Whispers Forum

DEBATE
Gatherings, whether political or religious or of any other king shouldn’t have been allowed at any cost when the hazardous corona was spreading its tentacles. T few places, night curfews, lock downs and other restrictions were imposed in the name of Corona prevention and at other places, gatherings were not only allowed but were invited. Any sense ?
Vijay Shukla
Illegitimate comments, not meant for action.
Many years back, in the Legislative Assembly, a minister, while replying to the starred question said, ''The enquiries have revealed that the allegations of corruption and fraud against the officer were not substantiated.'' The supplementary question was that the enquiry officer should be proceeded against as there were hundreds of affidavits filed against the officer and the charges were proved beyond any doubt. The minister replied,
''I will look into it and jey kise afsar da qasoor hoya ttan mein ohnu putha tang dianga.'' To counter this, the leader of the opposition said very politely, ''Maanyog Speaker sahib, mein tuhade rahin mantri ji kolon puchhna chahunda haan ke ki mantri ji kol koi adhikar hai ke oh kisse afsar nu putha tang den.'' The mature speaker only said, ''I will remove these remarks from the proceedings of the house. The minister embarrassed himself by playing to the gallery.
Recently, when the entire country was in the grip of fear and panic, because of shortage of oxygen, essential medicines, and beds in the hospital, in the wake of corona pandemic, it was warned by a honourable High Court to hang any person trying to obstruct oxygen supplies to hospitals. These observations sent a signal of relief to many ,but the academicians were not amused as they felt the court did not have the power to hang anyone summarily and the law-breakers knew this too.
On many occasions ,the persons sitting at very high positions indulge in unnecessary blame game and invectives and create unsavoury situations by indulging in tall talk ,instead of diligently using the powers vested in them and maintaining decency. In a state level meeting, a minister asked some questions from the lady administrative secretary. The officer was replying in a very knowledgeable and cultured way, when the minister cut her short, ''But why Mr A has not been reinstated, when i have ordered it? The officer said, ''Sir, I have referred the case to the CM sahib ,since I have difference of opinion. ''On hearing this ,the anger of the minister shot upto seventh hell and in bullish rage he cried, ''you can leave the meeting. ''The lady said, ''Sir, I cannot leave the meeting as it was my duty.'' The minister said ,''Phir mein bahar chala janda haan,'' While saying this, he barged out of the room.
A cabinet sub-committee was holding meeting and chief secretary was briefing it. Suddenly, the minister chairing the meeting remarked that if the chief secretary had already done the exercise then what was the need of this committee. Chief secretary was taken aback. He told that cm sahib had approved the policy. Hearing this all the committee members created a scene and in the din of loud voices walked out of the meeting. The chief secretary felt insulted as never before and he could not find the reason for this unruly chaotic scenario..
There was a CM, whose sons would make it a point to attend the meetings presided over by him. On many occasions, they would cut the officers including the chief secretary short. They would very often tell the secretaries, ''Aapko kuchh pata nahin hai.'' Once, when chief secretary was holding his point, one son said, ''Tu gadha hai ,tere ko cs kisne banaya?'' The CS looked imploringly at the CM, who started looking the other way.
Surinderjit singh sandhu, Amritsar

DEBATE
Gatherings, political, religious or any other kind at this time were not at all justified. Rise in number of Covid cases after this is an ample proof that the decision was wrong. Now the entire country is paying for one silly mistake of the government.
Sarabjeet
Say ‘no’ to re-employment of retired personnels
There should be firm ‘no “ of deploying retired personals in various organizations while unemployed young qualified youths are staring for a job and should be given chance to reduce part of the unemployment. While , country is burning because of Gargantuan problem of unemployment ,qualified youths are yearning for even menial jobs ,publish the newspapers that BTech , MTechhave even applied for cleaner posts oxymoron to same various government organizations are still resorting to the employment of retired personals to escape the difficult process of recruitment There is no argument of thought that the retired people have had good exposure in government machinery but at the same time it cannot be ignored that they worked in an environment which has become primitive with every passing day and are not savvy with technological advancements. The youth on the other side are having preparedness, capacity and enthusiasm besides better connection with the electronic dispensation . It is not even justified in case of constitutional posts like UPSC, CIC CAT etc. and for others it is truly buffoonery to take retired people and not giving chance to better qualified youth to reduce a pinch in the serpentine queue of unemployment. The youth are available even at the lower financial compensation and can evaluate their strength and weakness in a more productive manner it will be good for the country if a strong missing is issued from PM office or from DOPT to allControlling institutions ,not to prefer reemployment of retired personnel who have become primitive ,vestigial ,forgive me to write so because with the technological advancements ,yesterday is always vestigial for tomorrow and even for temporary jobs, recruitment be done from plethora of energetic youth who are staring at govt for providing jobs to them.
Mahendra Goel

