Whispers Forum

The elite Civil service called the IAS has turned into an oligarchy that is out- of- sync with the ground realities. The simmering discontentment among some 20 other downtrodden organised services due to discriminatory treatment, might trigger a grassroots rebellion This could throw the elites out of office. Giving a 2 year initial edge to Indian Administrative Service officers over those from less-fortunately circumstanced civil services, is arbitrary, irrational and bad in law. This results in recurring damage to the career progression of other bureaucrats, who feel constantly discriminated against. The artificial distinction hitting the bureaucrats belonging to other services, below the belt, merely fuels the on-going inter-Services acrimony. PM Modi alone could remove the dichotomy by over-ruling the vested interests. The Government is urged to take the call. My motive is not to hurt anyone. If anyone feels hurt for holding contrarian views, I seek apologies in advance.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Where are the members of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam being taken in this century? The twenty first century born have a better idea, as they are natives to the smartphone, internet & AI culture and foresee the future with aplomb unlike the worried earlier born gen. In their view Covid in all its variants is experiment for population control as it has already reached 8 billion. Those in the 80 to 100 plus years age add to the planners worry as there is not enough food or shelter or health facility for all of them after 2050. Besides, AI is going to replace more than 90% of workers and jobs. Employment etc. are going to become a thing of the past. Moreover, the human mind can’t match the speed of AI in finishing a job with almost 100% accuracy. Currency is going to die in a few months as UPI is going to become safer, faster and hygienic. The technologically super powers are likely to tone up the planet earth by slimming & trimming humans and their operations. Almost every industry and business will need upgrading or upskilling, if there is any hope to do business and we will have no newspapers, TV channels, cinema or opera houses.
M L Gupta

BJP is preparing to make the Sandeshkhali incident in West Bengal the biggest issue in the Lok Sabha elections. The party has prepared a strategy to not only keep this issue alive till the elections but also to launch a powerful statewide movement. It is being said that under this, PM Narendra Modi may frequently visit Bengal. As a counter strategy, Trinamool Congress has also decided to launch the party's election campaign through a brigade rally on March 10, just after the Prime Minister's visit. It remains to be seen amidst all this politics, whether justice will be done and the perpetrators brought to book.
Ankita Kumari

Information pertaining to crash of an Attack Helicopter (IA 2148) of Indian Army on 25 January 2021 in an operational area near international border was sought by Mr Manik Chopra who was Commanding Officer of the said attack helicopter unit when the incident took place. A Court of Inquiry was initiated to investigate the circumstances in which the accident occurred. A certified copy of Preliminary Report received by HQ Western Command on 15 Jun 2021 was denied by the PIO under section 8 (1) (e) & 8 (1) (h) of RTI Act. The appellant alleged that certain officers arranged a copy of Preliminary Report and used it to attach and subsequently post out him (appellant) without providing a copy of the report to defend himself as per the provisions of natural justice. The respondent stated that purpose of the Preliminary Report in the instant case was limited to identify any immediate concerns relating to the safe operation of the attack helicopters and recommend precautionary measures to arrest similar occurrences in the highly active operational area, and the same had no relevance to either investigation by the court of Inquiry in the matter or subsequent departmental action against the appellant. In addition to the above, the communication of the said report to any person not authorized, may prejudice the National Security and also adversely affect the war preparedness of the Indian Army. It was also submitted that the information sought was held with their Headquarters Western Command in fiduciary capacity, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the security of the state and no public interest was involved in the request of the appellant. The CIC held that the reply given by the respondent is in consonance with the provision of the RTI Act and no interference is required.
Comments
As a Commanding Officer of the attack helicopter unit, the appellant was privy to all the records of the relating to the unit. In matters where national has been cited, the decision tends to be against the appellant. Ordinarily, any person charge-sheeted is given an opportunity to defend himself.
Citation: Manik Chopra v. Western Command, CIC/IARMY/A/2022/147250; Date of Decision : 19-02-2024
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