Whispers Forum

DEBATE(1)
It is still uncertain how the world would trade with China post COVID-19. Let us wait and watch.
Bipin Kumar Srivastava
Govt servant is a favorite punching bag
The government servant is a favorite punching bag for all and sundry. It is assumed that he is corrupt and inefficient. He is supposed to have no privacy and all his personal details are expected to be made private in the name of transparency. In the time of Corona infection, all run to the government officials for help. Surprising? If the assests fo the government servant are to be made private, the same law should apply to all the people of the country. The assests of all citizens should be made public. There should not be any discrimination against the government officers. It is strange that an ex government officer has issued such an order.
G V Shivkumar
Need for a guideline
Need for a guideline -laying down Protocol and SOP for Coronavirus like situation
For the last two-three days, there are reports of chaos-confusion in all parts of the country over the implementation of orders issued by Government of India and by the State Governments. The Central Government is issuing orders under The Disaster Management Act 2005, while many States are using The Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897!!
Yesterday there was confusion/chaos at Delhi’s border due to contrary orders issued by DM concerned. While senior officers sitting in Secretariat may know what are essential commodities and what are not-but the constable/checking staff may not be aware !!! They use their own discretion and create bottlenecks on highways.
Since the present situation is likely to continue for some more time and we may have similar situation in future, there is an URGENT need for issuing detailed GUIDELINES by Central Government. This should include proper protocols and standard operating procedures indicating responsibilities and power of every individual upto the lowest level officials. In fact our Vice President Venkiah Naidu has also advocated this in his message to officers on civil services day.
S Gopal

Attention Finance Minister. We are passing thru a challenging period of Covid-19. ITR forms for AY 2020-21 are likely to be issued shortly. Finance Minister must consider that the form Sahaj (Saral) remains Sahaj and not becomes complex as it is being filed by most of the salaried class and pensioners. Govt. has brought a scheme of " Vivad se Vishwas" or building trust between tax payers and tax administration. Let the scheme becomes vision and Brand TRUST is created and Govt. gets its long term benefits. To create brand Trust if some expenditure is required Govt. should not hesitate in meeting those obligations. Let the ITR1 remains the same as it was in AY 2018-19 where LTCG on transfer of equity and equity oriented MF was tax exempt but in 2018 budget it was made taxable if LTCG more than 1 lakh but filing of return was made complex and complicated even LTCG is less than taxable limit asking the salaried class and pensioners to file ITR2 giving unnecessary details of equity and mf even there are no tax liabilities. Let the ITR filing remains simpler asking the LTCG income under sec 112A in the income for reporting purpose in ITR1 from pulldown menu. If LTCG exceeds 1 lakh then tax payers automatically will switch to ITR2. This will be first step towards creating trust between tax payers and tax administration. Govt, has to take considerate view in these matters not fully depending on CBDT which requires each and every details to put tax payers moving from Vishwas se vivad ki aur. Let us create a good model of TRUST so the people pay tax honestly and correctly. CBDT has to work extra miles to develop tools and methodologies for assessing the income of professionals, traders, contractors etc. by their innovative approach not beaurocratic way. Many things depend on CBDT working and approach for developing ITR forms. Let us follow the time tested forms of AY 2018-19 or FY 2017-18 and making some necessary changes as per approved Budget proposals without making it complex and seeking details which are not required when there is no tax liability. Good luck for simple and sahaj forms. When ITR1 can meet the requirement why force salaried class and pensioners to file ITR2 having no tax liability on account of LTCG.
Naveen
CSS & CSSS most neglected
It's true that the most neglected case is CSS & CSSS in GoI. No promotion whatsoever is happening. Whereas Ellie services are enjoying the fruits as usual, in fact more. Nothing is moving for these two deleted cadres but when it relates to work ethics etc, these two cadres are the most vulnerable and they toil. Even during Covid 19, only these two cadres are supporting the whole Government of India. But promotions will not happen at all. Government should ensure that these cadres should get their deserved promotions soon. The more they wait, the less enthusiastic they become. Hope something happens quickly.
Seth

Why LG Delhi is not taking interest in eradicating Corona from Delhi ? All departments in Delhi come under LG Delhi but his participation in fighting against Corona is negligible. During recent Delhi riots as well, Dhobhal managed the show which otherwise was the role of LG. All this is due to his old age or something else. Where has the dynamism of Baijal gone. Is it due to the action taken by home ministry against the IAS officers very close to his heart ? The general public has very much right to know the back seat role and giving the front seat to Kejriwal.
Mehak Mathur
All the best !
Respected Tripathi ji is a very sincere person for his assignment and all time dedicated for best performance of his duties. He deserves it. Moreover, he is a very nice person with kind nature of human behaviour. All the best for excellent success of his new assignment.
Sukhvir Singh

