Whispers Forum

It is a good observation, but i don’t think it is valid because the candidates in BJP are all selected on basis of their work or politics, not based on legal hire !
Mayank R.Wadhwa
Like congress
It will be like congress as in the leadership will be same as the current BJP or little bit more aggressive but the groundworkers is MLA or other states level leaders will be like congress for sure including state CMs as if we see the current situation it's moving towards that direction
S Tari
BJP doing well
BJP has been doing well. But, in course of time, it could get complacent, arrogant...then fatigue will set in, leading to decline. In a robust democracy, a strong Opposition is needed. Unfortunately, Congress is nowhere near being a responsible, strong Opposition. I'm sure wise leaders in BJP are aware that a weak Opposition is bad for BJP itself. Let's see how things evolve in the coming years.
Raghvan
A cadre party
A cadre party becoming like congress? No way. Besides the rss pulls strings within the BJP. Not happening.
Karthik Nath
Running out of ideas
BJP is already running out of ideas of "zameeni developmental infrastructure" following a spate of natural disasters in the northern region, it's just a matter of time India realizes "kya kya galat ho rahaa" and "who is making unscientific changes"!
Ashiss
Congratulations
Congratulations to DATE WITH RTI COLUMN on completing seventeen long years of regular articles on the Whispers in the Corridors website, every week. Over the years, the column has stood out for being consistently factual, legally sound, and highly relevant to contemporary issues surrounding transparency and governance. It's clear interpretation of RTI provisions and case-based analysis has made complex legal matters accessible and practical. As a PIO, the column has been especially helpful in guiding lawful decision-making, timely responses, and adherence to RTI principles. Wishing continued publication of the same high standards and many more years of meaningful contribution
Rohit Singh

The appellant sought information related to the Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM) located in the campus of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Trichy such as whether BHEL was a collaborating partner, whether CMD attended the meeting, whether charge-sheet was issued to some officers for granting approval to BIM, etc. The PIO replied that information sought related to BIM which is a private institute and BHEL has no stake in the aforesaid institute. No MoU between BHEL and BIM is available on record. BHEL had allotted the building premises to BIM on lease basis for certain period and thereafter on license agreement basis. In accordance with the BHEL Shop and Allotment Policy, the license fee is collected as per the market rent from BIM and not on any discount or concessional rate. At present, a sum of Rs. 1.40 Crores per annum (excluding GST) is being collected as license fee from BIM. But the Respondent failed to establish how the market rent was arrived at in the absence of any open transparent competitive process. As regards details of tender floated by the BHEL for allotment of its building premises to BIM, the PIO submitted that no document related to the tender is available in their records. The appellant alleged before CIC that BHEL is one of the founders of BIM, and the registration fee for the society’s registration was paid by BHEL. The CIC noted that the Respondent has neither stated in their written submissions nor clarified during the hearing whether grant of its building premises to BIM for establishing the institute was done through open transparent and competitive process through tender/auction conducted by BHEL. No details of any tender process have been provided by the PIO. The CIC observed that it is a matter of common understanding when government land or property is to be leased out particularly to a private institution, such allotment is ordinarily undertaken through an open, transparent and competitive (tender/ auction) process. In the present case, no material has been placed on record to demonstrate that BHEL followed such a procedure before granting its building to BIM on lease. The CIC pointed out that if land or a building is provided by a public authority to a private entity free of cost or at a heavily subsidized rate, such support may itself amount to “substantial financing”. In the absence of any tender or auction records, the method of determination of ‘market rent’ remains unclear. The CIC held that the Appellant too has not been able to substantiate his assertions or demonstrate how the body from which information is sought is owned, controlled, or substantially financed, directly or indirectly, either by BHEL or by the appropriate Government. The CIC noted that on the website of BIM it is mentioned that the institute was established in collaboration with BHEL. Holding that both sides are unable to come clear on the requirement of the RTI Act and/or public funding, the CIC directed the PIO to submit an appropriate affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper to establish the whether BIM is a public authority.
Comments
The burden to show that a body is owned, controlled or substantially financed or that a non-government organization is substantially financed directly or indirectly by the funds provided by the appropriate Government is on the applicant who seeks information which he failed to discharge in this case. For seeking information related to BIM, it has to be established that it is owned, controlled or substantially financed by BHEL.
Citation: Senthil Manian Vellaichamy v. Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd, File No: CIC/BHELD/A/2024/627929 + /657539; Date of Decision: 11.12.2025
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

