Whispers Forum

The announcement by EPFO with a gala fanfare that they will give 8.5% interest for the year 2019-20 despite covid is nothing but a hogwash to cover all their shortcomings. Why do I say so? 1. The interest will be credited in two instalments of 8.15 and 0.35 percent. What is the logic for this? This is for the year 2019-2020 most of which is pre-covid. So on April 1 , 2020 8.5% interest should have been credited in user accounts. Splitting in 2 installments makes no sense. except to help cover up the inefficiency of the EPFO investments. 2. If the interest is credited on April 1, the 8.5% interst also starts accumulating interest but by delaying the crediting of interest and also unnecessarily splitting up in 2 instalments the EPFO is trying to fool common people. And above it they have the audacity to give it as Headline News: WEPFO to give the same rate of interest.
Ajay Gulati
Honour of a woman is a nation's honour
Sometime back Central bureau of Investigation, in its report, has held three women officers; one district magistrate and two superintendents of police, guilty of laxity, negligence, lackadaisical approach and intentional inaction, in the most notorious and infamous Unnao rape case in Uttar Pradesh. A minor girl was raped in this case, her father was killed in the custody, and later on her two aunts were killed and she herself was grievously injured in an intentional bid of murder through accident. So instead of protecting an innocent girl, the women officers looked the accused’s way.
In Faridkot, in 2012, a minor girl, within a period of three months was twice abducted from her house in the presence of her parents after causing them serious injuries, and in full public view, by a notorious gangster. The police at the very senior level endeavored to project it as a case of elopement, despite fully knowing that the girl was minor. It was only after the state-wide agitation that the police took note of the most serious crime, and felt brave enough to do its duty and annoy the patronizing political masters.
In 2012,in Chheharta town of Amritsar, an Assistant sub inspector of police was shot dead in the full daylight and public view, when he confronted the stalkers, who had been passing lewd remarks to his daughter. He was accompanied by two gunmen, who ran away when the scuffle began. All this happened even though the daughter of the slain police officer had made a written complaint to the police station some days before the mishap. The assailant was an officer bearer of the ruling party then, may be it was the reason for the police to sit on the complaint of the daughter of the police officer.
These are but very few cases of such heinous crime, where the police looked complicit by its initial inaction.
In Hyderabad a few months back, a lady veterinary doctor was raped and burnt alive. The whole nation was aghast at this barbarian act. The instant justice was done in that case by staging an encounter and killing all the culprits. Though human rights activists were not happy with the encounter, but the people at large were happy.
The state could not protect the life and dignity of its citizen, but at least, acted to register its existence. It happened in Amritsar in 1959.Some army officers' families had come to the Railway station to see off one colleague. Some goons there tried to molest womenfolk of army officers and passed lewd remarks.
When challenged, the goons ran and hid themselves In Parkash theatre. The commanding officer of 5 Jat regiment was informed, who sent more men. The theatre was sealed and the main culprit, the son of the chief minister, was taken into custody and beaten up. Even in those days of Nehru and his favourite CM Partap Singh Kairon, the matter went upto the parliament Instead of taking action against the CM and his son, explanation of the army was called.
Army chief General Thimayya replied, ''If we cannot defend the honour of our women, how can you expect us to defend the honour of our country. ''Though the matter ended, but it gave rise to the political gundagardi in the country and seems to be endless. Each citizen needs to have the spirit of General Thimayya to fight this most heinous crime against mankind.
Surinderjit Singh Sandhu

Can we initiate debate on topic’ Moving a bill in Lok Sabha banning all types of Post superannuation job to civil as well as Military officers’. This may bring change in administration, as Govt servant may be sure that he has to perform without any temptation of post retirement job. Let Election commissioner, CIC, CAG, LG......etc may be filled by serving officers.
R K Upadhyaya
Cooling-off period
How it is possible to join a Pvt commercial organisation immediately after retirement from a govt job ? I believe there is a cooling-off period of one year.
Parag Barman
What about correction of date of promotion of teachers?
Please inform about the position of the letter sent on July 24, 2020 by President of North Eastern Hill university Teachers' Association to President of India and that was forwarded to Joint Secretary Higher Education office on August 31 regarding the correction of date of promotion of teachers that was wrongly done by the University and yet to be addressed.
