Whispers Forum

It is learnt that the tussle between Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and his rival Sachin Pilot has finally ended. Congress leader KC Venugopal said we will fight elections unitedly and win. More details are not available. We don't know what the terms of agreement are. Only speculations are being made and information is being received only from unidentified sources. But such a truce is likely to end very quickly. We have seen that both Gehlot and Pilot are stubborn and ambitious. Will they maintain unity till elections? If this unity breaks now then it will send a very wrong message as agreement was reached after a marathon meeting at Kharge's residence in which Rahul and other senior leaders were present.
Nancy Singh

The death of six cheetahs, including three grownups and three cubs, in Kuno Park has shocked wildlife lovers. Some are even saying the project was ill-conceived. It is true there was no need to bring cheetahs all the way from Africa when we are not able to take care of the already existing wildlife. Only 2 days back a leopard was beaten to death by villagers in Khandwa when he strayed in search of food and water. Why don't we spend money and resources on our wildlife while forests continue to be destroyed at a frantic pace? Even the Himalayas are sinking. But now that cheetahs have come it is our duty to look after them well. Today Union Minister Bhupinder Yadav was in Bhopal. He said all possible cooperation including financial resources will be provided by the Central Government for the success of Cheetah Project. Let's hope these cute animals adapt and flourish in our country.
Yogita Malviya

The appellant sought to know if the record copy of the newspapers maintained by the Registrar of Newspapers of India (RNI) was in print format or otherwise; and some other related information was also asked. The PIO informed that the details of newspapers received in RNI as per section 11(B) of PRB Act, 1867 is updated on regularity portal on RNI website and RNI does not maintain copy(s) of newspapers. The Appellant contended that the PIO has provided a false and misleading reply and quoted Rule 5 of the Registration of Newspaper (Central) Rules, 1956. The CIC observed that the PIO has reaffirmed the factual position of not maintaining copy of newspapers and is within the confines of the RTI Act. The CIC observed that action or inaction of RNI in not maintaining the said record cannot warrant any punitive action against the PIO under the RTI Act. The CIC directed the PIO to place this order before their competent authority to look into the allegations of the Appellant in consonance with the extant rules governing RNI.
Comments
It is a classical case which demonstrates how the RTI Act can be used to initiate action against non-compliance of any act or rules. Rule 5 (1) of the Registration of Newspaper (Central) Rules, 1956 reads that “Every publisher shall, within 48 hours of the publication of an issue of his newspaper, send to the Press Registrar one copy of the issue by post or by a messenger”. Sadly, in many cases, no copies of the newspapers are retained for future.
Citation: Samir Sardana v. Office of the Registrar of Newspapers of India, CIC/RNIND/A/2021/662365; 27/04/2023
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

Too much noise is about a solemn occasion of inauguration of the new parliament building in New Delhi. Was the old parliament building inaugurated by the President of India or the King Monarch of British India? Was it inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India? Did it house the parliament of independent India or the Dominion of India? Did the old parliament building have a Prince's Chamber? Did it house the democratic India or a combination of British India and Princely States of India? Questions like this are significant for the new generation of the country, which was not connected to the freedom struggle or the memories of it but who shall always be interested in knowing everything about it. The new parliament building will be the house of the sovereign democratic republic of India. It symbolises full freedom. The Prime Minister, if he has worked well on his script, is expected to deliver a speech that will be written in letters of gold in the History of Modern India. It is the beginning of a new thinking- India thinking for itself rather than others doing it!
M L Gupta
Congratulations to Ms Tshering on promotion
Congratulations to Ms Meera Ranjan Tshering on her promotion to Member (PLI). She has been a very dynamic and charismatic officer. All the best wishes for her future assignments.
Devendra Mishra

