Whispers Forum

Debate (1) Corruption
From my view, Only one person cannot make a change. We have to stand side by side to fight against corruption and support our system like Demonetization was a big step against it.
Sohail Mateen
Debate ( 2) Corruption
Intentions are good in so called Modi Govt. but one need cooperation from down the line people who always say yes to corruption for their personal interest of work. So it speeds up the work and gets it done early.
Shikha Sharma
Tax Compliance Society
Tax simplification is key to success of tax compliance society. Many good measures have been taken by the Govt. with regard to direct taxes. Form has been simplified. There has been reasonable increase in number of return filers and also increase in direct tax collection. One punch line of the IT Department has worked wonderfully that we trust you and less than 1% cases are scrutinised. It means removing fear. People are not averse of paying taxes and in filing returns but are afraid of difficulties and harassment faced during scrutiny. In case this fear is taken away, the number of tax payers will increase as well as tax collection. One way may be the people earning upto Rs. 5 lakhs can easily be put up in this category and are not subjected to scrutiny. People have shown their trust and confidence on the Govt. and in result ruling party or its alliance is in 18 States. Now the Govt. can show the same trust and confidence in the public by way of removing fear of scrutiny of the lower income group people i.e. people earning upto Rs. 5 lakhs. This small step can be taken up at least for Sr. Citizens (retired and house-wives) whose earning is less than Rs. 5 Lakhs. This will send a good signal among the people and number of tax payers as well as return filers will increase. Any retrograde step for Sr. citizens earning upto Rs 5 lakhs will not give positive result . Let us work in the direction so the direct tax collection goes up as well as number of tax payers and return filers increase. Tax simplification is the need of the hour. We must recognise it. The staff involved in such scrutiny cases can easily be redeployed in more innovative and profitable work for the Department. Good luck and all the best for excellent result.
Naveen
How Railway Officers are to be blamed ?
Saxenaji you might be a retired IAS officer. It is only Ministry on which IAS has no control and it was expected such a criticism from an IAS chap. The Districts in the country are manned by IAS people and they turn a blind eye to illegal mining. If an illegal mining baron was trying to to push forward his dumper over the track, then what Railways can do. In Khatoli it was pure personal error. How Railway Officers are to be blamed. Don't be of wrong impression that any drastic action has been taken by P..M. The last incumbent Chairman Railway was in any case going to retire on 31.8.2017. Why don't you realise that Ashwani Lohani, the new Chairman, is also a Railway Officer who turned around ITDC and brought operating profit in Air India. Since, Independence we have the best Railway Minister, who has shown no personal interest in Railways. He has told officers not to submit any files relating to tenders to him for decision. They should take decision on their own. The people in the country have a hobby of travelling in Railway Train, an area where Railways suffer huge losses and there is not sufficient money to adequately of safety needs.
B B Srivastava

DEBATE (1) Corruption
The initiatives taken by Modi Government would no doubt reduce corruption to some extent but complete eradication cannot be possible so long as greed and immorality prevail.A corrupt man when deterred by some harsh steps will find other ways to continue with his corrupt ways.We are quite familiar with the fable of a man who would make money in every job assigned to him.Finally he was stripped of all the work and told just to sit on the bank of a river and count the waves .The man in this job too found a way to make money.He would just stop boatmen from ferrying passengers across the river on the pretext that it would disturb the waves he was counting and thus would jeopardize his work.the boatman would grease his palm and he would let them go.During the last three years while we have seen improvement at the Centre, across the country in towns and cities the culture remains the same-the police continuing collecting 'haftas'from hawkers,common man still having to pay bribe for getting his work done or for access to benefits he is entitled to.There is ,though optimism that Prime minister Modi will be able to rein in if not fully eradicate corrution in the country.
Aarti khosla
“ Dera Jhoota Sauda “
Conviction of rapist- cum- anarchist Ram Rahim, sentenced for 20 years of isolated confinement with rigorous imprisonment, is a classic example for a case study of politico- bureaucratic – police nexus leading to mayhem, incendiarism, killings in Haryana, Panjab, UP, Rajasthan and Delhi with large concentration of deras.Fine of Rs 30 lakhs to be divided between two aggrieved girls. He has been convicted 15 years after the rape complaint filed in 2002. Thanks to covert support by successive governments in Haryana and Centre in lieu of en bloc voting by Dera followers.
