Whispers Forum

OPINION
Putin is the most non-controversial head of the state .He has not uttered any word which will hurt anybody’s national pride.
S C Agrawal (former DG MP)
Meteoric moments
It was Sunday on June 3, 1984,when a deputy commissioner,got message from the SSP on walkie- talkie, about the state- wide promulgation of prohibitory orders.There was no doubt left that the coming days were to be very tense.At that time ,he was hunting in the foothills of Shivaliks. He rushed back to the district headquarter and continued talking to his police counterpart. He was immensely worried as all movement of persons and vehicles including bicycles etc in the cities and the villages was banned. He asked his gunman to tell police control to inform the local ADC,SDM and other important officers to reach his residential office after half an hour. Communication ,in those days was extremely difficult. When he reached his residence, he was astonished to see that not a single officer had turned up. He asked his residential telephone operator to contact the officers. Many phone numbers did not respond, from others the information was received that the officers had gone out locally. So many orders were to be issued. Curfew passes were to be arranged, availability of essential commodities was to be checked, police had started asking for deployment of Executive magistrates on duty, as worrying reports from Amritsar had started pouring in. In the outside sub-divisions, only one SDM was available, where only one Naib Tehsildar was also present.
Even after two hours, no officer was available. The deputy commissioner had completely lost his temper and thought of immediately suspending the absent officers.
The office superintendent and some officials were called to issue various orders ,which had to be signed by the deputy commissioner. SSP was asking for duty magistrate, as some law and order problem had erupted. He was lost in embarrassing thoughts when the peon told him that PGO sahib had come. Public grievances officer was a very senior PCS officer, who had been superseded during selection to IAS and who had worked as ADM for more than three years. The deputy commissioner had very poor impression about him, considered him irresponsible and a hardcore drunkard. He always ignored him and never took him seriously. And now the deputy commissioner thought that in him God had arrived. He very warmly greeted him. Although PGO sahib seemed to be in the hang over stage of drinking, yet he very attentively listened to everything what the deputy commissioner told him and he repeatedly assured the deputy commissioner that he would do everything. The first thing he did was to reach the trouble spot and defuse law and order situation. He had also called his staff. He worked 24 hours ,till more officers started arriving the scene and situation was saved. Later on, when deputy commissioner, in a lighter vein, asked him as to how he was there on a holiday, when he would remain untraceable even on a working day. He told him that he could not get up for 2 days because of heavy drinking. On getting up, he reached Bus stand, where he was informed that Curfew had been promulgated and no vehicle would move. I thought , I would request you to spare Red cross vehicle for taking me home, ''Ki patta si aa ke phass jana a(Not knew I would be trapped).''His respect in the heart of the deputy commissioner immensely grew, as he made no excuse of any sort while performing his duty.
The officers, who were not available on that day, remained in trouble for many years. PGO sahib was got appointed as ADC. The deputy commissioner had come to know that one vindictive senior officer had given lukewarm ACRs to PGO sahib, so he was superseded, which further made him frustrated. He had worked with the deputy commissioner for 2 years now. He gave him 2 outstanding reports. On his transfer to the adjoining district, he persuaded PGO sahib to join him, where also his annual confidential record was adequately taken care of. He was selected to IAS after 3 years of his suppression. The deputy commissioner had noticed that he had become altogether a new, very fine man. PGO sahib ,when he himself, became deputy commissioner, proved to be one of the best ever.
Surinderjit Singh Sandhu, House Number 33,E block, Ranjit Avenue Amritsar.

OPINION
In my view Putin is the only popular leader. He is trying to revive Russia and has already revived the economy. He wants a powerful Russia.
Raghu Thakur
Ravage by floods in Kerala
The extensive damage caused by recent floods in Kerala due to very heavy rains is unprecedented. Rising to the occasion many enlightened citizens and NGOs are offering help in cash and material. The Govt. of India and the State Govts are also announcing large packages of help extending to hundreds of crores from the State exchequer. While that is appreciated, but has any political party has announced any cash help from its collection of huge funds in their party bank accounts. Has any Chief Minister, Minister, M.P. and M.L.A given cash assistance from his personal accounts and savings. Is every help in the event of any disaster to be given from the State exchequer only which is filled with the tax revenue from the honest tax payers. I would like to make an appeal to all political parties through your channel to come forward for this noble cause. I would also request your viewers to express their views on the subject.
S C Agrawal
D G Police Retd.
Bhopal
Rly's first Disaster Management Village
In past 70 years post independence and over 150 years of Indian Railway's history no such effort was done. Good to know such initiatives will save lots of lives and prevent damage to precious assets of Railway.
Prashanth Kumar

