Whispers Forum

The death of large numbers of cheetahs has saddened wildlife lovers and it is now clear that the radio collars led to the death of many of the big cats. After the death of 2 male cheetahs within the space of 2-3 days it was clear that something was wrong. But NTCA insisted that the deaths were natural and dismissed suggestions that radio collars were responsible for the deaths despite clear evidence to the contrary. But the next day three more cheetahs were found with similar wounds on their necks caused by radio collars. Thankfully the government has now acted promptly and we hope all possible action will be taken to save cheetahs. We can't afford to lose these beautiful animals again. They have come to our country after 7 decades.
Ankita Singh

The return of PoK to India has been on the cards since 1948. Our best opportunity was in 1971 after the creation of Bangladesh. Regrettably the Government of India wasted that opportunity. Defeat of the Pakistani Army in the East had shattered morale and in a few days PoK could have been retaken and the Radcliffe Award of 1947 fulfilled by us. Unfortunately since then Pakistan has acquired Nuclear Weapons Capability. The Strategy to defeat a nuclear powered state was displayed by US President Ronald Reagan. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The defeat shattered the Soviet Union economically. This result was achieved by the USA without firing a bullet. Contrast this with the current war in Europe. It has gone on senselessly for 500 plus days, shattered infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia and ruined the lives of people there. Economically speaking, EU is in depression today and apparently worse is on the cards. A lesson for India there . After three years of the once in a century pandemic, the Indian Economy is gathering strength again. Our green shoots will take time to bear fruit. Wars are expensive as the conflict in Europe indicates. Can India afford to go to war today? NO. Pakistan today is an economic mess created by themselves. Their people are migrating overseas by hook or by crook and losing their lives. We have no role in that process. Let the Pakistani government continue in their Merry ways to ruin that country. We should coldly watch and keep our powder dry. The people of PoK will revolt soon. The opportunity will present itself then, as it happened in 1971. Patience is the key for India.
Devendra
Remove encroachments from Yamuna bank
Fully agree with A Agnihotri. Situation can be improved if all encroachments in the Yamuna Bank are removed urgently. Also as mentioned by Agnihotri, thick walls are built on the embankment of the river till Okhla.
S Gopal

I totally second the views expressed by Miss Ritika. The purpose of development is to improve human life and not become a threat to our Environment and Mother Nature. Any development should not come at the expense of harming flora and fauna. No amount of development is worth the loss of human life or the destruction of the environment. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that development is sustainable and that it does not come at the expense of human well-being. We can achieve sustainable development. We have the technology and the resources to do it. We just need political will and social change. I believe that we can create a better future for ourselves and for the planet, if we work together. Development is of no value if it does not achieve its primary goal of improving human life.
Nidhi Jain
Calling a spade a spade
It is appreciative that when media credibility is at its lowest point, WhispersintheCorridor doesn't shy out to call a 'spade a spade'. With regard to lobby in the NHAI for higher posts, such news publication have no relevance because this organisation have no fear of no one as they favour every higher up who are close to the power gallery. Every now and than CBI raids NHAI officials and news publication on ineligible board Member being posted, all this will only change when higher rank up at board level are dealt with iron hand by the government along with having strong own cadre otherwise to get any change in this department is like mungeri lal k haseen sapne
Mukteshwar Lal

The Appellant sought information relating to MBA, MBA-BA, MBA-HR programs in CAT form at IIM, Amritsar. He stated that he has only sought cut off marks and general information which should be available in public domain and requested that the IIM Amritsar be directed to furnish the information as sought. The IIM Amritsar informed that the Appellant had not furnished proof of his citizenship earlier and information sought at point No. 1 of the RTI Application was duly furnished to the Appellant. The information sought at point No. 2 to 9 is voluminous in nature and collection of data would result in diversion of public funds. The CIC directed the PIO to revisit the instant RTI Application and provide a revised reply with respect to point No. 2 to 9 to the Appellant, free of cost via speed post, making sure that the information which is exempted from disclosure under RTI Act, 2005 must not be disclosed.
Comments
The proof of his citizenship should not be sought under there is some strong reason to suspect that the appellant is not an Indian citizen.
Citation: Ronit Rajesh Gaikwad v. Indian Institute of Management-Amritsar, CIC/IIMAS/A/2022/627227; Date of Decision: 05.06.2023
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

Lots of nonsense is being written and broadcast on Hathnikund barrage.
Mostly Unfair since neither AAP or BJP leaders have any idea. An irrigation engineer would explain this simply.
Hathnikund is a barrage like Okhla, to control water and divert into Eastern and Western Yamuna canal for agricultural purposes.
But a canal cannot take more than 20000 cusecs of water. Bhakra Main is the biggest canal and carries 19000 cusecs, which is why Bhakra stopped releasing more than 19000 cusecs to prevent flooding downstream in Punjab.
Also There are extent instructions in irrigation manuals that If excess water comes the tertiary canals must stop carrying water because of excessive silt. Also any release over 20000 cusecs would damage farmland besides damaging the canals.
Next, see the encroachment at Okhla. The entire stream has got narrowed.
Even Akshardham Temple s built on A floodplain.
No one has asked why there very little flooding in east Delhi and Noida.
The DND flyover is the most ill conceived project. It has narrowed the stream even further.
The Flood of the century normally comes in September. This time it came in July and no one had no clue on how to manage.
To blame Hathnikund and 2 canals is hiding the failings of Delhi Government. Not just the present ones but previous too.
If they have guts they should destroy all encroachments in the Floodplain. Now even a Bus depot has come up in the floodplain.
The solution now is to build high bricked embankments like Ahmedabad all along the course through Delhi. Its not more than 10 km. Also urgent Dredging to deepen the main channels.
Else this Song and dance will happen every year
A Agnihotri
Flood havoc in Delhi
Flood havoc! It’s much more. Yes climate change is responsible to some extent but what model of “Vikash” we are implementing in hills and other sensitive areas like western ghats , A &N etc is not sustainable nor needed . We talk only of sustainable development but follow destructive development. Most of the projects initiated in those areas together with the relaxation in forest and environment laws will do more damage than good.
A N Prasad

Reports of irregularities in patwari recruitment exam and some other exams in MP came to fore after which CM Shivraj announced that the appointments made on the basis of this examination are being stopped now. The result of the Centre from where irregularity was reported will be re-examined. Such things are like playing with the dreams of youths. Why do they work hard for months, spend a lot of money on coaching etc. when irregularities have to be committed and exams are to be cancelled. Youths all over the country are disappointed.
Aditya Kumar

The extremely heavy rainfall over the north-western states including Himachal, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana is unprecedented but it is not totally unexpected. Due to climate change, extreme climate events will become more and more common across the globe including India. So we have to be prepared for them. Cloud bursts, glacier bursts and landslides are slowly becoming a part of our life. But all of us want more and more development and want to enjoy luxuries of life. Mindless development comes at what cost? We all are seeing.
Ritika Malviya

Madhya Pradesh first woman Chief Secretary Mrs Nirmal Buch died recently. Mrs Buch, who belonged to a 1960 batch IAS officer, never retired from the service to the people. Her retired IAS officer husband M N Buch, who died eight years ago, had given a new shape to the city of Lakes-Bhopal capital city. Both IAS couple laid down their lives for the sake of welfare of the State and Nation. This couple rendered social services and was ready to attend all social functions upon invitations. Their contributions to the people will always be remembered. The officers of civil services should draw inspiration from this IAS couple, who continued serving the people until they breathed their last.
Sunil Kumar

Hearing on petitions against the alleged abrogation of Art 370, is fixed for hearing in Supreme court on July 11, 2023. This hearing is understood to be in connection with the completion of formalities due to withdrawal of petition by one petitioner. It would be recalled that Shah Faesal, an IAS officer belonging to erstwhile State of J & K, was misled into resigning from service, joining politics and leading a movement. Falling prey to it, he petitioned the Supreme Court against scrapping of Art 370 by the Union of India. Wisdom soon dawned on him. Consequent upon withdrawal of resignation, Faesal was reinstated. He later withdrew his petition from the Supreme Court.
The batch of petitions will be heard by the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in August, 2023. This may take several hearings. During this period, the Pakistan-China axis may play mischievous roles by provoking international controversy in a sensitive matter, especially as a part of C-PEC infrastructure, owned by China, exists in POK.
Aksai chin (38,000 sq miles) has been under China's occupation since 1962. India cannot turn a blind eye to it.
Against this background, India must take coercive steps for taking over POK-G-B forcibly without losing more time.
Pakistan and China will not offer it to India on a platter. Further delay will weaken India's claims to territorial integrity and sovereignty. Enough time is already wasted ever since the union Home minister made the promise in the Parliament.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Appellant submitted that his First Appeal has not been decided till date and requested for directions to the CPIO and FAA to furnish the information as sought. The Respondent stated that the relevant information has been duly furnished to the Appellant. He further stated that the Appellant has been terminated from service. Upon being queried whether any enquiry is pending relating to which information has been sought in the instant RTI Application, the PIO replied in negative. The CIC observed that it will be just and reasonable that a fair hearing be conducted by the First Appellate Authority in the instant matter and remanded back to the First Appellate Authority.
Comments
Wherever the appellant makes a request, the First Appellate Authority should offer a personal hearing before disposing the appeal.
Citation: Dr. Himal Chand v. Centre for Research in Rural & Industrial Development, CIC/ICSSR/A/2022/131473; 06.07.2023
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