Whispers Forum

DEBATE(1)
Politicians and civil servants are hand in glove in mismanaging India. Both keep on scratching each other's back with a spice called "looting the exchequer" by making faulty policies including ifs buts and relaxations lacunae. In India simple or straight defined rules are missing always, added to that is corruption, jugad, sifarish. Uprightness of civil servants is missing. Civil service need revolutionary reforms including execution, accountability, fixed responsibility rules. One needs a revolutionary and daring UPSC Chairman.
Harish Kumar
“ The New Normal for Appointment ”
The media report of ruling dispensation gaining insidious control on PSUs by posting its loyalists as independent directors , makes a disturbing reading. Consider specifics.
The RTI filed by the Indian Express revealed appointment of 86 political activists as independent directors in as many PSUs out of total 172.This was in flagrant violation of prescribed guidelines, bypassing all ethical considerations especially rules on conflict of interests.
Such mass appointments of politicians in PSUs is unprecedented, making exception as the new normal.
Top bureaucracy in DPE, CVC,C&AG,SEBI etc remain mute spectators, bulldozed by political compulsions. No PILs filed.
The head of government has much to explain.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

DEBATE(1)
Politician uses bureaucrat.Only politician give patronage to the bureaucrat to mint money for him and himslf.
Hari ranjan
Modern EVM PPAT not hacked by anybody
The modern EVM PPAT has not been hacked by anybody. EC has openly challenged all comers to try and do so . Nobody has succeeded. These machines have recently provided results in 5 States elections in 2021. Should we not accept these results? These results are fair and new governments have been formed in the states concerned. Full marks to Election Commission of India. As a democracy we have come far far ahead since 1947 . Indians do not have anything to worry about electorally speaking.
Devindra Sethi

DEBATE(1)
Politicians Use Bureaucrats? Politicians and bureaucrats are inseparable and indispensable to each other in a democracy. But these days, there have been instances that politicians dump a bureaucrat once their purpose is over. In such a case, the question that arises is that who takes more advantage of the situation?
Quid pro quo – The system of giving something in return for a favour granted or a gift presented, has generally been the norm. However, the administrative services, in India, post-Independence, got very little by way of quid pro quo from their masters, as the powers granted by the Constitution and exploited to the hilt by politicians made the wielders of power arrogant and supremely confident of no punishment being meted out to them for any kind of crime committed against the nation. The bureaucrats, who considered themselves indispensable, because they were the ones in touch with the masses, became pawns and puppets with their strings in the hands of their political masters as there was manifold increase in political powers to promote, demote, transfer and ensure the continuance of the tenure of bureaucrats. Furthermore, the two wings of democracy, the Executive and the Legislature, were in tandem actually trying to get the better of the third wing, the Judiciary, the only enlightened wing in India, the Judiciary, because of its education and knowledge. The need for sanction to prosecute criminals in high offices and bureaucratic hurdles made politicians sly victors in political and economic games of deceit and helped political leaders (read “ministers”) maintain status quo. The very fact that it was only in 2005 that the Right to Information became part of the Constitution is a glaring example of political control over the bureaucracy. Even the Right to Education has not been propagated enough for the people of India to benefit from, thanks to political maneuverings over bureaucrats. There is a conspicuous absence of Lokayuktas or ombudsmen in cases requiring prosecution and conviction of those in high office. In a country that claims to be the world’s largest democracy, the first casualty and the most damaging one has been dispensation of justice, thanks to the stranglehold over bureaucrats which our politicians have and we have witnessed shockingly distressing instances of these in the last two virus-ridden years.
Vinay Sethi
Cinematograph bill
I oppose the cinematograph amendment bill 2021.
Tarak
Heartiest Congratulations
It is really good to know that some of my known ISS officers have attained the Higher Administrative Grade. Kudos to all of you.
H S Chauhan

DEBATE(1)
Bureaucrats who don't abide by the politicians in power suffer more with their multiple transfers. Bureaucrats have no other business except accepting the commands of politicians.
Nitin Saxena
Post regarding EVM usage for elections misunderstood
Some people have Misunderstood my post regarding EVM usage for elections. I have clearly stated that anything preprogrammed is prone to fixing and manipulation. I had added that that USA and all developed countries are using ballot paper voting. One gentleman charged me with political leanings. I am afraid I have no political leanings with any political party as for me all are same. I have made a statement only on technical ground of proven facts.
Harish Kumar
Ha ha, very good question in 2021 for 2024 ?
Think Sir, they want reply and prediction from you and they believe that ur predictions are more reliable than Jyotish...out standing remarks sir .. Bravo...
V Punj

