Whispers Forum

There has been a continuous decline in the quality of public services delivery mechanism in the country. Thanks to deteriorating quality of civil servants, recruited by the Union and States public services commissions. The selection process is flawed, reduced to a university type examination. The aspirants from the science and technical streams get unintended advantage over those from the humanities streams. No level playing field. The perception that the candidates from the former streams are better is misplaced. Consider the following facts.
The present selection methodology is elimination-based rather than merit-based. The scheme of examinations must be re-visited both by the UPSC and the States PSCs to eliminate mediocrity in the quality of civil servants.
More importantly, the marginalised sections of society especially those from the rural areas must be given opportunities including access to free coaching facilities. At present, the benefits of reservations in services are cornered by the more fortunately circumstanced urban youths. Those in the rural areas continue to stoically suffer untouchability.
Another point. Granting endless number of attempts and increased eligibility age limits available to various categories, defeat the purpose of selections. These criteria must be reviewed so that civil servants from all categories get equal opportunity to reach the top echelons of bureaucracy.
Under the present dispensations followed by the Union and States public services commissions, the quality of selected candidates become the casualty. No initiative, no service-oriented mindsets. This leads to poor public services delivery mechanism. The weightage of marks earmarked for interviews must be increased
Concentration of decision making authority in the PMO and CMOs, must be minimal. At present, the administrative ministries especially in the States, have been robbed of initiatives in decision making. The authority lies in the hands of select coteries of pliable bureaucrats, carefully chosen by the respective chief ministers. The coteries behave like powerful bureaucrats-turned-politicians. The public services delivery act remains unimplemented with no penalties imposed on the defaulters.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

The Appellant filed an RTI application seeking documentation of complete data of caste-based census completed by Govt of India since year 1991 and other related information. He specifically sought certified copies under section 2(j) (iii) of the RTI Act requesting not share any website link available in public domain claiming that he lacks expertise to analyse that data. The PIO stated that relevant information has been duly furnished to the Appellant from their official record. She added that the relevant website link has also been furnished to him. She stated that the link furnished to the Appellant is user friendly and complete data related to census 2011 is already available on website. She further stated that the data related to census 2011 is voluminous in nature and it is not feasible to furnish the hardcopy of the same. The Appellant submitted that the relevant information has not been furnished to him till date. He stated that he has clearly mentioned in his RTI Application to provide the certified copies of all the documents sought and not the relevant website link. The CIC noted that that when an information or record is already in the public domain and there is a procedure for disclosure of such information, the same cannot be said to be held or under the control of public authority and it is deemed to be given to the public at large.
Comments
The officers of the public authorities who are designated as CPIOs have other duties and the duty to be discharged by them as CPIO is mostly an additional responsibility. Dealing with request for information is a time consuming process which is a drain on the resources of the public authorities. Ordinarily, photocopies of records which are already made in the public domain are not to be provided.
Citation: Shri Prashant Vilas Dhasal v. Office of the Registrar General of India, Second Appeal No. CIC/ORGOI/A/2022/643113; Date of Decision: 18.01.2024
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

The Civil Services Examination needs to be made tougher. The difficulty level has to increase. The reason is that modern day governance is getting more and more complex day by day and we just cannot get along with average talent in the Civil Services. The paradigm that anyone can carry out administration is a myth which has done a lot of damage in the last 70 years of Congress rule.
Vijay Kumar
Kishor Rungta relinquishes charge as CMD, FACT
Very unfortunate that an outstanding officer has not been recognized properly and an extension denied to him. The Ministry should reward such officers otherwise the morale of the organization will suffer.
K Srinivasa Rao

The absence of public information officers during the hearing before the CIC shows the degree of respect the information commission has in the eyes of the government officials. They have little regard for the commission and deny the information with impunity. The fear of the commission is lacking and the CIC must exert itself to command the respect it deserves. It must use the penal provisions in all the deserving cases without any bias. Unless the CIC exhibits that it means business, who would care for a paper tiger?
S Nankani

One Hundred crore united under Hindutva, seen & felt after the inauguration of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. Narendra Modi has given his 100% as a BJP Jan sevak & Prime Minister of India which is praised worldwide; the rising sentiments with huge number make India a Super power along with other major factors including Stable and Influential Government, Skilled Manpower, upward economy, Military expertise & rich in culture, Make in India will boom the Industrial sector & currency will be seen strengthening shortly, known for Jugad, Indians will soon rule the world economy.
Vivek Dhawan

Information about the clause under which CHAFAA allowance of the appellant was not adjusted and other information was sought from the Bihar Regimental Centre. The Respondent informed the CIC that a sum of Rs. 1,08,258/ - in lieu of CHAFAA was remitted in the account of Appellant. The CIC noted that the core contention has already clarified by Respondent through written submission that this amount was credited to the account of Appellant. The CIC found no infirmity in the response furnished in terms of the RTI Act. Further, the CIC cautioned the Respondent to be careful in future and avoid causing disregard to the hearing proceedings by remaining absent before the bench to avoid attracting penal action.
Comments
The case law depicts how the RTI Act is being used by citizens for grievance redressal. It also shows that even after providing the information to the appellant and solving his grievance, the public authority was at the receiving end before the CIC as the PIO abstained at the hearing proceedings.
Citation: Dhage Sandip Sudam v. Pay Account Office (ORs), Bihar Regimental Centre, File No : CIC/PAYAO/A/2022/149251/CGDAC; Date of Decision : 11-01-2024
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