I feel political rallies, kumbh mela, elections etc have brought India to this tragic scenario. It reflects Government 's insensitivity to the issue and above all poor governance. If GoI can pass 3 farm laws during this difficult time, why the hell parliament unanimously couldn't pass a law to postpone elections in such exceptional unavoidable situations or circumstances. What is done is done can't be undone now. The best would be to use each religious place ( irrespective of religion), community Centers, banquet halls etc for extra beds.
Harish Kumar
BJP wrongly fielded turncoats
Although this forum is not to discuss political issues, I think the biggest mistake committed by BJP in Bengal Elections is the fielding of those who had moved from Trinamul to BJP against those who had worked hard over the last more than 5 years. Unfortunately, most of those who shifted from Trinamul Congress and fielded by BJP have lost
Pradeep Kumar

BJP over relied on top leaders without having a good base upto block level . So many imported TMC turn coats who were given tickets by bjp point out to lack of leaders at grass root level in W Bengal . Variety is good for democracy. But lack of a national opposition to ruling party is a matter of concern.
R B Lal
PSU banks should update to be more Customer Friendly
Fully agree with Naveen. PSU banks should update their systems to make it more Customer Friendly. They should be told to be proactive in providing services to the customers.
S Gopal

The appellant requested for status mentioned by his wife in the bank account opening form regarding her marital status like whether Single/ Married/ Separated/ Divorcee as a matrimonial dispute between the appellant and his wife was pending before the Hon’ble Family Court. In the second appeal, he stated that he is husband of Mrs. Nisha and has every right to know about the marital status of his spouse which could be decisive factor in deciding the maintenance order. The CIC held that the basic protection afforded by virtue of the exemption from disclosure enacted under Section 8(1)(j) cannot be lifted or disturbed by a private dispute between husband and wife, unless the petitioner is able to justify how such disclosure would be in ‘public interest’.
Comments
A delicate balance has to be maintained between the transparency and the fundamental right to privacy. Whenever there is a conflict between two rights, the same have to be reconciled and harmony has to be maintained.
Citation: Keshav Anand v. Bank of Baroda in Second Appeal No. CIC/DENAB/A/2019/107456, Date of decision: 16.04.2021
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

Banking services is one of the important services for the economic growth of the country. Banking services, specially PSU banks, require serious thinking about the deplorable services. The working can easily be understood by their balance sheets specially NPA. It is reaching nearly 10%, even after this there is no accountability. It is being said that their salaries is directly proportional to NPA and inversely proportional to customer services. Customer services are completely neglected by banks. In Board, there is nominee from Govt. normally Joint Secretary from Ministry of Finance and one from Regulator i,e, RBI but no one looks what services are being provided to the customers. Country is passing thru a pandemic situation last one year and advisories are being issued on regular basis to remain inside and avoid rush. Every customer after close of FY is looking following five services which can easily be provided on line by banks to avoid rush in banks: 1. Bank Statement for FY 2. Interest Certificate 3. Submission of 15g/15H forms 4. TDS certificate 5. Form 16A for pensioners Can anyone from the Govt. or Regulator look how many PSU banks are providing these services on line? This is not a big job or requires Rocket Science but can be done easily by taking proper initiatives and making CMD of Banks directly responsible to provide these services on line thru net banking or mobile app to customers in specified time frame failing which action can be initiated. Govt. is giving required tax payers money to banks in the form of recapitalisation and banks should deliver the results. In case they are not, the right step should be disinvestment. Bank employees are being given rise in their salary, perks, pensionary benefits and number of holidays. Let them provide good services to customers and good earnings to Govt. as private banks. As situation in country due to Covid-19 pandemic is not conducive, Ministry of Finance should allow the submission of Form 15H later may be in month of July, 2021 and consider the same Form 15H submitted in FY 2020-21 is applicable for Q1 FY 2921-22. These small steps can be taken by the Govt. to ease the problems of Sr. Citizens when they are not allowed to come out and submit the Forms. Let us move to digital era in providing customer services on line as far as possible considering we have best software engineers in the world and can develop any software required by the Banks. Let us put 15 days time in providing above five services to customers on line by every PSU banks.
Naveen

