Whispers Forum

I agree, Rajasthan's new CS V Srinivas is very talented. He is so transparent, he uploads his daily work updates on his X account, we the citizens can have a look at the major works which he completes daily.
Although, I wanted the current fertiliser secretary Rajat Kumar Mishra to become Rajasthan's CS, I am also happy with the choice of Mr Srinivas for this post. He is a tech savvy bureaucrat.
Rajat Galav
Staff shortage
When there has been staff shortages in the banks, customers service will definitely receive beatings. We cannot eat the cake and have it too.
Manik

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for "delivery, not drama" in Parliament, urging lawmakers to focus on policy-making and nation-building rather than sloganeering. He stressed that the Winter Session should prioritize discussions on key issues affecting the country, rather than becoming a platform for political point-scoring.
Modi also took a dig at the Opposition, saying they should move beyond their recent electoral defeat and contribute meaningfully to parliamentary debates. He highlighted India's growing global stature, citing the country's economic resilience and democratic strength
Kriti Garg

The appellant sought a certified copy of the initial map related to a particular building which was donated to Jhansi Cantonment Board for construction purposes. The appellant also sought a certified copy of the General Land Register, total property tax assessed and other related information. As no response was received within the prescribed time period, the appellant filed the first appeal and later the second appeal before the CIC. According to the arguments presented by the respondent, the current PIO, who was responsible for disposing of the submitted RTI application has retired, and no show cause notice proceedings can be initiated under Section 20 of the RTI Act against a retired PIO. The CIC directed the current PIO, Cantonment Board, Jhansi, to ensure timely and proper disposal of pending RTI applications in accordance with the law, failing which appropriate action shall be taken against them in the future under the provisions of the Act. Further, the CIC directed the PIO, Cantonment Board, Jhansi, to examine the information sought by the appellant through the submitted RTI application and, based on the available records, provide the requested information/response to the appellant in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Comments
A coordinate bench of the CIC in Appeal Nos. CIC/PB/2008/00999 and CIC/SM/A/2009/000286 dated 13-05-2010 held that since the concerned PIO has retired from the service, we find it not possible to impose any penalty on him at this point of time. The precedent was followed in many subsequent orders like Shri Chander Prakash v. AAI, CIC/SS/C/2013/000053 dated 18.12.2013. The RTI Act does not specifically debar action against the PIO on superannuation.
Citation: Sudhir Choudhary v.Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Jhansi Cantonment Board, File No: CIC/DIGDE/A/2024/114007; Date of order: 03.11.2025
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

Search something abt Mr kuldeep khoda IPS....he knows everything about kashmir more way more than these ppl
I Bhatt
Kashmir Affairs
R Swain sahb, S.Sahai sahb. Know the ground, the history, trends.
A Visitor
Kashmir Affairs
Strange to note that no Army pers has found a mention in this narrative.
A Visitor
Kashmir Affairs
What about the CAPF officers who fought the main enemy?
S Sharma

After the massive downfall in Bihar Assembly polls-2025 Congress now looks forward to better performance in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, where they have a secondary role and are banking on DMK and Mamata didi in WB since she has a strong hold in the state. But would didi be keen on shaking hands with Congress after its mighty Bihar defeat? So, that leaves Congress with Kerala (where the Left has a strong hold) and Assam. Under these circumstances the big question is if this is the case of Congress what is going to happen to INDIA block.
Tyaga Roy

Bihar’s current mandate makes one thing clear: no stable government in the state can function effectively without the BJP’s support. This puts the INDIA bloc in a tricky position. If they try to pull Nitish towards them, they can’t offer the PM post—doing so risks losing Bihar permanently and would also trigger major internal conflict within their own ranks.
Even if they attempt a TDP-style arrangement—bringing both TDP and JDU together—the numbers won’t solve their bigger problem: insufficient strength in the Rajya Sabha. This means any such coalition would essentially be a lame-duck government, able to pass only financial bills, while most major legislation would get stuck in the upper house.
Overall, the political arithmetic suggests that, despite creative coalition possibilities, governance without BJP’s support remains structurally weak at the national level.
A Visitor

Sheikh Hasina’s death sentence, awarded by the Bangladesh’s international crimes tribunal in absentia, does not constitute a fair trial.It is a travesty of justice.The so-called Kangaroo court packed with compliant judges,awarded death sentence in collusion with the Yunus administration. Bangladesh has been promised general elections early next year.The ruling dispensation headed by chief advisor Md Yunus will,however, seek their deferment citing disturbed conditions.
No doubt, Sheikh Hasina successfully secured India’s borders from Islamists and north-eastern militant groups, and made the Hindu minority feel safe. Keeping her in India is as important for us as her return to Bangladesh for her opponents. But,she has also a lot to explain.For instance,why her government failed to hold talks with the protesters last year and why she ordered crackdown on students
Dhaka’s demand for her return by invoking the India-Bangladesh extradition treaty,has been “noted” by India.But,will such a soft-line approach help? There are reports that Dhaka may seek intervention of Interpol in bringing the former prime minister back to her country.
Pakistan’s army chief has warned that war this time will start from India’s eastern borders. “Islamabad cannot discount the possibility of an "all-out war" with India”,says Pak’s defence minister.
The important question before New Delhi is: how to navigate its range of options.The NIA’s interrogation of the Red fort blast accused point to a clear joint conspiracy involving Pakistan,Turkiye and Bangladesh.More blasts could be in the pipeline. Immediate military strikes on Pakistan and Bangladesh,are necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice as promised by PM Modi.
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)
Social Media is abuzz
Social media is abuzz with such news and it has a credence due to amendment sought in Finance act 2025 and Reference points for 8th pay commission.. Retired employees who draw confidence due to pension are fearful of their future . It might reflect otherwise if there are tricks up sleeve in gov sections. Government should ensure that like 7th Pay commission there will be no change for formula for pensioners and in no case pension will freeze on the level it is now or before 01-01-2026... If feelings are hurt and so
Raj Bahadur Singh

The complainant had sought information regarding the exact number of Nikkah (Marriage) conducted by the Janab. M. Mohamed Ali Maraicar, Khazi, Karaikal District since his appointment in the post till 30.9.2023. The application was forwarded under Rule 6(3) of RTI Act, 2005 since certain information sought in the application pertain to the other office with a request to provide the required information directly to the applicant. The CIC noted that the PIO took appropriate steps under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act to forward the request to the authority holding the information (District Government Khazi), and the Complainant was informed about the same. Subsequently, a composite reply was provided on 19.12.2023. The CIC held that there is no evidence of wilful denial or refusal by the Respondent authority and disposed of the complaint.
Comments
The RTI Act mandates that where a public authority does not hold the information but has made bona fide efforts to forward the request to the relevant authority, the PIO is not held liable under the Act as no mala fide iss established on part of the Respondent.
Citation: J Mohammed Bilal v. Puducherry State Waqf Board, CIC/UTPON/C/2024/102435; Date of Decision 01.05.2025
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