Whispers Forum

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is carrying out massive raids across the country to nab terror modules owned and funded by the Popular Front of India (PFI). Raids are being conducted on a day-to-day basis with religious regularity. On an average, 100 suspects are being captured every day from UP, Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, and Maharashtra among others! The security, intelligence and investigation agencies are mandated to protect us from terror modules, sleeper cells having foreign links with ISI., KLF etc. The agencies have done us proud. No other country has possibly launched raids on such massive scales. But, is there any politics behind this? We Indians are fair-minded, experts in analyzing events through the political prism. Let us have a look at the flip side, can we ignore the impact assessment of terror raids on general public? How is it that despite all pre-emptive steps, terrorists continue to be active on Indo-Pak borders? No need to elaborate on daily killings in J&K. One substantive point on common perception. I wish to be upfront. The proud Indian citizens are getting increasingly suspicious about the timing of country-wide raids 24x7 on PFI and their lapdogs. So close to impending elections. The moot point is : How did India's experienced multiple agencies fail to anticipate the threat perception of PFI eight years back in 2014 when the current political dispensation took over? Even the top heavy security paraphernalia headed by a highly professional NSA, failed to see through PFI's gameplan. Why did it wait for the doom at the doorstep? Internal security is closely interlinked with external threats. This grave lapse explains why the terror modules ,even after so many years, are still having a free run in the country besides increasing their populations and vicious anti-national activities. The matter cannot be allowed to rest here. Someone has to own up the responsibility. The laidback bureaucratic pundits in the union Ministry of Home Affairs and the security professionals, have much to explain.
A K Saxena (a former civil servant)

The cocktail of religion and politics is explosive. The desire for absolute control over the people is the common thread in both the conditions. None of them want the common man to question them even though they claim to be ruling on behalf of them or for their benefit. All the religious bodies must be brought under the control of the Central Information Commission and should be forced to voluntary disclosure under section 4 of the RTI Act. Removing opacity would bring out the much needed reform in the working of the religious bodies.
Rajiv Bhatia
Economic crisis infinite
Dollar at 81 Mayhem. Economic crisis infinite, RBI in silent mode. Why no action plan with a vision plan for India by RBI and the dispensation. RBI should have intervened by entering into foreign exchange market by now. Dispensation is more worried and busy in strategy for 2024 elections. By now India should have had a vision policy to contain this problem. High time some way out to use the golden opportunity of rupee depreciation, exports can be increased through more incentives to exporters. Imports must be restricted now for a brief period till the situation improves. If no corrective action is taken fast, India will be doomed on the economic front, as a deep global recession too is in the offing.
Harish Kumar

All Indians are regularly watching provocative debates on TV channels, despite knowing their futility. The debates are rarely live but always rehearsed and recorded. These are attended by the self- proclaimed ‘political thinkers’, fighting like the uneducated illiterates. Leaders of different parties and their motor mouths are busy addressing rallies after rallies wearing branded clothes, colourful head gears, receiving bouquets, garlands , scarves from chatukaars. What is Rahul Gandhi's secret objective behind the on-going, country-wide padyatra? Can the country afford such wasteful expenditure? Divisive. The Hindus don saffron robes while the Indian Muslims appear in green attire. Do religions represent specific colours? This is the latest trend. Our politicians have a penchant for giving unsolicited advice. Scripted or tele-prompted, worse still, TV anchors get handsome remunerations for supporting the parties' spokespersons. All are tutored by political masters. One wonders, for how long will this tamasha continue? Can the Indian Hindus and Muslims not co-exist? They have been living together for centuries ,sharing the same composite culture? A majority of Hindus and Muslims wish to live together in peace and harmony. A miniscule, misled minority, however, is not on the same page. Disgusting. Why the judiciary is after passing observations, remains mute spectators. It is split from within. Kyaa Kabhi Achhe Din Aayengey? What is the way forward? First and the foremost, we must stop watching Indian TV news channels. All are owned by media houses ,whose businesses can be manipulated by the ruling political class. The controlled TV news channels dish out half-truths , sometimes, even, untruths. The debates are divisive, fuelling Hindu Muslim hatred. Instead, let us support digital platforms to get the correct perspective of whatever, good or bad, is taking place in the country. The Indian citizens are entitled to get authentic news, not trash. This is our fundamental right.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Certified copy a report of fact finding committee constituted by the UGC, chaired by Mrs. Mamta Aggarwal, the then Joint Secretary, UGC, New Delhi and its supporting documents, were not provided and it was submitted that it is not available with the office of UGC, New Delhi. The CIC remarked that Fact finding Committee’s Report which has duly been produced before Hon’ble Supreme Court, is supposed to be available with the UGC, to which it was submitted that an effort would be made to locate the desired report, but there is another possibility of it being weeded out. The CIC observed that no information with respect to the instant RTI Application has been provided to the Appellant. The CIC further observed that the replies furnished by the UGC were inadequate, misleading and blithe, that too with inordinate delay. The CIC took grave exception for the cavalier and irresponsible conduct of the UGC and strictly admonishes them for the same. The CIC sternly cautioned the UGC that in future, they shall ensure that replies to the RTI Applications shall be provided with mindful approach and within a stipulated time-frame as specified in the provisions of the RTI Act. The CIC admonishes the UGC for poor management of the official records and cautioned them to remain careful in future. The CIC directed to make effort to search their records in a prudent manner to locate the report and provide the same along to the Appellant. The CIC directed to provide the record retention schedule and copy of the weeding out report to the Appellant with a copy marked to the CIC, in case the said Report has been weeded out.
Comments
In case of any claim of records being weeded out, the copy of destruction memo must be produced. This is one case where the CIC has admonished the public authority but has not preferred to invoke any penal provisions.
Citation: Rajesh Gill v. University Grants Commission in Second Appeal No. CIC/UGCOM/A/2021/111603, Date of Decision: 22.07.2022
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

