Whispers Forum

It seems the ACC has no control over the files pending for clearance. Welcome to minimum government and more governance. This minimum government will be run by a select few who can manage to get their files cleared by ACC in no time and others need to wait in eternity for the blessings of almighty ACC.
Amit
“Sins of Democracy”
Farm bills passed in haste, without due diligence, deliberations and without taking the stakeholders on board, are unforgivable sins in a democracy. The ten trade unions namely : NTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC have have extended their support to a nationwide agitation called by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee against the alleged “anti-people, anti-farmer destructive legislations pushed through by central government. This could lead to continuous turmoil at present juncture ,when the country is facing heightened threat perception from hostile neighbours.
Punjab and neighbouring Haryana fear that if big institutions start purchasing directly from the farmers, the state governments will lose out on the tax that these buyers have to pay at wholesale markets (Mandi tax). Some experts argue that agents, who form the backbone of wholesale markets, would lose their income if large buyers start buying direct from farmers. These concerns must have been addressed before rushing through legislations reducing democracy to a Number game. There is no room for " Royal obstinacy" in a democracy. Consultative approach is the key to success.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)
IAS out of race in Himachal Pradesh post
That is an excellent whisper for technocrats like me. Hope it becomes a reality.
K Srinivasa Rao

The existing Agricultural laws are meant for Punjab Haryana and Western UP. Mandis are a FCI scam.
Now MP is the largest producer of wheat and highest Procurement also from MP.
Whenever any existing beneficiaries lose out they will blame someone.
Should Laws be meant for 5000 farmers.
Why are there no Protests outside these areas.
Ajay Agnihotri
Narco-terrorism In India
Narcotics is a subject never discussed in Indian schools and families, but it has assumed dangerous proportions. Unless efforts are made to inform the public of its dangers, innocent persons will be caught unawares, as illustrated by the NCB arrests in Mumbai and the film industry coming in for unwelcome public gaze. As a first step, a white paper on the subject needs to be published immediately and given wide publicity. Presently, even the Annual Report of the Narcotics Control Bureau is out of easy public reach. A map of India depicting the production, supply, consumption areas and international networks ought to be included in the publication. How drugs are pushed at school and college Annual Day functions, sports events, cultural evenings, literary meets, field trips for project work and camps, festivals like Valentine’s Day need to be properly highlighted to protect vulnerable youth in festive mood. Opium in chocolate, chuski-mein whisky, bhang in burfi and pakora, liquor in fresh fruit juice in cities “which never sleep” and hukka-bars complete with modern floor dancing are products of a business of Rs. 500000 (five lakh) Crore per annum or more. It’s Dubai and Nepal connection is significant as Pakistan’s ISI is actively promoting Narco-terrorism against India. The modus operandi needs to be exposed as poor, innocent, illiterate boys, girls, youth are the target. They are allured by the film heroes, heroines and models taking drugs, which is a statement of aristocracy as cigarettes used to be in old Bollywood films. Once a boy or girl walks into the trap laid by the narco-terrorists, it is difficult to escape- they are killed, and their organs sold in the illegal organ trade. How drugs damage physical and mental health of the consumer has to be vividly illustrated. Cigarette packs carry illustrations depicting injurious effects of smoking, but no such illustration is in circulation for narcotics, psychotropic substances, psychedelic drugs, opium, ganja, charas and bhang. It is so frightening to even imagine that poison and cobra venom is mixed with these substances and taken or smoked! Liquor and drugs destroy both physical as well as financial health of poor/middle income families, especially women and children. The narco-terrorist mafia plans and modus of anti-national activities have to be publicised clearly. Over the years the mafia has built very strong connections with politicians, legislators, ministers, film personalities, journalists, advocates, builders, Public Relations Agencies, Image Building Agencies, businesses, criminals, Naxalites, hawala operators and smugglers. It is a matter of public health, homeland security, public finance, national economy and national defence. It calls for firm swift action. It should be debated in schools/colleges and universities on Anti-Drugs Day .
M L Gupta

IAS officers are arguably very intelligent and UPSC thru their rigorous and unblemished procedure recruits them . In such parlance, is it not a big riddle that if Raghavendra saheb (1AS : 83) was so intelligent and heavily possessed with new innovations for cultural emancipation in culture Ministry, why he was unceremoniously removed and posted in textile ministry (almost three years ago) shrunken importance and how irreparable loss his absentia must have caused during these three years successive two secretaries were placed one after the other and today people are feeling vilified when Govt sent not insinuation but placed Raghavendra after one year of his superannuation but already glorified and mystified with CEO of Museums Saddled with now crown of Secretary Culture Govt of india and placing the incumbent Sh Anand kumar ji to decimated position ( only bureaucrats coin this classification of positions ) . It gives two possibilities that there has been some eclectic renaissance and enlightening effect in Sh Raghavendra ji that is now found much needed by PM office / DOPT and Sh Anand kumar saheb is found totally unfit for culture . Govt should also appreciate that people who have eligible for Secretary posts are waiting with all poise to be given the charge while with this procedure one able bureaucrat has lost the chance to climb that ladder . There has been plethora of post retirement assignments for few chosen officers as if they are overflowing with wisdom and others are anemic in skills . Bureaucracy is no more and should not be domain beyond the comprehension of common society , things are now lens scanner of common man and this kind of insidious and hagemonistic approach may kindly be avoided .
Mahendra Goel

