Whispers Forum

I am a social worker, who works for the benevolence of the people and fetch their grievances on the public platform for redressal. Recently, it has been brought to my notice that there is a rampant misuse of official vehicles by a retired officer, who has been engaged as OSD [Administration] post retirement in a statutory body by the name of the Commission for Air Quality Management [CAQM], under the aegis of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. This practice of misusing official vehicle [pre and post retirement] is going on for the past many months [say 8-9 months] by the said officer for commuting from residence and office vice-a-versa with the connivance of his senior officers / coterie. Many times, when the vehicle is required by other staff / officials of the office for official purpose, it is not available to them. May I request the higher echelons of the Ministry of EFCC and the Commission to have a look into the matter seriously and stop the freebies offered to him instantly and recover the transport allowance as well?
D K Saxena

The Congressman who left Congress immediately after its Defeat in 2014 elections were opportunist and were in Congress for personal benefits only. But those who left congress after 2019 elections are real Congressman who eagerly waited for many years for things to improve in the party but found the left elements and AC room politicians grip on Gandhi family is absolute and party has no plans to capture power from BJP or be a large effective opposition so left with no choice left Congress for better political future. Like Kalidasa the greatest poet of ancient times who before becoming a great personality was found cutting the branch of the tree on which he was sitting, Congress is following the same Kalidasa logic by first submitting a complaint against AAP in liquor policy which paved the way for arrest of top AAP leadership and now is after Kerala chief minister by asking why he has been left out without arrest by investigating agency. How Congress and UPA can fight a United NDA under a powerful and popular PM when they themselves are trying to harm their own allies. As told by many Ex senior congressmen to the media that Rahul Gandhi has a poor team in AICC and close circle who always give him poor inputs and advice. The low turnout in the first phase may be an indicator that people are uninterested in voting as no good opposition is available to challenge the ruling party BJP which may get another term as till now no National leader from opposition has emerged as a challenger to PM Modi.
A K Saboo

The applicant referred to reply of earlier RTI application where it was mentioned that CGHS Rules are being followed for settlement of medical claims including dental medical reimbursement as applicable in Delhi NCR. The applicant submitted that since there is no clear circular or guidelines of FCI Headquarters, New Delhi for reimbursement of dental medical treatment. Therefore, Swamy's Medical Attendance Rule mentioned in the letter issued by FCI Headquarters is followed in most of the Offices in FCI while dealing with medical reimbursement of employees of FCI. The applicant contended that there is a huge confusion in most of the FCI Offices as to which Circular / Guidelines / Letter issued by FCI, Headquarters, New Delhi has to be adhered while dealing with reimbursement of medical claims. He requested to provide the clear information / FCI Headquarters Circular or Guidelines regarding any kind of medical reimbursement (which includes dental medical treatment also). The respondent replied that as per RTI Act, PIO is required to provide information as available with him in the form of O.M., notifications, rules, regulations, orders, letters and circulars etc. Queries / clarifications or interpretation of information is outside the preview of the RTI Act. The CIC held that an appropriate response as per the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 has been provided by the Respondent
Comments
Legally, only such information that is held and available with a public authority can be provided to the information seekers and giving reasons/ opinions/ interpretations, etc are beyond the scope of duty of the PIO. However, it is an Obligation of public authorities under section 4(1) (d) to provide reasons for its administrative or quasi-judicial decisions to affected persons.
Citation: Shri CHANDAN v. Food Corporation of India, CIC/FCIND/A/2022/647480; Date of Decision : 18.03.2024
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

It is stupendous achievement of ‘whispersinthecorridors.com’. You have made history. You deserve of this country as a media giant with a difference. Moment of pride for me since I always unflinching faith & high regard for you. Heartiest congratulations. God bless.
K D Dixit
Hearty congratulations to Aditya Srivastava for being the topper
We wish him all the very best in the years to come and let us pray and wish to him that he keeps the political class at an arm’s length. The best thing to know about him is that he will not be snobbish as most of them are. And Mr Editor please do not forget that the Engineering services exam conducted by UPSC is equally or tougher.
K Srimivasa Rao
National Civil Service day-feelings
On the occasion of National Civil Service Day, I wish to share my feelings about selflessness and pragmatism in pursuit of civil service. These feelings got triggered in me a few days back.
One day, my two daughters who are creative and jovial, asked me as to when is my retirement from Indian Police Service. What I told them, with a mischievous smile, got crystalized into an emotive poem reinforced with a rationale.
Here it is:
" Session of my passion "
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion grows to infinity.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion discards every vanity.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion gathers more gravity .
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion acquires more ability.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion assumes more stability.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion adds more scalability.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion passes every testability.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion optimises the stellar visibility.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion multiplies sense of vitality.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion envelopes more sustainability.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion boosts healthy antibodies for immunity.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion sculpts red letter day for creativity.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion discards any iota of frivolity.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion teaches to bow to everyone with respectablity.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion makes me wiser about life's fragility.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion refuses to shrink in spirituality.
As my retirement from Indian Police Service gravitates towards me, session of my passion echoes with a depth of himalayan humanity.
After beating about the bush, I told my daughters whose patience was about to wear out, that it will be on 30th June, 2025. Both of them wished me the very best to assertively claim their return gifts. Such sporting are my daughters who have full support from their smart mother.
IPS D C Sagar, ADGP Shahdol Zone, MP