DEBATE
It was not at all justified to hold political rallies and religious gatherings when the Corona pandemic was staring at us. Government has all powers to do anything for the welfare of the people. Instead of throwing the ball in the Election Commission’s court, it could have postponed the elections at this juncture even if it meant imposing President rule in the states that went to polls. Kumbha Mela could also have been held symbolically as has been the case with Navratri this time. But Politicians, cutting across party lines, have been addressing huge rallies. Ministers without masks have addressed crowds. Ordinary people took the cue. Now the second wave is hammering us only because both the political class and the people lowered their guard.
Sushil Pagare
Congratulations to Sanjeev Mittal
Sanjeev Mittal is one of the Most Dynamic Senor Officers of Indian Railways with rare Qualities of Head & Heart. All the Best Wishes to Shri Sanjeev Mittal for the New Assignment upon elevation as Member of the Indian Railway Board .
Vineet Tiwari

DEBATE
By any yardstick, political rallies and Kumbha both were not justified amidst spread of Corona. Nothing can be more important than human lives. How insensitive have the politicians become.
Alok Bajpai
ECI be given more powers
I agree with Srinivasan. ECI should be given more powers including arrest of candidates/their supporters violating the guidelines and code of conduct. The ECI members and their families should be provided protection( by a Law) from action by CBI,CVC,ED etc. on flimsy grounds. so that they can discharge their duties without fear. This protection should be extended for two years after their retirement from EC.
S Gopal

DEBATE
Highly unjustified. Going by the books, many would say that there was no other option before the ECI but to hold elections. But, the government could have made efforts. Called an all-party meeting or the Parliament session to find a way out and if need be, brought an amendment. I am sure, no sensible person would have opposed the government move at the cost of human lives. But, it was never thought off. Cultivating votes, either by addressing political rallies or by organizing Kumbha – remained on priority.
D. Sen
Don’t slam ECI for the pandemic
The tendency to slam ECI for the pandemic (edition 2) is misplaced. The constitution does not provide for any elected government to remain a day more than 5 years, although it can be dismissed before completion of 5 years. So, the talk of not holding elections reveals poor understanding of the constitution provisions. Once a schedule is announced, it is not possible to change it midway, as it would not provide equal opportunity to all contesting candidates between different phases. So clubbing of some phases of the announced elections in the pipeline is also wishful thinking. It is noticed that in spite of ECI guidelines and instructions from time to time, the political parties flout them with impunity. This is the main culprit.
Srinivasan

DEBATE
Hundreds and thousands of people are falling prey to deadly second mutant of Covid pandemic and still you want to know whether allowing elections and Kumbha Mela was justified on the part of the government. Even an insane who has little respect for human lives would reject the idea of holding events like political rallies and Kumbha Mela even if it meant imposing President’s rule in few states and losing some votes.
Vijay Singh
Useless doctor !
I listened your interview with Dr Neeraj Jain of Gangaram. He was though speaking sense but more to get publicity. Neither he nor his Secretary respond for call. If this is his attitude than I will call him useless doctor and not no.1 as you were claiming.
Raj Goel
Excellent achievement
Excellent achievement in reopening the NINL plant to reduce oxygen demand. Thanks to the suggestion of your good self.
K Srinivasa Rao

Certified copy of the total budget in Official Expenses and Expenditure in Official Expense, the Inventories of all items, list of the officers posted in Administration Branch and related information was sought by the RTI applicant. The PIO provided part of information sought and informed that the rest of the information is exhaustive and also not readily available with them. The CIC directed the PIO to offer an opportunity of inspection of the relevant and available records as sought for. The CIC further directed that photocopies would be provided to the appellant free of cost upto 50 pages after the inspection.
Comments
As per sub-section 9 of section 7 of the RTI Act, information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority. If the information sought is voluminous, the PIO should take recourse to this provision to request the applicant to inspect the documents.
Citation: Ashok Kumar v. National Commission for Scheduled Castes in File No: CIC/NCFSC/A/2019/138123, Date of Decision: 18/03/2021
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