DEBATE(1)
In my view, considering China’s predatory tactics, Republicans will be better for India. They mince no words in calling a spade a spade and believe in taking the bull by its horns. Words like bully , predators, China virus etc. show no diplomatic sophistry but are music to Indian ears.
S Mishra
Quality improvement in health care important
At a time when evolution of technology is on the peak, medical science is also seeing innumerable advances. But, when it comes to addressing patient needs, ensuring patient safety, efficiency of the system, and quality improvement, healthcare system is performing far below acceptable levels. We have only seen the medical environment where physicians rely primarily on the traditional practice of using pen-paper, memory, and few extra efforts to improve the care given to patients. However, our medical environment requires deliberate redesigning for reliable, cost-effective and sustained quality improvement in healthcare system.
Paraj Saxena

Appellant sought to know about action taken against Private Aided / Grant-in Aid Colleges affiliated to the Andhra University for not implementing the UGC Regulations, 2018. The PIO explained during the hearing that the UGC is not the authority to take any action as this will be done by the University or the State Government who have to ensure implementation of the regulations. The PIO submitted that the UGC Guidelines, 2018 are mandatory in nature and cannot be overlooked. The CIC held that the order is incomplete as there is no categorical reply to the point raised by the appellant as to what action has been taken against those Private Aided / Grant-in Aid Colleges affiliated to the Andhra University who have not implemented the UGC Regulations, 2018. During the hearing, the CPIO explained that there is no procedure in the UGC Regulations to penalize any college. It is the concerned University with which the College is affiliated or the State Government who has to keep a check on the Colleges and UGC has no role to play in this. The CIC held that incomplete information has been provided and directed the PIO to provide an additional reply to the appellant in the same way as was explained by him during the hearing.
Comments
As the overall regulatory body, the UGC has been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the quality of education in the country. The submissions made on behalf of the UGC show that it does not have any direct powers to take penal action against the colleges who do not follow the UGC Regulations, 2018.
Citation: Jagannadha K Galinkala v. University Grants Commission (UGC) in File no.: CIC/UGCOM/A/2020/661349, Date of Decision: 07/09/2020
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Apart from her weekly article here, her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com

One of the best four features define Human Rights: (1) HRs are available to everybody without any discrimination, (2) HRs are available in all countries, (3) HRs are available all the time, and (4) HRs are available in the normal course easily rather than rarely. The text reads: Sabahi sulabh sab din sab desa (Hindi). The emphasis is on Sabahi, Sulabh, sab desa and Sab Din. It is legitimately expected of the National and State Human Rights Commissions to initiate suo motto action promptly whenever an instance of a breach appears in the public domain. Instances of the misuse of the brutal power of the police or other agencies are aplenty and silence of the Commissions is terribly intriguing. Art, culture, ingenuity, innovation, research, discovery, ideas and intellectual pursuits are particular targets of violators of human rights. Timely move of the commissions can help deter crimes and restore a semblance of civility in society.
M L Gupta

COVID cases are increasing in the country. Some measures that can be taken by all concerned for their safety and that of others bear reiterating: 1. Go out only if you must. 2. Wear a mask when you go out. Ensure that it covers the nose, mouth and face in a close fit. Do not remove your mask while outside home. Leave one mask for three days before reusing or else, wash, dry and iron it (if mask is made of cloth or fabric).. Regrettably, even senior officers are casual with mask use. 3. Maintain six feet distance with all others at all times. Do not be in a hurry and do not neglect this aspect. A mask cannot help unless you practice social distancing. Do not crowd places and counsel those who are doing so in your presence. 4. Keep washing your hands with alcohol based hand rub every half hour. 5. Do not touch any surfaces outside home like electric switches, lift buttons, door handles with bare hands. Use a tissue and discard it in proper waste bin immediately thereafter. 6. Be careful about walking on the spit of others. Do educate others about spitting all over the place. 7. Minimise meetings. Try video conferencing, telephone, e-mail, etc. If physical meeting is necessary, ensure social distancing, mask use and do not allow refreshments, water, tea, coffee, etc. 8. Try electronic files for work. If physical files have to be used, try handling such files with gloves. Gloves can be discarded properly thereafter. 9. Try using disinfectant or sanitiser to clean surfaces before touching them. 10. This is a pandemic which comes once in a hundred years. Be careful. Casual approach can be deadly. Since it is a very highly infectious disease, utmost care to avoid cough, sneeze and breath droplets and contaminated surfaces is required (treat every surface as contaminated). Follow all advisories of the government authorities fully. Do not get unnecessarily confident.
Vijay Kumar
Shukla is an honest & upright officer
R S Shukla relieved to join as Secretary, Parliamentary Affairs. He is an honest & upright officer. He has taken lot of good decisions and also done various good job for the benefit of the public at large at West Bengal. I wish him success. God bless.
Naba Kumar Mukherjee

