Whispers Forum

Trump’s slapping 25% tariff on Indian goods with additional, unspecified penalty for energy imports from Russia,is most reprehensible especially when several western nations had,till recently, imported natural gas (PNG) from Russia.No tariff was imposed on them. The US’s latest salvo is threat to raise the tariff on India “very substantially over the next 24 hours”,labelling Indian and Russian economies as “dead economies”.
Enough is enough.India should not bow to the US’s pressure tactics and must respond stoutly to the threat in a firm,determined and courageous manner. In this connection, India’s plan to offset Trump’s tariffs,by launching its Rs 20,000 crores Export Promotion Mission for carrying out reforms by way of providing reliefs to exporters,diversify export destination, improve ease of exporting etc , is a praiseworthy decision.
India is independent in pursuing its national interests, assert strategic autonomy and for choosing trading partners to meet its energy security needs. Unarguably, importing crude oil from Russia at heavily discounted rates,is justified in the given situation. Procuring it from other countries will mean higher transportation cost leading to inflation in the country.
The US should not dictate terms as this will escalate global tension. For India, having enduring relationships with other countries,cannot be questioned ; but,not at the cost of its self prestige.
Let India walk its own path disregarding arm-twisting.
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)

Yes, it is a welcome step if the Anti Defection Law is overhauled in fact, making difficult for politicians to defect to other parties. They are fooling the voters and defect to whichever party they like. This should be stopped at once at any cost so that future of our country is in safe hands, in a transparent democratic way of electing the candidates by the people. It sends a strong message too
Ramesh
Strike and Indian Tax official
Apart from being the most corrupt in India, lower officials in Income Tax are always on strike. Even then, no one from Group C or D has ever been given compulsory retirement under 56j. Higher officers continue to play their fiddle like Nero while Rome burns. No wonder the citizenry is suffering silently.
Vijay Kumar

As and when Anti defection law is revisited by the legislature, the following suggestions should be considered
1. The government expenditure incurred on conducting the election in a particular constituency should be recovered from the person concerned.
2. The candidate who secured second position in that election should be declared as official representative of the constituency for the remaining period.
3. The defected MLA or MP should be debarred from contesting any election for at least 6 years which literally means for two terms. Keeping political person out for this period itself is a slow death for him/her. Thereafter, he/ she is useless for parties.
4. The time period to decide such cases by the competent and reviewing authorities must be fixed and adhered to without any relaxation.
5. If the period left out of any legislature after defection is less than one year, no election should be held and that constituency should be represented by incumbent PM/CM for the remaining period.
The views expressed are personal.
R K Thakur