Crime is increasing all over the country. It is high time that the administration is toned up.
Vijay Kumar
Rahul no match with corruption crusader JP
A K Saxena, I agree with your views that Rahul Gandhi is no match to the corruption crusader JP. But you will also have to accept the fact that the two important corruption crusaders of the country namely JP and Anna Hazare left behind legacies to two people namely Lalu Yadav (chara ghotala) and Arvind Kejriwal (liquor policy ghotala) respectively.
Anurag Srivastava
No problem with African cheetahs as long as they thrive
I have no problem with African cheetahs as long as they thrive. Crores must have been spent to give our leader the opportunity to get cheetahs out of his hat and into the wild. Tax payers' money should be generously spent on education, particularly, girls' education. The figures of available teachers v/s sanctioned posts (not including those recruited by the WB School Service Board) is appalling.
B K Saha

While government of India, under the tutelage of our honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is making all efforts to put the image of the country at zenith position globally and many new initiatives are taken however this sounds ridiculous and unassimilated that in the past, in this dispensation, many times good positions including the present secretary Defence production is jointly held by the Defence Secretary as this has also happened with many other departments. Post of Secretary ex servicemen is just filled after many months void. This gives two conclusions, whether the department, jointly held by one person does not have much importance and is in fructuous or having a very menial job which can be handled jointly by one person only. in that case should be withdrawn secondly ,it really makes one to ponder as to whether Govt Of India is deficient of good officers, as otherwise many IAS from 88 batch to 1991 who are empanelled as Secretary Govt Of India are eagerly and rightfully waiting to be posted as secretary Govt Of India (dream of every IAS to become Secretary GOI when he enters the IAS) besides the fact, govt does not find suitable candidates who until recently being empanelled and must have gone rigmarole of 360 degree and many clearances including CVC, IB These episodes have become quite frequent even in PSU ,like GOI could not find suitable candidate for Chairman ONGC and many names cleared by PESB are not notified by ACC . These lackadaisical approaches on the part of Govt of India compels common public to think otherwise. We have full faith in Govt.
Mahendra Goel

The applicant sought the name of CPIO and FAA of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The CPIO/Director (NI) replied that he is the CPIO in respect of Ayodhya section of JKL division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was further mentioned that the Trust has been constituted by the Government of India as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court given in the judgment dated 09.11.2019 in CA No 10866-67 of 2010 vide notification dated 05.05.2020. The said trust is an autonomous organisation /body. The CIC held that the reply of the PIO is not in consonance with the provisions of the RTI Act because though information sought by the Applicant has not been provided to him, none of the provisions of the RTI Act have been cited for the tacit denial. The reply sent by the PIO was found untenable in law. The CIC directed Shri Harish Kumar Wadhwa, CPIO and Dy Secretary, Arms and NI/ Ayodhya, Ministry of Home Affairs to re-examine the RTI application and provide a revised point wise response strictly in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act to the Applicant within three weeks. The CIC made it clear that non-compliance of these directions shall attract penal action, as per law.
Comments
The Delhi High Court in the case of National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. v. CIC & Ors. has held that a private company upon its incorporation or registration does not become an authority or institution of self-government as defined under section 2(h) of the RTI Act, but by a subsequent enactment or order/notification issued can become an authority or institution of self-government. The words ‘established' or ‘constituted' have to be read in a manner so as to effectuate the legislative intent in Section 2(h) of the RTI Act.
Citation: Shri Neeraj Sharma v. Ministry of Home Affairs and Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Second Appeal No. CIC/MHOME/C/2021/606547 CIC/MHOME/A/2021/609248 CIC/MHOME/C/2021/612823 CIC/MHOME/A/2021/625152, Date of Decision: 08.07.2022
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