Demand for converting 20 years RI to Life imprisonment is growing.
A large cache of illegal arms, ammunition, hand grades, AK 47, petrol bombs etc was recovered from his “ ashram “ ,an euphemism for a 5-star guest house.
Of several DGs, Addl DGs, IGs in Haryana police, it is shocking that not a single top officer cared to visit Ground Zero.Not worth their salt. Later, in the day, one IG was seen on TV getting updated by a DySP . SIs and constables galore.
Bureaucracy proved worthless, glued to seats. Chief Secy, Addl Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries- all failed to take pro-active steps to avoid flare-up.A collective failure of appointed Executive in collusion with the elected Executive. Tackling emergency to diffuse anarchy lay within domain of permanent bureaucracy. Why were they awaiting orders from CM and his council of loose cannons .
The extent of Executive culpability must be assessed. Haryana &Panjab High court -monitored investigation by the CBI is needed. Based on its findings, FIRs must be filed by CBI againstflagrante delicto and charges approved by high court.
The larger question crying for attention is : Why permit self- styled Godmen have private armies. Let us take the discussion further,
It will be foolhardy to assume that India’s intelligence and security agencies were oblivious to the fact. We refused to learn from history and history repeated itself with vengeance.
Recall some infamous Babas and Godmen who owned huge private armies..
Bhindrawale? Too well known to need a recall.
Asaram Bapu and his son had battalion of armed sevadars. Both are presently cooling their heals in jails. Asaram’s appeal for bail invited the wrath of Supreme court in its hearing on August 28,2017.
Recall Sant Rampal whose army of 8000 goons had stored sophisticated weapons, acid tankers, hand grenades, petrol bombs etc to wage a war against the State to shield their Guru. Followers were in no mood to let their guru arrested.Police was shocked to discover large cache of arms and ammunitions.The guru finally surrendered. He has been let off by Hissar court onAug 29,2017 from charges of sedition and obstructing govt officers from performing their duties. All this due to failure of Prosecution in making a fool proof cases,ostensibly under political pressure.
Megalomaniac Ram Rahim, sentenced for 20 years of isolated confinement with rigorous imprisonement by the CBI court on Aug 28,2017, had an army of commanders, sub-commanders and 15,000 armed commandos .All trained by ex- armymen hired on payment of fat salaries. Furthermore, arguments in cases of alleged murders of two journalist-whistleblowers,are likely to be finalised in CBI court on Sept 15,2017. Solid evidences. Death penalty is for sure.
Caste-based private militias
There are a large number of caste-based armed militias,mostly thriving in Bihar and UP, who raise their heads to kill members of the lower or rival castes.Take a look at them..
Ram Varishka Yadav - Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena led by one late Ram Varishka Yadav. His army of Yadav clan unauthorisedly occupied 220 acres Jawahar Bagh Park in Mathura UP. With massive cache of arms, ammunitions, AK47, the private army of 3,000 gave stiff resistance to para-miltary forces before final eviction. SP govt under pressure of Yadav clan, did not take action
Ranvir Sena-- An upper-caste landlord militia in Bihar, for protecting the rights of the Bhumihar, against “ domination “of the Rajputs.
Besides above , there are several other Senas, fronts, morchas in Bihar owing allegiance to their castes. All have armed militias. Bihar had about a dozen private militia groups belonging to different castes and sub-groups who used to terrorise people in the name of protecting rights of their particular caste or group.While some have been wiped out, others become active during elections.
The moot point is : Are Private Militias legal? Are these not a threat to national security?
Private armies of self-styled godmen and caste-based organisations have no place in indian democracy. They indulge in mis-adventurism to browbeat courts, State and the public.A serious threat.
If, law of the land is silent on keeping private militias , PM Modi must consider introducing a Bill in Parliament for banning private militias in private hands.