‘Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’ is an old saying which everyone might have heard about. But then there are some petty instances where even powerless officers and individuals are seen trying to exercise power. Basically, those who feel powerless might attempt to assert power in small ways, such as seeking dominance in workplaces or some other. Some examples of dominance at work place could be calling officers' meetings during Monday morning and scolding officers who come to meetings bare hand without file(s) and even if the junior officials carry some irrelevant files to the meeting that is satisfactory, but should not come empty handed. Secondly, if a junior wishes a senior, no response is received from the other end and if the junior does not wish, then it is said the latter has attitude or arrogance, etc. Such tendencies often stem from a desire to assert control or influence their environment, especially in the face of oppression or marginalization. There are such officers who may not have any ability to speak in some delegation or outside office, except just dominating their juniors. People who feel powerless may resort to different strategies, both positive and negative, to gain a sense of empowerment. This show of power by otherwise powerless people is often a way of coping with feelings of inadequacy, frustration, or vulnerability. It reflects an underlying need for respect, control, and recognition.
Such powerless people or disenfranchised authority may try to show power for several reasons, most of which are rooted in basic human psychology, the need for self-preservation, and the desire to gain control over their circumstances. People who feel powerless often experience a lack of control over their environment or their lives. In an attempt to regain some measure of autonomy or influence, they may try to show power, even in small or symbolic ways. This is a way of asserting themselves in situations where they otherwise feel worthless or insignificant.
Individuals may also seek to establish power within smaller social circles or subgroups where they can exert influence, even if they lack broader societal power and this can be termed as ‘Micro-power’. This can be seen in informal networks or groups where people can feel more empowered by gaining influence or leadership even within confined spaces.
Many of us might have come across or faced much such authoritative behaviour by the powerless people in our day-to-day life, be it during a visit to bank, hospitals or even while parking one’s vehicle. For example, just for requesting for an account opening form in a bank the concerned person at the desk, whether he or she be a messenger or a clerk will show authority asking to come after some time or make us wait just for handing over a blank account opening form lying just behind his or her desk. They just find some kind of contentment or happiness in making the public wait or as if some ounces of blood in their body gets produced by such authoritative behaviour. Similar is the case in hospitals where one stands in queue after taking a token and finds that there are many cases which are handled first from behind the desk with no token whatsoever or the official is busy speaking on mobile without any regard to the long queue. One may try to park a vehicle and there may be very rare occasions when some or the other person might not come to not allow parking, whether that person be a chowkidar in front of some building or a helper in a shop or vendor.
In some unfortunate cases, powerless individuals may resort to coercive or manipulative tactics as they try to exert power. This can manifest in toxic behaviour, where someone who feels powerless in the larger context attempts to gain control in unhealthy ways, perhaps by bullying or dominating those who are even more vulnerable.
In all of these situations, the key dynamic is the drive for autonomy, dignity, and a sense of agency. However, the manner in which power is exercised can vary greatly based on the resources, opportunities, and moral frameworks available to those who feel disenfranchised.
Subbiah Sridhar
Creative Freelancer & Former Indian Diplomat

The appellant expressed grievance regarding non-payment of dearness allowance and family pension and requested for clarification from the PIO as to how payment for the months January to April 2023 was sanctioned. The CIC observed that the information sought is speculative in nature and the same does not qualify as “information” under Section 2 (f) of the RTI Act. Holding that the information is not available under the custody of the respondent PIO, the CIC found no scope for further intervention in the matter and dismissed the appeal.
Comments
The RTI Act, 2005 can be used to obtain uncover inaction or information but by itself, is not a channel for grievance redressal.
Citation: Rakesh Kumar Jaiswal v. Department of Posts, Second Appeal No. CIC/POSTS/A/2024/111643; Date of Decision: 11.07.2025
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

Welcome the opportunity to march to Atmanirbharta jaldi-jaldi. America will harm only EU, which had defaulted on “hafta vasool” for American security provided to them. If India revises salary structures for talented persons upward rendering allurements from America unattractive, we will attain our goal with super speed. We have grown in spite of GATT, UNCTAD, Globalisation- weapons to keep countries suppressed forever and become only a market for their products and services. Were we not exploited by hyper-charging developing countries' producers for consultancy, drawings, designs, machinery and raw material? Only used machinery, outdated when sold to us technologically, was given to us at exorbitant prices. In collusion with corrupt politicians-Babu nexus, India always suffered. The truth is that we were not allowed to invest in R&D. However, they forgot that we are a real superpower intellectually and the nation grew in spite of this trinity of the anti-people forces. Our SSI, KVIC and informal sector kept the graph northward! It was only in 1991 that the SSI sector was irreversibly damaged under pressure from the USA and its crony multi-national institutions. Every challenge posed to India from 1948 to this day had only woken up the sleeping lion called Bharat. It should not take more than 6 months for India to recover the loss of revenue due to tariffs if we decide (1) not to interfere with price mechanism of private industry and; (2) stop free gift of products and services but let them be honestly commercialised (pharma products on one hand and HMT watches on the other). We have to scale up each product to the level of MS etc. type companies.
M L Gupta

At present,commuted amount of pension is recovered by central govt in 15 years and thereafter,resoration takes place and full pension is given.This period was fixed long long back when interest rates on fdrs hovered around 12%.At present,interest rate has come down to 6% and hence there is strong case foe reducing commutation period drastically.In fact there are some judicial decision curtailing the commutation period to 12 years.Will DoPT look into the matter and give justice to vast chunk of cental govt pensioners.
Rajesh Gohel