Utpal Kumar De

DEBATE(1)
Only Democrats will come to power this time. Trump has done nothing for the US ,he only divided. Democrats will be more friendly with India than the Republicans.
Amit Pande
Salutations
There are different types of salutations to address members of legislature, judiciary and executive. They are "Honourable ", My Lord" and Sir, besides Excellency for Head of the country and Head of State. At different points of times, the Heads of State have politely impressed upon the people to shun the baggage of British legacy to address them as "His Excellency ", and "My Lord" by the judiciary, however, the law makers from legislature side, have not shown any inclination to change such practice of addressing them as "Honourable". The Presiding Officers of the Legislature should take initiative to Indianise the vocabulary of addressing them as Shri or Smt. or Miss, as the case may be. "Honourable" word is very sacrosanct and should not be allowed to loose its sanctity.
Raj Kumar Thakur
ITR2 Filing: A stressed thing
There is an old saying, "Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches" and it is correct here also for those tax payers who file Income Tax return themselves. ITR 2 has been made mandatory for those tax payers also who have no tax liability under Sec.112A of IT Act.. It is very difficult, complex and painful to file return using ITR2 when you do not have tax liability under Sec, 112A. One has to fill Schedule 112A giving all transaction details without any tax obligation. It is not needed and is against the Tax Payers Charter inaugurated by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 13th August 2020. As per Charter "Treat taxpayer as honest: The income tax department shall treat every taxpayer as honest unless there is a reason to believe otherwise. Asking the details which are not required is first step of mistrust of tax payers. Also to reduce the cost of tax compliance and cost can not be reduced by asking unnecessary data and do analysis. Tax compliance should be seamless and painless. Filing ITR2 is not seamless as one can not file return using ITR2 directly on line of efiling site of income tax. One has to down load the return form ITR2 which has also compatibility issue with MS office 2007 and older version. So the process is not seamless. It is painful for those tax payers who have incurred loss or gain below taxable limit under Sec.112A. It is not still clear and understood why CBDT is asking for details in Schedule 112A when no tax liability. If there is tax liability one will compulsorily file ITR2 as there is no other option. It should not happen that CBDT asks 300 million household to file return whether they have tax liability or not. It can be for record purpose.Such step results in poor number of return filers, It is also not right to match of ITR2 filers numbers with total DMAT account numbers. This will not yield any result. Such moves put tax payers in quandary and approach CAs to get the return filed by paying hefty fee to CAs. So there is gain in income of CAs but without any increase in tax revenue, Let us follow simple and painless system for tax payers and as per directive of PM. Finance Minister is requested to please make ITR2 optional for those tax payers who have no tax liability under Sec,112A and may file usual ITR1 and report LTCG under exempt income for reporting purpose only to align with PM message and directives. This will give great relief to tax payers mostly salaried class, pensioners, house wives etc, having LTCG within exempt limit (less than 1 lakh) as per Sec.112A of IT Act. Let us hope for early relief.
Naveen

The brinkmanship of Xi in Ladakh in 2020 is his frustration of India not conforming to his desires. China accordingly released the Wuhan Virus to weakenpeople and their economies across the globe. The PLA , PLAN , PLAAF were awaiting instructions from Communist Party . A dummy manouvre exercise in Tibet plateau was converted into a rapid deployment of forces in Ladakh , to gain supremacy over India. The stiff resistance by the Indian Army in Galwan region of Ladakh was a shock not factored into the calculations by Xi and his generals. The Indian leadership galvanised further into action by direct visits to near LAC posts in Ladakh. The deployment of IN into Malacca Straits region and warships int South China Sea was a further shock to Xi. The world was watching and then sat up as economic sanctions to Chinese entities were imposed rapidly one after another by India!! Billions of dollars of revenue vanished almost overnight . Europe , USA , Australia , Japan added to the sanctions list of Chinese companies. Xi is now looking at a bleak future as his international plans disappeared into smoke. Duplicity is the refuge of rogue nations. A concerted effort has commenced . The Five UNSC powers today saw through the gameplan and stopped it in its tracks. Is the game of GO over ? Unlikely . The Covid virus has no vaccine today. This gives a sliver of advantage to China's machinations . The recent economic news from China however is heartening in that Chinese agriculture is facing a huge setback and debts of Chinese banks is running into headwinds not forseen. The pressure by USA in South China sea has created a new theatre of concern for Xi. The battles on land and at sea have sharply divided PLA / PLAAF . Is a sharp conflict likely in Taiwan Straits? Is PLA strong enough to carry out Amphibious Warfare in Taiwan Straits and simultaneously combat INDIAN ARMY in Ladakh and Tibet Region? The first principle of warfare - Selection and Maintenance of AIM has disappeared . Will India deal a death blow to PLA in LAC region a la 1962? A bridge too far for China in 2020 to take on INDIAN ARMY and US Navy in two separate regions .