A K Saxena (A retd civil servant)
Petty rules of income tax
In the case of NRIs, the income tax department applies the TDS rule to extract income tax at the highest rate of 30% from even the pettiest pay-outs received by the assessee like the 3.5% savings bank interest of a few rupees credited to the account, even if it is below the exempt limit of Rs 10,000 for a year. And then the person has to file a return next year to claim the eligible refund of such petty amounts. Again, while crediting the eligible refund of income tax and the interest thereon(that becomes payable due to the delay on the part of the income tax department to process the return), the department goes to the petty extent of deducting 30% TDS on the interest amount so paid so payable to the assessee.On a refund of Rs 440, an interest of Rs 10 was also to be credited but the office paid out only Rs 7 and deducted Rs 3 by way of 30% TDS thereon! The taxpayer has to file a return next year to get it back! Is this the pettyfogging way a department earning a revenue of Rs 20 lakh crores should frame its rules in dealing with the tax-paying assessees? This kind of rule is self-destructive wasting the time of the department as well as the assessee.Will the government make the rules more tax payer-friendly by doing away with this draconian TDS provision?
M S Krishnan

(DEBATE 1) Corruption
I think the question is premature in terms of its timing because no government can actually totally eliminate corruption in a short time. Having said that what can be done is to give a signal and show a vision of what the governments plan is towards reducing corruption. In this respect, the government has taken a few sensible steps which raise hope for future:
RP Pandey
(DEBATE 2 ) Corruption
Modi government has already shown its will. The biggest touted achievement of the present government at the Centre is that you don’t hear tales of entrenched corruption. Retail corruption would also certainly appear to have come down.
Sujit
(Debate 3 ) CORRUPTION
Modi’s biggest achievement - huge reduction in big corruption
Narendra Modi’s biggest achievement in office is, arguably, a huge reduction in big corruption (involving top politicians and industrialists). Hard data on corruption doesn’t exist, so assessments can be subjective and incomplete.
Ragarshi
Is promotion of non-IAS service really delayed?
This has reference to the claim that the promotion of all the non-IAS service is being deliberately delayed by the interference of IAS officer. The author has not given any fact in favour of his claim which gives an impression that the reporting is based on biased perception and not on the facts. I am yet to see any IAS making such a poor representation. There is no denying the fact that there are outstanding officers in all the services, but the IAS, as a lot, has an edge over others because of their wider experience.
If an IAS officer feels proud in writing IAS after his name, it should not be objected to. No one has prevented other service officer to follow the suit. All civil servants are supposed to work as a team and we should not wash our dirty linen in public.
A. K. Verma, Ex-ISS

DEBATE (1) Corruption
Atleast, Modiji has thought of rampant corruption in India. Though his intentions are clear but will he be able to dent the system.
R B Mathur
“ Cadre review without Accountability increases self-complacency”
PM Modi’s decision to haul up top Railway officers for negligence in UP rail accident, is praise-worthy.
Ironically, the Railway services officers have benefited the most from cadre reviews (CR).Accelerated promotions without raising accountability standards, increase the comfort zone of bureaucracy.
Let us take the cadre review debate further.
GoI is mulling over 25% job cuts in its strength, screams one prominent daily. Whispersinthecorridors.com regularly monitors progress of cadre review ( CR) proposals of organised Gr A Services.
What about various Gr B services that face the brunt of the cuts. The country needs a slim, trim and bureaucracy, fully committed to work instead of idling away time due to lack of work. The job cut plan of GOI, If, inspired by the objective of curtailing bludgeoning government office expenditure , it deserves appreciation.
What is the ground reality ?
The reality check will uncover the covert plan of top bureaucracy. DOP&T along with cadre controlling authorities increase number of top posts through the charade of Cadre review,which is a a tool to fulfil the expansionist designs . This results in an inverted pyramid of top bureaucracy with bulging middle standing on effete bottom.
Some mathematical formulation and checklist are used by the CR div of DoP&T,to justify creation of top rung posts. A simple clerical check. No application of mind.
The trick employed by smart cadre controlling authorities to make the cadre review proposals “budget-neutral “, is to abolish posts at lower rungs and show savings matching savings, at times notional.
Career progression of top officers involves creation of additional posts without reference to workload requirement. The role of Staff Inspection Unit (SIU) in MoF was gradually diluted by UPA govt before finally scrapping it. Thanks to the wisdom of the then successive Finance ministers Pranab Mukherjee and P Chidambaram. Worse, in the anxiety for quick promotions at par with the IAS, in cases, where eligible candidates were not available due to non-fulfillment of conditions contained in Rectt Rules, promotions were made on ad hoc basis.
Situation in some ministries has become topsy turvy. Jobs earlier performed by Director-level functionaries are now handled by ADG and DG level officers. This is how bureaucrats create work for each other.