‘Mr Peace-Maker’ Trump captured President Maduro of Venezuela , after a swift attack. Maduro, with his spouse, has been taken to New York for trial on the alleged Narco-Terror charges. His supporters have hit the streets. The world is shocked.
The impression is that the American aggression is a war for Venezuelan oil. Several countries have condemned the US's action as violation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Venezuela. A view is emerging that the US exhibited extreme arrogance as a super power, violating all norms of international law. Portraying himself as a Peace-Maker, Trump has chosen to retain full control of Venezuela while running the country with the interim President.
One wonders, how countries like Russia, China, European Union, Mexico, Brazil, North Korea, Cuba, Iran etc would respond to the situation? India's stand is unclear. It is in a bind, watching further developments.
Tough times ahead, all countries need to exercise extreme restraint to avoid escalation of conflict and turning it into a World war.
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)

Railways Minister is a visionary man. Under his leadership our country achieved a lot. We need more visionary leaders in politics.
Sarat Behera
New EPFO commissioner is the only hope of 68 lakh pensioners
Whoever may be the EPFO commissioner, the hopes of nearly 68 Lakh EPFO pensioners who are hoping against hope that the minimum pension of Rs 1000 will be enhanced is turning into despair year after year. A very very depressing situation after having given their best in the long years they have served in whatever capacity it may be . The cause of the EPF pensioners which have been pursued so fervently by some of our most distinguished Hon'ble MPs have fallen on deaf ears.
K SRINIVASA RAO

Raghavan
Bengal under TMC control
Bengali Hindus will vote for TMC , BJP or CPIM according to their "intellectual" and "ideological" stand point - causing distribution of majority votes - whereas Musclemans - whether they are PhD holders or rickshawwalas will no doubt vote for TMC according to fatwas. Bengali Hindu intellectual diaspora have always overused and underutilized their intellectual capital - ignoring the obvious fact that it is not an ideological struggle anymore, it's existential. By this time it is proven that education is not the deciding factor after the Red Fort Blast. But theek hai, humein to secular rehna hai naa? We used to resist the central government, now we are just anti India in our standpoint. Shame on us. Humlogo ko sabko saath lene chalne ki theka padi hai as if - bhaijaan aapko kya chahiye, bhaijaan aapko kya chahiye ? Industry declining, employment is a joke , best brains of Bengal are NRBs - and yet they have the audacity to call it a tolerant state? Kya fayda hua tolerance ka?
A Visitor
Banerjee to return in Bengal
Yes of course she will come back. They don't allow voters to reach till booths even. What is new in it
Nabaneet Sinha
President rule
We will loose Bengal forever ! We need President Rule before voting ! TMC cadres does not allow voters to vote freely in most of the booths
sujitdevbhoomi
Return of BJD
Odisha bureaucracy also predicted return of BJD in last election...
santoshkumardash

Yes... It's quite evident... TMC again.. Bengali believe in TMC...
A Biswal
17 years !!!
I have regularly followed the RTI column at your website and did not realise that it has completed 17 years !!!! You have done a yeoman service to the whole Bureaucracy by selectively bringing out the best of RTI judgments over the past years. Just like me, many others would have been helped by the unbiased reporting and analysis. Great work Dr Verma for being consistent and prompt in reporting the cases. Continue with the fantastic work.
Eklavya

CBDT needs to be congratulated for collecting 2500 crores of income tax by following NUGET approach. This approach needs to be followed in toto and a scrutiny system of field formations /faceless assessment should be junked altogether. It is a fact that faceless assessments result in creation of huge demand giving rise to unending litigation and inviting charges of tax terrorism. The NUGET strategy resulted into extra revenue generation and gave impression of tax friendly tax administration. KUDOS TO CBDT AND KEEP IT UP.
Rajesh Gohel