Unleashing second wave of demonetisation has shaken the confidence of common man in indian currency that is being projected to become an international reserve currency.People are re-living the horrors of disastrous demonetisation of 2016.
Ironically,the announcement this time was made by RBI governor,not the PM,nor even the Finance minister.It was being projected as a normal /periodical job ostensibly to bring back black money into banking system. Absurd logic.An eye wash; an exercise in futility.
The public is not aware of the hidden cost of demonetisation including cost of printing currency notes.Why were currency notes of 2000 rupee denomination,at all, printed,when the idea was to withdraw these from circulation?Similar situations do not occur in other emerging economies like Brazil,Russia,China and South Africa.India is an exception.
The adhocism merely reflects desperation and confusion at the centre.This is bound to adversely affect the electoral prospects of party-in-power in the coming elections.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Mr Mehrotra and Dr Verma - Even if you continue to shout at the top of the voice, the public information officers will continue to delay or deny information under the RTI without any logic. I have been reading the articles regularly and it is strange that for timely replying to the RTI Applications, there is no sense of urgency in the public information officers. There are unnecessary appeals and delays for very simple RTI applications. There is a need to change the DNA of the officers. Unless there is a culture of transparency, such denial of information will continue. The CIC must take strong penal action to instil discipline in the officers and a feeling of respect towards the RTI Act.
Vinayak

It stands proved now that the Vajpayee government was ill advised to replace the pension scheme for the central government employees by the NPS. It has been weaponised to deliver at least two state assembly results. The Raj-hath of generics-only over the branded medicines is going to prove a fatal weapon in the hands of the opposition political parties. Are government employees the only ones to be penalised every time, be it family planning or pension or medicines? While the employees were brought to the NPS in 2004 the MPs/MLAs/Local Self Government office holder were not. Politics today is the most rewarding vocation in India. Same is going to be the case for medicines for them from the govt hospitals and CGHS facilities. CGHS for employees is a modest facility which employees get on payment and not free. Many keep waiting for reimbursement of their claims even after writing to the Prime Minister at the end. Before it is too late, the government need to take a re-look. There are fault lines in the NEP too as dictionaries, glossaries, compendiums, reference books etc. are unlikely to be available even in the next decade and only the learners would suffer. It will be scrapped the moment government changes or made a slogan to seek change of government. Please spare the employees or their performance is bound to suffer. Let the generics medicines win the market on merit and patient loyalty rather than the government marketing these medicines.
M L Gupta

The 2000 note was started in March 2017 after failed demonetization of 500, 1000 notes in 2016. Again now we are just into 2023 the 2000 has been demonetized w.e.f 1.10.2023. My question to the dispensation is that about 60000 crores spent on ATMs to make it compatible to withdraw 2000 notes through ATM, who paid the money, certainly the taxpayers and may be another 60000 crores to reverse the process now, this dispensation finds ways to loot the middle class and favour the industrial lobby. Of course this gives boost to BJP RSS to deposit their cash into banks. Let us pray 2024 public keeps in mind while voting.
Harish Kumar

The appellant sought certain information about the enrollment number an advocate, authenticated copy of certificate of enrolment and other supporting documents, educational qualification etc. The PIO admitted that reply to the instant RTI Application was not provided, but submitted that their office has been receiving repeated RTI Applications asking for similar information about third parties, i.e personal information of other advocates and on all instances, their office has duly replied to these RTI Applications. In the instant case also, the information stands duly exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. Noting that no reply was provided to the Appellant, the CIC observed that it is a violation of the provisions of the RTI Act. The PIO was directed to send a proper written submission to the CIC along with supporting documents to show cause as to why no action should be initiated in the matter under Section 20 of the RTI Act for not providing any reply to the instant RTI Application within the stipulated time frame of the RTI Act and even thereafter.
Comments
The appellant had not claimed any larger public interest for disclosure of information which was sought. However, the PIO committed the folly of not responding to the RTI application within the prescribed time limit and is facing a show-cause notice for his failure to do so. All PIOs must ensure timely replies to RTI applications lest they find themselves in a serious condition.
Citation: R Karanjai v. Bar Council of West Bengal, CIC/BCOIN/A/2022/134939; Date of dicsion: 03/05/2023
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