Instead of addressing the public concerns relating to cutting down on bureaucratic obesity, the GoI, as a ritual, announces its decision, year after year, to inject fresh blood by hiring private sector professionals for top management positions in PSUs and government bureaucracy. This is one way to impress business houses. The induction experiment,one may recall, has already failed due to differences in work-cultures in private and government sector. Imprudent decision.
Though, PM Modi has attention for details, but, he cannot be expected to devote time on micro- details. Top bureaucracy, instead of briefing him truthfully, grabs the opportunity to suppress details of negative implications of carrying out cadre reviews in organised services. Elevated incumbents in several ministries are searching for work; others are prompt in demanding additional facilities (as per new entitlements) like fully-furnished bigger rooms, independent chauffeur- driven cars, new furnitures, TV sets, additional back-up manpower supports etc. This adds to office expenses.
Did the GOI in MoF ever think of quantifying the financial implications of such seemingly innocuous cadre review exercises and increase in concomitant expenses ?
The Indian Economic Service ,cadre-controlled by MoF, is the biggest beneficiary. Both IES and the ISS, its sister service ,got immense benefits by creating top posts in respective cadres, without assessment of workload justifying creation of new posts by abolishing posts at lower rungs.
Other organised Services particularly the IPS, IRS (IT), IRS ( Custom & Excise), Telecom, Railways etc have grown top heavy by virtue of cadre reviews.
More officers, more corruption. Some elevated officers without adequate workload serve as devils’ advocates.
Disciplinary action is often cited to do away with dead wood,the non-performing human assets
The CVC has hit the roadblock as government deptts are withholding sanctions to prosecute 84 corrupt officers . These 84 officers are reportedly involved in 45 cases of alleged wrongdoing. Some cases have been pending sanction for up to five years despite the political leadership pushing for strict action against corrupt government officers. Horrible state of affairs.
A word about non-performing officers. PM Modi has been persistently stressing upon the importance of finalising disciplinary proceedings against Group A officers. One wonders whether the CVOs in ministries, PSUs, Banks ,are taking their jobs seriously. Investigations move at snails’ pace. PMO must reprimand the laggards.
Media reports that 138 graft cases attracting Prevention of Corruption Act, have been pending in Supreme court due to delay in deciding appeals, some as old as 15 years
PM Modi, one trusts, is honest and incorruptible. But, his blind reliance on bureaucracy ,is a matter of concern. He may guard against it .
PM is urged to take action on the following lines:-
(a) keep all cadre review proposals in abeyance ;
(b) Revive SIU or similar professional body in MOF for scrutinising manpower demands of ministries and deptts of GoI ;
(c) Subject all cadre review proposals to scrutiny by SIU on workload basis.
A K Saxena (A retd civil servant)

DEBATE (1) Corruption
Modiji can control corruption only in the centre but not in the BJP ruled states. He lacks administrative control in those states. He should find out how much corruption is there in BJP ruled states.
D P Devgan
DEBATE (2) Corruption
I am working SAG level officer of Govt of India. I am confident that the corruption will be uprooted from our great country very shortly. But this will not be by Our hon'able PM, respected Anna jee and others rather it will be done by the Almighty as has been done in the past By Lord Rama and Krisna and so on. I believe that in present era of KALIYUG the Almighty God has taken birth in the form of IT (Information Technology) and the corruption in our country will be killed by the super power of IT as the Rama killed Ravana after a long and sustained battle against evils along with the help of Lakhman, Sugreev and Hanuman. Similarly the role of our Hon"able Pime Minister is playing the most crucial role of Lakshman and contributing his share along with Sugreev and his army to kill the Ravana--the CORRUPTION. Pime Minister is exposed to severe attacks of other evil forces and the SANJIVINI may be required at some stage and that SANJIVINI would be the overwhelming victory in coming general elections But it is more than sure that killing shot to corruption will be by IT. I can dare to estimate the probable date and that may be 2022.
Anand Vibha
Congress Invents Hindu Terrorism !
