Whispers Forum

DEBATE (1) BABU
Modiji is trying to terrorise the bureaucrats by criticizing the role of the babus in the Lok Sabha.
Arvind Verma
DEBATE(2) BABU
The word babu has its origin in Bengal. After East India Company spread its wing in India, Calcutta became its main place of activity. Many Bengalis were employed by the company at clerical level and its supervisory level. Almost entirely Brahmins and Kayastha community persons. They used to address each other as babu. Mukherjeebabu, Ghoshbabu, Upenbabu, Arunbabu etc. So English bosses started refering to them as babus collectively. In fact many used to write their names as Babu Batuknath Chatterjee. People of Odisha and Bihar also address each other like that. Like Nitishbabu. It is only the 80s onward, certain groups started addressing civil servants as babus in derogatory sense. East India Company had nothing to do with it.
AK
Disposal in ITAT
Has disposal in ITAT increased of late, in anticipation of becoming faceless ?
Vijay Kumar

DEBATE(1) BABU
For ages Govt servants in particular those in Administration and parastatal have been called as Babus before Independence. There is no derogation in the word but rather it was an upgrading from the word servants. They were employed to serve the public but with arrogance and corruption they continued to enrich themselves.
They are like a mafia whose interest is to delay services, delay projects etc. and no attempt to improve the service. During Nehru dynasty rule almost 90 percent of Babus were part of the heavy bureaucracy who participated in fabricating fake news, Hindu riot etc. How many Babus challenged the corrupt ministers or their own corrupt colleagues ?
Same applies also to our judiciary which is not transparent and rarely takes action against a corrupt Judge. Narmada dam 's foundation stone was laid around 1950. Had Modiji not pushed this project, Babus were least interested. Fake history of India was written by communists. Did any Babu protest ? Atleast one Babu tried to leak news on the fabrication of Hindu terror and published a book .
Has any babu stopped Vadra enriching himself by illegal means ? One who tried was transferred several times but his colleagues were reluctant to support him. Time has come to remind Babus that they are public servants and the pay they get is from the public. So try to give efficient and courteous service to them .If there are constraints in providing service, plan properly.
Time has come to reinvent our IAS, IPS, IFS etc. It is the necessity of the day.
Shashi Desai
DEBATE (1) BABU
You can’t call an administrator as “Babu”.Modiji is working with selected bureaucrats and hence how can he lash out babus.
D P Devgan

Proof of payment made by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. against certain invoices raised by Supreme Advertising Private Limited was sought. The information sought relates to Petrotech-2016. The information is not available with IOCL, as all the records pertaining to the event were handed over to Federation of Indian Petroleum Industries (FIPI) after closing of Petrotech-2016. The PIO informed the CIC that all the payments, as raised by M/s. Supreme Advertising Private Limited for the work executed during the period related to Petrotech-2016, have been paid and there are no dues left on this account. However, the copies of documentary evidences in this regard cannot be provided, as the same is not available with IOCL. The CIC observed that the appellant is seeking information in his individual capacity from the IOCL regarding M/s. Supreme Advertising Private Limited. The appellant is clearly seeking the commercial information which pertains to third party and the appellant is not the authorized representative of SAPL to whom the information can be disclosed. The appellant had raised grievance with respect to some dispute of payment with SAPL (which is not a public authority). The information sought is of commercial nature between IOCL and SAPL. Nonetheless, the respondent has given the factual information to the appellant inspite of being third party information. The Commission further held that the information sought by the appellant in his RTI application is exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1)(d) read with Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, the disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of third party.
Comments
It is not clear from the order whether the Hon’ble CIC had tried to verify whether the appellant was a representative of M/s. Supreme Advertising Private Limited before denying the information under Section 8(1)(d) read with Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The CIC has erred by not looking into the reasons why IOCL had already provided some information to the appellant despite being third party information. Further, the order does not mention who was supposed to hold the documents sought by the appellant, if at all they were to be retained.
Citation: Rohit Yajnik v. Indian Oil Corporation Limited in Second Appeal No. CIC/IOCLD/A/2019/118452, Date: 25-01-2021
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) BABU
I would like to opine that it is not a word that is abusive, it is the conduct, impression, and general opinion which matters. For example Mahatma Gandhi used word 'Harijan' for some SC section of the society. after some time the word 'Harijan' could not change the impression or opinion about the cast of the society.
Babu must have been a respectful word sometime in the past. But the conduct of the officers has degraded the impression over the period and hence become abusive. The Babus must behave to make it correct.
Om Prakash Parashar
“ Oh Kolkatta ”
Several States in line for assembly elections in quick succession, beginning with West Bengal in March end 2021. With bombs, land mines, murders, mayham, violence-free elections remain a pipe dream. The common man feels extremely jittery, distressed by the initial phase of electoral violence in west Bengal. Just the trailor.
Injecting venom of communalism into electoral rhetoric has exposed the political class. India’s secular credentials are at stake. With increasing number of rallies, mega rallies, road shows , the violence is bound to escalate as we go along. In absence of ethical code, politicians have no accountability. All consider themselves above law of the land. The political goons can get away after committing crimes. Rampant showmanship . Thoughtless bravado.
The Media has failed. There is no free press . The captive TV anchors and print journalists get paid for creating media hype and reading pre-scripted stories planted by paymasters. Open Secret.
Let voters exercise their right to franchise after carefully testing their political credentials. Let them rise above caste, community and religious considerations. Do not take these drama actors at face value. Politicians offering freebies, fake promises in manifestos and speeches, must be shown the door.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

