Whispers Forum

DEBATE
Not possible in India. Reason is simple country lacks literacy and resources like US.
V K Jain
Eulogising the dark emergency?
India’s DNA is democratic. Presidential Form of government is anathema to native Indians. Dictatorship is out of question, especially after the drubbing its proponents received in 1977. Marshal Law suits our neighbours, not us. In fact, Indians don’t care for Prime Ministers, Presidents, Emperors or anybody known by any other high sounding designations. What the Indians want is a state or Rajya i.e. governance. It doesn’t matter who is capable of shouldering that onerous responsibility so long it is informed with immaculate good governance without a blemish and rich in rectitude, humanity, values, morality, piety, equality without discrimination of any kind, justice, welfare, strong, secure, well governed. That is the call for Ram Rajya. The word “Rajya” (Noun) and “Ram” (Adjective) define the contours of Indian democratic culture. Those who are still living in the dark days of violated democratic culture during 1975-77 need to learn their lessons fast. Never again fiddle with it that way or it’s other sly version- the NAC. And also stop behaving like the pompous emperors, maharaja, raja or nawab- you only make a fool of yourself.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1)
If this system is adopted Southern States will walk out from India and West Bengal and Bangla Desh will unite as one nation.
L S Hardenia
DEBATE (1)
For all practical purposes we are having Presidential system of Government since no party was voted only Narendra Modi was voted.
N K Singh IPS (Retd)
Dual Citizenship a long pending request of the NRI
Right from the Day One Dr. Jayashankar assumed office in the South Block, he is going about his business doing several things that may not be reversible. For example he has announced e passport. In fact he must be credited with several things Modi did within six months from May 2014 when he liberalized issue of OCI cards.
One of the long pending demands of NRIs is grant of dual citizenship. Whenever this issue is raised the ready made text book answer will be J&K and Bangladesh /Assam. I am sure if there is a will, rules could be framed to take care of contingencies. I know of several Indians who are delighted to receive the US citizenship the y literally cry when they have t to surrender their Indian passports, One should note that at least in both UK and USA their regulations do not stand in the way of NRIs to continue their Indian citizenship documents. While the OCI card has largely addressed the issue it is not the same as having an Indian passport. I really do not see any reason why the NRI s continue to have their Indian passports. I am sure Dr.J is fully seized of this. Though not an exact parallel I wish to record one instance here. While I was a Staff Member of the IMF Washington D.C. Dr.Raja Chelliah came to DC to do a paper on public debt. He was in receiving his pension that was credited to his bank account in Washington with the prior approval of Reserve Bank of India . As there was some delay in his getting his first cheque he wanted to withdraw $300 from his own account which required prior approval of RBI. Je sent a fax to Dr. C. Rangarajan who was then a Deputy Governor. Unfortunately exchange control dept of RBI did not come with his/e/c raised several queries as though Dr. Chelliah was committing ngf a crime. When Shri S,, Venkitarmanan Governor RBI came to Washington I told him this story he was quick to react he not only permitted returning Indians to retain their bank accounts without any approval he also allowed Resident Foreign f Currency or RFC accounts in India. This was a major reform in 1992. With a fresh breeze blowing in South Block I think FM should allow dual citizenship. It is difficult to get such a liberal FM who has the eye and ears of the Prime Minister
Dr.Sitharam Gurumurthi IAS (TN 72)
Former Member State Planning Commission &
Additional ACS (Retd)

Presidential system of Government is unlikely in India .For this system Constitution will have to be amended.
Vijay Tiwari
Dynasty rule in Indian Judiciary System also !
They are asking for retirement age to be increased from 62 to 65 in SC and not in other Courts so that their position is saved. They are not talking about removal of collegium system due to which this bhai - bhatija system exist. Its like dynasty rule - father was Judge so son will also become judge. Only few families are ruling Indian Judiciary System. SC/HC chambers are passed on from one generation to another. Disgusting. what reforms they have done in the last 70 yrs. Cases are linger on for generations. Why dont they implement Indian Judiciary Services on line with IAS/IPS, as it will loose their dominance and their dynasty rule. PM Modi is against dynasty rule - but here also due to patronage provided to Judiciary by Congress for 70 yrs - he is unable to do so. Example - PC got their bail extended 30 times - a record itself in Indian system. It’s an uphill task for an ordinary man to get bail and here 30 times.
Sanjay
Sabotaging BSNL akin to putting older generation in asylum
Sabotaging BSNL is like putting older generation in asylum due to old age. It is the oldest communication network in India, which has reached to every nook & corner of the country. It should not be undermined to benefit private operators and technical & financial up-gradation should be provided.
Saumya