The poor leadership of the Congress Party betrayed not only mental poverty but highest moral degradation by inventing “Hindu Terrorism”. Could this party survive for so many years if there were any Hindu Terrorists in India with global supportive units like the ISIS, whose name these politicians are terribly afraid to even take publicly? They are such cowards that they can’t sit in the most secured of all places in Lutyens Delhi in North Block without rings of unnecessary and wasteful security. They have set up more than one barricade in and around North Block causing terrible inconvenience to every serving and retired employee, senior citizens, pensioners, Divyangs, expecting women employees, sick and those needing visit to the offices of the Ministry of Home Affairs or the bank forcing them to traverse the long distance on foot. Their vehicles are not allowed to even drop them near the entry gate reception. Thousands of pensioners whose accounts are with the bank suffer this indignity and nuisance in scorching Delhi heat and monsoon. There should be a condition prescribed for the Home Minister of India that he will not be afraid of imagined threats. The Congress must apologise to the nation for the stupidity of coining Hindu Terrorists only to create permanent divisions in the society to exploit it for vote catching. The access to the public facilities like the bank should be restored for the identity card holders with immediate effect.
M L Gupta
Lalit Kumar Gupta gets premature repatriation.
He is being repatriated on his request despite his being empanelled as AS and placed in a particular Ministry but he is returning on his own will and your posts gives an impression that he being given an punishment repatriation.
Arun
CPAO deliberately wasting time
CPAO is deliberately wasting time in revising pension of pre 2016 retirees. They are also defeating the Digital India idea of the Prime Minister by asking for information from subordinate offices despite having all the information in digitised form with it. Would the DOPT do the needful.
ARC Kumar

DEBATE (1) Corruption
After the Kamraj, JP, Anna Hazare, It Is the Modi Plan now !
Fighting corruption has been like chasing a mirage for the aam aadmi in the country and yet the gullible have bought the promise of eradication of it at regular intervals, inspired by leaders in the name of Mahatma Gandhi. School fees at Rs. 2.5 lakh a month besides admission fees; hospital charges for normal delivery 7 lakhs plus if a boy is born; lawyer fees of 22,00,000 per hearing besides retainership and conference of 2 crores; heart surgery or cancer treatment charges at 15-20 lakhs make any talk of corruption an insult to injury besides rubbing salt into the wounds, unless it is the stated policy that the user pays and those who can’t pay should pray to God. While the Prime Minister has been able to make a healthy change, attitudes continue to be the same at service delivery levels. The disease calls for proper diagnosis. Why is it that a movement started by Anna Hazare and supported by the whole country failed so horribly? It is a very small territory but the Anna Hazare inspired people’s verdict of 67/70 to install a clean government ended up devising only new techniques of corruption. Corruption is not only the policeman taking bribe or inspectors making money. Corruption is wasting or misusing public money for personal or party gain; corruption is public servants not performing their duty as by law required; corruption is abuse of authority; corruption is deliberate dereliction of duty and impeding others from performing their duty and public service. In this sense the performance and achievement of the India Against Corruption children’s government has disappointed by doing just the opposite. It’s leader is so afraid of going anywhere near the real source of corruption that he does not directly handle organisations like the Delhi Jal Board, hospitals including registered or unregistered private hospitals and nursing homes looting the public, shops & Business Establishments or Industry, the real hotspots of action for the anti-corruption activists. Contrary to promises made, every effort is being made to cover up corrupt practices in novel ways. The difficulty at all India level can only be imagined. The question is: Do we want to change? What is the incentive to change? Are the honest respected or ridiculed in political, civil, police, military or judicial services by the highly skilled corrupt yet successful colleagues ?
M L Gupta
DEBATE (2) Corruption
How the poor are benefited now.1 gas prices increase,2- platform ticket increased .3.dal and vegetables prices increased deposit rates decreased .4. crime increased. 5 unemployment much more. What makes happy the poor except media stories ?
Ashok Jaidka
Govt should be careful in appointing officers, post retirement
The government should be very careful in appointing officers, post retirement. A 360 degree appraisal on the same pattern as empanelment without stating for what purpose or post , and background check is very essential. As a retired officer, at the seniormost level, I am aware of several officers in key posts who have been benefitted by the upa govt. and it may not be appropriate to assume that they have changed. we have seen in two recent cases where such NDA appointed retirees have given judgements, which leave much to be desired !
S P Chatterjee

DEBATE (1) Corruption
There is no doubt that the rampant corruption in all walks of our lives today in our country is the biggest threat not only to our democratic set up but to the very survival of this country in its present form. Without going in to the details of cause and effect of this menace, let me come to the crux of the problem.