DEBATE
‘Babu’, in popular culture, implies a government worker who is lazy, incompetent, deliberately delays processes and enjoys life at the cost of public money. The term that reeks of the colonial era has been rightly stuck with civil servants and other government officials ever since only because of their attitude. Irrespective of the usage of the word ‘Babu’, more important is that it is the ‘Babu culture’ that needs to be changed.
Manish Singh
“Ineffective, unassertive, Lokpal is irrelevant”
The concept of anti-corruption national ombudsman is relatively new in India. It represents public interest. Corruption is rising exponentially due to Criminal mafia - politicians- bureaucrats-police nexus. The law makers must strengthen Lokpal by according it Constitutional status. The amendment bill introduced in the past for making the Lokpal a constitutional body, was defeated in the house. Reasons were obvious: Self-preservation and survival instinct of law makers.
Come to specifics. Lokpal, a full-time functional body was mandated to present annual reports on work done by it to the President. The report is caused to be laid in both Houses of Parliament. Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was appointed as chairperson of Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman which started functioning with eight members, in March 2019.
As per media reports about 1500 corruption complaints have been received by the Lokpal alone, since inception, against several Union ministers, top officers , MPs and other public servants. Strangely, no annual report has been presented by the Lokpal to the President. This is disturbing. One wonders whether any interim report was presented for clarifying reasons for non-submission of annual report.
The Lokpal is an independent, statutary body. Its annual report constitutes an important tool to assess its performance by the Parliament with regard to investigations and prosecution of public servants. This assumes importance especially when union ministers, former or serving , MPs and officers are named in the complaints.
The lawmakers must empower the Lokpal by according it Constitutional status. Let it submit its annual report to the Parliament on the analogy of C&AG , CEC.
Why urgency?
Elections are due in several States in succession. Several politicians would be contesting the elections especially those against whom complaints could have been received. Checking their credentials before accepting nominations,is the responsibility of the Election Commission.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