India has always emerged stronger after every crisis. COVID-19 will prove another such opportunity. It is an opportunity to review and re-set our agriculture, industry, trade and tax policies and laws. Let us unbound the Prometheus in us. The potential of India has not been fully realised for several historical reasons but it has been proved beneficial during every crisis- in war or peace. COVID-19 is a crisis not suited for the terminology of “war”. The duration of the lockdown required quality food. People were heavily dependent on bread and other packaged foods. But quality upgradation and variety is needed if the spread of diseases like diabetes is to be controlled. Food adulteration is rampant in the market, which affects public health and strains public and private health budgets and, therefore, it should be a thing of the past once the lockdown is fully lifted. Can the governments at the centre & states declare a war on food adulteration? The scope for modernisation of agriculture, industry and trade holds the greatest potential for fast economic growth of the economy: more than 10% that doomsayers predict. Waste of precious agricultural produce needs to be reduced to less than 2% by washing, cleaning, preparing ready to cook vegetables at the farm. It will reduce garbage generation and add to compost making. Industry can give ten times better results than in the early phase of industrialisation in India as our skill levels have improved vastly Trade and tax laws need to be drastically re-done to achieve these goals. Waste of human resources by giving deplorably poor education to children in schools must end so that they learn skills for making contribution to the GDP. All it needs is sincerity of purpose and integrity. The people’s support and response to the hardships caused by the long lockdown validates the claim of the untapped Indian potential.
M L Gupta
No promotions in CSS ?
There are no promotions in the CSS since more than a year while all other services are regularly issuing promotion orders of its members. This has demotivated all eligible officers and is adversely affecting the benefits of those who are retiring.
GB

President, PM, Ministers, MPs and public servants to the last group C employees are contributing by voluntary reduction in pay or through donations, to enable the country overcome the hardships of COVID-19. Governance came to standstill and training programs were curtailed. Health and medical professionals and others on essential duty including conservancy services are directly fighting the battle with the pandemic. In this backdrop, it is correct that the All India Services and the Central Civil Services voluntarily forgo the Non-functional Financial Upgradation and consequent benefits. As it is, the NFU was a sleight of hand at the time VI CPC, employed to bestow undue benefits upon the already wealthy powers that be. It defrauds the people of this country, of their hard earned resources, which are always inadequate for development and welfare. The VII pay commission recommendations were ambivalent in recommending continuation of NFU, but it continues. This is the correct time to have rethink on NFU to free up resources for the fight post COVID-19. If not done voluntarily the Government must discontinue NFU from 01 Apr 2020.
Prakash

The appellant stated that the information about the assets of the public servant cannot be withheld on account of fiduciary relationship, since as per Section 44 of ‘The Lokpal and Lokyukta Act, 2013’, it is mandatory on the part of every public servant to make a declaration as to his assets and liabilities. Moreover, the information, which is required to be disclosed under any enactment and/or any provision of law, cannot be held to be given under fiduciary relationship. The CIC held that the details about a public servant's assets were required by law to be submitted to the government, and as the public servant would own these by means of his earning as a public servant, it cannot be held that the details of his assets are private or that their disclosure has no relationship to any public activity or interest. Hence, the information which has been shared with the respondent organisation about the assets of Mr Birendra Jaiswal can be shared with the appellant.
Comments
The stand of the Information Commission has been varying on the issue of disclosure of the assets of a public servant. This order appears to be contrary to Supreme Court decision in Girish Deshpande case.
Citation: Kamal Kishore Arora v. Ministry of Commerce and Industry Intellectual Property Office, Delhi and Trade Marks Registry Mumbai and Delhi in Decision no.: CIC/MOCMI/A/2018/160203/03169, Date of Decision: 18/03/2020
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

Fervent appeal to abrogate the Central Administrative Tribunals (CATs) across country. We are passing their the apocalyptic time and looking to such ordeals we should take pragmatic and perspicacious view now and every penny should be spent when it realizes its worth four times. Many states have closed down their State AD Tribunal and the case hardly get any relief and is challenged in higher court either by plaintiff or respondent. The service rules should now be so vivid and impartial leaving no scope for judicial process. There is high time we should reinvent the wheel particularly after seeing such apocalyptic situation and meek spectators of grinding halt when societal norms have gone in oblivion Every institution, to run it needs gargantuan expenditure for administrative run up. Moreover it is also gathered that Eligibility of advocates are made very selective and there is not much of administrative relief. These contents are without any touch of accusation or aspersions but as social suggestions only.
Mahendra Goel

With a view to ensuring that its senior citizen beneficiaries do not have to visit hospitals and its Wellness Centres in these Coronavirus times, CGHS issued a welcome circular, about 15 days ago, allowing such beneficiaries to purchase medicines prescribed by a Specialist from open market till 30/04/2020, and claim reimbursement later on. Lockdown now has been extended.. The instructions do not cover those senior citizen beneficiaries, whose prescription (issued earlier by Specialists) expired in April 2020 itself. They necessarily have therefore got to to the Specialist, and the problem gets aggravated when consultation with Specialist can only be had over telephone/video conferencing (as in my case: I am 75). Questions arise: whether soft copies of such prescriptions acceptable to CGHB; can these be used to buy medicines from open market; what about diagnostic tests prescribed earlier by the Specialist, etc. Will it not be possible for CGHS to allow such beneficiaries to buy medicines for one month from market on the basis of the existing prescription itself and claim reimbursement later on?
Surinder Pal

