Whispers Forum

Over a period of time, the Information Commission is emerging as a body which is denying the information rather than facilitating it. In such a simple case where some degrees are the prerequisites and essential for appointment, there is no reason to deny the information. At least, the public information officer should issue a notice to the third party. The third party obviously has no qualms about disclosing the details of the degree. In fact, in academic circles, everyone wants to flaunt the degrees and achievements.
C M Nimje

Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly said that the Prime Minister had not made a single speech in parliament in English. It is very interesting. It sums up the grand success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 10 full years running smoothly making India the 5th largest economy in the world and many other accomplishments. He has used the power of words to the maximum to register success after success, as he understands the “shabd shakti”. Well, that is the intellectual heritage of India, flowing from Sanskrit and converging into the tributaries called Modern Indian Languages (122: Census 2011). Narendra Modi has spoken for 10 years the language of the masses connecting to them instantly. Interestingly, again his rivals have suffered losses after losses by using English only or uttering Hindi/MIL as if they are the children of the Gora Sahibs! They have committed the sin of using English maliciously, opting for the hate glossary wantonly, employing vulgar and evil words for aggravating the vicious vitriol against Narendra Modi under the delusion that the Indian people can be easily fooled. The Indian masses are so learned in wise stories (Panchatantra is one) orally narrated that they know thousands of idioms which convey wisdom in a few words. Narendra Modi has intelligently used them in all these 10 years so skillfully that his opponents don’t yet know how to match him. Frustrated, they only abuse him daily in the country & in foreign countries, annoying the voters every day unabated.
M L Gupta

I beg to disagree with Gautam Nigam, if there were sufficient cases against Congress party or Rahul, what is stopping system to take action against them, more than one year elapsed since raid etc were conducted. Rahul Gandhi whom whole nation was terming as pappu has walked a long political journey by walking on foot etc in India so long, meeting NRIs in USA & EU. If dispensation decides to hold elections early or as scheduled, certainly, in for many many big surprises. Of course Indian voter has consciousness & is fond of giving surprises each time. All analysis of TV & media etc miserably fails finally as VOTER is the king in India.
Harish Kumar

It is not appropriate to put that the officers of Railways are under pressure and feeling frustrated. The Railway Ministry is totally controlled by the officers of Railway Services having no interference of any IAS and most other power points except the Railway Minister over it. Moreover, the minister is also from the bureaucracy and he’s supposed to be one who doesn’t believe in status quo which has been plaguing hitherto, there cannot be any extra pressure on any officers, but yes, the reason could be other way around, that the officers are now compelled to work, while they were hitherto not getting the direction adopting, procrastination. There can’t be any office of Govt of India or any state Govt where there is even one fourth of work, the officer is meant for, could be empty hands playing with tools (not an accusation) Let all of us, when the country is shining, take a pledge to double our efficiency, and take the decisions as per rules, but without any delay, so that contribution from all corners and walks of life tickle down and we surge ahead to become The global economy.
Mahendra Goel

The appellant sought information about Dr Amulya K Panda Director, National Institute of Immunology like - the name of the subject in which he obtained master’s degree (with specialization, if any), the subject on which he was awarded PhD degree etc. It was informed that Dr Panda has superannuated on 31.05.2021. It is a personal information exempt under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, since it has no relation to public activity or interest and is exempted from disclosure to prevent unwarranted invasion of privacy. Relying on the ratio laid down in the matter of Central Public Information Officer, Supreme Court of India v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal in Civil Appeal Nos. 10044, 10045 and 2683 (all of 2010), the CIC denied the request of Appellant for disclosure of the information and upheld the submission of the PIO.
Comments
Information about the educational qualification of scholars is usually available publically, on the website of the organisation. The linked in profile of Dr Amulya K Panda shows his education as PhD - Biotechnology (IIT Delhi), M Tech - Chemical Engineering (IIT Madras) apart from other degrees. It indicates that the individual has no qualms regarding disclosure of his educational degree. The PIO could have issued a third party notice rather than flatly denying the information. If the qualification for a post requires Master’s degree or PhD, it is liable to be disclosed under RTI.
Citation: Dr. D. D. Joshi v. National Institute of Immunology (Ministry of Science & Technology), CIC/NIIMM/A/2022/647852; Date of Decision: 26.07.2023
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