Devindra
India Loves Peace, China Hates It
China is allergic to Indian obsession with peace. That is because we have never tried to understand the Chinese mind rationally and strategically. We have felt happy at two Chinese travellers coming to India in the past but have never sent any emissary to China to survey and record the Chinese society, polity, economics, ethics or justice system. How many Indian experts on China were available to the freedom fighters? WW-II presented a difficult choice before India: to support Japan or China? India was fighting the British because they were an imperial power. So was Japan. China was no imperial power then. In Europe at that time, socialism was gaining popularity. The Indian National Congress had Jawaharlal Nehru as a person who was well versed with developments in Europe and China. Japan posed a threat to China. India saw an ideological friend in China and went out of the way to extend support to it against Japan. That became the policy of independent India after 1947. But the Panchsheel policy propounded by India at that time proved to be a litmus test that China failed in 1962. In fact, the nobility of India was met with extreme contempt from China: Chou En Lai called Nehru “arrogant” and was not economical on showering friendly compliments on VK Krishna Menon and others. Since India remained obsessed with peace, China did not hesitate to execute the 1962 manoeuvre. What has changed after 1962 really? Has any shift in Indian policy taken place? Only after Narendra Modi becoming prime minister has India started thinking India first within the given constraints. China knew it but wanted to test nerves and Narendra Modi did not disappoint Xi Jinping. It should not be expostulated as victory or defeat- it is simply current status. China is itching for a long fight and shall not give up in the name of peace. It is not a democracy. Its goal is to seek new economic opportunities. Its OBOR was meant to do that. The secret lies in the word “one”. It signifies monopoly, dominance, expansion. The Chinese realized their folly soon and tried to soften it by simply changing it to BRI without any change in its policy of peace or peaceful co-existence. China is now buying time to trap India, especially prime minister Modi, in the illusion of peace and thereafter strike at the opportune time. The developments in Ladakh and elsewhere call for extreme vigilance and preparedness to take the enemy head on if the situation arises. Meanwhile, India must rise above sentiments and noble thoughts and face hard unpleasant realities. Too much of democracy is harming Indian society, polity, economy, justice, defence and homeland security. We can’t wait and pay the heavy costs!
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1)
Democrats would be better for India : US President Donald Trump is unpredictable, self-centred, disruptive and transactional. In his second term, he could become more so. Forging a good personal equation with him does not guarantee protection against pressures. Trump, unlike the Democrats who emphasise human rights issues and minority rights in US foreign policy and could generate pressure on us, would be more manageable for India.
Manoj Mehrotra
CGHS: Failing to provide Medical Specialist Service
CGHS wellness centre Dr, Zakir Hussain Marg, New Delhi was providing Medical Specialist Services to beneficiaries since last forty years and is being considered one of the VIP dispensaries. Medical Specialist visit the dispensary once in a week for three hours and prescribe the medicines for chronic ailments. Medical Specialist provide the services to Sr. Citizens not only this dispensary but. also provide services to nearby areas like Pandara Road, Telegraph lanes etc. It is very helpful medical service to CGHS beneficiaries and specially to those who are unable to visit Dr. RML hospital due to old age and chronic problems. Now a days the patients above 65+ years are advised to stay home and avoid visiting hospitals which are worst source of infection due to Covid-19 crisis. Medical Specialist not visiting the wellness centre last six months i.e. from March, 2020. It is not clear who is responsible for diverting the doctor from one place to another place without consultation of CMO incharge of dispensary. It is MS or HOD Medicines Dr. RML hospital or some one else. Medical Officer incharge of Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg as well as Pandara Road New Delhi has not made the required efforts for restoration of visit of Medical Specialist during the Covid-19 crisis when it is needed the most. Minister of Health & Family Welfare is requested to order for restoration of Medical Specialist services to Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg immediately. At least the services which are running for non-Covid patients may continue. It has never happened in the past that dispensary like Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg has been let down so much that visit of Specialist is missing for last six months. It caters to most of the Sr. Govt. officers residing in this area. Let us work to serve the humanity with a smile and provide Specialist services without any delay.
