Whispers Forum

Information[h1] about loan sanctioned to PG Dyes & Chem which become NPA and about action under SARFAESI Act 2002 was sought. The Indian Overseas Bank submitted that it had come into their knowledge that the appellant had passed away few months back. Moreover, they had provided para-wise reply/information to the appellant. Moreover, PG Dyes & Chem was sold to the Asset Reconstruction Company, therefore, the relevant documents relating to the company were no longer under their custody and was under the custody of the ARC. The CIC observed that as informed by the respondent, the appellant had demised and no successor had impleaded in the matter. Moreover, appropriate reply having been given by the CPIO, there appears to be no public interest in prolonging the matter further.
Comments
Following the murders of some RTI Applicants which shook the country, the CIC had decided that no such RTI applications would abate on the death of the RTI Applicant.
Citation: C Arul Amuthan v. Indian Overseas Bank in Second Appeal No. CIC/IOVBK/A/2020/123471, Date of decision: 31.08.2022
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

The finance minister and the media are gloating over the news that India overtakes UK as the fifth largest economy. UK in size and population is perhaps the size of Tamil Nadu or Gujerath or Maharashtra. UK's economy should be compared with that of one of these states, not the entire India. India's per capita income is $2500 while UK's is $ 48000.
Raghavan
It appears like ‘Khayali Pulao’
We Indians keep reading in the media, both Hindi and English, of a Common Front to fight the 2024 General Elections. Currently it appears like ‘Khayali Pulao’ Everybody wants to be PM . That vaulting ambition is the sinkhole of Opposition Parties of India . It resembles the Black Hole of Calcutta. Democracy of India needs to flourish. A candidate needs to be groomed by the Opposition Parties who have a mass appeal and a clean background. Will our Regional Party leaders cobble up a name , acceptable India wide? A suggestion to the wise , choose a person untainted by the shenanigans of the political ambience - like say John F Kennedy , in the USA, in 1960. His background and grooming was exceptional, and that resulted in mass appeal to the people of America. Can we find a young Indian stalwart of that caliber? Then we will have a Opposition Leader to revive democracy in India as envisaged in our Constitution.
Devindra

Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar have expressed the possibility of opposition unity for a ‘BJP mukt bharat’. It’s true that in the present situation, it is very difficult to vanquish BJP unless the opposition parties unite. But opposition unity appears to be a far-fetched dream and the BJP leaders must be really laughing up their sleeves while KCR, Nitish express such a possibility. Unless a miracle happens, the opposition is most unlikely to unite. Did opposition unite during President, Vice president polls ? Who will be the leader of the united opposition ?
Neha Singh

The rising stars need not be the best performers. Many really dedicated officers are often quiet workers. They do their job honestly and efficiently but not many are aware because they are not good at or do not believe in publicity. They work and deliver out of conviction and a strong sense of duty towards the people they are meant to serve. e.g. a Collector for the people of his/her district. Education Secretary to improve the conditions and standards in the institutions in his charge, etc. They are silent workers. Very often the best.
B K Saha Ex-Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh