Whispers Forum

The suppression of facts by one of the members of this elite service is in the news these days. Had she not misused her position, this concealment of facts would have not surfaced. Her misdemeanor landed her in soup. It may not be an exaggeration to say that this service has been given more prominence than it deserved and it is the result of this hype that we see and hear the misuse of power and position by the holders of this service. arrogance has replaced the motto of service to the nation and its citizens. Once qualified, they consider themselves as different with special love for red beacons. MNCs, private sector, banks have professionals and they are not less in any way. Time has come to strengthen the Central staffing scheme to broaden its area of intake from other services at every level. This would eliminate the hegemony of one service. The concept of indispensable is redundant. It is no secret that the achievement of goals set out in any organisation is not the handiwork of one man but teamwork and active participation by officers and supporting staff belonging from different streams. Time has come to expose the myth that only so and can do it. Everyone has the potential to achieve the desired results provided he or she is afforded an opportunity.
Raj Kumar Thakur

Manoj Soni, chairman UPSC has resigned ostensibly due to ‘personal reasons’ but actually due to large scale corruption reported in the media with solid evidences. Parliament session is resuming shortly. But, what about P K Joshi, former chairperson UPSC, presently Chairman National Testing Agency (NTA).Both organizations are mired in controversies. As for the NEET, the petitions filed by the aggrieved are sub judice before Supreme court that has ordered Centre-wise details of results to be uploaded on NTA website. Hearing will be resumed on July 22,2024.Depending on SC’s verdict on ReNEET, the present chairperson of NTA could also possibly put in his papers as the sanctity of exam has been compromised. Let us wait and watch which way, the wheels of Justice move? Both UPSC and NTA, are under cloud with serious allegations of corruption. Supreme court monitored inquiries by CBI, could be ordered in both matters. As for civil services Mains exams, there is a felt need to re-verify the authenticity of all certificates(community-SC,ST,OBC) Non-creamy layer, disability, number of attempts etc submitted by the current/incumbent aspirants who are preparing for C S Mains 2024 exams. The aspirants are confused and depressed ,fearing delay in the examination.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Copy of account opening form of a deceased person was denied by the Bank u/s 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act. When queried by the Commission regarding the submission of proof of being a Legal Heir of the deceased by the Appellant, the Respondent replied that no such proof has been submitted by the Appellant. The CIC advised the appellant to furnish the documentary proofs to the Respondent within 10 days from the date of receipt of this order. Further, the Respondent was directed to re-visit the RTI application and provide a correct revised reply to the appellant based on the aforesaid documentary proofs.
Comments
Many RTI applications are filed seeking information about a deceased person without any accompanying documents such as death certificate, legal heir proof, etc. If a person wishes to obtain any personal information about a deceased individual, then such documents should be enclosed alongwith the RTI application.
Citation: Neeta Singh v. Madhyanchal Gramin Bank, CIC/RUGBK/A/2022/136906; Date of Decision: 01.04.2024
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 primary duty of the civil servant used to be to do justice to the citizens and other people. Rendering public service honestly without any expectation of reward is considered justice. That pride in civil service stands demolished and shifted to the judiciary. Indian judicial system was never known for swift justice. Today it stands reduced to implementation of laws only. I exercise self-restraint but say it that even the judiciary can do precious little to do justice tothe common man, who pays heavy court fees but is not supplied even a copy of the judgement!
M L Gupta

Much has appeared in the social media against Puja Khedkar(MH 2023), demoralising the civil services aspirants for allegedly submitting fabricated disability and community certificates? Owning an Audi car, she claimed non-creamy-layer status from OBC quota? The unruly trainee officer has been shifted from Pune to Washim district, not even suspended. How were fake disability certificates from a private hospital and fake OBC certificate, honoured by UPSC without verification? DOP&T has constituted a one man probe panel. If its findings are corroborated, FIR must be filed by the CBI for forgery and the accused proceeded against. Following questions need answers on the alleged criminal misconduct:- (a)First and the foremost, were officer’s antecedents verified by the IB in consultation with the local intelligence unit (LIU)of State police ?(b) Was the Standard Operating Procedure followed by the UPSC while scrutinising her applications submitted and the alleged forged documents? (c)Submitting fabricated documents to UPSC, amounted to criminal misconduct calling both for departmental actions by the Appointing /disciplinary authority and criminal proceedings as per law of the land;(d)Since the alleged scam has wide ramifications, the inquiry must be handed over to CBI for investigating, among others, the disproportionately large wealth amassed by her retired father; (e) Procedural flaws, if any, must be investigated and reforms made to avoid recurrence of similar blunders in future; (f)All co-conspirators (private hospitals and govt organisations) must be investigated and booked for criminal charges; (g ) Why was candidature of Puja Khedkar, not kept as provisional in the merit list as per normal practice in respect of doubtful cases?
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant).