DEBATE(1)
Babu culture is a constitutional arrangement. If Modiji tries to disturb the IAS hierarchy only he would be sufferer. Bureaucrats work under established culture and power given to the by the constitution. They are not at the mercy of anybody.
Girja Shankar
CIC’ orders contradictory
The CIC has been giving a spate of orders which are contradictory, some are actually against the letter and spirit of the RTI Act. This is one such order which shows utter ignorance of the Information Commissioner. The RTI Act only mandates that the applicant should be a citizen of India which is not disputed in this case. Only because the person uses the letterhead of an organisation or is a Manager in a company does not mean that he ceases to be a CITIZEN of the country. I wish that a public test of the Information Commissioners be held to know their knowledge of RTI Act, 2005. A significant number of the Information Commissioners are bound to fail as is depicted by the quality of orders passed by them. Anyway, their only qualification to become the Information Commissioner was the fact that they have served as Bureaucrats and not either their knowledge of the RTI Act or the fact hat they are pro-transparency. I wish someone may show the mirror to those who are entrusted with the implementation of the RTI Act.
Neeraj

DEBATE (1) BABU WORD
PM Narendra Modi blasted the 'babu' culture in the country but it shows his arrogance of power.
B D Pani
Ms. Aarti Khosla appears to be connected to Civil Services. If her assertions are taken on face value, why has the Country not progressed to the level, it should have been: if the civil servants were so efficient. Her statement that Civil Servants become specialists of the subject they handle, is no less than a joke. Will she like to be operated upon by the IAS Jt. Secretary of the Ministry of Health as according to her, the JS is a specialist? Such impressions have been created for the Civil Servants and they have also started considering themselves as God. Time has come to give Professionals their due. PM has kicked them hard at right place & at right time. Someone had to ring the bell and it has been done now. Country needs Specialists. Professionals now to zoom into 21st century. PM's statement will hurt few but why to ignore the talent available elsewhere, away from the "elite" group.
BOSIDINI
Support for illegal Temple structure in Chandni Chowk
It is a matter of shame that both AAP and BJP are supporting the erection of an Illegal Temple on the middle of the road in Chandni Chowk Delhi.
An illegal Hanuman Temple which was on the middle of road in Chandni Chowk was removed by North MCD on the directions of Delhi High Court few days back. Now suddenly a new temple has emerged on the central verge of the busy road in Chandni Chowk !!
Strangely, both BJP and AAP who otherwise keep fighting over every issue, are supporting the continuation of this illegal structure. Delhi High court should take suo-motto action in the matter and direct both Delhi Government and North MCD to remove this structure .Otherwise it sends a wrong message to people of Delhi that you can do illegal things and get away with it.
S. Gopal

DEBATE (1) BABU WORD
I reckon that the bureaucrats are suffering more humiliation of being criticized in public and meetings than previous governments. The bureaucrats, who joined central and all India services, are being hurled abuses by third rate politicians. The officers can do nothing except following business rules.
Sunil Kumar
“Most reprehensible”
Apropos to WIC’ news dated Feb 22, about mouthing four letter words to a Secretary to GoI by a Member of Parliament of the ruling dispensation, I would say, the uncouth behaviour smacks of law maker’s arrogance of power. The revelation must have jolted the conscience of all civil servants across the country, serving and retired. The MP must be named and shamed by the media.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

DEBATE(1) BABU WORD
Of course the word ‘babu' used for the civil servants is derogatory. It is used contemptuously by those who hate the civil servants. The general public may be disliking bureaucrats for redtapism, corruption or lack of empathy to use such terms for them. But coming from the Prime Minister it is really insulting and humiliating. It only shows, he has no respect for the civil servants even though they are made to slog. It also reveals traits of arrogance and sway he holds on them because of his authority. His remarks that babus cannot be doing everything from civil aviation to environment to fertilizer to agriculture is also misplaced. They have done everything. IAS may be a generalist service but they become specialists in every field they handle. What to talk of IAS, even others who got into the specialized field like Accounts, the two Revenue services, Railway services like Traffic or Personnel when getting a chance on deputation to any department have shown exceptional performance. I think PM's remarks are more out of his Govt. decision to get more civil servants through lateral entry marring the chances of many for promotion. Moreover, if some work demands a background in that field then how come a politician without the knowledge of that field can handle that Department or even multiple departments as many of the ministers are holding several portfolios each. It would be in the interest of work that civil servants are given respect by politicians as our old leaders like Sardar Patel did rather than browbeaten by such contemptuous terms.
Aarti Khosla