DEBATE (1)
PM Narendra Modi as President ? Yes that’s a possibility in 2024.
Amit Sinha
DEBATE (2)
Presidential system of India will eradicate use of black money in election and it will curb corruption . Naturally, India will then be a heaven on earth.
R J Meetha
“ Stiff dose of discipline for extravagant, intolerant MPs, MLAs"
Politicians in India enjoy extra-ordinary privileges. All from public exchequer. Free furnished bungalows, Security, unlimited telephone calls, free power, car fuel, passes for Rail, Air trips and many more. And, above all, food at highly subsidised rates in Parliament and State legislatures (Rs 20/25 for Veg/ non-Veg thalis).
They have the authority to fix their Salaries, allowances and privileges. No debates, no walkouts. Total unanimity among elected representatives, cutting across party lines. All adding up to lakhs of crores of rupees per annum out of public exchequer. No austerity measures. The politicians take pride in behaving in the most uncivil, uncouth and arrogant manner. Such brazen display of VVIP status and high comfort levels are abhorrent to common man.
I am amazed by the hospitality guidelines issued by the then Chief Secretary, UP for hosting MPs ,MLAs and local politicians by officers in their chambers. Micro details include asking for cold water and nimbu-paani in the first round followed by chai or coffee with two spoons of sugar, biscuits, burfi etc in the second round. Receiving the VVIPs at the portico and escorting them to officers’ chambers and the reverse. Such heightened scale of hospitality to politicians who are ever ready to give taste of their tongue-lashing to bureaucracy, if the job is not done. All, at the behest of CM Yogi.
No VVIP status for politicians. Remove all VIP security covers barring the usual exempted categories like the President, PM, SC Judges, HM, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, NSA.
Media had reported security cover for NSA’s son. What is the threat perception to the son who is a private person? No Z+ Security covers for Priyanka Gandhi , her family including Vadra and Rahul Gandhi One body guard for the rest.
Why should Tax payers hard-earned money be utilized for such senseless expenditure , one would like to know? Why separate bungalows and separate security covers for them.
Ethics committees of Parliament are urged to lay down clear guidelines for LS/RS members. Non-compliance must attract appropriate penalties. There is a need to discipline MPs by the Parliament, not mollycoddle them.
Parliament must intervene. All MPs must be asked to stay at borders, share boardings and lodgings with army jawans, para-military forces etc. This will help them in inculcating fine qualities of head and heart. A week-long stay, once every quarter in a year in difficult terrains including insurgency –infested areas , would suffice in imparting them lessons in austerity and tolerance .Let them come out of their comfort zones.
Same drill may be ordered by States’ Assemblies to cover their MLAs.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

DEBATE (1)
The system is good.It will have fixed tenure of the President .It will lead to a Pan India focus in terms of policies and development initiatives that needed India.
Lalit Shastri
DEBATE (2)
Presidential form of Govt will require constitutional amendment
The Presidential form of Government will require constitutional amendment—almost total. If the scenario is that the next Government will be the “Presidential Type’, the constitution will have to be re-written. Who will do that ? It’s not easy.
S K Jain
Points worth considering for Budget
Union Budget is due to be presented on July 5, 2019. There appears to be certain anomalies and discrepancies in tax system which should be removed or reduced. These discrepancies give rise to unequal distribution of wealth and lead to social injustice. Our tax system should be simple and easy to implement among all categories. 1. Professionals earning upto 50 lakhs get deduction of 50% i.e. 25 lakhs where as salaried class get only Rs. 40,000/ as standard deduction. This should be raised to 40% of gross salary to have some justice. 2. Consider of scrapping of tax exempt list of institution except PM's/CM's relief fund etc. Bring all NGOs, trust, social organisations, Parties into tax net. Meaning thereby all receipts donation or contribution to be made taxable through an amendment in income tax act. 3. Consider stopping of budgetary support to loss making PSUs and recapitalisation of Banks. This ia tax payers money and can be used for some welfare schemes. Rather consider disinvestment of loss making PSUs to have some revenue. Give business to others who can manage it professionally. 4. Consider reducing subsidies instead create earning/job opportunities. 5. Make Banks accountable in case of NPAs. Let banks monitor as envisaged in terms and conditions while granting loan. Real Estate is another episode to be unfolded. 6. Harmonise the interest rates of all PFs like EPF, GPF, CPF, PPF etc ie same interest rates across all PFs. All the best for forthcoming budget to bridge the gap between poor and rich so inequality is reduced.
Naveen
Uttrakhand Govt should have stopped it
Uttrakhand Government recently allowed two businessmen brothers to hold the wedding of their sons at the pristine place Auli near Joshimath. The place has lot of snow and is known for skiing. Why should the Government allow two marriages to be held there and letting the place be polluted by tons of garbage, plastics and leftover food. That too inspite of the order of the High Court where an environment activist filed a petition against this assault on the place not meant for such activities.
Aarti Khosla

