Whispers Forum

People are angry at the irresponsible conduct of the agitators in the name of farmers. It is a ruse only. Green revolution has hurt the interests of countries like Canada, USA and others who have lost a huge market like India to sell their grain and other agri-products (recall PL-480 and its weaponization). India has started exporting instead- a double whammy. Holocaust is known to Indians but hardly “holodomor”, which is deadlier than holocaust as it is mass killing/genocide by starvation. For India the problems are many (akin to more thieves than police, more patients than doctors, more litigants than judges, more “for corruption parties” than those “against corruption”). We are told about the Bengal famine and blame the British for it (but it is not called holodomor). Why? Everyone of us must ponder this issue in the context of the farmers agitation 2024. It is part of a triple attack: K2 plan, food insecurity through Kisan Andolan and economic disruption by way of Hindenburg/Soros style abuse of the due process of laws. The sponsors want only Pappus for Modis. The farmers are going to be starved first by such agitation by creating artificial food shortage and liquidating the Soviet dictator J Stalin way later.
M L Gupta

The appellant sought for certain information from University Grants Commission (UGC) - a photocopy of the rules that education institutions cannot keep original documents of students such as marksheet, passing certificate, Migration certificate and other documents. He further asked for the number of members of NAAC team visit a college during inspection, the checks carried out by them, cost for NAAC inspection per college / per university, source of UGC revenue etc. Dissatisfied with the response received, the Appellant approached the CIC. The CIC observed that the appellant communicated to the Registry that he had received the requisite information and was not willing to pursue the second appeal any further. The CIC held that there is no scope for further intervention in the matter.
Comments
The UGC website contains some information on their website such as Annual reports. However, most of the information sought in the RTI application ought to have been provided suo-motu by the UGC. In this case, the CIC should have directed the UGC to put the information on their website. It would be prudent for the UGC to consider putting up a series of FAQ’s for the benefit of the students and their parents.
Citation: Abhishek Ranjan v. University Grants Commission, Second Appeal No. CIC/UGCOM/A/2023/622787; Date of Decision: 16.01.2024
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

Sonia Gandhi has filed her nomination papers from Rajasthan for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Sonia Gandhi has been representing Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha since 2004. This move has come at a time when Rahul Gandhi is on Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra and the timing of this Yatra is being criticized, opinion polls are predicting PM Modi's victory in the Lok Sabha elections for the third consecutive time. Congress leaders are leaving the party one after the other and questions are being raised about the coordination on seats between the parties of the opposition India Alliance. It is true Sonia Gandhi's decision marks the end of an era and perhaps the decision is a loss for the Congress and the opposition. Sonia Gandhi's presence in the Lok Sabha was encouraging not only for the Congress but also for the opposition. Her presence in the Lok Sabha provided encouragement and a voice for the opposition. This decision will take her away from direct electoral politics at a time when Congress is on the decline.
Nancy Singh Ahirwar

Your whisper in the corridors gives accurate predictions on Congress party downfall. For Congress mukt Bharat guarantee of PM Modi its must for Congress to show doors to mass leaders and retain drawing room politicians with UN (urban Naxal) mind and background and reward them with Rajya Sabha tickets. The statements from Congress stalwarts these days in and outside parliament except a few exceptions like Manish Tiwari, Digvijay Singh are more of pure leftist thoughts of jealousy and targeting corporates creating wealth and jobs for the nation than true Congress ideology. The country needs a good opposition too when it has a powerful, popular global leader in PM Modi for a few more years but the Congress from Congress (I) is increasingly being seen as Congress (V) ie Venu which ultimately is not.
S Saboo

The complainant sought details of action taken on a complaint of withdrawal of money from bank account using forged signature and using ATM. Dissatisfied with the response received from the PIO, the Complainant filed a First Appeal alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA did not pass any order. The Commission observed that the respondent furnished point-wise reply, however, both the parties remained absent during the hearing, despite hearing notices having been served upon them. The CIC took a serious note of the absence of the PIO during the hearing without prior intimation and directed to submit written explanations citing reasons for their absence during the hearing before the Commission within 15 days from the date of receipt of the order. In view of the absence of both the parties and the matter not being pressed for, the Commission found no scope for further intervention in the matter and dismissed the dismissed.
Comments
A PIO should not abstain from hearing without prior intimation lest a show cuase notice is served for imposing penalty under section 20.
Citation: Heera Shauharat v. Punjab National Bank, Complaint No. CIC/PNBNK/C/2022/141431; Date of Decision: 01.02.2024
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

Apropos WIC Forum dated Feb 10.The idea of identifying the constitutional functionaries like the CEC and ECs through a committee representing all national political parties, is absurd. This would lead to their further politicization, impacting independence and transparency, the sine qua non for conducting free and fair elections mandated by the Constitution. Removal of CJI from the selection-cum-search committee by changing the procedure through legislative route (brute majority) is a regressive step, making the appointments in Election Commission arbitrary and discretionary, based on pick-and-choose. Sadly, the CJI ,as the custodian of the constitution, remained a mute spectator. He has gone down in public esteem due to his inaction. Stake-holders consultation was necessary. Going a step further, the public would uphold the idea of making appointments in all constitutional bodies like the EC,C&AG, and the UPSC by the same committee headed by the PM with LOP and CJI as members. Status quo ante must be restored. The Judiciary, as one of the pillars of Parliamentary democracy, must be respected. This would further enhance the image of PM Modi in the public eye.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)