Naveen

Information about Shram Suvidha cases was denied by the PIO citing 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act without any explanation. The CIC held that the reply was incomplete as merely claiming an exemption under Section 8 is not enough to absolve a PIO from performing the duties cast upon him under the RTI Act. In order to deny information under any of the exemption clauses mentioned under Section 8 (1) of the RTI Act, 2005, the PIO is required to provide justification or establish the reason why such exemption was claimed which was not done. The CIC expressed its extreme displeasure at the conduct of the PIO for his failure to give a proper and complete reply and issued a strict warning to the concerned PIO to remain careful while handling the RTI applications.
Comments
There are a large number of cases where the PIO or FAA are not adhering to the provisions of the RTI Act perhaps due to ignorance of law. In many cases before the CIC, the CIC has directed the Public Authority to convene periodic conferences/seminars to educate the concerned officials including the PIOs and the FAAs about the relevant provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 for effective discharge of their duties and responsibilities so that such avoidable lapses do not occur again in future.
Citation: O Y Sankar Reddy v. Employees Provident Fund Organisation in File No.: CIC/EPFOG/C/2019/114953, Date of Decision: 26/08/2020
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)
My take if Democrats win in US election : In the event Joe Biden wins the US Presidential election, there shall be change of guards in two important ministries in India. Democrats would like to engage afresh with face without Republican baggage.
President Trump has lost speed and direction with the result that Joe Biden has maintained convincing lead in the opinion poll.
Sunil
Govt decisions against doctrine of equality
Govt decisions to retire officials at the age of 50/55 are against the doctrine of equality before law. Why politicians are not reiting at this age.Politicians in India are placed and tread as privilege class. Why Govt is not bringing a bill in this regard.
Maheshwar
Law changes with time
In place on word absurd ,we may use word improvement over old system of law. Law is dynamic and changes with time.
R K Upadhyay

Tension at LAC rise due to PLA’s 'provocative military movements'. There was a scuffle between the troops of India and China on the night of August 29. Some 200 PLA troops tried to gain dominant heights on Indian side and were blocked. But, we finally succeeded.
Commander level talks have always proved futile. Our experiences has been that whenever, China says something, it means the opposite. And, it backstabs. Twenty flag meetings held in the past,did not deter China from acting funny. We had flag meetings on 1st,2nd and 3rd Sept. China always bounced back and created more chaos. But we do not learn from our mistakes and fall prey to same tactics again and again.
We have total trust in our Armed forces . China's pleas for repeated flag meetings at commander level are a ruse for Chinese salami slicing. Why do we accept such deceitful requests, considering our experience. It has inflamed the public outrage against China. Blowing hot and cold is China’s old tactic. When it says something, it means the opposite and backstabs. This would be an excellent opportunity for India to take back POK, Gilgit, Baltistan and Aksaichin.
Chinese misadventure goes out-of-control, full-scale war is inevitable. India can exercise the option to carry out pre-emptive strike and take on its two hostile neighbours together.
PM Modi must appeal to the countrymen to stay united. India shall always stand solidly behind him, in any eventuality.
The Congis and Commies are expected to rise above dirty politics and stop acting as China’s agents. Their loose cannons must learn to keep their lips sealed
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)
PM always thinks about improving economy of this great nation
Prime Minister has always been thinking about improving the economy of this great nation. He said in his recent Mann Ki Baat that toy industry could be given a boost. We as responsible citizens should take his speech in its right perspective. In Tamil Nadu, about a decade ago, the weavers faced severe hardships and an appeal was made to young people in colleges to extend a helping hand to them by purchasing one handwoven saree or dhoti, which received immediate positive response from the student community. There is no point in manufacturing goods and dumping them in the market. You need to make sure there is a market for those products. If people are convinced to buy certain products manufactured in India just by showcasing its values, they would definitely buy them. I am sure, locally manufactured goods would certainly have a cutting edge over imported products of inferior quality.
It Is No Toy to Make Toys I was disappointed to listen to the Prime Minister’s views on toys and toy making. I am compelled to bring to his kind notice what I know as a former civil servant: toy making is a sophisticated industry. First the industry was reserved for the SSI; then came a brilliant economist who abrogated the reserved list and opened the toy industry to all sectors of the Indian economy. In the 30th year of that de-reservation, we are listening to the Prime Minister about the prospects of the toy industry and potential of the Indian MSME. The toys displayed are enough for “dilbahalane ke liye” but neither satisfy a child’s curiosity nor develop his talent. I wish the PM had also displayed half a dozen toys sold last Christmas and the new toys for which orders have already been booked. It is not enough that the wooden toys on display are well rounded so as not to hurt the child but the paint on them is hazardous for the health of the children. The figures take today’s children to the ancient India (when India was supposed to be the viswaguru!) without connecting them to the modern world. The weight of the toys also needs to be calculated as per the age of the child. Besides, the children throw the toy their parents give them if they don’t like it since the logic of the Gurudev story narrated by the PM works on their impressionable minds. Indian children, Sir, no longer love Premchand’s Idgah but … the Animation Industry will be better to state the facts. Toying with the idea of developing a 7 lakh Crore or more toy industry to make India Atmanirbhar is no child’s play. Let us invest heavily in R&D for the toy industry to use it as a powerful tool of child education and entertainment. The wrist-watch industry is another example of our past efforts towards self-reliance! The Prime Minister must be fed up to date information only, failing which exporter countries like China will laugh “vidrup ki hansi”.
M L Gupta

CGHS working
One step forward, two steps backward CGHS has done good reforms towards the improvement of services and introduced teleconsultation services but the services which were being provided to the beneficiaries for last forty years have been jeopardized. For instance Medical Specialist used to visit wellness centre weekly for three hours in dispensary like Zakir Hussain Marg have not been available since last six months (since March, 2020). Medical Specialist works as a family doctor and knows most of the patients because of regular treatment and he or she knows the best treatment to the concerned patients. Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg considered to be one of the VIP wellness centres as most senior Govt. officials are staying around the area. The Specialist not only visit the patients from Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg but also nearby areas like Pandara Road wellness centres also. The old patients 70+ are afraid of going RML hospital for consultation due to worst source of infection during the Covid-19 crisis. These patients wants some physical contact with doctors to explain their cases better and not so conversant with modern devices. Who is accountable for such lapses that the Medical Specialist not visiting the dispensary last six months. It is HoD Medicines or MS RML hospital for diverting the doctor for so long ignoring the requirements of particular dispensary. Diversion of doctor for one month or so can be understood but not for so long. Even CMO incharge of Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg and Pandara Road dispensaries did not make any efforts of calling the Medical Specialist duty even after request from beneficiaries. Such lapses can easily be avoided and we can work for providing better health services to our beneficiaries. Without any prejudice, Minister.of H&FW is requested to please restore the Medical Specialist services at a very early date to Zakir Hussain Marg wellness centre which covers Pandara Road beneficiaries also. No CMO incharge ever worked to put down the name of these VIP dispensaries in the past as it is seen today that Doctor is not visiting the dispensary fo so long. Those were days when Specialist like Dr. Minocha, Dr. Chugh etc. used to visit dispensary and providing the best medical services to the old age beneficiaries. Let us get back to those old good days and Medical Specialist visit starts from early next month i.e. September, 2020 without delay. After all we have to provide good services to our patients with care. Hoping Specialist visit to start from 1st week of September,2020. God help us in doing our duties faithfully.