The appellant sought certified copies of complete documents based on which details relating to his employee code were entered in the SECL record. He alleged that the Date of Birth entered in his service record is 1956 instead of 1966, hence, he had to retire early from his services. The appellant filed a second appeal before the CIC on the grounds that the CPIO did not provide the information sought for by him stating that no such documents are available. The CIC observed that as per the respondent, the documents sought by the appellant cannot be retrieved since the same are not available in the records of the respondent authority. The CIC directed the respondent to file an affidavit with it deposing that the records, on the basis of which the NEIS data relating to the appellant was generated, are not available with respondent. Hence, no information can be provided to the appellant. A copy of the affidavit was directed to be provided to the appellant.
Comments
There have been many instances, including some high profile ones, where superannuation has been challenged on the basis of second set of birth documents. The proper maintenance of records by the authorities can avoid such controversies.
Citation: Mool Singh v. CPIO, Western Coalfields Limited in Second Appeal No. CIC/WCLTD/A/2017/163501, Date 16.04.2019
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. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

DEBATE (1)
Presidential form of government was on the cards from Gujarat days. With this brute majority in Parliament, we are not inching forward, but the 'Party' is itching forward. One nation, one election is a recipe for disaster, as it would turn the screws on piddly parties. Issues in grassroots level and in state, national level are of different intensities. This one nation one election carrot is pulling wool over the eyes of the society. It can work only in two party sysrem right across. Otherwise it is a dangerous vice, which will squeeze life out of true democracy and real freedom.
S Srinivasan
“ Irrational Policy change ?”
Govt of India has been consistently following the policy of Rotational transfer of its employees every three years. Reason : to disable them from developing vested interests and stop from indulging in corrupt practices. The rule has stood the test of time. All State governments are following same policy, which was laid down after careful consideration by several bodies including the Administrative Reforms Commissions , CVC, Standing / Select committees etc. DOP&T’s guidelines apply across the board to bureaucracy. Personal sections of ministers, considered as sensitive postings, come within the purview of the aforesaid guidelines.
Now comes the surprise move by the ruling dispensation. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by the PM ,has reversed the policy. The ACC has fixed a tenure of 10 yrs for the personal staff of central ministers. No wonder, the policy will start covering the entire bureaucracy. The new rule of “ freezing” erstwhile appointments for further five years at a stretch ,is fraught with serious implications on the role of Ethics in bureaucracy. It has hit the very basis of rotational transfer policy.
A little suspicion . Was the new rule prompted by considerations of legitimising extended tenures of personal staff of erstwhile Ministers who were cherry-picked to continue in the new council of ministers. Members in personal staff are expected to ensure implementation of unethical orders of ministers- by hook or by crook. Changes in transfer policy guidelines of all Cadres will be required.
During the misrule of Nehru, Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, officers were continued ad infinitum in violation of rules. Position went berserk when Madam Sonia Gandhi remained as the de facto Prime Minister for ten years.
Public expects PM Modi to be different.Even, Principal Secretary and Addl Pr Secy in the PMO are continuing with elevated status. But,their cases stand on a different footing.Not comparable to ministers’ personal staff. However, no one should be considered indispensable in bureaucracy. PM Modi is expected to learn lessons from UPA scams instead of repeating same blunders.
If, lessons are not learnt, history is bound to repeat itself.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)
DD should telecast cricket live
Yes doordarshan should telecast cricket live of world series.
Kishor patel
No result ?
IB security assistant exam has been taken but till now result has not been declared.
Pawan
NFU and HM
Million dollar question sir. we hv faith in our present H.M. who will definately take unbiased decision. He is our family head and definately keep all his parts equal and parallel.
Manoj