Cries of job losses, economic decline, sufferings of the poor has been a recurring theme for politicians and commissioned newspaper columnists. So far none of them has presented any figures of such losses due to the disappearance of the Rs. 1000 currency note. Those hurt belonged to the corrupt, tax evading, hawala operators, black money-wallahs, parallel government and black economy. Hurt were those rigging the democratic environment of the country and rule of law. Hurt were those who owed allegiance to outside India authorities shamelessly. Hurt were those who were in covert/overt Treaty/MOU relationships/arrangements with the enemies like Pakistan and China (other names are being withheld). Hurt were those who were exploiting the employees without paying full lawful wages, PF and other benefits and minting black money hoarding it in currency notes of the denomination of 1000. If some political party or politician or economist can present reliable well researched figures on jobs lost, s/he gets loud applaud.
M L Gupta
Former CAG to be prosecuted ?
It is not the ex CAG whose prosecution has been proposed by CBI rather, it is the Ex Defence Secretary. It was coincidental that he was appointed the CAG after the alleged episode.
Ujjwal

The appellant sought information from DRDL if a particular post comes under new pension scheme or old pension scheme and criteria for placing the selected candidates in New or Old Pensions Scheme. The CIC observed that the Appellant has not made any allegations of human rights violation or corruption in his RTI Application, First Appeal or Second Appeal regarding information about the pension scheme. Adverting to the allegations of human rights violation urged by the advocate of the Appellant during hearing as well as in his written submissions dated 18.07.2020 & 20.07.2020 with respect to the pension scheme, the CIC held that no violation of human rights is involved in service matters, such as promotion, disciplinary actions, pay increments, retiral benefits, pension, gratuity, etc.
Comments
The expression “Human Rights’’ denotes certain inalienable rights which every individual has by virtue of being a member of the Human Family. The expression “Human Rights” is defined under Section 2(1)(d) of The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 means "the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India". The expression cannot be extended to include controversies relating to service matters of persons working under schedule II organisation.
Citation: G Laxminarayana v. Defence Research & Development Laboratory in File No : CIC/DRADO/A/2018/162164, Date of Decision: 20/07/2020
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Apart from her weekly article here, her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com

PM Modi is skillfully retaining his popularity despite committing mistakes or for not being able to deliver . How?
Voters firmly believe : ‘ What Modi does, must be right.’
How is the situation at Gound Zero? A reality check throws up some noteworthy controversies.
(a) Modi sarkar has issued instructions to all central ministries suggesting ways and means to curtail public expenditure. There is nothing heroic about it. This was the annual exercise taken by successive governments during the past 70 years. The scheme of appointing consultants was launched by UPA govt. This involved gross misuse of discretionary powers. Bureaucracy has become top heavy with effete feet.
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(b) Screaming slogans like: Less government, more governance, Right-sizing the government, turning civil servants into “Karmayogis”, are mere rhetorics to divert public attention .
(c) Latest directive to central ministries and PSUs to stop printing calendars and diaries, is laughable. There is now a ban on celebrating Foundation day. But, there is no ban on Foundation stone laying ceremonies. Why the double standards? Surfers may recall the unwritten convention according to which , no central minister could be the chief guest at Foundation stones laying ceremonies. It is PM’s prerogative, alone.
What are some non-priority issues whose implementation could have been be deferred till “better times”. The list is Illustrative, not exhaustive.
(d) Despite opposition from eminent architects and engineers, PM Modi is going ahead with his pet project costing Rs 20,000 crores for re-development of central vista including construction of new Parliament house, a composite office complex for locating all central ministries/departments, separate home for PM,close to South block. The stated policy of the government has been to de-centralize location of office buildings from Delhi to NCR towns.This is to decongest the capital city by reducing its high population density . Locating key central ministries at one place pose grave security risk.
(e) Worse , procuring two wide body “Air India 1” luxury planes , fitted with advanced defence systems for use of President ,VP and PM, costing Rs 8,458 crores could have been postponed. The MOF should have advised against investment on such extravaganza . The Air India has been perennially in the red. Are we living in a democracy or Sheikhdom?
Country does not need luxury aircrafts for VVIPs’ individual use. It needs more fighter jets for national security.
(f) PM Modi's 'Man ki Baat', as a monologue, has become a dull , monotonous affair.
He must, instead, start holding Press conference for wider reach. Why is he scared of Media like his illustrious predecessor, Dr Manmohan Singh ?
(g) Appointing favourite officers to key position post-retirement, smacks of arbitrariness, indiscretion, based on pick & choose. This must be banned.
(h) Granting extensions to bureaucrats post- retirement is the norm. Questionable. Must be banned.
(i) Several government organizations, central PSUs, have been lying headless.Implementation paralysis.
One hopes , PM Modi makes amends for his mistakes.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)
PC should not accept anything less than CM
A personality of the stature of PC should not aspire or accept the offer of Dy CM of TN if DMK comes to power after the state assembly elections next year. A person who had been HM and FM of India should not accept anything less than the post of CM. Secondly elections are only next year, so it will be a wise and prudent thing to put a stop to these types of speculations in these columns. TN elections are always fierce campaigns and who wins or not is Ivey difficult to predict.
K Srinivasa Rao

