Whispers Forum

Different financial organisations approached the CIC separately seeking stay of the order of the PIO of RBI claiming that disclosure would cause irreparable loss and injury to their institution while no prejudice would be caused to the RTI applicant. In terms of the prayer, the CIC admitted the second appeal and keeping in view of the urgency, the operation of the PIO’s reply and FAA’s order was stayed till further orders. The CIC directed that the matter may be posted for hearing as soon as possible.
Comments
The Supreme Court has already deliberated upon the issue in Reserve Bank of India v. Jayantilal N. Mistry and has directed that such information is liable to be disclosed. Hence, the interim order of the CIC restraining the CPIO from releasing the information appears to be without merit. On 02.07.2021, the Supreme Court refused the prayers made by Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India to stay the RTI notices issued to them by the Reserve Bank of India.
Citation: Experian Credit Information Company Pvt. Limited & Anr. V. CPIO, Reserve Bank of India & Anr. in Second Appeal No. CIC/RBIND/A/2021/615945 with similar order in: Babaji Datey Mahila Sahakari Bank Limited v. CPIO, Reserve Bank of India & Anr. in Second Appeal No. CIC/RBIND/A/2021/109972; Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited & Anr. v. CPIO, Reserve Bank of India & Anr. in Second Appeal No. CIC/RBIND/A/2021/611795; Jain Co-operative Bank Limited & Anr. v. CPIO, Reserve Bank of India & Anr. in Second Appeal No. CIC/RBIND/A/2021/110465, Date of Decision: 01.06.2021
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

DEBATE(1)
It is the tragedy of the nation that too much is made out from stray cases of misconduct by bureaucrats and politicians and their contributions are ignored in toto. This is unfair. Had it been so, the country would have broken into pieces. We have progressed from 1947 onwards and are self reliant in most of the areas because of cooperation of political boss and bureaucrats and the journey is on. You can compare our achievements with other countries and find out the change. By the way, black sheep are everywhere and in every sphere. Politicians and bureaucrats know too well their limits within which they work and at times, disagree. In today's world, none can boast of unfettered freedom as media, public are keeping close eyes on their performance. We need both to keep a check on each other.
Raj Kumar Thakur
Top Executives of PSUs 'satiate' Independent Directors
Sambit Mahapatra is on the Board of ONGC and Shazia Ilmi on the Board of EIL. The top Executives of these PSUs on the record 'satiate' these 'Independent Directors', which comes very handy for them in the Board meetings when the question of confronting the Government Directors arises.
Bimal Bahadur
WB CM gives nod for formation of Vidhan Parishad
Sir, this is with reference to " CM Mamata Banerjee will step down from the CM post' . But, recently CM has given nod for formation of Vidhan Parishad.
Divakar

DEBATE(1)
Politicians and civil servants are hand in glove in mismanaging India. Both keep on scratching each other's back with a spice called "looting the exchequer" by making faulty policies including ifs buts and relaxations lacunae. In India simple or straight defined rules are missing always, added to that is corruption, jugad, sifarish. Uprightness of civil servants is missing. Civil service need revolutionary reforms including execution, accountability, fixed responsibility rules. One needs a revolutionary and daring UPSC Chairman.
Harish Kumar
“ The New Normal for Appointment ”
The media report of ruling dispensation gaining insidious control on PSUs by posting its loyalists as independent directors , makes a disturbing reading. Consider specifics.
The RTI filed by the Indian Express revealed appointment of 86 political activists as independent directors in as many PSUs out of total 172.This was in flagrant violation of prescribed guidelines, bypassing all ethical considerations especially rules on conflict of interests.
Such mass appointments of politicians in PSUs is unprecedented, making exception as the new normal.
Top bureaucracy in DPE, CVC,C&AG,SEBI etc remain mute spectators, bulldozed by political compulsions. No PILs filed.
The head of government has much to explain.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)