Whispers Forum

With Sino American relations at its lowest ebb or point in decades, fears are mounting that tensions, especially over Taiwan, could erupt into violent conflict, it can be now, may be soon or any moment when boiling point is high. The recent events especially on the Ukraine front, where both Sino Russians united in invisible form, show that the United States and China spiral into “strategic competition" caused by "structural dynamics, which continue to drive the two countries towards an incredibly dangerous rivalry." A rising power has "ended up at war with the established power" in 12 to 16 cases over the past century-and the USA-China rivalry do not seem to meet the conditions of joining the minority. "For now", it can be concluded "the sino-American cold war is certainly growing colder, but a hot war over Taiwan may well be coming”. Any time this fire or volcano can erupt, more likely when China tries to forcibly lay claim on Taiwan. Wish this happens sooner than later, it's in India's interests that a weak China emerged after this volcanic event between Sino-America.
Harish Kumar

The appellant prayed that the delay in filing the second appeal of one year may be condoned as the same was caused due to Covid pandemic in the country. The CIC observed that the second appeal has been filed after the lapse of the laid down timeline as per Section 19(3) of the RTI Act. The reason cited by the appellant cannot be accepted as a sufficient cause preventing the appellant from filing his second as the period from September 2020 to March 2021, the peak time of Covid-19, was already over and all the offices were functioning with basic staff. In the absence of any valid reason/sufficient cause preventing the appellant from filing the appeal in time, it is appropriate to consider the case as time barred under Sec 19(3) of the RTI Act. The Commission held that the appellant has failed to give a sufficient justified cause explaining delay in preferring the second appeal, hence, the appeal is considered as time barred under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act and accordingly, dismissed without going into the merits of the case.
Comments
Section 19(3) of the RTI Act provides a time limit of 90 days to file an appeal before the Information Commission and an appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the period if the Information Commission is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time.
Citation: Bakulkumar Vaghela v. Directorate General Defence Estate, File no.: CIC/DIGDE/C/2021/142789, Date of Decision: 17.11.2022
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

The news of the passing away of revered Heera Ba the mother of Prime Minister Modi was quite upsetting. A day earlier it was reported that she was recovering and her condition was stable. To me the images of these two mother and son whenever he went to meet her in Ahmedabad were so beautiful. Touching her feet and putting her hand on his head by way of blessing, she putting something in his mouth to eat and he reciprocating, she giving him some money as all elders do to the children brought back sentimental memories for me. All mothers do the same when children have left the house to lead their own lives, the men work for the girls after marriage .When they go home to meet their mother they get the similar type of treatment. These cherished images of love between mother and son will no longer be seen. May God give eternal peace to this wonderful mother. I will of course miss those beautiful images.
Aarti Khosla

There were speculations that Congress was trying to bring Ghulam Nabi Azad back into the party fold. However, Azad had made scathing attacks on Rahul Gandhi while resigning. He even called Rahul immature. The Gandhi family was very upset with Azad for the attacks on Rahul, but despite the displeasure, there are reports that party leaders are making every possible effort to bring Azad back home. It is really surprising that a leader who made such serious allegations against Rahul could return to the party. But now Azad himself has laid all speculations to rest and said he would not return to Congress.
Arshad Khan

I fully agree with the views expressed by A K Agnihotri regarding more duty while you bring back to India the Foreign Exchange. Suggest dispensation that rules be amended so that there no duty is charged, instead it should be accepted at the selling rate of that day. This will encourage more foreign exchange legally. I have a feeling due to loss of duty element many returnees may be selling illegally. Even if the sale and purchase are liberal, too much of GST taxes are charged when you buy them legally while going abroad. Of course, dispensation has to issue clear guidelines or notification with strictures of punishment if buying or selling illegally, leaving it to the system's judgment.
Harish Kumar

Not a very rational structuring. Pay less duty when you buy and remit foreign exchange. Pay higher duty when you are gifted and the country is saved foreign exchange. Value of Gift should be capped to prevent misuse rather than punishing genuine buyers.
A K Agnihotri
Electorates of Karnataka are very wise and mature
Let us not get carried away by some feedbacks received regarding Karnataka elections. The electorates of Karnataka are very wise and mature and they know whom to elect or not to elect based upon the performances and manifesto of the different parties in the fray. I can say this because I am a native Bangalorean. So let us be patient and wait for the counting day to have the correct picture instead of merely speculating about an election about five months away.
K Srinivasa Rao

Col (Retd) Satpal Singh Sandhu had filed RTI application dated 28.04.2021 for inspection of certain files. He authorised Mr. Prem Kumar Singh and Mr. Anil Bakshi to inspect the said files. Accordingly, Mr. Prem Kumar Singh visited the office of CPIO of Defence Estate Office, but the desired inspection of the said files was not provided. During the hearing before the CIC, the representative of Prem Kumar Singh was present, but had failed to send the authority letter in advance of the hearing. The CIC observed that the present complaint is not admissible. The complainant has no onus in filing this complaint as the RTI application was not filed by him but Col (Retd) Satpal Singh Sandhu. Therefore, the Commission did not admit the complaint. However, the CIC ruled that the RTI applicant is at liberty to file a fresh complaint in his name and seek condonation of delay, citing the present order.
Comment
Only the RTI applicant is entitled to file an appeal or a complaint. The RTI applicant may authorise another individual to represent him in the course of hearing.
Citation: In the matter of: Prem Kumar Singh (under authority from Satpal Singh Sandhu) v. Defence Estate Office, File No. CIC/DIGDE/C/2021/135827, Date of Decision: 18.11.2022
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

We must answer Chinese aggression at least by boycotting Chinese goods if not militarily. I wonder how markets are flooded with Chinese goods from kites to Diwali lights come any festival and one will find shops and even wayside vendors selling that festival needs 'made in China. Xmas and New Year are upon us looking for Xmas trees Santa Claus decorations for Xmas trees or New Year cards or lighting China supplies all. Come Holi and you will find colours and pichkaris made in China even the murtis of all our Gods and Goddesses made in China are available in some shops. If you want to buy winter clothing go to any weekly bazaar or even elite malls you will not be surprised to find something made in China. The other day a friend gifted me a woolen cap nicely packed and in an attractive bag. I opened it and found a label marked made in China. No question of my wearing it. I am surprised. How is all such stuff getting into the Indian market? I do not think it comes within the items of recognised trade between the two countries. Something should be done to stop it.
Aarti Khosla