Whispers Forum

Reports like EVMs being carried in private vehicle four days after the polling in Himachal and an engineer being caught fiddling with the EVMs in Gujarat, if true it certainly creates suspicion about the EVMs not giving fair and true picture where it is said votes are cast for a certain candidate and these get transferred to the other candidate. That is why there is no faith in EVMs in political parties. In Bihar Assembly election also there was widespread belief that RJD lost election due to counting in BIhar due to manmade fraud with the EVMS. If such rumours are true the election commission should do something. They can dispense with the EVMS and go in for ballot papers till EVMs are made full-proof of any fraud. But People have also lost their faith in the Election Commission. At times like this one remembers Seshan who would go around with a stick during election time in the capital and would catch any wrongdoing..The Government of the day could not make him agree to do anything to erode the sanctity of the sacred right to vote of a citizen.
Aarti Khosla

The appellant sought copies of the appointment letters issued to the dependents of the deceased employees for appointment on compassionate grounds during a particular period. During the hearing, the appellant’s representative submitted that the father of the appellant was an employee and hence, information should be given. The CIC observed that the information sought is related to third parties and rightly rejected by the respondent. However, the exemption clause was not correctly quoted. The personal information of third parties are exempt u/s 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The CIC further observed that the FAA failed to dispose of the first appeal on time which is a sorry state of affairs. The CPIO and the FAA were both cautioned to be careful regarding the provisions of the RTI Act.
Comments
This is a case where the CIC held that this is a third party information which is duly exempt under the RTI Act. However, both the CPIO and the FAA were at the receiving end due to ignorance of the provisions of the RTI. The CPIO did not quote the correct exemption clause while the FAA did not follow the timeline. All officers must learn the basics of the RTI Act to save themselves from such humiliation.
Citation: Rajesh Nayak v. The CPIO O/o the Cantonment Board Ramgarh, File No. CIC/IARMY/A/2021/132210, Date of Decision: 02.11.2022
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

The G20 Presidency has cast a very high responsibility on every Indian. Our thinkers, writers, journalists, media bright lights, academicians and politicians have to show the best of India to the world, a larger part is curious to know more about us. We have the proclivity to use English language as a weapon to terrorise others, especially the English and must, therefore, control our impulses. India and especially we the people of India have suffered a lot from their superior airs and contempt for us. They had not only the advantage of the mastery of the English language but vast experience of living in England, Europe, America and everywhere else excepting real hardworking and struggling India. They talk, speak, write and behave as if they are Oxonians every centimetre. Fine, no objection, it is their fundamental right and we can’t interfere with it in any manner. But when this contempt extends to PIOs it startles. How else Sunak been “smuggled” in to the Conservative Party and made the Prime Minister? Isn’t it mindboggling? Such use of English language even the native speakers would be surprised to know. It is from one the most liked journalist-writers published in the most talked national English daily of India! Such things happen when inspiration is drawn only from western writers ignoring Indians, who write only for Swantah Sukhaya and not for commercial gain. Otherwise even this simple sentence would have inspired some respect in the writer: Ekda Naimisharanya Shaunakadi(Shaunak+adi) 88 hazar Rishiyon ne Shri Sutji Se Poochha “He Prabhu! Is Kaliyug mein Ved-Vidhya rahit manushyon ko…udhaar kaise hoga?” . Every Indian must take this opportunity to take an expedition for the “Discovery of India” and familiarise our guests warmly without unnecessary rancour, bitterness, toxicity. It is for India’s growth and empowerment.
M L Gupta
Pros and cons of Bharat Jodo Yatra
A lot is being said about Bharat Jodo Yatra it's pros and cons. My view is BJP RSS has lost its credibility in eight years, people are fed up with fake narratives, cost of living very high, no improvement in any sphere & each institution which matters for general welfare has been destroyed & made defunct. Seems closer to 2024 the wind will decide which party wins, I am sure whichever wins will win with a thumping majority; it would be an anti BJP RSS vote.
Harish Kumar
Total Addressable Market Value:
Crypto : $ 1.1 Trillion
Silver : $ 1.2 Trillion
Gold : $ 11 Trillion
Stocks/Equities : $ 90 Trillion
Currencies : $ 120 Trillion
Bonds : $ 130 Trillion
Real Estate: $ 220 Trillion
Derivatives : $ 600-1200 Trillion
Imagine the volume in derivatives across the world. Most of them are hedged but even 10% are open positions, the potential of Major collapse. Too much money is riding on bullish positions.
‘Badle Badle Mere Sarkar Nazar Aate Hain Apni Barbaadi ke asaar Nazar Aate hain’
Ajay Agnihotri

DEBATE(2)
I think it will be helpful to Rahul Gandhi and congress party in upcoming elections
Amolkumar Birhade, Kalyan, Mumbai
DEBATE (3)
This is simply to establish himself. Neither the yatra has a vision nor any character. One should not expect too much that it will bring Congress TO POWER.
Girja Shankar
Recent mandate of I&B Ministry causes a flutter
The recent mandate of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to the Broadcasters to telecast a minimum 30 minutes each, contents of national importance has caused a flutter, and has not gone down too well with the Industry. But it is a mandate that seems to be in the right direction. It's a nudge to them to visibly perform their public service obligation as contained in their up-linking and down-linking permission.
Uday Verma former Secretary I&B