1) Let us recall the way of lives of our leaders like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and many of the cabinet colleagues of Pandit Nehru where living with modesty was a norm rather than an exception. Today the PM has to remind his cabinet colleagues again and again not to avail 5 star hotel facilities and shun other perks of PSUs with very little impact on them.It only shows that we have very little or no commitment to our society in general where the per capita income is $ 1850 per annum.
2) The same extravaganza applies to babus, media persons, judiciary and even business persons. The shocking part is that if somebody talks of simplicity in day to day life,he is looked at scornfully.
3) Whether Modi would succeed in eliminating corruption in India or not would depend on two things namely:
a) He has to select ministers and CMs who are very modest in their living standards and fire others who do not heed to his advice of living with such modesty.
b) He has to confiscate all the properties of at least 50 most corrupt politicians( including 5-6 BJP one's also) and at least 100 most corrupt IAS/IPS/IRS officials in the country and put them behind the bars so that people in general are forced to stop treading this path of living beyond means any more.
I am hopeful that once he is re-elected in 2018/2019, he will try to do it with all his might and chances of his success are very high.
Santosh Roongta retired CMD of a central PSU .
Compliments to P.M.
The advisory issued by the Prim Minister to the Union Ministers not to stay in five star hotels while on tour, and that instead of that thy should stay in Govt. accommodation like Circuit Houses and V I P Guest Houses needs to be appreciated by all right minded citizens. It is another step in curbing misuse of authority and show off tendency of the high ups. Another good piece of advise is not to avail of transport and other facilities from the Public Undertakings under their Ministry. It is common knowledge that nt only the Miinisters, even the family members and the personal staff of the Ministers ask for luxury cars, air tickets and providing refreshments and snacks for parties at their offices, residences from the PSU. The Govt. already provides each Mnister cars as per entitlement and entertainment expenses as per scale prescribed, then why there should be need not call for cars and other facilities from PSUs. All VIPs should exercise self restraint and set personal example of right conduct. Another bold initiative that we are waiting from the P M is to close down the heavily subsidised canteen of th Parliament , for the Ministers and M.Ps. are already getting a fat remuneration and a big packet of other allowances. In addition giving them subsidised food and tea etc. is not justified. If the P M is asking the well to do tx payers to give up their gas subsidy and othr subsidies, why can't the Parliamentarians give up this subsidy and set an example. I would also recommend that the Ministers and M.Ps. should travel economy class and not in business class or first class while going by air. They are peoples' representatives and should sit with the people and not with the elite business community which travels in higher classes. The other perks like telephone allowances and free tickets for spouse and others should also be curtailed.
S C Agrawal
D G Police Retd.
It’s time for Cabinet Secretary to take call
Now that Prime Minister has given directions to his Cabinet Ministers to not to misuse perks & facilities especially vehicle of PSUs, it is time for the Cabinet Secretary to issue similar directives to the Secretaries of all central Ministries & Departments. If he does not do so, then it means he gives his clearance to his fellow bureaucrats to misuse perks & facilities illegally. He should rember the mulching REC in the Ministry of Power.
B B Srivastava
Promotions of non-IAS services delayed !
Promotions of all non-IAS services are delayed. And this is done on purpose. The IAS feel insecure of any challenge to their hegemony. They are not satiated with the post of secretaries in all ministries, regulatory bodies and tribunals...they make sure that debureaucratisation decreases the size of all services-only their tribe is allowed to grow. Wonder why this tribe cannot even introduce their name without the suffix IAS-is it a written rule which compels them to mention it when they write a formal /informal letter, outside their residence... The constitution of India denounces discrimination-this usage of suffixes of one's cast (IAS) is the single biggest evidence of our colonial mindsets...
Vikram

Debate (1) corruption
Corruption is endemic in the system. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes to eliminate corruption, he has to begin charity at home. He should set an example by taking action against his party and party men in various States facing corruption charges. Different yardsticks for different persons will not yield positive results in the effort of elimination of corruption.
Sunil Kumar
Nothing wrong in 360 degree assessment
There is nothing wrong in 360 degree assessment. Only those officers who bully their juniors and direct them to do illegal things, should be afraid of this method. A senior officer is expected to guide and help his junior officer to perform well. If they do it objectively, no junior would deliberately give adverse comment against his senior.
