Union External Affairs Minister.
Y C Sharma
DEBATE (2)
No alternative of Modi. He wants to do something for the country.
K Nambiar
CSS officers to boycott Civil Services Day function
Because of their frustration, the CSS officers this year have decided to boycott participation/wear black badges in the Civil Services Day function to be held on 21st April, 2018 in New Delhi. The Modi Government are responsible for bring about miseries to their career by providing lateral entry to the interns who have allegiance to the RSS in all central Ministries/Departments.
BBS
“Do not make the Dalits, Victims of Dependency Culture”
Supreme Court took the noble initiative by rationalising the Atrocities against SC, ST Act. Objective ? To eliminate rampant misuse of the Atrocities Act. This is now sought to be neutralised by the ruling dispensation by promulgating an Ordinance. Empowerment of the elite SC/ST, who have been reaping the fruits of reservations , generations after generations ? The poorest of the poor SC/ST are not even aware of their rights. But, who cares for them in view of the vicious compulsions of vote-bank politics ? Let them reap the fruits of reservation policy instead of the affluent dalits. Every Indian will support the move.
Now, the casteist union minister Paswan wants another ordinance to be promulgated by the government. He has now demanded application of the reservation roster to all cases of promotion of SC/ST. This politically motivated suggestion is in gross violations of Supreme court’s verdicts. Merit becomes the casualty, as always.
I fail to understand whether the Parliament is supreme or the Supreme court is sovereign?
What happens to our Fundamental Right : Right to Equality before Law ?
A K Saxena ( A retd civil servant)

DEBATE (1)
D Shukul
DEBATE (2)
This time only Coalition Government with a new face as Prime Minister.
Zulfikar Ali
Plight of early retirees of PSUs
"I wish our PM Narendra Modi to kindly look into the plight of Retirees of PSUs. Many of them of Ratna PSUs have contributed to exchequer substantially. This would not have been possible without dedicated & hard work of employees at all levels of such PSUs. But many major PSUs like SAIL have not implemented Pension Scheme under the false statement that they are not earning profit. If Public Sector Banks can be infused with crores of funds, can Govt not infuse some funds (out of contributions received from PSUs received earlier-such as Dividend, Excise Duty, Sales Tax etc)?
Pre-2007 retirees of PSUs are in worst condition. Their salary structure was very low. The gratuity was only Rs.3.5 lakhs from 1997.They have to survive with interest returns from the retirement benefits received which is dwindling down whereas cost of living is going up - a double hardship.
The condition of pre-1997 retirees of PSUs are very deplorable. They are in 75 plus, 80 plus age group. They face lot of hardship in all directions. Their health costs have gone multiple times due to age related problems. Their retirement benefits were mere in the range of Rs.5 lakhs-8 lakhs. How can any one expect them to survive? These are the persons who had joined ar earlier stages of PSUs-during 1950s & 1960s- in the 1st phase of Industrialisation concept as conceived by Pandit Nehru. We would not have been in such a industrially developed stage if not for this strong foundation. Do any of the higher ups know or realise the problems or hardship faced by the earlier retirees who worked in undeveloped/under-developed areas where such industries were established with foreign collaboration. I request PM to arrange to pay them atleast Rs. 10,000 pm so that they survive. After all, PSUs are only another arm of Govt & this amount is a pittance compared to all retirees get."
Subramanian V

DEBATE (1)
As long as Narendra Modi is there, there is no alternative in his party. But, in Congress party Digvijay Singh can counter the BJP.
Rohit Mehta
DEBATE (2)
Common man of India has tremendous common sense . He will select proper person at a right time the PM . Who defeated Indira Gandhi ? Common man.
Dr Manoj Mathur
Killing is acceptance of helplessness
I fully appreciate the views of Ms Aarati Khosla under the caption "Highly Disgusting". When police kill a so called criminal, it simply accepts its helplessness in dealing with the crime in a legal way. This killing is based on the misconception that there is no problem within the system and therefore no real improvement is made in the system of police administration. Whenever we see a police van on the highway, we know that it is there to exploit the transporters. The character of the administration including the police administration need to be changed and we all have to realise that we belong to the same society and not to different castes.
Prof. A. K. Verma, ISS(Retd.)