DEBATE(1)
All I can say is good work by Rahul Gandhi to revive the party. This is good for the Indian and Congress party.
Keshaw Sinha, Bangalore
DEBATE(2)
By this Yatra Rahul Gandhi has been able to create an atmosphere that one should not be afraid of the present Government.
Vijay Tiwari
DEBATE (3)
There is no doubt that Bharat Jodo Yatra has got tremendous response from the public in every state it has passed through .People have showered so much love on Rahul Gandhi. He is also giving so much affection and respect to people, to elderly, women and children and disabled exposing an amazing side of his character. He is showing a tremendous and unbelievable side of his personality as a human being which we rarely see in politicians around us .This will really make a difference in the revival of Congress party to some extent. However, 2024 is still away and people have short memories. They also get swayed by fake promises and false attacks by loud mouthed orators. So one is not too sure that the present enthusiasm being displayed towards Rahul Gandhi and his party will remain till the General Elections. It has, however, no doubt revived the fortunes of the party to some extent and made Rahul Gandhi popular.What a Change for a man who was insulted by being called a' Pappu' by his opponents.
Aarti Khosla

DEBATE(1)
It is a good decision to take out ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in order to mobilize the people to save the Constitution from dismantling.
Sailesh Yadav, Bhopal
DEBATE (2)
Bharat Jodo Yatra has given Rahul Gandhi an opportunity to connect directly with the people of the country.
N K Singh
Veteran Journalist
Criminal has to be punished
Burden of Injustice Justice in India eludes the common man too frequently. It is an exercise in law, ending in total frustration for even the judges, who cry for the victim but express inability to help, caught in a maze of laws. As it is, a gang rape victim has been murdered is a fact on record. Not disputed by anybody. The murder has been carried out by a person/group of persons is also a fact. The criminal has to be punished. After dying several times more the victim/ family members in a span of several grueling years get a judicial pronouncement that the suspects are innocent and criminals are at large. On the civil side the situation is still more worrying. For the sake of justice to the people of India please do something without any delay. Reduce the case book size, decide matters in less than 30/45 and 90 days max, send a copy of the judgment to the plaintiff in the normal course immediately (to ensure no tampering) without applying for it as court heavy fee has been paid at the time of filing a case. Use technology. Video graph the lower courts to decide the quality. See the court conditions. Spare the common man/women and elderly of the humiliation and frustration of court proceedings, ensure cleanliness in the premises which stink presently and treat the judges respectfully by seating them away from toilets. Take PIL from the people in electronic form and display the e-mail address on SC Website. Or allow photography of the premises by the common man to bring evidence. Yeto Sat Tato Dharma!
M L Gupta

DEBATE(1)
The 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' initiated by Rahul Gandhi will spur the party to get united. The 'Yatra' will definitely boost workers and give a secular message in the country.
Rajesh Kumar
DEBATE(2)
It’s great! Rahul is doing a good job and getting tremendous support from all sorts of people! It will help him in politics too. Moreover he has time with him.
Suresh Awasthi, New Delhi
Thanks for RTI news article
There are so many norms which are not fulfilled by the government department and unfortunately, there is not much which a common man can do. The indirect way of enforcing the rule of law using RTI is a welcome measure shown by you. I wish that there are many similar RTI applicants who use this route in various government departments to ensure implementation of norms. Thanks for the RTI news article.
Sukumar Upadhyaya

The appellant sought the status of his appeal dated 23.01.2015, appeal dated nil regarding APAR and low marks given therein, the details of promotion proceedings, list of selected GMs and their bio data, performance appraisal reports of other employees, etc. The respondent submitted that there was no provision for promotion from Scale VI to Scale VII. Further, the appellant was not promoted to the post of General Manager. Therefore, it was evident that the appeal dated 23.01.2015 was rejected. Moreover, the details of other selected GMs and their promotion proceedings were fiduciary in nature and could not be parted with the appellant. The CIC observed that the reply given by the respondent was partly evasive. The appellant had inter alia sought the status of his appeal dated 23.01.2015, appeal dated nil regarding APAR and low marks given therein, the details of promotion proceedings, list of selected GMs and their bio data, performance appraisal reports of other employees, etc. The details of other employees such as their appraisal reports, bio data, etc. consisted personal details and third party information. However, the final results of promotion of selected employees i.e. final marks secured of selected candidates should have been published in public domain for the sake of transparency and accountability. Further, the appellant was entitled to know the status of his appeal/petition dated 23.01.2015 and appeal regarding low marking in his APAR. The CIC directed to provide the information in respect of the status of his appeal dated 23.01.2015, appeal dated nil regarding APAR and low marks given therein, selection process records including marks and comments recorded by DPC for the promotion process from DGM to GM.
Comments
There should be transparency in the selection process to maintain the faith of the citizens on the selection process.
Citation: N Sai Prasad v. Indian Overseas Bank, Second Appeal No. CIC/IOVBK/A/2020/133750, 01.11.2022.
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

DEBATE(1)
Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is not expected to be very beneficial politically. But it is expected to have a greater social impact. As the Yatra’s name is ‘Jodo’, it is connecting people. What is needed today is to end the animosity based on caste, religion etc. I am not saying Rahul will be very successful in this direction. But at least he is making a sincere and honest effort. At the same time he is also a politician and so it would be wrong to say that the Yatra has only social and not political objectives.
Rishi Nigam
DEBATE(2)
‘Bharat Jodo movement’ is a noble work by an innocent person called Pappu. He is going to be a statesman after Raja Ram Mohun Roy, Mahatma Gandhi and Jai Prakash Narain.
Faruque Azam, Nawada, Bihar
Flexi hours give boost to efficient delivery
I agree with A K Saxena flexi hours give a boost to efficient delivery, satisfaction and creativity too. My own experience of 40 years with Government of India, had full liberty and flexibility of working, I earned 1470 Earned leave working in MEA (including additional credit of leave) plus medical leave too but hardly availed 200 earned leave in 40 years, of course got leave encashment of 300 days, but since was working flexi hours with good officers who expected a good delivery only, retired as most happy satisfied from the GoI. DoPT must think on these lines.
Harish Kumar