Shortage of NCERT text books is not new but a scandal continuing for at least 4 decades. The booksellers have been overcharging under various pretexts. Fake publications had made corruption even in the education sector a thriving industry. Today, things are, to say the briefest, commercialised beyond redress. It is wise to explore options of choice rather than indulging in the luxury of complaining. In a fit of anger one might choose to lodge a complaint in the hope of justice; with little idea about justice!
M L Gupta

Mr. Shamim Alam filed an RTI application seeking information in relation to Non-Judicial stamp paper of the Denomination of Rupees 10 bearing a distinct number. The PIO replied that the disclosure of the sensitive details of the stamp paper(s) would adversely affect the economic interest of the country and would not serve any larger public interest. The information was denied by seeking exemption under Section 8(1)(a), 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, 2005. First Appeal was filed by Mr. Shakil Ahmed as a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) holder of the Mr. Shamim Alam which was rejected by FAA. Upon a remark by the CIC during second appeal regarding the appropriateness of the FAA’s order in having rejected the First Appeal filed under SPA by Shakil Ahmed, the Representative of the Appellant feebly stated that the erroneous First Appeal stands rectified as the Second Appeal has been filed by Shamim Alam only. The CIC observed that the FAA has appropriately rejected the First Appeal as being not maintainable as the RTI Application and First Appeal are filed by separate individuals. Further, since the channel of First Appeal has not been properly exhausted by the Appellant, the instant second appeal is also not maintainable.
Comments
As far as possible, a person who desires an information should file the RTI application and appeal under his / her own name and signature.
Citation: Shamim Alam v. Security Printing Press, Hyderabad, CIC/SPPRE/A/2022/151493; Date of Decision: 18.03.2024
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

While the serving civil servants have failed to perform, some Ex-bureaucrats rose to the occasion and took up the cudgel against the former breed.
In a recent letter to the Election commission , a group of 87 retired-bureaucrats who had worked in States and the central governments, penned down a strongly-worded letter to the Election commission,voicing serious concerns about "challenges to a level playing field ahead of the general election as per the Constitution of India" .The issue was largely ignored by the mainstream media for obvious reasons.
A big salute to Dr E. A. S. Sarma, former Secretary to Govt of India,for taking the initiative.He belongs to that rare breed of civil servants, who has always been fighting against the shortcomings in Indian democratic system- both, while in service and even after retirement. The late T N Seshan was another tough person,fit for the post of CEC.Extinct species.
The missive is a wake-up call for the Election commission that must share the blame for turning the Nelson's eye to the selective misuse of anti-corruption agencies by reigning political classes against their detractors.
The civil servants including those serving in States governed by parties supporting different political ideologies and the bureaucrats at the centre are expected to be apolitical . Unfortunately,their partisan approach shows their weak spines in lieu of petty gains.
Should the matter be allowed to rest here? Never,ever !
Time for Judicial activism in support of the retired bureaucrats. The Supreme Court is the only hope for the country. It is urged to order suo motu action against the non-performing,delinquent and politicised bureaucracy and even constitutional functionaries.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

As soon as the elections come, all the political parties have started announcing their manifestos and resolutions. This is a kind of election ritual which is performed by all parties. Looking at all the manifestos it shows that the middle class has been given the least attention. There are many promises for farmers, Dalits, tribals, minorities, women and the poor, but the middle class never gets anything. The same situation prevails in the budgets of state governments as well as the Centre. Even in the budgets of governments, least attention is given to the middle class. This is the situation when the middle class of the country is the strongest engine of economic development.
Ankita Malviya