Naveen
Best Secretary of MoSPI
Recently , this blog has shown that Pravin Srivastava would be getting the extension of the service as Secretary of MoSPI for period of six months but unfortunately he did not get the extension and Kshatrapati Shivaji has been given additional charge of Secretary , MoSPI. Srivastava has done good job in MoSPI and controlled the Ministry in good manner . He is an ideal of ISS officer for their hard work. Now ISS officers will miss him. If the tenure of Pravin Srivastava as Secretary is compared to all other Secretaries posted in MoSPI, he is the best .
S K N
Transparency, accountability and zero tolerance to corruption
Media has very aggressively reported about the Hooch tragedy in Punjab,and has asked the regime for fixing the 'Accountability' of resultant 20 deaths. Countless similar stories have earlier been zealously brought forth by the Media ,social organizations and the very political parties, which have allegedly patronized humanity-killing evils. Which organization of Punjab has not vociferously talked against the generation eliminating drug prevalence, uncontrolled transport, sand and gravel, cable, real estate, rates of land acquisition, etc mafias, and domestication of gangsters ? The ruling regime would always blame its predecessors and the main opponents to the regime would blame it for all evils. There have been large-scale deaths due to drugs over the last three decades, there has been exodus of youth to foreign lands because of this and has any responsibility been fixed of the so many giant figures involved ?
More than two years ago, entire Media pin-pointed the Helicopter surveillance by the premier of the state, of the illegal sand and gravel mining in some riverine areas of Punjab, raising hopes of abolition of this ecological and economic crime. I was in college in early 1970s ,when my friend ,whose father had a fleet of trucks, told me that certain smugglers ,in connivance with the Irrigation officials had obtained the tenders for sand in the canals and drains and they would not allow any truck to carry sand from even any private land. The same nexus existed even then, but at a comparative small scale. I t was about 2 decades back that rivers have seen unprecedented excavations and the illegal earnings for politicians and their cronies have multiplied to billions .The matter has also gone to courts, but the evil is still flourishing leaps and bounds and the terms 'accountability' and transparency' are laughing and scoffing at the rulers, who have coined these, and who use these so often to hoodwink the all-knowing public.
Every other day the top leaders of the nation and the state, at the top of their voices say that, ''They will have zero tolerance to illicit distillation of liquor, persons dealing in narcotics and drugs, persons having black money, food adulterators, gangsters ,anti-social elements and all other evils afflicting the society.'' And has any body ever felt that these slogans have had any effect on eradicating any evil. Rule by sloganeering and odious phrases has not yielded any positive results so far. Rather ,the rulers have perhaps started thinking that their paramount duty was to coin useless phrases and loathful slogans only and not to do any worthwhile work for the masses.
I remember ,since 1960s,when the sons of big politicians started political corruption and gundagardi, the people at large, have been hearing about corruption and its eradication at all big forums. Even though the corruption has been justified as a universal
phenomenon at the highest level, yet the masses have remained its victim throughout. Till 1980s the corruption used to be the major issue. After formation of a new ministry, the ministers at their first visit to any district, while addressing the officers would
always vehemently rant,'' I will not tolerate corruption, ''Once, in a day four ministers came to Amritsar distt long time back, after the
formation of new ministry and all of them separately addressed the officers and the most common theme of their address was
,''I will have zero tolerance to corruption''. They seemed well adapted to the innovative slogans ,but failed to pay for their boarding and lodging and enjoyed the hospitality of Revenue officials.
Surinderjit Singh Sandhu, Amritsar

DEBATE (1)
National interests supreme : Since the US foreign policy towards India will be based on its national interest, the deeper drivers of the India-US relations will be the evolution of the international situation, shifts in relations between US-India and others, economic considerations and those of defence and security. Personalities do play a role but the victory of either in the upcoming US Polls, would hardly make much difference.
Arun Pal
No official will take pains
These instructions exist for more than 60 years. Can DOP&T, tell how many officials (including C&D) have been retired using these provisions in the last 15 years ? It is very difficult to use these provisions as these are to be supported by documents (ACR, Warning letters etc) issued to an individual for a certain period. No official will take pains to build a cases against an individual.