Rahul Gandhi appears to be practicing his own kind of McCarthyism in India. The American Dictionary defines McCarthyism: A campaign or practice that endorses the use of unfair allegations and investigations Another definition from the same dictionary: ‘The essence of the tactic of McCarthyism is to de-legitimize one's opponent so as to avoid addressing the substance of his argument.’ Time the Indian Parliament sets up a committee on the lines of the American Congress under the name of: Parliament’s Committee On Un-Indian Activities. After WW-II the Soviets set up many puppet governments in Eastern & Central Europe and America supported anti-communist regime in Greece and China. Jawaharlal Nehru was supposedly a member of the Fabian club. Lal Bahadur Shastri demonstrated the potential of a strong leader and was eliminated easily by foreign forces. It is Narendra Modi now who is on the target of powerful lobbies, syndicates, clubs and conglomerates.
M L Gupta

DEBATE
Yes, bureaucracy is today spineless. First time, it seems there is no place for expression and you have to toe the line of politicians.
Dinesh Gupta
Lot of assertion over population of OBCs, SCs and STs
A lot of assertion is heard over the population of the OBCs, SCs and STs. There are thoughts that the quota for various groups should be fixed in government services as per their population. This would be a welcome idea if it were not confined to the services alone. For example, the number of Yadav MLAs far exceeds their population of 11% in Bihar and UP. Let their numbers be fixed in proportion to their population in the legislatures as well, first. In Bihar, the number of Kurmi ministers far exceeds their proportion of population of 3% in Bihar. Let there be Ministers from all castes in proportion to their population, first. Each caste would be represented. And why not first fix the percentages in the army ? Let various castes fulfill their numbers as proportion of population first in the army. If Brahmins man 5% of the army, let them have a quota of 5% in the services, legislatures, judiciary, etc. If Jatavs man their share in the army, let them have their share in services, legislatures, judiciary, etc. Further, why only divide government services equitably in proportion to the population? The number of industries should also belong to various castes in proportion to the population. Why should not there be 5% Brahmin industrialists, if their percentage of population is 5% ? Why should the number of shops in the country not be owned by all castes in proportion to their population ? The number of leather tanneries should be divided. The number of cows in the country should also be divided in proportion to the population of a caste. Why should the Yadavs have all the cows (if they do)? Most importantly, historically, OBC is not an entity. Indian society (especially Hindu society) was historically divided into different castes with continuous stratification (there was a pecking order even among SCs. A Paswan would get polluted by a Pasi), not into OBCs, SCs, STs and General castes. OBC is merely a social construct which allows the dominant castes like Yadavs, Kurmis and banias to garner most of the national wealth. How many Malis have become Chief Ministers? How many darzis ? On the other hand, Yadav, Kurmi and Bania CMs abound. Let things be done on the basis of individual castes and not artificial groups, as above, and let us all be merry.
Ram Prasad

DEBATE
National evolution has progressed from animals without spine to animals with spinal cords (cordata).A retrogressive metamorphosis is taking place in the entire society where people of spinal cords are turning to be spineless. How can a civil service be immune from it ?
N K Singh former DG Police
Failing to pass muster
O P Sharma's post that retirement age must be fixed at 60 for judges and bureaucrats citing that after 60, everybody spends most of their time at hospitals would be sound if only he had sought to extend it to all functionaries of the state, including the political executive. Sans that, it fails to pass muster. Regarding Prof N C Saxena's views that the posts of Ambassadors be cut down as in the rest of the world, it would be sound sense if Prof Saxena had also proposed cutting the number of posts of Secretary for the IAS and abolishing a generalist bureaucracy which lords it over all, as in the rest of the world. Sans that, it fails to pass muster as well.
Vijay Kumar