DEBATE (1)
Prime Minister's push for one Nation One Election needs to be accepted by every one. The current system of having assembly polls throughout the year keeps everyone including the party in Power waste much of their time in campaigning. Look at the last 5 years of Modi Government. After 2014 the elections were held in several states in the North-east, Telangana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh at different points of time. Prime Minister himself and many of his other ministers were spending much time in rallies seeking votes for their party. Simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies will leave the next five years completely free for the Government at the Centre and those in the states to devote full attention to real governance. This will also save too much expenditure on holding elections multiple times. I hope the opposition sees the merit of this proposal and go along with the PM on this proposal.
Aarti Khosla
Is it possible to eradicate Corruption ?
Corruption in all spheres, is it possible to eradicate it ? However it is no doubt a noble act. I welcome and support such activities of the govt to make India free from any type of corruption
Nityananda Banerjee

DEBATE (1)
Once Indira Gandhi also tried but she failed. Character of this country is democratic and it will not deviate from the present system.
Girish Upadhyay
US has Presidential system, why not India ?
The Presidential system of Government would be welcome for India as the world’s superpower – the United States has it and it runs with full democratic norms. Nothing wrong with the Presidential form of Governance in India.
Pratap Singh Chauhan
Tax exemption - only the salary class are exposed
Modi Sarkar exemption of tax upto Rs.5,00,000. The main beneficiearies of this tax is only small trader and baniyas like rice merchants,. dal merchants etc. At least, earlier, they had been paying some tax. Now the tax responsibility for them is zero. But if you assess their wealth, they have atleast 2-3 houses, gold jewellery in abundance in their house. As usual, only the salary class are exposed.
Rahul
Killing A River Is A Sin
Some deeds are worse than ordinary offences or heinous crimes. Killing a river is such a sin. On 19 June 2019, the Rajasthan Patrika TV had telecast a detailed story on the killing of river Bhadrawati in Karauli in Rajasthan. It is very painful and highly disturbing. A river converted into a dry nallah? A government that can’t provide drinking water to all inhabitants of a riverine territory betrays total neglect and apathy to the life of the people, animals, flora and fauna, environment and good air quality. Those who live by a river know how their value systems are developed by the river. The river should not be allowed to die. Revive it and recharge the entire ecology. It sustains not only tigers but other wild animals, rich forests, organic agricultural produce and brave people. A few years back when the government of Rajasthan had tried to divert the Panchana dam water to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, I had expressed my fears which were published on the WIC. Damming rivers unimaginatively is damning human life and all other forms of life! Can any sensible/responsible government kill its river so cruelly?
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1)
Who is best and responsible leader in the country can only be selected in this Presidential form of Government.
Prahlad Sharma
DEBATE (2)
One nation one election theory ?
PM’s new theory of one nation and one election proves that the country is inching towards Presidential system.
Niranjan Srivastava
Doordarshan and DD Sports Channel – a shame
It is a shame that DD Sports Channel which our Indian Channel is unable to Telecast Live World Cup 2019 Cricket, if not all the matches, at least matches where India is playing. Until, last year, not only important tournament matches were live telecast where India was playing, even matches with touring team being played at home were being telecast (ODI and T20). Every thing is there at the disposal of Doordarshan and still unfortunately, India matches in World Cup 2019 is not being telecast live. Instead, some three persons are sitting and gossiping saying it is live telecast and; but showing only live scoreboard and background pictures. It is true DD Sports has been sold to Start Sports. Hope at least future matches would be telecast live and this DD Sport would not be a slave of Star sports channel.
Rahul