DEBATE(1)
On the face of it politicians use bureaucrat. However, beneath the surface, it is the other way round.
Arvind Singh
DEBATE(2)
The politicians have power over bureaucrats in implementation of government schemes and other works. But politicians abusing their power is very common occurrence and bureaucrats also try to ensure they have the favour and patronage of powerful politicians as this helps them to get promotions and postings of their choice. So in such instances we see both using and benefitting from each other. The relationship between politicians and bureaucrats is often complementary. The politicians have to present a good image if they want to boost their popularity. And for this they often use bureaucrats. They have to please the people of their area/constituency as they want their votes to win elections. Bureaucrats have no such compulsion but due to political intervention they can’t act freely. So politicians use bureaucrats for their benefit.
Sarita Joshi, Housewife
EVM is not good in India only for loosers
Dear Harish Kumar, EVM is not good in India only for the loosers who loose election. They don't doubt it when they win election based on EVM. Western world continues with the ballot system because they have less population/voters. If they also had population/voters of the same number as in India they would have also run for the EVM. EVMs are managed by government officials, who are mostly non technical people, who could play with the EVM. The entire exercise of election in the country is done in the most transparent manner in front of the participating candidates representatives. the office of Election Commissioner, which performs an un-parallel exercise in the whole amounts stooping to the level of dust.
Anurag Srivastava

DEBATE(1)
Political interference in the bureaucratic functioning in India is a very old phenomenon and politicians use bureaucrats for their benefit. We see this daily even at local level for example when a legislator asks a bureaucrat to ensure illegally built structures of an area are not razed. Politicians and bureaucrats are indispensable to each other. But this indispensability leads to undue interference in bureaucratic works. The intervention should only be for people’s benefit and is uncalled for when the politician’s vested interests are involved. We come across many cases of upright bureaucrats getting frequently shunted or harassed when they refuse to toe the line. And more often than not the politicians dump the bureaucrats when their purposes are served.
Alok Pawar, software engineer, Bhopal
Caution is the need of hour
Telengana government’s decision to totally unlock is not a wise decision. The country is still having 60k cases per day. Caution is the need of the hour. Lock down from 6 pm to 5am was a balanced approach and the same should have been continued for some more time.
Kumar

DEBATE(1)
Mostly politicians use bureaucract. Bureaucrats teach them tricks how to prosper and then nexus is formed.
D P Devgan
DEBATE(2)
While politicians come to power through the electoral process, the civil servants come through a selection process. While the advice of civil servants is based on constitutional and legal provisions, the politicians in power take key decisions for the welfare of the people. The advice has to be unbiased. In an ideal world, the two work together for the common good. But unfortunately, over a period of time some among these, from both sides, have come to use each other. It is an unwritten understanding where both use the other. One plays along while the other offers to protect. Of course, the offer of protection cannot be absolute. The promise is to provide maximum protection in one's power, as absolute protection is not possible.
Some share the loot. Some play ball in the hope of good postings and post-retirement sinecures. There is no question of only one party exploiting the other. Both sides are guilty and culpable. It is an unholy nexus and a matter of conscious choice. Even in a post-retirement constitutional position, one's freedom of action is limited in the view of the threat from political power to make one's past sins visit the civil servants. This is an instance of politicians having the upper hand in exploiting. Otherwise, exploitation is generally mutual.
KS Ramasubban
Retd. Secretary, CVC
Comments on EVM tampering ridiculous
I totally disagree with Mr. Harish Kumar who is always a man with a negative attitude and always sides with the opposition ranks and criticizes the ruling establishment just for the sake of opposition without any tangible proof. His comments on EVM tampering is ridiculous and unsubstantiated. India is a role model for other countries and has conducted the elections, with such a huge population, tremendously. Mr. Harish, if given a chance and eligible, has to sit in one polling booth and see the overall functioning of the elections. If that is the case, why there was a complete silence after the recently held elections where TMC, CPM and DMK won. Only one full state went to BJP (Assam). It means the opposition is satisfied with the outcome and on expected lines. If BJP had won, there would have been again an outcry. Allegations can be levelled by anyone but has to be substantiated. Kudos to the Election Commission to conduct such a mammoth exercise within their limited resources. I appeal to everyone not to take Mr. Harish seriously, not only in this episode, but overall. His mannerism is questionable.
Ramesh

DEBATE(1)
Politicians and bureaucrats are two sides of the same coin. In fact, they complement each other in a democracy. It would be wrong to say that politicians suck bureaucrats dry and then discard them. It is a painful reality that political leaders exploit bureaucrats for the benefit of their vested interests. But the fact of the matter is that bureaucrats allow politicians to live off their backs for their own selfish interests. In other words, you can’t describe either of them as whiter than white.
Dinesh Shukla, Senior Correspondent, INH News
DEBATE(2)
It is always politicians who use or misuse bureaucrats. Very rarely a bureaucrat can use a politician. Remember the episodes of the English serial Yes Minister.
Kumar
EVM is prone to manipulation
I beg to disagree with Kaivalpesh. EVM is prone to manipulation. Anything which is electronic gadget & which is pre programmed is subject to manipulation to infinite level. If this was a perfect system, why USA and the western world are using paper ballot system.
Harish Kumar