The politics over the final draft of NRC for Assam is really disgusting. Many of our politicians openly expose themselves as votaries of Vote bank politics and not bothered about the national interest. The fact of the matter is that this large influx from Bangladesh over decades has upset the demographic nature of the state. These infiltrators have got themselves included in the voters' list as well as obtained other documents - even Aadhar cards. Even if the figure of 40 lakhs left out from NRC may include some genuine citizens of India, the number of foreigners remains quite huge. The problem is that once the final identification is completed (may take years again) deporting them would be a Herculean task what with likes of CM of West Bengal threatening 'civil war' and what not. We have, due to this very vote bank politics, let this monster grow over more than 40 years instead of nipping the evil in the bud. Incidentally these Bangladeshi citizens are found in so many cities of India. Noida, Gaziabad, Delhi and elsewhere where their women folk are domestic helpers and the men ply cycle rikshas or do some petty jobs. At the heart of this problem is our corrupt Border Security Force personnel who let them come on some consideration and the police force of the city who regularly extort money from them to let them stay and work. National Security? who bothers.
Aarti Khosla
Vineet joshi is most deserving
Vineet joshi is the most deserving official to head CBSE.
Neelima Sharma

Information regarding entry and departure timings of a particular vehicle as per the record book of a toll plaza was sought by the appellant. The respondent was absent at the hearing despite valid and timely notice of the CIC for which warning was issued to the concerned respondent PIO and Project Director, National Highways Authority of India. The CIC observed that the concerned PIO should desist from committing such lapse in future. The PIO claimed that relevant records are not available whereas the First Appellate Authority claimed that the sought for information is a third party information, hence, the same cannot be provided u/s 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The PIO and Project Director, NHAI was directed to state on affidavit to the CIC that the information provided on these points is factually correct, based on records and nothing is hidden therein.
Comments
The PIO should either take a prior permission of the CIC before abstaining himself from the hearing or he should send a proper representative to attend the hearing before the CIC after obtaining due permission from the CIC for doing so and after ensuring that the authorised representative is briefed appropriately.
Citation: Dilip Joshi v. National Highways Authority of India in File No.: CIC/ NHAIN /A/2017/102258, Date of hearing: 20.03.2018, 13.07.2018
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of the books: RIGHT TO INFORMATION – LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

DEBATE
Spineless. No. Some wise bureaucrats now believe in the policy of live and let live. Means politician and bureaucrat both are happy.
N C Nigam
EVMs have numerous advantages
EVMs have numerous advantages like faster results, cost-effective, accurate, portable, reducing the role of people, saving a lot of paper, more advanced form etc. Trust of voters in the voting system is the most important thing than convenience or cost-effective solution. Either ‘secure digital voting system’ or ‘paper ballot system’ will ensure the confidence of voters and prevents the failure of nation. The question that paper ballot are more better or electronic voting machines are more better is still a matter of controversy and thus relies entirely on individual’s own perspective and experiences. EVM is more efficient than paper ballot. To temper the EVM one needs a sound mind, but papers can be easily tempered by anyone. EVM is faster and better paper ballot system is a time consuming process, in this modern era no has that much of time to wait for days for results to come out… In our world every computer, smartphone, smart TV and literally everything can be hacked. But does that mean we are always hacked. So do we give up our smart phones and computers and revert back to the old system of paper and writing!!! If any party had any doubt, why didn't they voiced anything about it before. EVM had a successful run of 15 years and suddenly when one election didn't go according to some party's projections, it is bad. And as for some who say that even America follows Ballot Papers, to them then why don't we follow their two party system. Why don't we follow their Presidential election. Its simple. The systems they follow are better for their country. And what we do is best for our country. And now recently in the EVM challenge it has been proved that EVMs are non-tamperable. So where are our so-called protectors of democratic principles????
Kalyan Banerjee
CIC is partial towards the PIO
The CIC is being partial towards the PIO and not imposing penalty. The RTI Act has come into existence since 2005 and even after 13 years if the public authority is not able to train its officials, 4 months would not be of any help. It indicates dis-interest and carelessness on the part of the public authority and utter carelessness. Unless some senior officers are faced with penalty, the situation is not likely to improve.
Sanjiv Jaina