The announcement by EPFO with a gala fanfare that they will give 8.5% interest for the year 2019-20 despite covid is nothing but a hogwash to cover all their shortcomings. Why do I say so? 1. The interest will be credited in two instalments of 8.15 and 0.35 percent. What is the logic for this? This is for the year 2019-2020 most of which is pre-covid. So on April 1 , 2020 8.5% interest should have been credited in user accounts. Splitting in 2 installments makes no sense. except to help cover up the inefficiency of the EPFO investments. 2. If the interest is credited on April 1, the 8.5% interst also starts accumulating interest but by delaying the crediting of interest and also unnecessarily splitting up in 2 instalments the EPFO is trying to fool common people. And above it they have the audacity to give it as Headline News: WEPFO to give the same rate of interest.
Ajay Gulati
Honour of a woman is a nation's honour
Sometime back Central bureau of Investigation, in its report, has held three women officers; one district magistrate and two superintendents of police, guilty of laxity, negligence, lackadaisical approach and intentional inaction, in the most notorious and infamous Unnao rape case in Uttar Pradesh. A minor girl was raped in this case, her father was killed in the custody, and later on her two aunts were killed and she herself was grievously injured in an intentional bid of murder through accident. So instead of protecting an innocent girl, the women officers looked the accused’s way.
In Faridkot, in 2012, a minor girl, within a period of three months was twice abducted from her house in the presence of her parents after causing them serious injuries, and in full public view, by a notorious gangster. The police at the very senior level endeavored to project it as a case of elopement, despite fully knowing that the girl was minor. It was only after the state-wide agitation that the police took note of the most serious crime, and felt brave enough to do its duty and annoy the patronizing political masters.
In 2012,in Chheharta town of Amritsar, an Assistant sub inspector of police was shot dead in the full daylight and public view, when he confronted the stalkers, who had been passing lewd remarks to his daughter. He was accompanied by two gunmen, who ran away when the scuffle began. All this happened even though the daughter of the slain police officer had made a written complaint to the police station some days before the mishap. The assailant was an officer bearer of the ruling party then, may be it was the reason for the police to sit on the complaint of the daughter of the police officer.
These are but very few cases of such heinous crime, where the police looked complicit by its initial inaction.
In Hyderabad a few months back, a lady veterinary doctor was raped and burnt alive. The whole nation was aghast at this barbarian act. The instant justice was done in that case by staging an encounter and killing all the culprits. Though human rights activists were not happy with the encounter, but the people at large were happy.
The state could not protect the life and dignity of its citizen, but at least, acted to register its existence. It happened in Amritsar in 1959.Some army officers' families had come to the Railway station to see off one colleague. Some goons there tried to molest womenfolk of army officers and passed lewd remarks.
When challenged, the goons ran and hid themselves In Parkash theatre. The commanding officer of 5 Jat regiment was informed, who sent more men. The theatre was sealed and the main culprit, the son of the chief minister, was taken into custody and beaten up. Even in those days of Nehru and his favourite CM Partap Singh Kairon, the matter went upto the parliament Instead of taking action against the CM and his son, explanation of the army was called.
Army chief General Thimayya replied, ''If we cannot defend the honour of our women, how can you expect us to defend the honour of our country. ''Though the matter ended, but it gave rise to the political gundagardi in the country and seems to be endless. Each citizen needs to have the spirit of General Thimayya to fight this most heinous crime against mankind.
Surinderjit Singh Sandhu