The Complainant submitted that complete and correct information has not been provided to him by the respondent on his RTI applications with a malafide intention. He alleged that the PIO intentionally did not provide documentary information relating to functioning of his Supervisor Officer/FAA to avoid embarrassment to him and obstructed information with malafide intention. The Complainant submitted that the FAA did not disposed of his first appeals within stipulated time and has given decisions where information sought is related to him which is in sheer violation of principal of natural justice. The CIC observed that the then PIO has been very casual in disposing of the RTI applications and previously, strict warning has been issued to him. The CIC further observed that the FAA was upholding the vague replies of the PIO by passing general orders and no directions or guidance was given by the FAA to the PIO to provide the information to the applicant. Rather the FAA has blindly approved the replies of the PIO. Further, there is a delay on the part of the FAA in disposing the first appeals of the complainant and he did not recuse or provide information in RTI matters relating to his conduct as FAA. The CIC held that the PIO is not required to give his own judgments on the issue and terming any information unnecessary is not warranted. The CIC imposed a penalty of Rs. 500/- u/S 20(1) of the RTI Act on the then PIO for his casual and callous approach in responding to the RTI applications.
Comments
A PIO must follow the timeline provided under the RTI Act and should not be judgmental about the queries raised by the Applicant.
Citation: Mr. Varun Krishna v. M/o. Finance Department of Economic Affairs in Complaint Nos. CIC/DOEAF/C/2019/647839, CIC/DOEAF/C/2019/647842, CIC/DOEAF/C/2019/647906 & CIC/DOEAF/C/2019/647907, Date of Decision: 27-05-2021
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

DEBATE(1)
The question of ‘who is using whom’ within the system has often been raised. Whether bureaucrats use politicians ? Or, is it the other way round ? The plain and simple answer to this question is that both use each other. In a democracy, the political figure (or the political executive) has been placed above the bureaucrats. So, it is far easier for politicians to use bureaucrats to their advantage and then conveniently dump them. But the fact of the matter is that bureaucrats are themselves to blame for the situation.
Knowing well that their service is protected under Sections 309, 310 and 311 of the Constitution, a few public servants are still willing to toe the line of their political masters and assist them in circumventing the system to achieve their dishonest goals. It is often alleged that bureaucrats do so for the sake of lucrative postings in a quid pro quo. But this deals a blow to the concept of a welfare state provided by the Constitution.
Under the provisions laid down by the Constitution of India, civil servants are recruited by an autonomous body. There is a set procedure for their selection involving a written test and followed by an oral interview. Their terms of service are also in writing. Bureaucrats cannot be sacked from service without giving them sufficient reason, and without being given an opportunity to be heard. Public servants can even move the courts for the same.
The idea behind guaranteeing constitutional protection to these services was to ensure that public servants follow the directions issued by the Government to serve the objectives of the Constitution and follow the rules established by law. It was envisaged to be teamwork of political administrators and permanent bureaucracy in which the ultimate responsibility rested with political authorities, who are elected by people. While bureaucrats are not supposed to be responsible for policymaking, they are responsible for implementing the policies framed by Parliament and the Government.
Today, the immoral alliance of politicians and bureaucrats has blurred the lines of policy-making. It has become difficult to determine whether a policy was wrong or bureaucracy itself failed to comply. Consequently, both benefit from this situation as 'No one is responsible.' In a democracy, elected governments can be reined in if the bureaucracy does not buckle under pressure and discharges its responsibilities in a professional manner.
Ajay Singh Gangwar
IAS (Retd)
Income Tax New e-filing portal has many glitches !
Income Tax New e-filing portal Income Tax Department has launched new e-filing portal with many added features but portal has many glitches as reported. A meeting has been planned on 22.06.2021 with Ministry of Finance and Infosys to resolve the issues on priority. Apart from these glitches, there is fundamental issue which should be considered and addressed first by Finance Ministry to make ITR 2 filing on-line like ITR 1 and ITR 4. CBDT commitment to make it on-line is still continuing but little success.It is most important point to be considered by Revenue Secretary, Ministry of Finance to make ITR filing on-line irrespective of Forms whether it is ITR 1,2,3,4. This should be first thing to be considered in the meeting. Tax payers should be able to file returns directly from the portal without downloading of any routines like JSON etc. Let the system provides directly filing of ITRs using new portal 2.0. It will be easy, seamless and painless. At the same time to consider, no point of filing ITR 2 when there is no tax liability on account of STCG and LTCG on transfer of equity or equity oriented MF. It will save time, energy and man power. Please make ITR 2 filing on-line as well as off-line considering best software developers are available in India.
Naveen
ED posts in BHEL galore
As an ex employee of BHEL, I am delighted to learn that 28 executives are likely to be promoted as Executive Directors shortly. I don't think even in our best times we had this many Executive Directors ! During my service time, about two decades ago, there used to be a joke that maximum number of people got promoted in the year that followed the worst performance. I see that it appears to be the true now also although BHEL's current travails are no fault of its executives. Anyway as an ex colleague I wish all the
candidates the very best and hope they will return BHEL to the glory it once enjoyed.
Raghavan