Request to convey Indian Journalists Union (IJU) hearty congratulations to Hon'ble Chief Minister Sri Shivaraj Singh Chohan ji for his announcements made today on the welfare of working journalists in the state . It is one state on the top in the country in the welfare measures of working journalists. The Indian Journalists Union once again congratulate sri Shivaraj Singh ji.
K.Sreenivas Reddy President
G 20 Summit and India
The G20 summit will be held from September 9-10, 2023 at Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi and will be attended by the leaders of the G20 countries, as well as invited guests.
The theme of the summit is "Building a Resilient Recovery for a Sustainable Future".
The summit is expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including the global economy, climate change, and digitalization. It is also expected to be a platform for India to showcase its economic and diplomatic prowess.
The G20 is an international forum for the governments of the world's 20 largest economies. It was established in 1999 to promote international economic cooperation and coordination. The G20 countries account for about 80% of the world's GDP, 75% of global trade, and 60% of the world's population.
The G20 summit is the main decision-making body of the G20. It is held every year and is attended by the leaders of the G20 countries. The summit is a chance for the leaders to discuss and agree on global economic and financial issues.
The 2023 G20 India Summit is a significant event for India. It is the first time that India will be hosting the G20 summit. The summit is a chance for India to showcase its economic and diplomatic prowess to the world.
The key issues that are likely to be discussed are:
The global economy: The summit is likely to discuss the recovery of the global economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. The leaders will also discuss ways to address the rising inflation and food insecurity.
Climate change: The summit is likely to discuss ways to address the climate crisis. The leaders will also discuss how to transition to a clean energy economy.
Digitalization: The summit is likely to discuss the opportunities and challenges of digitalization. The leaders will also discuss how to ensure that everyone benefits from the digital revolution.
Poverty and inequality: The summit is likely to discuss ways to reduce poverty and inequality. The leaders will also discuss how to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to prosper.
Hina Khan

I fully agree with ML Gupta views expressed on 370 in J&K on recent happenings or decisions. I must add that it is high time that all 29 states and 9 Union Territories must be declared as States, this job can be done by the Electoral Reforms Committee appointed by the Government of India recently. All Central and State Elections are held once in 5 years, also both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Elections, State Elections be held once in 5 years with uniformity of tenure. Rajya Sabha members can be elected by direct elections or by State Assembly & Lok Sabha Members within one month of elections. Of course the committee doing this job will better do some research work before arriving at any conclusions in the interest of India's democracy. Nomination system dispensing with & uniform tenure for Rajya Sabha is a must for India now.
Harish Kumar

I have been an account holder in State Bank of India since many years in branches in different parts of the country and in the last 15 years I am operating from the same branch. So I was astounded when I received SMS this morning (02 Sept 2023) informing that STOP has been put on my account. I was advised to visit the branch concerned to know the reason and to do whatever I am asked to do. The executive at the bank explained that mine is a very old account opened many years ago and the Bank is updating your records. She asked me take an account opening form, fill it furnishing all the details asked, attach copies of PAN card, adhaar card etc and submit. After updating the details the hold will be lifted. I wanted to tell her that I have been regularly updating my KYC details which are available with the branch. She just smiled and said these are instructions from the top, Sir. Just fill the form and bring it to me. Of course after dealing with SBI for over thirty years I knew better than to pick up an argument and came away. While filling the new account opening form I was astounded that I had to furnish the maiden name of not only myself but my wife, our religion, caste etc. I never had a maiden name! but why ask for religion, caste etc. Will someone from SBI care to respond.
Raghavan

Coaching creates civil servants ; their pre-induction training makes them arrogant. Worse, their final appointment makes them pliable to the political class.
Why not merge the existing organised civil services with a new UPSC-recruited service called the "Indian political service" ? Let them be trained together (pre-induction and in-service) for achieving greater synergy and creating a more effective public services delivery mechanism.
The modern Indian civil servants have immeasurable capacity to gel with politicians of all hues.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)