DEBATE (1)
This Lok Sabha election was also an election like Presidential election in US and Narendra Modi emerged victorious.
Raveena Gill
DEBATE (2)
No doubt about it that in January 2022 country will have Presidential form of Government.
S Singh
Increasing revenue to spur the economy-2
Increasing revenue or cut the expenditure to make the money available for development of the country. Discrepancies in tax system should be minimized. Tax compliance in salary class is maximum but the benefits are not as given to professionals. Professional earning upto 50 lakhs gets rebate of 50% i.e. 25 lakhs without any problem where as others earning even Rs 5 lakhs has to give so many explanation and is discriminatory. Give the same advantage to salaried class also. This gives rise to inequality among equals and divide between poor and rich increases which results in 1% of population holds 73% of national wealth. This should be looked carefully in the budget 2019-20. Likewise many provident funds are available for investments/deduction like PPF, GPF, EPF, CPF but the interest rates are all different. There is need to harmonize the same that is same interest rates for all PF like age above 60 yrs is considered to be sr, citizens. Some of the points worth considering like: 1. Stopping of budgetary support to loss making PSUs and recapitalisation of banks. 2. Cutting down expenditure of non-essential items. 3. Freebies to be curtailed. Subsidies to be reduced instead create job and earning opportunities. 4. Monitoring of Foreign Exchange transaction thru RBI as gate keeping. 5. No tax and filing of returns upto 5 lakhs. Concentration of work towards higher income group to stop leaking of tax bucket. 6. Bring transparency and honesty in the system by creating some examples and lead role. No cash donation even not Rs. 2000/-. All cashless working. Receipt and expenditure to be in public domain for all NGOs, trust, parties etc. and paying the tax as formulated. Govt. will know the details of financial transaction and assets while filing of ITR by the concerned group. This will empower the Govt. to have necessary financial details as may be required in future. Let us hope for good budget to increase GDP growth, reduce inequality, spur the economy, creates more job opportunities, increase in farmers income etc. Good luck!
Naveen

DEBATE (1)
Presidential system of Government is good but but in the long term it will fail in our country.
Rakesh Tiwari
DEBATE (2)
Yes in 2022 there will be referrendum and Narendra Modi will be the President .
S K Tandan
Budget 2019 Budget 2019-20 is likely to be presented on July 5, 2019. There are many challenges before the Govt. Un-equal distribution of national wealth increases social injustice. As per one of the report 1% of top population holds 73% country's wealth. Tax system and its implementation plays vital role in distribution of wealth and achieving social justice. There are two major sources of revenue. Tax (direct and indirect) and non-tax revenue. There has been shortfall in tax revenue from estimated target. Non-tax revenue is collected through licensing of spectrum, auctioning of mines etc. which is generally good. There are number of steps Govt. can take to increase tax revenue like: 1, Scrap tax exempt (NGOs, Trust etc) institute list. Let every organisation pays tax to serve the nation. As these organisation are serving society at large, so there will be no problem in serving the country when they are needed. Law makes party will also contribute to the Nation building as they are already serving the country by paying tax. This requires an Amendment in income tax act which can be done thru the budget, 2. Steps to recover the loan from top 10000 defaulters. 3. Reduce the subsidies and create earning opportunities for every one. 4. Tax compliance is poor in categories other than salary class. No tools are available to assess the income of professionals, traders, businessman etc. It is estimated there may be more than 10000 people earning more than 100 crores per annum but how to figure it? Utilise the man power and time for developing innovative methods for assessing the income of professionals instead of scrutiny of cases low income group below 5 lakhs. Exempt these people from filing tax returns and save time and man power as well as processing power. 5. Simplification is key to success. Consider removing the tax on Long Term Capital Gain instead increase proportionately STT to compensate the losses due to LTCG. As it is easy to collect STT and every transactions gets covered. This will boost the tax revenue. 6. It is estimated 95% farmers earning is less than 5 lakhs and will not be paying tax. Hence consider tax on Agriculture income above 5 lakhs so every one is treated at par. Above points may be considered in the interest of Nation Building.
Naveen
“India’s Judicial System Flawed”
PM Modi failed to punish the corrupt in 1st term. Voted back in 2019, the public with higher expectations is keeping a close watch on Modi-2 sarkar. Unwilling to be fooled again in 2nd term.
PM Modi had left the punishment task totally incomplete. Rather, gave it the lowest priority.
India's most wanted: the Nehru- Gandhi dynasty, the Chidambaram, Karti, Mallya, Choksi, Vadra, Lalit, Nirav Modi, Tharoor, several UPA ministers etc are all having a free run.
People not only wanted to vote out the corrupt but also want them to be punished without delay.
The reasons for granting frequent and long adjournments and bails by courts, must be displayed in public domain.
Why blame India's Kanoon ? Blame, India's laidback Judiciary.
Culprits are receiving frequent bails, adjournments by Indian courts without substantive justifications. Subordinate courts are not accountable to higher courts. At least, so it seems.
The system is flawed. The Collegium system looks like a private club.
A total revamp of courts, including investigation into the assets of many judges, is a must
Concept of NJAC as the only transparent alternative must be revived . Kanoon koh bhi badal daalo. An amended bill must be passed afresh by the Parliament making it mandatory for the Apex court to enforce the Law.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)