S Gopal
Strange and mischievous
The comments that private practitioner metrowala Railway hospitals are equivalent to Military hospitals were strange and mischievous. In this country every one wants to be better than or comparable to Armed Forces without equal tasks, performance, conditions of service, degree of difficulties and amount of responsibility. Leave aside the Railway hospitals, even the Security guards like CISF wants to be called military and demand perks more than or equal to Military. God save this military.
Rajiv

DEBATE (1) Corruption
FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
Corruption is a Mindset which needs the fertile land of inadequate system where the inadequacy is measured in terms of the gap between the aspirations and the opportunities or supply and legitimate demand. Therefore, for the eradication of corruption we need, short-term as well as long-term measures covering our education system, social system, and governance including the judiciary. In most of the schools we neither have any teaching for ethics and moral values neither we have any system of integration of the teaching with the social services and productive engagement.
A system having focus on penalty and not on proper education and training for the reorientation of the young Mind is not likely to have any long lasting impact. Moreover, a system of penalty having its focus on financial penalty is bound to encourage corruption. Can anyone think of imposing financial penalty in a game of football for foul play instead of showing yellow card or red card? If not, then why for a traffic violation we do not have a system of yellow card or red card instead of a system of financial penalty.
For a long and lasting effect, while continuous striving for reducing the gap between the aspirations of the nation and the opportunities available to the nation is necessary, we have to ensure that no case of corruption is left unaddressed. The authorities on the top in every walk of society has to be proactive and any attempt to behave like an ostrich is going to be counterproductive.
The present Modi Government has shown sensitivity in discouraging corruption, but the government has to come out with a blue print covering all other aspects referred above. It remains a fact that the middle and lower level machinery, everywhere, is not sensitive to anti-corruption measures. Visible corruptions at Railway Stations, Hospitals, Police Stations, Traffic Junctions, etc. have most devastating effect on the psyche of the young mind.
A.K. Verma, EX-ISS
[Ex-Director- Professor & HOD(Stat), AIIH&PH]
DEBATE (2) Corruption
Eradication of corruption from our system is impossible unless (i) execution is improved (ii) accountability is established (iii) responsibility for each Government servant is fixed and defined (iv) Colonial legacy in the system is erased (v) legality must have an edge over illegality. (vi) the rules framed are clearly defined and there should be no exceptions to the rule. These are cancers of our system. Nation building is a collective responsibility and every citizen has to do his bit.
Harish Kumar
Don’t meddle with surplus land with military/ armed forces
Aropos views on surplus land with military/ armed forces, the suggestion is dangerous and short sighted. The government has been toying with the idea of pawning family jewels - PSU, land with railways, surplus funds with milk rich organisations, etc. To use it for social sector schemes is a bottomless pit. No extent of land will suffice. Land is a limited resource, and cannot be expanded. Today if you take away the surplus land, what will you do tomorrow? The trouble with politicians, government and other policy makers is two fold - one wants immediate / short term gains & benefits, and the other bends backward to get it done. It would be a pity to trim the resources of the armed forces. Leave them alone and keep them at arms distance. Don’t meddle with such ideas. You will leave nothing for the future or future generations.
S Srinivasan
NITI AYOG'S suggestion to privatize Hospitals will br disastrous
NITI AYOG'S suggestion to privatize the Hospitals run by Railways or Armed Forces will be disastrous. We have seen the functioning of Private Hospital all over the Country. They are basically commercial venture-only motive is to make money.Recent reports of over charging for Stents etc by private Hospital is a testimony to this fact. Railway and Armed Forces Hospitals are doing great job in difficult conditions. Hope Central Government does not succumb to this suggestion of NITI AYOG.
S Gopal

Information about the Service Associations/Federations recognized by CBEC and their renewal was sought. With regard to the delay in furnishing the reply, the respondnet informed that consequent upon the announcement of GST and related development concerning restructuring of the department, it was not feasible to furnish the information within the specific time period and apologized for the delay. The CIC observed that a voluntary disclosure of all the information that ought to be displayed in the public domain should be the rule and members of the public who having to seek information should be an exception. The CIC directed that all information relating to the registration of Service Associations, Federations/their Service Rules etc. should be placed in the public domain to facilitate dissemination of information to the public at large.
Comments
The suo moto disclosure of all the information in compliance with Section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005 should be made to ensure transparency, objectivity and accountability in the functioning of the Public Authority.