DEBATE
These days bureaucrats know their future is not as per contribution to society but it is shaped by politicians.
Vandita
Return of the Natives
As mentioned in Whispers now many diplomats are happy leaving their postings abroad and working in the MEA. The reason is that IFS officers by and large are an intelligent lot. India has more than 150 embassies. In most of them, there is no work of any consequence. Introduction of evisa has made many consulates redundant. The only reason why an intelligent officer will like to be posted as an Ambassador in an unimportant country is that allowances are very good. Many countries – including countries with global reach like USA and UK - are cutting budget of their embassies. But only few embassies are being closed. Israel and Singapore are two countries who have modernised diplomacy. Foreign office officials in these countries are designated Ambassadors to unimportant countries. India and Venezuela lead the world in posting more than a hundred Ambassadors with no work. In a globalised world, the best brains in the country need to be used for formulating and implementing foreign policy and coordinating with other ministries and state governments. It is a tragedy that they are being used around the world for nothing other than protocol and alcohol.
Prof N C Saxena
Ideal age of retirement
It is the human psychology that prevents a man from withdrawing from his worldly affairs irrespective of his advancing age , deteriorating physique ,lack of concentration and absence of responsive skills since the death no doubt he assumes imminent but for others. The demand for enhancing the retirement age to 62 years for Government employees, 67 years for Supreme Court and 65 for High Courts etc. etc. is based on the justification of above analogy. It sans all merits and emanates only from interested quarters. Firstly the concept of prescribing different retiring age for different category of functionaries is discriminatory and thus violative of Article 14 of the Constitution that prescribe equality before law. What is the logic or rationale that guarantees a Judge to superannuate at 67 years if he enters the Apex Court but must quit at 62 if the Judges belong to High Courts. However a bureaucrat must superannuate at 60 as his office files stops listening to him thereafter. No amount of argument can substantiate the spirit of actions and their purity in finalizing such benchmarking. If the 60 plus age defuncts a bureaucrat from the realm or thought process of decision making so as it would logically impact the Judge of his capacity of appreciation of the circumstances of the case and also the interpretational skills as the process of aging being uniform derecognize the culture of privilege. Of course the outcome of the process shall be subject to exceptions and that again will be subject to prescribed Medical standards and Medical scrutiny of each individual. While no doubt the life expectancy in India as also all over the globe has increased given the medical advancement or medical breakthrough, the fact can not be denied that a major portion of productive time at 60 or plus is devoted or spent by the Seniors(citizen) in tackling health issues at the Hospitals. Be it replacement of knee joints, diabetes, hypertension etc etc at the cost of exchequer .Whereas the medical expenses are taken care of by the government even after retirement , the salary and perquisites that are normally at its peak at the stage of about to retire are paid without his performance. People shouting from the roof tops for enhancing the age of superannuation are bereft of substance or data to prove the desirable standards of fitness of a government official /judges at the age of beyond the existing retirement age. They all must realize that the country is manifest with the problem of unemployment and unless the seniors are forced to vacate the youngsters remain deprived of their genuine right to occupy the seats wrongfully held by their otherwise retired seniors. Similarly the government of the day must stop offering post retirement placements in the government to one and all by offering such positions/posts to the talented and believe it India has no dearth of it. Such a move by the Government shall yield all round applause and be a further step in protecting the Exchequer from unjustified and unhealthy financial burden that gets inflicted by payment of maximum salary to the officials at the or after the age of their retirement. Let the Government put 60 years as the age of superannuation for one and all including the Judges of High Courts or Supreme Court.
O P Sharma

DEBATE
Exceptions are every where in the society.
T N Chawla
IFS and IA&AS are ahead in promotion ?
It is a misconception that any service other than IAS gets timely promotion, forget early promotion. So much is the efficiency (?) in cadre management that an IAS Dy Secretary gets upgraded to Director wherever posted in GoI, Director becomes JS wherever posted so on and so forth. They retain houses in Delhi even after going back to their home states, get their choice of housing by getting pools changed (those following Directorate of estates allotment would know) as and when convenient from Departmental to Tenure Pool. Check the DoP&T funded study abroad over the years and you will see who gets what... It is high time the suffix IAS is disallowed by anyone other than those in administration say the District Administrator, that too not as an tail to the name since the Constitution of India has done away with all prefixes and suffixes except those Military in nature. A new promotion policy is required where batches from all services are promoted together -those who qualified through the same exam. The caste system based on birth is too regressive for this age. Only the twice born want to perpetuate it since they are the beneficiaries of this system.
Sunita
Say of Government employees is the least
There are only 1 crore (approximately) central government employees in the country, which is say 0.80% population of the total population of the country. The say of the Government employees is the least. Moreover, 50% of them do not go out to vote. The person who has said that enhancement of retirement age will benefit the BJP is trying to forward his own personal agenda. If he had said that enhancement of retirement age will help the government in financial terms by postponing post retirement benefits for a period of two years, then I would have agreed with him.
BBS