S Gopal
Great loss to the nation
Pranab Kumar Mukherjee is no more. A more knowledgeable Minister would be hard to find. His erudition, humanity and affection for all were matchless. A true servant of the Indian people, Dada treated everyone well. There are generations of officers who remember Dada with great respect and affection. He saved many a career from the whimsicalities of bosses. He treated institutions with great respect and fostered the spirit of democracy. God grant peace to the noble soul and strength to the whole country to bear the irreparable loss. A great loss to the nation.
Vijay Kumar
Other services finally getting their due !
Comments of retired IAS officers on the changes in income tax not being worth bandied about by the Hon'ble PM are not in good taste. PM Modi's commitment to transparency comes through in these steps. Perhaps retired IAS officers are not happy about PM Modi's hard work and sincerity in taking the country forward. Is it because the IAS is no longer allowed to do what it wants? Or is it because, under PM Modi, other services are finally getting their due?
Vijay Kumar Ganguly

Much ado about nothing
PM, FM and others are conveying the impression that India's faceless assessment, faceless appeal and taxpayers' charter are unique in the world and great innovations. This is not true. In fact this is the normal system in all civilised countries of the world; only that it is not called 'faceless'. In civilised countries there is just one organisation with no territorial offices milking the public. There are no revenue targets, only estimates. In India ITOs are spread all over the country. In the districts their main job is to provide hospitality to visiting senior officers by looting the shopkeepers. All these offices need to be abolished. Taxpayer's charter is useless because (unlike the law relating to Right to Information Act) it does not provide for any punishment to income tax personnel who violate the law. No outside independent agency is monitoring their activities. Undoubtedly, the old system was absurd and had to go away. We are doing what civilised countries have done decades earlier. There is nothing to crow about.
Prof. N. C. Saxena

DEBATE
Hardly matters : India may not qualify for development aid. Hence Indians should not worry about the party which is more inclined to give such an aid. Regarding the immigration of Indians or outsourcing to India, both parties may consider the US interest first. (Those Indians who are already the citizens of the US also don’t want that much of new immigration or outsourcing). Both parties may rise some noise regarding human rights violations (like religious violence, rapes, etc.,) in India, but these may not lead to any substantial actions. Presidents of the US and PMs of India may develop some friendly relationships irrespective of the persons who occupy these positions.
Syed Nasir Ali
CGHS: Teleconsultation started
Minister of Health & family welfare deserves whole heartedly appreciations for introducing teleconsultation services for CGHS beneficiaries. It is done professionally as well as administratively. Well done Sir, It will resolve many problems of Sr. Citizens. Medicines are required to be collected from wellness centres, it is ok in normal days but if purchase is permitted till the situation becomes normal due to Covid-19, it will be great help. Thanks for doing National Service.
Naveen.
It is no child’s play to make Toys
I was disappointed to listen to the Prime Minister’s views on toys and toy making. I am compelled to bring to his kind notice what I know as a former civil servant: toy making is a sophisticated industry. First the industry was reserved for the SSI; then came a brilliant economist who abrogated the reserved list and opened the toy industry to all sectors of the Indian economy. In the 30th year of that de-reservation, we are listening to the Hon’ble Prime Minister about the prospects of the toy industry and potential of the Indian MSME. The toys displayed are enough for “dilbahalane ke liye” but neither satisfy a child’s curiosity nor develop his talent. I wish the PM had also displayed half a dozen toys sold last Christmas and the new toys for which orders have already been booked. It is not enough that the wooden toys on display are well rounded so as not to hurt the child but the paint on them is hazardous for the health of the children. The figures take today’s children to the ancient India (when India was supposed to be the viswaguru!) without connecting them to the modern world. The weight of the toys also needs to be calculated as per the age of the child. Besides, the children throw the toy their parents give them if they don’t like it since the logic of the Gurudev story narrated by the PM works on their impressionable minds. Indian children, Sir, no longer love Premchand’s Idgah but … the Animation Industry will be better to state the facts. Toying with the idea of developing a 7 lakh Crore or more toy industry to make India Atmanirbhar is no child’s play. Let us invest heavily in R&D for the toy industry to use it as a powerful tool of child education and entertainment. The wrist-watch industry is another example of our past efforts towards self-reliance! The Prime Minister must be fed up to date information only, failing which exporter countries like China will laugh “vidrup ki hansi”.
M L Gupta