Citation:: :Shri Arvind Kumar Agarwal v. Central Board of Excise and Customs in Appeal No.:-CIC/CBECE/A/2017/133860-BJ; Date of Decision: 17.08.2017
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of 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 - Right to Information Act 2005- RTI Foundation of India

DEBATE (1) Corruption
Who said Modiji is alone in doing away with the malady of corruption ? He has the support of the entire nation ! Who wants corruption to thrive ? The doubters are the ones who have enjoyed patronage in the old 'system' and are irked with the new initiatives. Oh God, Save My Country (from these dalals) !
Kamal
“ Un-Constitutional, Injudicious, Regressive ”
Recent Media reports opposing creation of National Judicial Service (NJC ) by 9 high courts ( AP,Bombay, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, MP, Patna, Punjab &Haryana) make disturbing reading.While, Sikkim,Tripura Jharkhand ,Rajasthan are still to firm-up their stands,States like Kerala, Chhatisgarh, Allahabad,Manipur, HP, Meghalay, Orissa oppose Centre’s proposal.
Relying on provisions in the Constitution buttressed by advice/ recommendations of the Law Commission, the Supreme Court and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on law and justice, the ruling dispensation wrote to all States for seeking their views. It is not competent to create a new Service unilaterally.
As per proposed scheme of things ,the Centre will have no say in the recruitment and posting process. Top judiciary to have full authority in selection and appointment of judicial officers. No executive interference. The merit order list to be prepared based on cut-offs and reservation policy as decided by top judiciary.
The States have their own judicial services; administrative control vesting with High courts. Unless the High courts and States agree to creation of NJS , the Centre cannot decide. Recruitments are presently made either by High courts or State PSCs. Attracting best talent becomes the casualty. Roles of some State PSCs have been dubious. Charges of nepotism, favouritism, flying thick and fast. Posts on sale by auction. Chairperson of UP-PSC is facing the heat for selecting candidates belonging to a particular community. All under former ruling dispensation.
Consider loop holes in the existing process of selection . No consistency, no uniformity in the conduct of exams by different States. Different syllabii and different difficulty levels of Question papers set by different examiners. And worse, different norms of valuation. Recruitments are presently made either by High courts or State PSCs. Attracting best talent becomes the casualty.
It is strange that the unethical practices
Take Subordinate Judiciary. Position far from hunky dory. Pathetic
Charges of corruption, favouritism and arbitrariness abound. Zero accountability .
Poor qualities of judgements. Frequent adjournments on frivolous grounds cause undue harassments to litigants. Unholy nexus between the prosecution and the defence lawyers with blessings of willing judges.
Tareekh pe tareekh; tareekh pe tareekh, a bollywood jumla, is a ground reality.
The judiciary habitually complains of large backlog of vacancies of sub-judges when questioned by higher courts about massive pendency of cases numbering about 3 crores.
Around 5,000 posts of sub-judges are reportedly lying vacant.Intake is low and quality poor.
This is admitted privately by members of the Bar.
The Supreme court is urged to put its foot down and give due consideration to ensure transparency in making fool-proof selection of meritorious judges to subordinate judiciary.
A K Saxena (A retd civil servant)
A number of middle level CSS officers are waiting since long for promotion. The Chanakya Niti of the Senior Bureaucrats are responsible for this. They want some of them to commit suicide and then get blamed and face FIR/Arrest for their deaths. Promotion of all services takes smoothly and in a time bound manner. Why only the promotion of CSS officers get delayed.
Shri Prakash
Will NITI Ayog ....defence hospitals published 18th August has been credited to me but it has been sent by somebody else. Kindly carry out correction.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1) Corruption
Modi alone can’t do it
The fight against corruption is not an individual driven fight but more of a systems driven fight. No Modi, Gandhi, Nehru- no individual can eliminate corruption single handedly. The world has seen many such evangelists earlier. These guys have not only failed but also created some stupid systems which ultimately created more corruption. Modi can only bring in tough laws and influence people to abide by them by his personal charm.
Sudhir Saxena
DEBATE (2) Corruption
Not a single man’s task
It is foolish to believe that any one person can eliminate corruption, let alone Modi.
Rajesh Shrivastava
RTI useless if records destroyed
Records. If a Public Information Officer responds to an applicant w.r.t to an RTI application that the records/files have been destroyed based on the Record Retention Schedule, then nothing can happen.
Anurag Srivastava