Whispers Forum

Systematically destroying IRS
It is no surprise that Government ( virtually IAS lobby) issued charge sheets to IRS Association office bearers for giving a report on reviving economy in good faith though the recommendations are of poor intellect. Contrast this with clean chit given to an IPS officer who favoured financial criminals in Maharashtra. IRS Association needs to realize that it is an interest group to protect the interests of IRS officers and not a think tank. It does everything except to protect interests of IRS officers. It is open secret that CBDT bosses have surrendered to Modi government and converted IT Department as an arm of BJP to hound its political adversaries. In return, Modi government is only rewarding its henchmen in the department and systemically destroying the service with innovations such as no promotion in the guise of deferment, arbitrary use of 56J, transfers to remote locations. However, corrupt henchmen of Modi in the income tax are getting all rewards. Will IRS association stand up to protect collective interests of the IRS?
Prasad
IRS force
Suggestions for revenue mobilisation by income tax officers has, instead of starting any serious discussion, started a jokestream on Twitter. Why?
First, the qualifications. Income tax officers are not economists. They do not (nor are they expected to have) any idea of what a particular tax (say, inheritance tax or wealth tax) does to the economy. Their expertise is limited to collecting direct taxes, nothing more.
Second, the populism. ‘Soak the rich’ is a popular refrain across the world. Are the income tax officers (not very popular among the honest people in the society) trying to become popular?
Third the intention. If the suggestions were to be accepted it will increase the power of income tax officers tremendously. It is doubtful that it will be exercised with restraint and without corruption.
Finally, the missing link. The popular perception of most income tax officers being corrupt is misplaced. The officers (at least the idealistic ones) could have proved it by suggesting how to reduce arbitrariness and corruption in the organisation’s various activities. For example, international businesses have to negotiate a bribe for not deducting advance tax. This is a cost to exports. When dealing with assessees, the officers advise them to get a chartered accountant. If the officers had suggested measures for elimination of middlepersons and bring about honesty in their department, they would have been taken seriously. If their association is worth its salt it could advise young direct recruits to expose their corrupt bosses.
In the meantime the government should award them for bringing hilarity in these dark times.
If you see an income tax officer and a chartered accountant drowning and you can save only one of them what would you do? Go home or go for a walk?
Prof. N.C. Saxena

DEBATE (1)
In the present context, COVID-19 has emerged as super-power making super power countries: USA, Russia, China and India powerless.
Manoj Kumar
“Please do not stifle Freedom of Speech”
As an avid fan of Whispersinthecorridors.com since its inception, I venture to share my views with you on certain aspects. The topics selected for ‘ Debates’ have, of late, been serving certain vested interests, bereft of universal relevance. I have noticed a drift in the editorial policy of WIC from original mandate. Some posts do not find space in your FORUM without specifying the reasons. I don’t know, why? But, let us not forget that rapid expansion of new portals implies that one media platform’s censored or dropped column, becomes a prize catch for another.
It is, no doubt, your absolute discretion to accept or dismiss columns without assigning reasons. Your editorial –cum-proprietorial- cum-commercial compulsions, cannot be disputed. You have to run the publication by getting ads from government and corporate sectors. Quite justified.
There are certain points, I would like to share with you in the interest of our Constitutional right relating to Freedom of Speech and Expressions.
First, by not posting the views in WIC FORUM, you are stifling the freedom of speech and expression of genuine contributors. The contributors are not supposed to be supportive of the Governments of the day. If they do, they become paid journalists. More important point is about maintaining the credibility and independence of Journalism. Pressures during the UPA era headed by the then de facto PM Mohtarma Sonia ji, was blatantly explicit , vindictive.
Not under the present NDA era headed by PM Modi. I admire him for his honesty, commitment, nationalistic outlook and exceptional leadership during Corona crisis. I also criticize him freely on other issues.
I have grown with WIC for two decades and started contributing posts after retirement in 2007. I have noticed some change in editorial policy, of late . You would agree that it would be neither ethical nor advisable for contributors to support the policies of the governments of the day on various issues. This explains why you invariably insert a ‘Disclaimer’.
We do not expect the editor-in-chief of WIC to act as the Spokesperson of ruling dispensations at the Centre and States. If that were to be so,then what is the difference between the Whispersinthecorridors.com ( WIC )and the pompous Opinion makers of several mainstream newspapers. You ought to be different.WIC is accessed globally by one and all especially the bureaucracy.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)
Grievance of CSS officers
People in CSS are waiting for promotions in May 2019....No body to listen on this grievance of CSS officers.
GB

The Appellant sought information regarding the examination conducted for the post of Maintainer Electrician by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation like the category wise cut off marks of the candidates selected in the main merit list, the number of candidates finally selected and issues related thereto. He alleged large scale corruption in the selection process by the Respondent Public Authority. On being queried by the Commission whether the lists of selected candidates were available on the official website, the Respondent replied in the affirmative. The Appellant vehemently contested the averments of the Respondent and submitted that names of the selected candidates along with the marks secured was not available in the public domain and that the Respondent was duty bound to upload the same as per the decisions of the Superior Court. The CIC directed to furnish a copy of list of the selected candidates along with the marks secured as also the formula adopted in Normalisation Process by DMRC, to the Appellant within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of the order depending upon the condition for containment of the Corona Virus Pandemic in the Country.
Comments
Though many State Information Commissions are non-functional, the CIC has been working while being mindful of the difficulties being faced due to the Coronavirus infection.
Citation: Mr. Sohan Singh v. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in Second Appeal No.(s):- CIC/DMRCP/A/2018/627844–BJ+ CIC/DMRCP/A/2018/628759-BJ, Date of Decision : 28.04.2020
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

Suggestions for international travel
COVID19 is here to stay and most countries have a dilemma on when to open their borders. For flights to operate, one needs guidance and assurance that COVID is not being reintroduced. Here is some food for thought for India and other countries: 1. Every departing passenger entering airport must be tested . Set up camp outside airport, do RT PCR , and get the results in 2 hours...the results be shared by airlines with governments on other side 2. For arriving passengers, do RT PCR test and Anti body test ...before letting them into the country 3. Cost of these tests...be added to ticket cost (200 US dollars / 14000 INR) at most.. 4. Usual social distancing norms (masks, gloves, self dispensing sanitizers in airport, flights, no meal service ( only packed food or drink ) 5. If this looks feasible, airlines may be able to fill up all seats, even middle seats !
V Mohan