Student suicides have reached an alarming scale in India, with students making up 7.6% of the country's total suicide deaths, according to a recently released report by National Crime Records Bureau.
Student suicides in India are a pressing concern, particularly in the context of harassment and mistreatment. Several potential causes contribute to this issue :
1.Academic Pressure : The highly competitive education system, coupled with restricted opportunities for higher education and employment, can lead to significant stress and anxiety among students.
2. Harassment by Authorities: Cases of students being harassed by college management or faculty members, can push students to extreme measures.
3.Mental Health Infrastructure India's mental health infrastructure is woefully inadequate, with a severe shortage of mental health professionals. This scarcity makes it difficult for students to access affordable and quality mental health support.
4.Financial Constraints: Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds may face additional stress due to financial constraints, such as inability to pay fees, which can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness.
5. Social and Relationship Issues: Bullying, relationship problems, and social isolation can also contribute to the mental health struggles of students.
6.Lack of Support Systems: Inadequate support systems, including counseling services and peer support groups, can leave students feeling isolated and without a safety net.
7.Stigma around Mental Health: The stigma surrounding mental health issues in India can prevent students from seeking help, further exacerbating the problem.
To address this complex issue, it's essential to implement a multi-faceted approach that includes:
1. Education System Reforms: Reforming the education system to reduce competition and emphasis on grades.
2.Improved Mental Health Support*: Increasing access to mental health professionals and counseling services.
3.Awareness Campaigns: Organizing awareness campaigns to reduce stigma around mental health issues.
4.Support Systems :Establishing robust support systems, including peer support groups and counseling services, to help students cope with academic and personal pressures.
Krishna Joshi

Crowd management in India is a pressing concern.The sheer volume of people gathering in public spaces often leads to chaotic situations, increasing the risk of stampedes and tragic loss of life. This issue is multifaceted, stemming from a combination of factors such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient security measures, and poor crowd control strategies.
During festivals like Kumbh Mela, shavan month, celebration of win of Cricket match millions of people gather, putting immense pressure on local authorities to ensure safety and order. However, the lack of effective crowd management planning, inadequate barricading, and insufficient deployment of security personnel often result in overcrowding, pushing, and shoving, which can quickly escalate into stampedes.The consequences of such incidents are devastating, with loss of life, injuries, and long-term psychological trauma for survivors. Moreover, these incidents also lead to a significant economic burden on the government and individuals affected.
To mitigate these risks, it is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach to crowd management. This includes:
1. Advance planning Conduct thorough risk assessments, identify potential hotspots, and develop contingency plans.
2. Infrastructure development: Improve venue infrastructure, including adequate entrances, exits, and crowd control barriers.
3. Security deployment: Ensure sufficient deployment of trained security personnel, including police, marshals, and crowd control experts.
4. Crowd monitoring: Utilize technology, such as CCTV cameras and crowd monitoring software, to track crowd density and movement.
5. Public awareness: Educate the public on crowd safety, emergency procedures, and the importance of cooperation with authorities.
Stuti Gupta

The documentary requirement for a bus driver in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and other information was sought. The PIO stated that on directions of the FAA, the reply along with copy of Recruitment Rules has been provided to the appellant. During the hearing before the CIC, the PIO tendered his apology for delay in reply by explaining that delay occurred due to reorganization of units within DTC and resultant reshuffling of staff and records. He added that it was unintentional and may be condoned in the interest of justice. He further agreed to file a written submission explaining the reason for delay in giving reply with supporting documents on the CIC’s website and will mark a copy of the same to the appellant. The CIC accepted the apology and condoned the delay in the absence of malafide on the part of the PIO holding it as unintentional.
Comments
The simple deed of sending a timely reply could have saved the PIO from the embarrassment of tendering an apology and would have also avoided the appellant from going through the hassle of filing a complaint. The time frame for filing a reply to the RTI application should be strictly followed by all the PIO’s.
Citation: Rakesh Kumar v. Delhi Transport Corporation, CIC/DTCOR/A/2024/601322; Date of Decision: 30.04.2025
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com