DFS-MOF under his guidance has already recommended a very big plan to leverage its financial Institutions viz. SIDBI, EXIM Bank, IFCI, IIFCL to revive credit growth in all the manufacturing sectors to boost economic growth. of the country post COVID - 19. Amongst all FIs, DFS is of view to strengthen IFCI, the first development financial Institution. Recommendations are to recapitalise state-owned financial Institution IFCI to the tune of Rs.15000 Crore and expand its authorised capital to Rs.20,000 crore to support MSME sector, industrial and infrastructure sectors. This has been done after lot of consultation with economists and industrialists of the country for economic growth.
BMA
Points well made
Points well made, Mr. Gupta. With your knowledge and vast experience can you specify at least three decisions that you would like the Government to take.
R Subramanian
Empanelment in question !
How does an officer recently removed from high post for irregularities get empanelled for even higher responsibilities ? Is this the norm in these times or an exception? Strange.
Prakash

While the Govt. is considering extension to the retiring Secretaries, it should actually defer all the retirement for 6-9 months at least as it would enable savings of a huge amount payable as retirement benefits and thus mobilise the resources, which is need of the hour.
Anand
Covid 19 Extension
Covid 19 Extension Fact for Consideration One simple fact: From 2nd April to 13th April - there has been a nearly 500% & 850% increase in Confirmed Covid Cases and Deaths respectively in India. For more information and graphs, visit www (dot) covid19tracke (dot) life.
Divyan

Let the Govt. tell what is total of pending refunds under IT/GST. It is estimated that Rs. 2 lac crores are due to the Public. Why such huge amount is held back paying interest by the Govt and also Public borrowing from outside at high rates. It is loss to both.
Ajay
Data Center Operations face power supply issues from BESCOM
ITI (Indian Telephonic Industries) Data Center is Providing services to PSU banks, Petroleum Org, Defense and IT services 24/7*365 days. We have taken zpower supply 7.5 MVA for Data Center. We are frequently facing power supply issues from BESCOM. On April 09, 2020 power got disconnected at 17:50 hrs and restored with single phase HT power supply. We intimated to BESCOM AEE, JE (and also called customer care 1912 number which is not responding) till time 2:15AM (10/04/2020) no response. Diesel consumption is 650 litters per hour. At this Covid -19 situation all banking transactions are through online and if there is any interruption, it will hit public. Requesting you to kindly intervene to solve the issue. Thanks & Regards Joseph V V /9632712254 ITI Data Center Operations & Facilities head.
Joseph V V

It is actually a reality of life. The purpose of setting up of CAT has been defeated by the existing set of bureaucrats in the Government of India. They have the tendency of passing the buck and are more interested in peacefully passing of their tenure in a particular office. I had one case in the CAT way back in the year 2002 based on a Supreme Court verdict that reservation cannot be applied in case of temporary financial upgradation of posts. The Department of Personnel & Training filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court in the year 2002. The case was disposed off by the Delhi High Court in my favour again after 17 years on 27.01.2019. The Government have now filed an SLP in the Hon'ble Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court verdict, which is pending for more than an year. If you type in the Google Engine the subject 'applicability of reservation in upgradation of posts' you will find that there an umpteen number of judgements of the various courts and Supreme Court that reservation cannot be applied in temporary upgradation of posts done in order to remove stagnation in posts. God help the current crop of bureaucrats.
Anurag Srivastava
To Lockdown or Not: A Difficult Choice
Containing Corona is undoubtedly a priority but so is the National Food Security. It is not about farmers alone but the people of India as the country draws economic strength from the agriculture sector. Harvesting has to be completed in the next 15 weeks without extension. It provides food for the citizens as well as the animals and others getting their share in the process naturally. The country can’t afford to compromise food security under any circumstance- the stocks may not suffice and even the figures might not be genuine if strict audit is carried out. Then, April, May & June are the months when vegetables arrive in the market as July, August and September consume other foods like dal etc. and vegetable prices simply skyrocket during this period. Potato and onion price, supply and distribution go out of control. Wasn’t onion sold at Rs. 140/kg only last year or tomato 100/kg ? Dal prices are likely to break all past records and mustard oil may create problems if extension of lockdown affects harvesting. Shortages are likely by November and discredited Inspector Raj may get revived. Economy and food security need to be separately studied by the PM/Cabinet. Expressions like social emergency are better avoided. Eccentricity of prices and erratic supplies may create problems for the government.
M L Gupta