Repair of quarter by CPWD
Appellant sought information about his online complaint regarding minor repair in Type 4 quarter, the note taken from allottee that he is satisfied with the work and others. The Appellant expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that neither the necessary repairs works has been carried out by the Respondent Public Authority despite repeated complaints nor his First Appeal has been adjudicated till date. The Respondent submitted that the First Appeal was never received in their office because the address mentioned by the Appellant was not correct. However, at the behest of the CIC, he submitted that copy of First Appeal is now received by him with the hearing notice of the CIC, and he will place a copy of it before the FAA for final order. The CIC observed that First Appeal of the Appellant is not heard by the FAA till date and the Respondent pleads to allowing placing it before the FAA. The CIC directed that a fair and proper hearing be conducted by the FAA, by giving due opportunity to both the parties to present his case. Hence, the Appeal was remanded back to the FAA for adjudication of First Appeal upon providing fair hearing to both the parties. The First Appeal shall be decided by a reasoned, speaking order on merits within four weeks from the date of receipt of this order.
Comments
The First Appellate Authority is an important link in the implementation of the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005. Every FAA should play the role assigned to ensure that the first appeal is disposed timely.
Citation: Amit Kumar v. CPWD, CIC/CPWNR/A/2023/109325; Date of Decision: 29-04-2024
RTI (2)
Link at which the case has been reported is given below from where the comments and citation may be checked-
https://www.whispersinthecorridors.com/detail/120427-DATE+WITH+RTI.html
The comments and citation mailed by me on 17.06.2024 can be checked from the mail and the relevant part which has not been reported is given below:-
Comments
High Court of Delhi in Union of India v. R. Jayachandran WP (C) 3406/2012 dated 19.02.2014 held that passport details, copies of birth certificate and copies of records of educational qualification are personal information, the disclosure of which would cause unwarranted invasion to the privacy of individuals unless there was an overbearing public interest in favour of disclosure. A similar view was taken by the High Court of Delhi in Ministry of External Affairs v. Asmita Sachin Waman, WP (C) 3735/ 2020 decided on 21.111.2022.
Citation: Shri Anurag Mittal v. Regional Passport Office, New Delhi, CIC/PASOF/A/2023/610640; Date of Decision : 27.03.2024
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

They will be overconfident! Congress doesn't have the organizational capability remaining....BJP will see its rise in West Bengal and UP!
Abhishek
Hathras tragedy: Faster follow-up action needed
The stampede killed 121people, largely women and children, injuring hundreds others. Not an isolated incident .Such incidents will continue to happen in future unless exemplary action is taken against the primary, secondary and tertiary offenders for exploiting the superstitious, illiterate devotees. Strangely, the kingpin is still at large. His name is not included in the FIR by the UP police despite the former's dubious antecedents. Failure of local intelligence unit, must be looked into? A combination of factors have contributed to the disaster. First and foremost, the high turnout of devotees is disproportionately larger than the “guestimate” submitted by the organizers to the offices of DM and the SSP. Second, lack of expertise in crowd management by the unprofessional sevadars. Third, the poorly managed venues and infrastructure. Was prior exercise on access control at the venue, carried out by the authorities? There was reportedly a single common entry and exit route. Many questions arise whether the Standard operating procedure was followed? Why was adequate police force not deployed at the venue? Was prior inspection carried out by the district authorities before granting permission? DM, SSP will have much to explain. A tragedy of such gigantic proportion calls for a judiciary-monitored inquiry by a professional, independent agency like the CBI. The inquiry by the State machinery is not advised especially as district officials are directly involved. A time limit should be fixed for completion of inquiry and conviction of all concerned by the authorities. The officers and their subordinates cannot be let off with mere warnings. Departmental proceedings should be initiated straightaway to fix their culpability, negligence and dereliction of duties .This could take place along with criminal proceedings in the court of law. The CBI, one hopes, would, no doubt, scrutinize the sources of disproportionate assets acquired by the Godman over the years and the sources of funding..There are several unauthorized buildings belonging to him in several States across the country. Where did the capital come from? Inter-states ramifications. Why were these assets and sources of funding not brought under the radar of income tax authorities and ED? It looks like concrete action is being avoided for inexplicable reasons to protect the offenders. One trusts, a bold Forum like the WIC puts its best foot forward for bringing about Ethics in governance, liquidation of corruption, probity in public life and rule of law. Laid back approach will mean travesty of justice.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)